Offshore Wind Projects
Our Federal Labor Government is proposing to declare numerous hotspots up and down our coastline for offshore wind reserves, allowing the installation of gigantic wind turbines that will interrupt marine life, impacting our commercial and recreational fishers, as well as coastal shipping routes.
Two zones have been proposed, one off the coast of Port Stephens and another in the Illawarra. These turbines will not be hundreds of kilometres out to sea like they are in Europe, America or the UK, but as close as 10km from the shore in parts. It's fair to say, residents are up in arms and SFF will support community efforts to sink these proposals.
Our state Government has palmed the problem off under the guise of a 'Federal' issue, however, the power cables from these offshore industrial zones will still need to come ashore through state waters. SFF are determined to remind our state Government of their obligation to the people of NSW, and to hold them accountable for not standing up to their Federal brethren's. The South Australian Labor Government has made a stand against the proposal, so why can't ours?
No mater which way you look at it, these 'renewables' are proving to be problematic and have dark clouds around their so-called green energy.
The only way to stop the forced proliferation of these offshore fans, is for the public to make a stand, and keep the pressure on our Federal Government. Local Labor MP's have been quiet, so it's up to us.
Research shows the cost of these turbines is astronomical, far more than land based counterparts, largely due to their inaccessibility and toll the sea can take on maintenance.
The energy these turbines produce will not assist is lowering power bills, companies looking to place and manage these turbines will want to see substantial returns for their investment. They won't show good faith and deliver us the energy we need at a reduced rate, it's simply not good business.
SFF are obtaining data now of countries and regions where components are sourced and manufactured, which questions the ethical nature of processes in countries which don't have the high standards that ours does.
The gearbox alone of a wind turbines generally holds between 250 and 300 litres of oil, overseas companies are beginning to recommend oil changes more frequently, as often as every 2 years, due to an increase in contamination. That is, seawater and salt seeping in. How long before these units fail.
See below some of my action in Parliament in the fight against these projects.
2nd August - Question to the Agriculture Minister on fishing and marine life impacts.
22nd August - Question to the Minister on Radar systems and the impact of turbines
12th September - Minister's response to Question on Radar systems
23rd August - Renewable Entergy Speech
19th September - Question to the Attorney General on Modern Slavery
17th October - Modern Slavery and Renewable Energy Speech