Tuesday, 12 August 2025

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:53): (1222) My question is to the Minister for Energy and Resources, and I ask: has the minister spoken to her federal colleague Minister Bowen about the location of offshore wind farms in Bass Strait? My constituents in Seaspray and others along the Ninety Mile Beach are concerned at the impact of proposed offshore wind farms, including the Blue Mackerel proposal, which are currently planned to be located just 10 kilometres off the coast. At potentially up to 350 metres high to blade tip – for context, that is 100 metres taller than the Rialto building or four times the height of the MCG light towers – these wind turbines will be very clearly visible from the beach. With at least 60 turbines proposed, they will be a significant presence on the seascape. I appreciate these facilities are proposed for Commonwealth waters, but they are in part being driven by the Victorian government’s offshore wind targets and contract-for-difference auction. My constituents want to see any wind farms located at least 25 kilometres from shore. I ask if the minister has raised these concerns with her federal counterpart.