Renewable Energy
Our Position and Background
South Gippsland Shire Council is committed to supporting the Gippsland region for the influx of renewable energy projects to be established in the coming years. State and National policy targets dictate that emissions must be reduced to net zero by 2050.
August 2022
The Federal Government proposed an area under consideration in Gippsland for future offshore renewable energy projects.
Council endorsed a submission to the Federal Government's Offshore Renewable Energy Infrastructure Area Proposal. The submission provided in-principle support for offshore renewable energy, but also outlined Council's concerns, which primarily stemmed from our community's feedback and a lack of information on the direct and indirect impacts, including the proposed zone's visual impacts of areas adjacent to our south western coastline and bays.
December 2022
The Federal Government declared an area in the Bass Strait off the Gippsland coast as suitable for offshore renewable energy. The declaration followed consultation with existing industries including fishing, offshore oil and gas, other marine users, state and local government representatives, First Nations people and local communities.
Applications for feasibility licenses for the Gippsland Declared Area closed on 27 April 2023 and are yet to be accepted for proposed projects.