In what is believed to be a world first, the federal government has proposed developing an offshore wind farm in the middle of a whale super highway off Western Australia’s southwest coast.
The federal government has proposed developing an offshore wind farm in the middle of a whale migration route that is also a massively popular tourist destination.
More than 30,000 humpback whales pass through Geographe Bay on their way south as they head towards their feeding grounds.The community is in disbelief that an offshore wind farm has been proposed in Geographe Bay and say there has been a lack of information and consultation from authorities. Geographe Bay Marine research board member Rodney Peterson said their concern was that the wind farm would be the world’s first in a whale migration route.“It wasn’t that long ago that we nearly wiped whales off the planet.“We need to see more details about the wind farm and the area that is being proposed.“They just need to come forward with research to show why this is a good area, although if they did the research, they would probably find it is not a good area.
The Leeuwin Offshore Wind Farm project has been designed by Copenhagen Energy, a Danish renewable energy developer. Map of proposed wind farm area. Picture: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water “A further management plan is prepared to cover the entire proposed project, including on the consultation that has taken place with existing marine users, First Nations groups and relevant government departments.
“When appropriate, we will re-engage with stakeholders including local, state and federal departments and agencies, community groups, unions, industry, ports, fishing bodies and education and training organisations.” “I don’t know how you can put industrialisation over a pristine ecosystem the last thing we need is big spinning structures.”
Climate Change and Energy minister Chris Bowen said the zone was chosen for its “ideal location for offshore electricity generation because of the high speed winds in the Indian Ocean, its proximity to large energy users and could enable up to 20 gigawatts of offshore wind to be developed.” “The offshore wind farms will have a profound effect on our beautiful coastline and yet there are still many unanswered questions about the full impact it will have on the health and wellbeing of residents living in nearby coastal communities but also on whales, migratory birds and our fish stock,” she said.
State Waters Whale Migration Zone Wind Area Planning Process Chris Bowen Australian Government Energy Users Tourism Whale Migration Route Public Consultation Blue Whales Popular Tourist Destinations Southwest Coast Federal Government Migration Path Self-Proclaimed Ocean Rat Information Sessions Kyle Trelaor Geographe Bay Ideal Location Business Popular Fish Species Marine Ecosystem Transparent Information Save Our Beloved Geographe Bay Community Consultation Sessions Renewable Energy Developer Annual Migration Whale Super Highway Geographe Marine Research Wind Industry Wind Farms Australian Coastline Libby Mettam Clean Energy Industry AU Electricity Generation Scientists Wind Turbines Emma Kirk Australian Zone Newswire-News People Upset Government Representatives WA Consultation Process Generation Diver Acoustic Data Rodney Peterson Research Board Member Marine Life Whales Diving Fish Whale Migration Copenhagen Energy Marine Life Wind Farm Whales Outside Busselton Humpback Whales Fish Stock Coral Reef Multiple Options Benefits Industry Jasmin Bejdic 98F9+XV Busselton WA 6280 Australia South-West Interconnected System Endangered Species Development Stages Community
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