Aidan Curtis
PORT MacDonnell residents will be able to learn more about an offshore wind project potentially hitting the region at a community drop-in session in February.
Representatives from BlueFloat Energy have organised a drop-in session to discuss the proposed Southern Winds Offshore Wind Project with the Port MacDonnell community.
The project has proposed to install offshore wind turbines off the coast of Port MacDonnell, with power feeding into the Victorian energy grid from Portland.
BlueFloat Energy country manager Nick Sankey said he will be coming to Port MacDonnell to provide the community with more information about the project and what it could mean for the region.
Mr Sankey said the drop-in session will be open to community members, industry experts, and anyone interested in learning more about offshore wind farms.
“It’s about just providing updated information about the project and in particular it gives the community an idea on the timelines and what’s required in terms of licensing and approvals,” he said.
“Just to be clear about what’s involved in order for the project to go ahead and the likely timeframes for us.”
Mr Sankey said he expects a range of points of view at the session, from people who want to learn more about the economic impacts to how the wind farm will look off the coast.
“We typically see and hear a whole range of views, but it’s more answering questions at this stage and providing as much open information to community members as we can at this point in time,” he said.
“We’re really excited about coming down to Port Mac and meeting locals, and to be having that open dialogue about the project.”
The drop-in session will be held at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex between 4pm and 7pm on Monday, February 13.
