Readying Wellington Shire for Renewable Energy
Client: Wellington Shire Council
Gippsland is one of six Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) in Victoria, and is the focus of a series of major renewable energy development proposals. This includes nationally significant offshore wind (OSW) projects off the southern coast of Gippsland; an area declared as the first zone for offshore wind generation in Australia.
Wellington Shire Council (Council) recognised there was a pressing need to understand, and strategically plan for long term renewable energy investment in order to optimise economic benefits and mitigate any potential issues that may arise from project facilitation and delivery.
As a result, Council in conjunction with Regional Development Australia (RDA) engaged Urban Enterprise to complete a Renewable Energy Readiness Study.
The main purpose of the Study was to identify, understand and plan for issues and spatial implications for urban land supply and supply chain requirements across business, labour and housing.
Importantly, the Study provides an economic and land use evidence base and action plan to guide renewable energy readiness over the next 10-20 years.
Key elements of the Study were as follows:
Document the nature, scale and timing of renewable energy projects;
Understand the potential implications for infrastructure, supply chain, business demand, land supply and labour demand;
Identify economic and spatial issues, opportunities and constraints expected to result from the projects; and
Recommend directions and actions that Council could implement to facilitate investment, maximise economic benefits, and minimise potential issues
The Study was unanimously adopted by Council in February 2023, and is being progressively implemented.
