After the Federal Government vetoed the wind turbine terminal planned for Port Hastings, the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) is calling for the State Government to urgently put in place strict environmental protections against off-shore energy project for wetlands such a Western Port Bay.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek blocked the proposed terminal at Port Hastings because of “unacceptable“ and “irreversible“ risks to native endangered wildlife in Western Port Bay’s Ramsar-listed wetlands.
The terminal is critical to the State Government’s ambitious plan to develop an off-shore wind energy industry for Victoria that would see operation wind farms off the coast of Gippsland.
The clean-energy proposal has garnered controversy as it is reported to require the dredging of 92ha of Western Port Bay’s international protected wetlands.
The VNPA welcomed the Federal Minister’s decision as it highlighted the need for the State Government to better protect Western Port Bay from the effects of risky developments.
“This project risked an internationally protected wetland and bird sanctuary critical for 65 per cent; of Victoria’s threatened bird species,“ VNPA’s nature campaigner Shannon Hurley said.
“The Federal Minister had no option other than blocking the proposal because of the threat of enormous environmental damage
“While a fast transition from polluting to clean energy sources is necessary to avoid the extreme impacts of climate disruption, it cannot come at the cost of the marine environment.
“An environmentally responsible offshore renewables sector requires a plan for how marine habitats and Western Port Bay’s precious wetlands will be protected.
“Last year the State Government was presented with a proposal for a new plan for protecting Western Port Bay.
“If they don’t adopt the proposal the future of this unique environment will continue to be at risk from further developments.“
Premier Jacinta Allan said the State Government was not pleased with the veto in the face of significant standards set on renewable energy.
“It’s fair to say we are unhappy with the decision, particularly because the federal government has set very strong renewable targets, we have very strong renewable energy targets,” Ms Allan said, as reported by the Financial Review.
“We need to make this transition to provide energy security through renewable sources and offshore wind is a big and important part of that.“
The Framework for Western Port Bay is a plan to protect the area’s precious wetlands and support sustainable marine and tourism industries developed by VNPA, Western Port Biosphere Foundation and Save Westernport with support from Traditional Custodians, local business, tourism and nature protection groups.
Jane Carnegie from Save Westernport said the veto, “demonstrates the Federal Minister using her powers to protect a Ramsar wetland – an area of international environmental significance and a major recreational and fishing area for all Victorians.“
