Victoria's Offshore Wind Visualizations Show Minimal Visibility from Gippsland Coastline, Bolstering Public Acceptance Efforts
Key Insights
Updated visualisations from the Victorian government indicate offshore wind turbines will be nearly imperceptible from Gippsland beaches.
The simulations, spanning distances of 10km to 60km, suggest turbines will be impossible to see with the naked eye beyond 30km.
These new images aim to address local community concerns regarding visual impact and foster greater social license for the projects.
Ten feasibility licenses have been awarded for the Gippsland offshore wind zone, with development expected to commence in the late 2020s.
MELBOURNE – The Victorian state government has released updated visualisations demonstrating that proposed offshore wind turbines in the Gippsland zone will be virtually imperceptible from the nearest coastal vantage points, a strategic move designed to assuage public concerns over visual impact and accelerate the region's ambitious renewable energy development. These new simulations, which depict views from Golden Beach and Woodside Beach, reinforce the government's commitment to securing social license for the initiative, crucial for its timely progression towards significant clean energy generation.
The visualisations, which account for turbines positioned at 10km, 30km, and 60km offshore, illustrate that even on clear, sunny days in the late 2020s and early 2030s when these projects are slated for operation, the structures will be exceedingly difficult to discern. Notably, the updated images suggest an even lower visibility than previous iterations, with turbines projected to be entirely imperceptible to the naked eye at distances of 30km and 60km. This finding is critical for community engagement, as visual amenity has historically been a significant point of contention for coastal offshore wind projects globally, often leading to protracted approval processes and public opposition.
The Gippsland declared offshore wind zone has seen substantial activity, with ten feasibility licenses awarded since May last year, signaling a robust pipeline of projects. Among these, BlueFloat Energy and Energy Estate previously presented a 3D simulation in 2022 for their then-proposed 1.28 gigawatt (GW) Gippsland Offshore wind farm, showcasing its appearance from 10 to 30 kilometers off the Victorian coast. Developers and government agencies have consistently emphasized the importance of transparently communicating the visual implications of these large-scale energy infrastructure projects to local communities to foster acceptance. More recently, firms like Spatial Media have been engaged to provide broader visualisations for renewable energy projects across various regions, standardizing the approach to public understanding.
The latest images, now prominently featured on the Victoria government’s Offshore Wind Energy page, directly address the proposed scale and positioning of the projects, offering residents a clearer, data-backed understanding of the minimal visual footprint. This proactive approach to public perception management is a strategic element in de-risking project timelines and ensuring sustained community support for what is poised to be a cornerstone of Victoria's renewable energy transition. The Gippsland zone is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the state's ambitious renewable energy targets, contributing significantly to grid decarbonization, enhancing energy security, and attracting substantial investment into the regional economy.