The Busselton community has used the local council’s AGM to raise concerns about possible offshore wind farms planned for Geographe Bay, after the Federal Government approved new feasibility licences in January this year.
One Westward Wind and two Bunbury Offshore Wind Farm projects were given permission to begin detailed studies and consultation across an almost 732sqkm site.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen at the time said the three projects could produce up to four gigawatts of renewable energy and create thousands of local jobs during construction and ongoing operations.
The biggest project, Bunbury Offshore Wind “North,” received its initial approval in June 2025 and covers 280sqkm.
It will be located about 48km offshore from Bunbury. The other two projects will be 42km offshore, with the closest turbines more than 30 kilometres from the coast.
Mr Bowen described the licences as an important step toward delivering cleaner energy to WA communities and industries.
“Harnessing our natural resources also means creating thousands of construction jobs and ongoing maintenance roles in local supply chains, ports, and regional communities,” he said.
However, the projects have sparked opposition in Busselton.
On Wednesday, the City of Busselton held a special council meeting to consider the motions raised at its Annual General Meeting of Electors on February 2.
The motions called for the council to formally oppose wind farms in Geographe Bay.
Leading the charge was anti-windfarm activist Martine Shepherd, calling for the city to write to various ministers to highlight “deep concerns for safety, national security, and direct threats to lives” with concerns linked to radar interference from the proposed turbines.
Others motions raised highlighted fears the wind farms could intrude on culturally significant waters tied to Wadandi Dreamtime stories, or harm the marine environment.
Another urged local governments across the South West to band together in opposition.
The local council ultimately voted to formally receive the motions and agreed that the chief executive would write to relevant Commonwealth and State ministers outlining the community’s concerns.
https://thewest.com.au/news/south-western-times/busselton-residents-share-concerns-over-offshore-wind-projects-eyeing-geographe-bay-c-21606846
