Offshore renewable energy infrastructure area proposal: Pacific Ocean off Hunter

The Hon Chris Bowen MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
GPO Box 3090
Canberra ACT 2601

Via: DCCEEW Consultation Hub (https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/oei-hunter)

Dear Minister,

Re: Proposal to Declare an Area - Pacific Ocean off Hunter, New South Wales

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed area being considered
off the Hunter Coast for offshore wind and other renewable energy projects.

Port Stephens Council (Council) supports the development of renewable energy
infrastructure in our region and recognises the potential benefits these projects can
provide to our community. Whilst the current round of consultation is welcomed, there
remains a number of concerns expressed by the Port Stephens community that we
encourage the Department to continue to engage on in detail. Council supports an
extensive consultation process and requests careful consideration of the concerns raised
by Port Stephens residents, businesses and industry bodies.

In consideration of the proposal, Council would request that the following matters be
reviewed and integrated into the next stages of the process.

Visual amenity

The location of the north-western most point of the declared area is shown as 10km off the
Port Stephens coastline. The construction of offshore energy infrastructure with a height of
250m at this distance is expected to be clearly visible from the coastline. Council requests
that a distance of greater than 20km from the Port Stephens coastline is explored to
protect visual amenity and any potential effects on tourism operations.

Continued consultation with Port Stephens residents, businesses and industry bodies is
strongly encouraged to ensure adequate protection of visual amenity during the next
stages of the proposal.

Cultural heritage

The coastline and waters of Port Stephens are culturally significant to the traditional
custodians of Port Stephens. Continued consultation with the Worimi Local Aboriginal

PORT STEPHENS COUNCIL
116 Adelaide Street PO Box 42 p 02 4988 0255 w portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 e council@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Land Council and broader representation from the Worimi people is strongly encouraged
to ensure adequate protection of cultural heritage during the next stages of the proposal.

Marine and coastal environment

The proposed area sits within the Australian East Coast Migration Corridor which is
identified as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for its critical role for migratory marine species including
the threatened Humpback Whale and Dwarf Minke Whale.

The Hunter region is also nationally and internationally significant for a number of
migratory marine and shorebird species. Port Stephens estuaries, islands and shorelines
are identified as critically important sites within NSW for migratory and endemic shore bird
species. Council strongly encourages careful consideration of these matters during the
next stages of the proposal.

Local industry and business

Port Stephens is an internationally recognised tourist destination. It is identified as a hero
destination under the NSW Government’s Statewide Destination Management Plan
developed and endorsed by Destination NSW. Hero destinations are accessible, have
appropriate infrastructure and developed world-class products and experiences that are
available all year round, providing visitors with outstanding unforgettable experiences.

Tourism and industry in Port Stephens work side by side to deliver the experiences that
domestic and international tourists expect when visiting the region. Ecotourism,
commercial and recreational fishing, sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving, education and
research activities form the basis of the world-class products that Port Stephens provides.

The location of, and any exclusion zones applied to offshore renewable energy
infrastructure would need to be carefully considered as current business and industry
operations have the potential to be disrupted. This would include any temporary exclusion
zones during construction or maintenance activities.

Continued consultation with Port Stephens businesses, industry bodies, Newcastle Airport,
Department of Defence, Port of Newcastle and local tourism operators is strongly
encouraged to ensure adequate protection of business operations during the next stages
of the proposal.

Council looks forward to continued communication and consultation as the assessment
process for the proposal continues.

PORT STEPHENS COUNCIL
116 Adelaide Street PO Box 42 p 02 4988 0255 w portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 e council@portstephens.nsw.gov.au