Forrest MHR Nola Marino and South West MLC Steve Thomas formally oppose offshore wind farm zone

Two of the South West’s most senior Liberal politicians have formally opposed plans for an offshore wind farm zone in the South West. Forrest MHR Nola Marino and South West MLC Steve Thomas made a joint submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on Friday, calling on Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen not to allow development in Geographe Bay to go ahead. The pair expressed several concerns, including that the community information sessions held in Bunbury, Busselton and Harvey were “box-ticking” exercises. “We have no disrespect for the professional staff from the (DCCEEW), who managed the local community consultation sessions,” the submission reads. “However, many people who attended these local workshops left without their concerns being heard or addressed.” Mrs Marino and Dr Thomas questioned whether any development off the South West coast would have a social licence because of strong community opposition, and raised issues with the potential environmental impact. The possibility of economic impacts was a significant part of the submission, including concerns over an “inevitable clash” with commercial and recreational fishers over access during the construction, operation, servicing and decommissioning periods. Visual pollution on the coastline was highlighted as a potential problem for the region’s tourism industry, with Mrs Marino and Dr Thomas writing international and interstate visitors “do not come here to see a massive installation of wind turbines”. Both held serious concerns about decommissioning for any offshore wind farm projects which went ahead, warning development could result in “a legacy of rusting steel, concrete and cabling” across Geographe Bay. “Proponents, and no doubt the current Government, will provide assurances and try to convince the community that this will be managed,” the submission reads. “However, whatever the problems that emerge are or will be, it will be our communities that have to bear the cost and effects in the longer term, not those currently making these decisions who do not live or work in the South West.” The 10-week public consultation period for the proposed zone closed on Friday, with Canning MHR Andrew Hastie also making a submission opposing offshore wind farms in the region.