ㅇ 조사 대상은 깁슬랜드(Gippsland), 일라와라(Illawarra), 헌터(Hunter) 등 정부가 해상풍력 개발지구로 지정한 지역들로, 주민들은 정보 부족, 협의 부족, 환경 영향 우려 등을 주요 문제로 제기함
□ 보고서는 호주 연방 정부와 관련 부처(DCCEEW, NOPSEMA, 해상기반시설 규제당국 등)가 해상풍력 구역 지정 과정에서 사전 안내, 지역사회 설명회, 원주민 권리 존중 등에 있어 절차적 미흡을 보였다고 지적함
ㅇ 어업 공동체는 생계 위협과 생태계 영향에 대해 충분한 과학적 근거 없이 해상풍력 도입이 추진되는 점을 문제로 지적함
ㅇ 원주민이 외부 개발사업에 대해 강요 없이, 사전에, 충분한 정보를 바탕으로, 명시적으로 동의할 권리인 FPIC(Free, Prior and Informed Consent) 원칙도 충분히 보장되지 않음
ㅇ 정보 접근의 형평성 문제와 정부 주도의 소통 노력 부족이 불신을 키워 일부 지역에서는 지역사회의 지지를 얻지 못한 채로 사업이 추진됨
□ 이에 위원회는 5개의 권고를 통해 해상풍력 산업 추진 과정의 신뢰성과 정당성을 회복할 것을 주문함
ㅇ ▲원주민의 협의 참여 강화 ▲지역사회 대상 맞춤형 정보 제공 ▲이해관계자와의 지속적 협의 ▲허위정보 차단 및 관리계획 공개 ▲관련법 개정이 권고에 포함됨
ㅇ 호주의 재생에너지 전환이 지역사회의 지지를 얻는 방식으로 추진되어야 함을 강조함
목차
Members iii
Terms of reference ix
Abbreviations .xi
List of recommendations xiii
Chapter 1—Introduction 1
Structure of the report 1
Conduct of the inquiry 2
Background information 2
Australia's changing energy needs 2
The potential for the Australian offshore wind industry 3
Offshore wind priority areas 5
2023 review of community engagement with renewable energy projects 7
Themes and trends identified through the review 8
Recommendations contained in the review 10
Australian Government response to the review 11
CSIRO research into low-conflict pathways for renewable energy development 13
Stakeholder survey results 13
Next chapter 14
Chapter 2—Overview of the offshore wind industry consultation process 15
Overview 15
Legislative framework for offshore wind 15
Overview of the offshore renewable energy development process 16
Stage 1—initial consultation and regional zoning 19
Stage 2—project proposals, feasibility studies and approvals 20
Stage 3—project delivery 23
Consultation process for the six offshore wind priority areas—Stage 1 23
Gippsland, Victoria 24
Hunter, New South Wales 26
Southern Ocean, west coast Victoria 27
Illawarra, New South Wales 29
Bass Strait, northern Tasmania 31
Indian Ocean off Bunbury, Western Australia 32
Next chapter 33
Chapter 3—Community engagement with the consultation process 35
Support for the consultation process led by DCCEEW 35
Community concerns about the consultation process 37
Timeframes for and awareness of public engagement 39
Need for clear information 41
Strong demand for localised, targeted information 43
Public forums 45
Navigation of online and written information 47
Interaction between Commonwealth and state frameworks 48
Misinformation and disinformation 50
Combatting misinformation and disinformation 52
Future consultation 53
Consultation to be undertaken during Stage 2 54
Next chapter 56
Chapter 4—Potential impacts of offshore wind projects on the marine environment 57
Overview 57
Requirements to consider and mitigate potential impacts of offshore wind projects 57
The role of Geoscience Australia in supporting community consultation 59
Potential impacts on the marine environment 59
Potential impacts on migratory species 60
Potential for positive marine environmental effects 62
The fishing and tourism industries 62
Potential impact on commercial and recreational fishing 62
Potential impact on the tourism industry 63
Calls for a national policy for all marine users 64
Noise and light pollution 64
Underwater noise 64
Light pollution 65
Visual amenity 66
Next chapter 69
Chapter 5—Free, prior and informed consent 71
Overview 71
Traditional Owner interests in sea country 71
Free, prior and informed consent 72
Recognition of FPIC principles in the offshore wind industry development process 73
Concerns raised over adherence to FPIC principles 74
Resourcing required to enable full engagement within the timeframes provided 75
Lack of discussion opportunities and tangible outcomes from consultation 75
Absence of consent 76
Non-First Nations views of the consultation process' adherence to FPIC 77
Proponents' engagement with First Nations communities 78
Next chapter 78
Chapter 6—Committee's view and recommendations 79
Overview 79
Consultation undertaken during the regional zoning stage 80
Support for the DCCEEW-led consultation process 80
Concerns raised in relation to the DCCEEW-led consultation process 81
Commercial and recreational fishing 82
Potential environmental impacts 82
Free, prior and informed consent 83
Future consultation in Stage 2 of the offshore renewable electricity process 83
Concluding comments 84
Recommendations 85
First Nations engagement 85
Public consultation process 86
Coalition Senators' Dissenting Report 89
Appendix 1—Submissions and additional information 99
