Good For The Gong

• Unlike other energy sources, wind energy produces zero greenhouse gas emissions and is inexhaustible.

• With stringent planning and environmental assessment, offshore wind has less environmental impact than almost any other energy source.

• Offshore wind power is superior to onshore wind power, producing more energy at peak times and reducing the pressure on farms and forests.

• Wind power provides far better economic opportunity and jobs for local communities than other proposed energy industries.

• Offshore wind produces electricity far cheaper than other types of power, e.g., nuclear.
  

Why here in the Illawarra?

• The Illawarra region is the ideal location for wind power because we are close to necessary energy infrastructure and supporting industry.

• The region will also face huge economic and industrial change over the coming years, making offshore wind a great opportunity to build stronger and more prosperous communities, and create quality, secure jobs.

• Offshore wind brings new job opportunities in a range of areas. The Illawarra offshore wind zone is expected to create up to 1,740 jobs during construction and 870 ongoing jobs.

Offshore wind is far better for ocean wildlife

Scientists and environmental groups like Greenpeace overwhelmingly agree that climate change is the most serious threat to ocean wildlife and reducing carbon emissions is the best way to protect our marine wildlife. Stringent environmental assessment and planning of offshore wind will ensure wildlife is protected and potential risks are mitigated. See Sea Shepard Australia’s position and Greenpeace Australia’s position on offshore wind.

Offshore wind is a strong and consistent power source

Offshore wind can reliably provide us with cheap, consistent energy at peak times, such as overnight when solar and onshore wind are not as effective. The Illawarra offshore wind zone has the potential to generate 2.9GW of renewable energy, enough to power 2.3 million homes. See DCCEEW website for more information.

Wind power will help save birdlife

Scientists agree that climate change poses the greatest threat to birds, and that concerns about collisions with turbines are exaggerated: A recent study of bird behaviour near offshore wind turbines found no collisions in two years of monitoring. Establishing wind energy is key in slowing climate change and protecting birds. The DCCEEW - the government body overseeing the offshore wind zones - have released a study on potential mitigation methods to be used in Australian offshore wind zones.

Fish populations flourish around wind farms

Wind farms improve fish populations by creating rich underwater habitats, improving recreational fishing in the area. People fish in wind farms around the world, and they could here, too. See these notes from marine biodiversity scientists and an offshore wind scientist on fish populations around offshore wind turbines in Belgium.

Wind turbines will be difficult to see from the coast

The declared zone for wind turbines is at least 20km offshore. This distance combined with typical air conditions will make the turbines very difficult to see from the coast. You can see modelling images from DCCEEW for the Illawarra offshore REZ.