A proposal to establish an offshore wind zone off the New South Wales South Coast is drawing both support and opposition.

A cross-disciplinary team of 17 senior academics from the University of Wollongong has expressed its support for the Illawarra offshore wind zone. 

However, they say that their endorsement is conditional on the industry meeting the highest environmental, social, and cultural standards.

Michelle Voyer, an associate professor with the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), has highlighted the significance of the proposal in addressing climate change. 

She stressed the urgency of the matter, saying; “We owe it to the planet to take a really good look at this.”

The researchers argue that offshore wind is the most viable way to ensure renewable energy grid security for the National Energy Market. 

They acknowledge that building offshore wind farms will impact ocean ecosystems but say that it is important to consider these impacts in the context of the negative consequences of inaction on climate change.

To mitigate the impact on marine habitat, the academics propose careful site selection and the use of technologies such as bird deterrent systems and marine mammal monitoring. 

They also call for continuous monitoring to assess the actual impact on marine life due to a lack of comprehensive information on marine species.

Furthermore, the researchers advocate for a comprehensive “life cycle assessment” of offshore wind farms, from the extraction of raw materials to decommissioning. 

They stress the need for greater oversight and argue that environmental assessments should be conducted by trusted research institutions rather than solely by developers.

While parts of the Illawarra community oppose the proposal due to concerns about visual amenity and marine life impact, others see it as an opportunity to create jobs in a region facing the decline of traditional industries like coal mining.

Former climate change commissioner Tim Flannery supports offshore wind, saying that the negative impacts can be managed. 

He warns that rejecting clean energy options would be detrimental to the future, given the threat of climate change.

Hundreds gathered at rallies to protest offshore wind zone plans over the weekend.