The Star of the South offshore wind project today released its draft Commonwealth Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Victorian Environment Effects Statement (EES) for public review and comment.
Research for the studies included the largest-ever marine ecology survey program of Bass Strait, completed over three years between 2021 and 2023 involving surveys, satellite tracking and underwater monitoring to study birds, fish and other marine life.
The combined EIS and EES totals more than 2,500 pages, documenting project information and how potential effects of the project’s construction, operation and decommissioning are proposed to be addressed. Summary reports are available to ensure information is accessible and to help navigate the assessments.
The project’s location and design have been informed by scientific studies and avoiding impacts, including siting turbines to avoid reef habitat on the seabed and lifting the lower tips of wind turbines to 35 metres to greatly reduce risk to birds. During construction, noise suppression and other protection measures will be used to minimise the effect of underwater noise on marine life.
On land, the project is using underground cables and trenchless construction methods at the shoreline to protect the environment and reduce long-term impacts to landholders.
The EIS and EES documents will be on public display between 18 May and 29 June 2026. The public can make submissions on the draft EIS on the Star of the South website at starofthesouth.com.au and the EES via the Victorian Government’s Engage Victoria website at engage.vic.gov.au/SOTS.
Star of the South Chief Executive Officer Charles Rattray said the project site combined some of the strongest and most consistent offshore wind in the world with the shallowest water, the best grid connections and a skilled local energy workforce.
“Star of the South aims to continue Gippsland’s energy tradition by harnessing strong, consistent Bass Strait winds to supply around 20% of Victoria’s electricity needs as coal-fired power stations retire”, Mr Rattray said.
“The project would see a $3 billion injection into the Gippsland economy as well as 200 permanent jobs and 600 local construction jobs. We have identified 300 local supply and manufacturing opportunities worth billions of dollars”.
“Star of the South is a critical step in ensuring Australia’s energy security in a low emissions future. Years of wind monitoring and a study by energy consultants Jacobs indicate that it will produce a huge supply of electricity during the dinnertime peak use time, reducing wholesale electricity prices”.
“Gippsland has brilliant nature, that’s why we’ve put so much research and effort into making a careful plan to protect it. With more than 13,000 offshore wind turbines already operating in 20 countries, our industry has learned a lot about how to look after nature”.
“Community and landholder involvement in our projects is a huge priority – to date we’ve recorded well over 12,000 community interactions, held 88 community information sessions, and welcomed 400 people to our Gippsland office to talk about Star of the South and offshore wind. This has given us a good appreciation for the different perspectives of locals and allowed us to adapt our project in response”.
