A handful of locals staged a peaceful protest at the City Memorial Bowls club on Sunday afternoon, hoping to emphasise the No Offshore Wind project planned off the coast of Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
The cohort gathered as State Opposition Leader Jess Wilson arrived at a fundraiser at the local venue, alongside Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell.
According to convenor Michael Neoh, the No Offshore Wind Farm Zone Warrnambool Network was seeking the Coalition Leader to break her silence ona position relating to the Offshore Wind Zone – Warrnambool to Port Fairy — prior to the Victorian State Election.
“Previous communication from the most recently disposed Coalition Leader, Brad Battin, referenced Victoria’s Environmental Effects Statement (EES).” Michael said.
“We have seen such documents not worth the paper they are written on.” he said.
According to the network, Federal Minister for Energy Chris Bowen declared the Zone open for business without an environmental impact study.
“Departmental advice to him regarding the Zone, obtained under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, had the ‘Recommendations’ redacted.” Michael said.
On behalf of the group, Michael believes these are examples of flagrant disregard for the appropriate protection of the environment and biodiversity.
“This is exactly why pointing us to such documents provides little comfort and certainty,” he said.
“We will not roll the dice with the Endangered Southern Right Whales’ existence. We need a definitive position from the Victorian Coalition before the upcoming election and prior to the constituents of South-West Coast District and Western Region Victoria Region cast their votes.”
The state opposition leader is in the region this week meeting constituents alongside Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell.
