Status
On this page:
Background
Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd proposes to develop an offshore wind farm and supporting electricity transmission assets required to transfer energy generated by the wind farm to the proposed VicGrid connection hub.
The key components of the project are:
- Offshore wind assets consisting of up to 150 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 powerlines connecting the wind farm to the VicGrid connection hub. These assets would be within Victorian jurisdiction.
Public review and Inquiry
Exhibition
The environment effects statement (EES) will be exhibited for public comment for 30 business days from Monday 18 May2026 to 11:59 pm on 29 June 2026.
View and download the EES here.
Submissions
Submissions on the EES can be made through the Engage Victoria platform at the link below.
The Star of the South Victorian Inquiry is being appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider the environmental effects of the project (Victorian works).
Information regarding the Inquiry can be found on the Engage Victoria platform, including the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry.
EES preparation
Consultation plan
Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd has prepared a communication and consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES. The plan may be adapted as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.
Technical reference group
The department convened an inter-agency technical reference group to advise the proponent and the department, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies and documentation, as well as coordination of the EES process with other statutory processes for the project.
The government organisations represented on the technical reference group were:
- Department of Transport and Planning
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Cwlth)
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria
- First Peoples – State Relations
- Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
- Heritage Victoria
- Wellington Shire Council
- West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
Technical reference group representatives are supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.
Scoping requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement (EES).
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were prepared by the Department and placed on public exhibition from 7 July to 27 July 2021. After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning approved final scoping requirements in August 2021.
Minister's decision on referral
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.
Project contact
If you have any questions or feedback, about the EES process please get in touch with the Impact Assessment Unit via the contact details at the top, right-hand corner of the page.
For any questions about the Star of the South Offshore Wind Farm project, please contact:
Star of the South Wind Farm Pty Ltd
☎ Phone: 1800 340 340
✉ Email: info@starofthesouth.com.au
Page last updated: 18/05/26