Last month marked the 30th meeting of the Star of the South Community Advisory Group, a forum established in 2020 to seek advice from and share information with the community on Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project.
Chaired by Gippslander Ian Gibson, the Advisory Group brings together 20 members from Foster
to Lakes Entrance every two months to be briefed on project updates.
Star of the South’s regional engagement senior manager Paul Johnson said the group’s involvement has been invaluable over the past four years.
“Since 2020 we’ve discussed a wide range of topics in depth, such as project timing, fishing, jobs, supply opportunities and transmission. Each meeting is an opportunity to share information, answer questions, and discuss what’s happening in local communities,” he said.
Meetings have also been taken out ‘on the road’, with informative site visits across the region to
give members a better understanding of key project locations, construction activities and long-term plans.
The group recently visited Port Anthony to learn more about how Gippsland ports currently service and oil and gas industry, and how they could play a key role supporting Star of the South.
“We now have 20 people from across Gippsland with a deep understanding of the project, offshore wind and the energy system – they’re a great resource for people in local towns to tap into,” Mr Johnson said.
Allan Rogers, a part-time resident of McLoughlin’s Beach and passionate angler, has been an active member since the group’s inception.
“Living in a small coastal community, I wanted to make sure that locals were informed about project developments that could affect us.
Fishing is important to us, and my involvement has allowed me to both share knowledge and different views from my community,” he said.
