The 2.2 gigawatt Star of the South project proposed for construction off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria has officially launched its bid for environmental approval, marking a major new milestone for Australia’s fledgling offshore wind industry.
Southerly Ten on Monday published the draft Commonwealth Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the Star of the South, opening them to public review and comment until the end of June.
The call for public submissions is the first step in the federal and state government environmental assessment process that, ultimately, will play a critical role in whether or not the huge project can go ahead – informing the range of Commonwealth and Victorian government approvals that are required.
Erin Coldham, the chief development officer at Southerly Ten, says the two main reports, totalling 2,500 pages, have been several years in the making – and probably closer to 15,000 pages if you include all the separate technical reports – and the company has worked hard to set a strong precedent.
“After five years of research, consultation, and technical studies, our environmental assessments are ready for public review and comment,” Coldham says in a video message.
