Project update - December 2024
19 December 2024
Year in review
2024 was another year of growth for offshore wind in Australia and our two projects, Star of the South and Kut-Wut Brataualung.
Here’s a few highlights:
Securing two feasibility licences to investigate projects in the Gippsland offshore wind zone
Celebrating 30 meetings of the Star of the South Community Advisory Group
Speaking with young people about future roles in offshore wind at 16 careers fairs and 430 locals at 11 community events across Gippsland
Screening Planet Wind for locals to see at the Yarram Regent Theatre
Partnering with Ocean Impact Organisation on Australia's first offshore wind net positive challenge
Continuing to work with regional partners to help realise local job, training, transition and supply opportunities in offshore wind
Seeing continued progress with government policy and regulations to guide the development of offshore wind in Australia.
A few of our 2024 highlights
Come and visit us this summer
Got an offshore wind question or want to learn more about our projects? We'll be at these events on Saturday 4 January - drop by for a chat.
Sea Days Festival - 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Port Welshpool Ferry Terminal
Pearl Park Music Festival - 10 am – 2 pm, Main Street Foster
Our Gippsland office will be closed for a short break from Tuesday 24 December, reopening on Tuesday 7 January. Find opening hours and contact details on our website.
Ecology survey update
Ecologists have been on site surveying native plants and animal habitat in transmission investigation area.
Here's how they do this work:
Skinks - Roof tiles are placed in areas where skinks could be present, then checked regular for any animals. The small one pictured is a common garden skink.
Birds - Ecologists look for birds and nests in tree hollows and listen for calls.
Frogs - This involves listening for sounds at nearby dams and water holes.
These surveys build on data collected over previous years. Findings will be used to inform project approvals, final designs, and to protect native plants and animals during construction.
Ecology surveys underway
Meet Kelly-Ann, Head of HSE
We recently welcomed Kelly-Ann Ee to the team as our Head of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). Kelly-Ann has over 14 years' experience working on offshore wind projects around the world, including in the UK and Taiwan.
She’s seen a lot of change in the industry over the years.
"In 2012 I was the only female on board a jack-up vessel of 100 workers, it's great to now see a more balanced gender mix in offshore wind", she said.
"I’m energised to play my part in building an offshore wind industry in Australia after seeing the positive impact it has had in other countries”.
A nature lover at heart, Kelly-Ann enjoys hiking, biking, scuba diving and is working on improving her surfing skills.
Kelly-Ann at work in Taiwan and the UK
Coast Guard’s Dolphin 1 hits the water
The Port Welshpool Coast Guard has welcomed a new device to support their Bass Strait rescues - the Dolphin 1. This remote-controlled rescue device will make it safer and easier to conduct rescues at sea. We’re pleased to support the Coast Guard to keep volunteers and locals safe on the water, especially during the busy summer period ahead.
Check out the the Dolphin 1 in action on WIN News Gippsland.
Paul and Jason (left) joined Coast Guard volunteers for a demonstration of the Dolphin 1
What's planned for 2025?
Moving into 2025, our focus is on:
Finalising Star of the South’s Environmental Impact Assessment, to support the project’s environmental and planning approval applications.
Participating in Victoria’s first offshore wind auction - a competitive process for government to select which project/s to buy electricity from.
Planning site investigations for Kut-Wut Brataualung to build our understanding of local conditions in the project area. Find out more about Kut-Wut Brataualung.
We’ll keep you posted on our progress and opportunities to get involved.
Happy holidays
We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to talk with us, give feedback and share local knowledge this year. From all of us, we wish you a very happy and safe Christmas and new year.
