Successful Community Event Highlights Risks of Illawarra’s Offshore Windfarm Proposal

Responsible Future successfully hosted its inaugural community event on 30 April 2024 since transitioning into an independent association. The session focused on educating the Illawarra community about the risks associated with the proposed offshore windfarm. Approximately 250 attendees gathered on a cool evening to listen to various experts discuss the multifaceted concerns surrounding the project.

Key Insights from the Event:

• Michael Feneley is a cardiologist, research scientist and co-founder of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. Michael lives at Norah Head and was involved in the opposition against the Central Coast proposal and still has a family home in the Illawarra. Michael highlighted the unprecedented scale and sensitivity of the proposed offshore project off Australia’s East Coast, noting that no other floating project in the world has attempted such a feat in environmentally sensitive areas. He challenged the engineering and financial viability of the proposal across a range of dimensions and challenged and highlighted the submission by Sea Shepherd Australia that there was “no precedent” anywhere in the world that whales would be able to navigate the extensive infrastructure of floating offshore wind turbines.

• Frank Musemeci is the Managing Director of Better Choice Fisheries in North Wollongong which is a wholesaler, processor and exporter of seafoods. Frank is a a third-generation commercial fisherman and expressed concerns over the potential zoning for the offshore windfarms. He warned that the proposed boundaries would render his fishing operations unviable posing a severe threat to the whole local fishing industry. The employment and livelihood of his staff and their families would be impacted.

• Jenny Cullen, President of Responsible Future, addressed the facts and fictions surrounding the wind farm proposal, highlighting a broad range of risk factors. These included threats to marine and bird life, potential impacts on tourism, and the likelihood of higher power prices. Jenny presented several offshore wind farms that exist at distances from shore comparable to those proposed for the Illawarra, challenging the visualisations provided by DCCEEW of the Illawarra proposal. She noted BOEM in the USA, which stated that projects there would have “no measurable impact on climate change.” Jenny emphasised the association’s role in keeping the community informed and in advocating against the development. She urged the community to consider the environmental legacy we leave for future generations.

The event was well-received by attendees, including representatives from various political parties across federal, state, and local levels, demonstrating a growing interest in understanding the reasons for opposition by the community.

Feedback and Future Engagement: We are currently collecting feedback through a survey for those who attended; this survey will close on Friday, May 10th. We will share key insights when they become available. Additionally, we highlighted the importance of a state government petition during the event—please sign and share this petition with others in NSW to amplify our voice against the proposal. Join our email list below to stay informed of future community events and updates.

Further Resources for Research To aid in further research and validation of the presented information, a PDF version of the event slides along with an extensive list of research materials has been made available on our website – just click the below button. These resources provide a detailed foundation for those looking to deepen their understanding of the issues discussed.

Join and Support Responsible Future: Established by and for the community, Responsible Future aims to enhance awareness and drive actions against the proposed windfarm. By becoming a member for $50 per year, you not only gain voting rights on key decisions but also contribute to funding crucial advocacy events. Membership fees directly support our activities, including event hosting and community mobilisation. Interested individuals can sign up online through our easy application process.