HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

MEDIA RELEASE

9 April 2024

LOCALS EXPRESS STRONG OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED OFFSHORE WIND FARM AT MOBILE OFFICE EVENT

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie MP held a Mobile Office event yesterday where locals from Mandurah and surrounding suburbs voiced their strong opposition to the Albanese Government’s proposed wind farm from Dawesville to Cape Naturaliste.

Mr Hastie highlighted the urgent need for community input in the consultation process, which officially ends on 3 May 2024.

"My community is speaking out loud and clear against the proposed offshore wind farm," Mr Hastie observed.

"The turnout yesterday, and the concerns raised by locals since Labor dropped this bombshell on our community, reveal the strength of opposition to this project.”

The proposed wind farm, spanning nearly 8,000 square kilometres and set to be located approximately 20 kilometres from the shore between Dawesville and Cape Naturaliste, has sparked outrage from locals.

Locals who attended the event raised a range of concerns about the impact of the project on the Peel Region’s coastal landscape, quality of life, and recreational activities.

"The feedback we received yesterday is clear – our community treasures the natural beauty of our coastline, and the thought of massive wind towers disrupting that beauty is deeply troubling to many people," Mr Hastie remarked.

There was a demand for transparent and thorough consultation, with people expressing frustration at what they perceive as a lack of detailed information about the project's impact.

"The government must listen to the concerns of the people who will be directly affected by this proposal. It's not just about the visual impact; wind farms cost a massive amount of money and deliver unreliable and unaffordable power compared to our traditional sources," Mr Hastie said.

“There are enormous sunk costs with this wind farm. The transmission and distribution costs will be paid for by Australian families and businesses, as many renewable companies are unprofitable requiring taxpayer subsidies.

“And it will increase our energy dependence on a foreign power, as most wind turbines are made in China. We’ll be importing weakness into our grid, while exporting our natural advantage in coal and gas. It makes no sense.”

Mr Hastie is urging residents who were unable to attend yesterday's mobile office to share their feedback by making a submission to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/oei-bunbury/new-survey-2ecbe7ee   

"Yesterday’s turnout underscores the urgency of this issue. I strongly encourage all residents to ensure their voices are heard. We won’t stand by and allow the Labor Government to ignore us.”

Anyone who shares Mr Hastie’s concerns can add their voice to the cause by signing the petition: https://www.andrewhastie.com.au/stop_labors_reckless_renewables  

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