Before construction can begin, Gippsland Dawn will go through a rigorous approvals process which will assess the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the project.
Potential impacts will be assessed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and through Victorian legislation. The process for assessment will be confirmed in consultation with the Commonwealth and State governments. The assessment process will consider all aspects of the project in the water and on the land.
The community will have the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the assessment process. Information gathered through studies and stakeholder feedback will enable plans to be developed to avoid, minimise, mitigate and manage potential impacts.
The Gippsland coast is home to a world-class wind resource which will be captured by turbines out at sea. This new industry will create local and regional economic benefits.
Studies will be conducted throughout the lifespan of Gippsland Dawn. It is important for us to continue to monitor the waters and land around the project site. Some of the required studies for Gippsland Dawn include:
A series of geophysical and geotechnical surveys will be undertaken to measure water depth and identify seabed features including sand waves, reefs and archaeological features
Ecological surveys will be carried out to determine the ecology of the seabed and in the water column
Oceanographic and hydrographic data on wind speed, current speed and direction and wave height will also be recorded
Floating LiDAR (FLiDAR) will be deployed offshore for up to two years, to gather metocean (wind, wave and tidal) data
Assessments of underwater cultural heritage and First Nations cultural values
Potential landscape, visual amenity, and lighting impacts
Land based studies and cumulative impacts.
FLiDAR will be deployed in late 2024. The Gippsland Dawn project team will be engaging with recreational and commercial fishers and the boating industry in the lead up to the deployment