MORE than 200 people attended a community information session in Portland on Wednesday evening on the proposed offshore wind farm zone, but what they came for and what they got appeared to be separate things to many of them.  

The event at the Portland Golf Club was advertised as a drop-in session by the Federal Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Department but many who attended believed it would be a more open public question and answer session.

Instead, as is the case with such sessions, a handful of department staff moved among the large crowd to listen to what they had to say.

How that was perceived depended on what side of the fence the questioner sat.

Those opposed to the proposed zone who the Observer spoke to were scathing of the process, more than one describing the session as “disgraceful”, while those in favour of it believed it was the only sensible way to conduct the session, given the prospects for emotions running high – there was even a police presence at the meeting, though the officers weren’t required to intervene at any stage.

Meanwhile, there have been several other developments on the issue as both supporters and opponents gear up.

● The South West Trades and Labour Council has come out in support of the proposed zone – the first large local organisation to do so.

Assistant secretary Carl Millard said he urged all people who support renewable energy and local jobs to participate in the consultation process. 

“We all have a responsibility to take action to reduce emissions and doing our bit will be good for Portland and Warrnambool,” Mr Millard said.

“Large-scale renewable energy generation is necessary to support significant local industry such as the Portland Aluminium smelter, which, in turn, keeps the Port of Portland viable, as well as other contractors and businesses who provide services to the smelter and port. 

“It also helps to keep port costs down for other port users, like farmers and the fishing industry.

“The vibrancy of these businesses have a knock-on effect for local businesses, schools and community organisations like football and netball clubs.”

Mr Millard said the climate crisis “has already arrived, and no part of the world is immune to its devastation”.

“We have to act quicky and at scale to reduce carbon pollution. Offshore wind is a massive part of this solution. 

“This project can bring high quality, high-paid jobs that enrich the local economy, bring new kids to local schools and strengthen local communities.

“Offshore wind off the coast of Portland represents the cleanest, most efficient and effective way of powering the smelter.

“The alternative is to continue to mine and burn brown coal in the Latrobe Valley, as is currently the case. 

“It is accepted that brown coal is a significant carbon emitter and much of the electricity generated on the other side of Melbourne is lost in the transmission of this power to Portland.” 

Mr Millard said the single greatest threat to the environment, fish stocks, whales, birds and lifestyles was global heating, “not the technologies that might give us a chance of avoiding climate breakdown”.

“Off shore wind is such a technology,” he said.

“Gas extraction is not and already takes place off the west coast of Victoria.

“A huge area close in-shore to Portland has been allocated for petroleum exploration. Where is the concern about this far more destructive industry?

Mr Millard said the SWTLC encouraged Portland and south west residents to get the facts about offshore wind, avoid the scare campaigns and get behind the national effort to cut emissions while creating long-term prosperity for the region.

● Four local opponents – commercial fisherman Peter Price, business owner Kim Hol and Considered Renewables group members Ashlee Ludemann and Rory Carter – and Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan met with Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen in Canberra yesterday.

That delegation will be followed next Thursday by one representing the Port MacDonnell community – including Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston.

That council opposes the proposed zone, which extends to Port MacDonnell, and it and the commercial fishing industry in that area want the zone to end at the Victorian border.

Glenelg Shire Council is yet to declare its position on the proposed zone – Mayor Scott Martin (who was at Wednesday evening’s session) told a council meeting last week it was still considering the matter and would take part in the Commonwealth consultation process.

Submissions on the zone close on August 31 and for more information on how to make one visit consult.dceew.gov.au/oei-southern-ocean.

Mr Bowen gave submission writers some tips in a radio interview this week when he said: “If people say ‘Look, I don't believe in renewable energy, I don’t believe in climate change’, well, you know, I don’t agree with that and I don’t really take that into account to be very honest with you.”

“But when people say, ‘Look, okay, here’s my concerns. I’m concerned about fishing. I’m concerned about a particular environmental impact’. In the Hunter (NSW), for example, we had an area I proposed. Then I had some feedback about a bird called the Gould’s petrel and its migration patterns and its particular life on a particular island.

“I said, ‘M’mm, fair enough. Okay, we’re going to reduce the area around there to make sure that we look after the Gould’s petrel’. So these are the issues that we do take into account.”

He also pointed to the fact that the two zones already declared – in the Hunter and Gippsland regions – the area had been reduced following submissions, and that there would also be public consultation when any proponents put forward their plans for an offshore wind farm.

● Shae Spry was among the locals at Wednesday evening’s drop-in session and she has formed an opposition campaign with a difference, centred around the arts.

“I am calling on all local people with a creative inkling or flair to put their love of our coast and/or their perspective on offshore renewables in our area into a piece of art: painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles, poetry, creative writing, performance, open to all mediums,” she said.

People of all ages – amateur, hobbyist or professional – were welcome to participate.

“Art goes hand-in-hand with advocacy,” Ms Spry said.

“It’s an outlet for emotions and can often convey a message in ways more formal communications cannot.

“I hope many people will unite on this issue.”

The intention was to share the pieces on social media to spread the message, to submit them via email to Mr Bowen and to have a community exhibition.

To take part, email sprys@hotmail.com or contact Shae Spry on Facebook.

● A state government body is also hosting drop-in sessions on the issue in Portland.

VicGrid, which is coordinating the transmission of the energy that would be generated from any offshore wind farm projects, said feedback from the sessions would help it determine the transmission options.

There are three sessions – the first is an online webinar between 6.30pm and 8pm on Monday, August 7, while officials will come to the Portland Civic Hall for two sessions on Wednesday, August 16 – the first between 10.30am and 12.30pm and the second between 4pm and 6pm.

For more information and to register to attend visit engage.vic.agov.au or call 1800 418 341.