Offshore Wind Framework

One Gippsland is calling on the Victorian Government to establish a Community Benefits Fund to ensure that the region is well positioned to support the large-scale renewable energy investments proposed for the region. 

 These four priority areas of the Offshore Wind Framework are:

 1.     Community Benefit Fund:

Establish a Community Benefit Fund with 100% of funds returned to Gippsland to support regional and local community initiatives including:

·         Education and training;

·         Event sponsorship;

·         Environmental projects;

·         First Nations initiatives and projects;

·         Contributions to community housing/associated infrastructure projects; and

·         Community projects.

 2.     Local Government Infrastructure Fund:

Establish a new Local Government Infrastructure Fund to ensure local communities and councils are not burdened with the cost of physical and social infrastructure required for the development of the renewable industry:

·         Road, rail and port infrastructure and maintenance;

·         Community facilities and services;

·         Community infrastructure projects;

·         Strategic and infrastructure planning/civil works; and

·         Economic development/investment attraction.

 3.     Strategic Infrastructure Planning Support:

A program to ensure that Gippsland local governments are ‘land and infrastructure ready’ to support the new energy transition including:

·         Proactively planning for housing, commercial land and local infrastructure needs (physical and social), to support investment and avoid potential adverse social and economic impacts; and

·         Leveraging and maximising local social and economic benefits from planned renewable energy investment including during the construction, operation and maintenance phases of development.

 Investment to include:

·         Funding and resources from the state government to support the development of a plan for diverse housing, commercial land and local infrastructure needs; and

·         Developing the South Gippsland ports, Barry Beach Marine Terminal and Port Anthony for these facilities to play a crucial role in the development of offshore wind in Gippsland.

 4.     Gippsland Energy Price Reductions:

Provide electricity cost reductions to incentivise the establishment of new Gippsland businesses and job creation associated with the new energy transition in Gippsland.

The specialised energy plans to benefit local businesses would include:

·         Electricity cost reduction via the SEC; and

·         Cost reduction incentive based on job creation thresholds.

One Gippsland’s call for the establishment of a Community Benefits Fund adds to our previously released Offshore Wind Policy aimed at creating powerful renewable investment in the region.

 The One Gippsland Offshore Wind Policy also calls for:

·         Minimum standards and best practice engagement should be established for all proponents, particularly in relation to transmission lines;

·         Strategic stakeholders should have a seat at the decision-making table, including local government, peak industry bodies and key community organisation;

·         A framework should be developed to ensure benefits are realised and to minimise adverse impacts from offshore wind developments in the Gippsland region.