‘Something to vote for’: campaigners react to election promise to axe wind farm 

Campaigners are celebrating the effectiveness of community action after an election promise to axe offshore wind farms.

The No Offshore Wind Farm Zone – Warrnambool and District Network welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to rescind the Southern Ocean Offshore Wind Farm Zone adjacent to Warrnambool and Port Fairy, announced on Thursday, February 6.

“A Dutton Coalition Government will ensure this bungled project does not proceed.” Mr Tehan said in a joint statement. Port Fairy’s Richard Conlan was the leading voice which saw a petition with more than 7000 signatures tabled in Federal Parliament by Member for Wannon Dan Tehan. “It’s just great how everybody’s just worked together and we’ve all achieved what we’ve we’ve achieved, so it’s fantastic,” Mr Conlan said.

The chief petitioner said the election pledge renewed his hope in the success of the campaign. “We have actually something to vote for now, which is a massive thing,” he said.

“Everyone keeps talking about how we don’t have any voices in this district, and we need new representation. Well, it’s been proven wrong. “We have someone representing us, and all it took was a phone call to his office, right, back in March last year, and he was straight onto it.”

Former Warrnambool mayor Mike Neoh, convenor of the No Offshore Wind Farm Zone – Warrnambool & District Network, said he was pleased with the group’s “dogged activism”. At least 200 people turned out for a community gathering in March 2024 to kick off a campaign to stop offshore wind farms in the declared zone off Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

Independent candidate for Wannon Alex Dyson said more community consultation was needed before an outcome on the wind farm could be reached. “Like most of the community, I support renewable energy when it’s done right,” he said. “But as has too often been the case, big energy corporations are coming to southwest Victoria without proper consultation or community benefits.

“If elected, as an independent MP, I will bring all sides together to hold my own consultation process on offshore wind, with community forums right along our beautiful coastline instead of broadscale declarations from Canberra.” Mr Dyson’s campaign is partly-funded by Climate 200, a political group aiming to tackle climate change and restore integrity in politics.

“Regional communities are tired of being used as a toy in the culture wars between the major parties,” Mr Dyson said. “I want to help more families, farmers and businesses gain energy independence and save money with expanded subsidies for rooftop solar and household batteries, all while producing clean energy that cuts climate pollution.”

A spokesperson for Alinta Energy, the company which is responsible for the site’s development, said the company was disappointed with the announcement. “Australia needs stable energy policy and project development settings,” the spokesperson said. “Everyone – communities, investors, developers, and others – needs to be consulted on major changes to those settings. Ad hoc policy changes and formulation will make the task of delivering Australia’s transition much harder.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said Mr Tehan’s move had more to do with his own political ambition than listening to the community. “The Liberal Party thinks Dan Tehan’s job is more important than the jobs of the Portland smelter workers,” Mr Bowen said. “What a disgrace.”