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On 20 February 2024 the Minister for Climate Change and Energy opened consultation on a proposed offshore wind energy development area, located at least 20 kilometres off the coastline in the Indian Ocean off the Bunbury region, (Proposed Zone).

The Proposed Zone is well suited for supporting an offshore wind industry due to:

the proximity to areas of high electricity demand, grid connections and port facilities;
a skilled energy and manufacturing workforce;
strong, consistent winds;
known industry interest in developing projects in the area; and
the planned shutdown of aging coal-fired power stations throughout Western Australia, reducing energy production.

Western Australia is the sixth region identified as potentially suitable for future large scale offshore wind. The Minister has already declared an area off Gippsland in Victoria and an area in the Hunter region in New South Wales as suitable for future offshore wind development. The other regions under consideration for declaration are the Southern Ocean region off Victoria and South Australia, the Pacific Ocean region off Illawarra in New South Wales, and the Bass Strait region off Northern Tasmania.

What feedback is being sought on the Proposed Zone?

Consultation is open for the general public to provide feedback on:

whether the area is suitable for offshore wind; and
what you think this industry may mean for the region, including potential interactions with other marine users and interests.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is engaging with the Noongar people about the declaration process, to understand the cultural and environmental significance of the Sea Country where this area is proposed.