Proposed Offshore Wind Area: Indian Ocean off Bunbury, Western Australia

Key concerns are as follows:

* Damage that will be caused by wind turbine foundation works and cable laying on seagrass beds, rock formations and coral outcrops found throughout Geographe Bay and hence the destruction of critical habitat for all marine life that depend on these.

* Negative impacts on water quality from oil-based lubricants leaking from moving parts of wind turbines or being spilt during servicing, installation, demolition, accidental damage (e.g. ship striking wind turbines) etc., and potential threats to marine life as a result.

* Pollution from the breakdown of epoxy-resins and fibreglass in the wind turbine blades, and its potential impacts on marine animals, seafood edibility etc.

* Moving rotor blades striking and killing sea and migratory birds, some of which are threatened species.

* Impacts of wind turbine nose on noise-sensitive marine animals, particularly whales, dolphins and seals, most of which are which are threatened species.

* Waste and landfill generated from decommissioned wind turbines and their parts, plus the servicing oils, greases and fluids.

Wind turbines in the proposed zone will become a visual blight of industrial scale to Geographe Bay and its adjoining water and lands that look upon this. Geographe Bay is a key tourism drawcard because of its unspoiled ocean views, and its appeal will be irreparably damaged by wind turbines 'sky lining' in the background of the views of Geographe Bay.

Wind turbines are divisive to our community pitting those who stand to benefit financially or wrongly believe these are a good solution for greenhouse gas emissions (which is really a product of unfettered consumerism and overpopulation), against those that know these turbines will destroy the visual amenity and environment of Geographe Bay and its waters and adjoining lands.

It is also unknown what impact wind turbines have on Aboriginal cultural heritage, as there has been little known interaction with local knowledge holders.

* Negative impacts on seafood edibility from pollution from the breakdown of epoxy-resins and fibreglass (including BPAs) in the wind turbine blades, plus oil-based lubricants leaking from moving parts of wind turbines or being spilt during servicing, installation, demolition, accidental damage (e.g. ship striking wind turbines) etc.

Greenhouse gas emissions created in the manufacture, transport, erection / installation of wind turbines.

Traffic impacts caused in the transportation of the wind turbines by road.

Exclusion areas being established over water during construction and operation of the wind turbines, removing access rights to certain parts of Geographe Bay and its adjoining waters.