Offshore wind must focus on local jobs: Chester

FEDERAL Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, says local landholders need to be respected and local jobs have to be a priority, following the formal declaration of Australia’s first development zone for offshore wind energy.

Mr Chester said he remained a supporter of a ‘balanced and sensible approach to renewable energy’ with the Bass Strait region identified as having great potential to meet some of Australia’s future energy needs.

“I supported legislation introduced by the previous Coalition government to provide a regulatory framework for all phases of offshore energy generation and transmission projects,” Mr Chester said.

“Today’s announcement is the next step in the process and I want to see detailed and respectful community consultation around transmission lines across private property, along with a commitment to long-term local jobs.

“If the Gippsland coast is going to be used for these projects, we will want to see local job opportunities.

“These projects have the potential to boost the reliability of our energy sector and create local jobs through construction, development and ongoing operational requirements.

“As we look to diversify our energy base, we must ensure the legislation also protects existing users like commercial and recreational fishing, and also allows projects to proceed if they are in the national interest.

“We know there’s a transition underway, in the sense that there will be a greater dependence on renewable sources into the future, and projects like the Star of the South have enormous potential to help fill that gap in the energy market in the future.

“We don’t want to see a premature closure of existing coal-fired power stations in the Latrobe Valley because it would increase energy costs for families and businesses, and reduce the reliability of supply.”