Recfishwest is bitterly disappointed with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy’s announcement declaring two areas off the Bunbury Coast locations for offshore wind energy (OWE) development.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said today’s announcement demonstrates feedback from the fishing community has largely been ignored.
“While the declared area has moved 10 km west and Naturaliste Reef has been excluded, a look at the map clearly shows the easternmost declared area overlaps with important fishing areas,” said Andrew.
“We made it very clear in our submission that most of fishing activity occurs in the eastern portion of the proposed zone in water depths of less than a hundred metres and this is exactly where the Commonwealth Government has declared an area suitable for future wind farm developments despite claims that fisher feedback was considered.
“Throughout this process, the fishing community has been eager to understand how an offshore wind industry would impact their fishing experiences and today’s announcement is a missed opportunity to provide the clarity the community has been seeking.
CLICK PLAY TO HEAR WHAT ANDREW HAD TO SAY ON ABC DRIVE
“The Government’s inability to answer basic questions, such as whether people will be excluded from wind farm areas or if turbines will be placed on top of natural reef systems, clearly indicates their failure to address community concerns.
Policy in the face of profit-driven operators
“It’s critical that the Government puts policy in place that protects our marine environment and fishing access in the face of profit-driven operators.
“This process has been flawed from the beginning, and the process to get here is currently under scrutiny in a Senate inquiry.
“The Government’s decision to declare an area without waiting for the inquiry’s findings is a clear sign of its disregard for due process and its preference to push through its agenda rather than working with local communities to find a solution everyone can support.”
Click here to read more about this issue and where we stand on it
