Overview
Background
The Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm Project comprises an:
- Offshore wind farm.
- Supporting electricity transmissions assets - required to transfer energy generated by the wind farm to the existing electricity transmission network.
- Modifications to ports and harbours - required to support the construction and operation of the wind farm.
The key components of the project
- Offshore wind assets consisting of up to 400 wind turbines mounted on towers founded in the seabed and a network of buried or mechanically protected subsea cables. These assets would be within Commonwealth jurisdiction as they are beyond 3 nautical miles from the coast of Victoria.
- Offshore substation platforms installed on foundations and up to 13 buried or mechanically protected subsea cables. The substations would be within Commonwealth jurisdiction with the cables originating within Commonwealth jurisdiction and traversing into Victorian jurisdiction.
- Onshore underground or combined underground/overhead powerlines and up to four substations connecting the wind farm to the National Electricity Market. These assets would be within Victorian jurisdiction.
- Modifications to existing ports and harbour to support project construction and operations. These assets would be within Victorian jurisdiction.
Process
Scoping Requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement (EES).
Draft scoping requirements are yet to be prepared. Once prepared the draft will be publicly advertised for a period of 15 business days.
After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning will issue final scoping requirements.
Consultation Plan
The proponent is preparing a consultation plan for the EES. The plan will outline the opportunities and approaches for community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
Following advice from the Department and the Technical Reference Group, we will refine the plan. When completed you can access the plan on this web page.
The consultation process and the plan may be adapted or modified, to meet changing community needs and requirements.
Technical Reference Group
The Department will convene an inter-agency Technical Reference Group to advise the proponent and the Department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the technical studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.
Minister's Decision
On 11 May 2020 the Minister for Planning required Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd to prepare an EES under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.
More information
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.
- Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm Project queries:
Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd
☎ Phone: 1800 340 340
✉ Email: info@starofthesouth.com.au
- EES process queries:
Impact Assessment Unit
☎ Phone: (03) 9392 5503
✉ Email: environment.assessment@delwp.vic.gov.au