Nationals Leader David Littleproud said BlueFloat’s paused Illawarra offshore wind farm project must be given a 100 per cent confirmed cancellation by Labor.
Mr Littleproud said a future Nationals Government has already committed to calling the 1,022-square kilometre project in.
He said if Labor doesn’t rule the project out once and for all this week, it’s a sign that Labor will resume planning for the mega offshore project as soon as the election is over.
“I’m calling for the Illawarra community to be given certainty this week and for Labor to stop this unwanted project now,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Coalition will ensure this project is stopped, once and for all.
“The Nationals were the first political party to have the courage to commit to ruling this project out last year and instead prioritise protecting the natural environment.
“The Nationals are also concerned the transmission lines from the wind farm could go through ‘The Farm’ beach and Killalea Regional Park.
“Only a vote for The Nationals’ candidate for Whitlam Katrina Hodgkinson will stop the project.”
The call comes after the Senate Inquiry into the Offshore Wind Industry Consultation – an inquiry opposed by Labor and the Greens – did not proceed last week.
Katrina Hodgkinson said The Farm and Killalea is a haven for wildlife but Labor’s project had only been delayed, not shelved.
“The Farm is one of the most iconic beaches in the world and we don’t want our tourism and recreation jeopardized with the installation of massive transmission lines running through the Killalea area,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“We remain extremely concerned, given a Senate hearing into renewables was cancelled last week by Labor. The committee’s cancellation has once again caused more uncertainty and we call for an end to it – Labor must say it’s over.”
Shellharbour Deputy Mayor Cr Kellie Marsh said the community has voiced strong environmental concerns about the project.
“It’s deeply concerning that a foreign company would propose running transmission cables through Killalea National Park, a protected area that the community has worked hard to preserve,” Cr Marsh said.
“Suggesting such a route seems to overlook both these concerns and the significance of the area to local residents.”
Local Alex O’Brien drove to Canberra for the hearing and said he felt extremely disappointed it did not proceed.
“Labor doesn’t want the public to hear the truth,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We waited six months for the inquiry and we just wanted to reveal our concerns that the consultation process wasn’t genuine.
“Labor was okay to have a nuclear inquiry within two months, but we have been waiting and waiting for what are some real concerns. All we wanted is the public to hear what we have to say and again we have been quashed.”
Local Michael Zaradostas added the community consultation was a sham.
“The community is dead against this project and we want it to be put to an end,” Mr Zaradostas said.
Mr Littleproud added it is extremely disappointing that Labor decided to turn its back on the local community and those with genuine concerns by shutting down an inquiry last week.
“Despite their tricks, a vote for Labor in Whitlam could still mean a vote for the offshore wind farm and its transmission lines through the region,” Mr Littleproud said.
