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Thank you for the opportunity to comment and I commend you on the work completed ... my comments are to highlight areas of the ocean not yet understood and how our lack of understanding if ignored now could be irreparable when the damage is done.
Oceans are home to a huge biodiversity of living creatures ... it already provides jobs for an enormous number people who depend on this marine biodiversity for their livelihood ... the vegetation is unique ... we are just beginning to realise some of the value for health, healing and increasing food supply ... the oceans help regulate the weather ... and this is where the BUT begins ...
On the one hand we are bemoaning the issue of micro-plastics polluting our oceans and on the other we believe we can add further pollution and damage by introducing offshore energy stations.
I appreciate we have already caused untold damage from off-shore mining and other industry and of cause there is the excuse that ignorance was bliss at the time but surely, we now have the capacity to learn from that ignorance.
Fortunately land based science has been progressing and we do have the knowledge to restore the land and to develop future industry efficiently and more sensitively ... although due to past lack of knowledge and understanding there are areas that are irreplaceable ... some flora and fauna are now extinct ... some trees need the resource we have mined to grow and can subsequently never be replaced ... we have lost so much vegetation which had also been regulating our weather ... earlier decisions may have been flawed but it is incomprehensible to not learn from mistakes.
Unfortunately, development of marine science has not been so rapid and we do not yet have the knowledge to repair the damage we are causing in our oceans ... you could add to your ideals by telling us you will start to spend more money on marine science ... we know more about space than we do about our oceans ... and that is another area where some people with money are polluting for the glory rather than the science.
Throughout your documents you confirm that offshore electricity:
“ensures Australians have access to reliable, secure and affordable energy” ... continuing with land-based projects can achieve reliable, secure and affordable energy.
“creates jobs and economic opportunities for our regions” ... all projects will create jobs and opportunities.
“contributes to our goal of net zero emissions by 2050” ... hopefully all future projects will aim for our goal of zero emissions by 2050.
“We are responsible for:
developing a legal framework to support this new industry” ... I commend the rigour extended to do this well ... but the laws may not be addressing all of the pertinent points.
“running public consultations on areas identified as having exceptional offshore wind potential” ... thank you for the opportunity.
“developing an industry growth strategy to ensure the industry is successful and sustainable” ... this should be standard practice but we also need best practice.
With thanks,
[redacted]
