Wind hub meeting in Cowes

A community meeting will be held in Cowes on May 30 to give an update of the proposed wind turbine hub planned for Western Port.

The Port of Hastings is seeking approvals on behalf of the state government for a revised Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal (VRET) and will run the meeting on Saturday May 30, 10am-1pm at Berninneit.

The drop-in information session will detail the progress on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and technical studies for the VRET, with attendees able to speak directly with the Port of Hastings team.

Meanwhile, last week's Victorian Budget 2026/27 allocated $124.5 million to progress the VRET's EES.

The state government is planning a revised VRET, the first heavy-duty port of its kind in Australia, after the then former Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in 2024 knocked back the original plan because of national environmental concerns.

If the revised VRET is approved, dredging in the bay will take place for about five months 24/7, with dredged material taken to a land reclamation site, with potential for further dredging for the berth pocket and quay wall.

There would be an extra 130 ships per year, with VRET construction starting in 2027, operational by the end of the decade, with a 50-year design life and unlikely to be decommissioned.

Under the proposal, wind turbine components manufactured overseas would be brought to the VRET for assembly, before being shipped out to Bass Strait for construction.

Last year updated draft EES scoping requirements were released, with all public comments to be considered by Victoria's Planning Minister for the finalisation of the EES scoping requirements, which will determine what will be investigated by the Port of Hastings as part of the EES.

In a separate process, last year the Federal Environment Minister declared the VRET a "controlled action" as part of the Commonwealth's EPBC Act referral, indicating nationally significant environmental impacts were considered likely.

Following planning approvals and environmental assessments, works can then proceed.

The auction for the first 2 gigawatts of offshore wind energy will open in August, which is enough energy to power 1.5 million homes.

The Cowes drop-in event has no formal presentation, so locals can attend any time between the scheduled hours.

Details: https://renewableenergyterminal.com.au/

Register for the Cowes event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/victorian-renewable-energy-terminal-community-drop-in-session-cowes-tickets-1988147243926?aff=oddtdtcreator