WIND FARMS AND BOATING CONCERNS

Some BIAV members, and boaters, have raised concerns for boating/fishing/cruising/sailing off the Victorian coast, once off-shore wind farms are in place off Gippsland. A recent announcement by the Federal Government, relating more to the NSW coast in this instance, should allay some fears, with specific reference to the likelihood that exclusion should only be for within 50m of each tower. The announcement, which you can read about in further detail is via Marine Business News. The item goes on to quote the announcement and we note in particular -

The Minister is also announcing today, that he expects recreational fishers will be able to travel and fish within offshore wind zone, which already occurs internationally in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

In those jurisdictions turbines are around 2 kilometres apart with an exclusion zone of just 50 metres around turbines. It means fishing vessels can go about their normal operations within the wind farm.