Seabed surveys conducted over the Christmas period in the Illawarra and Bass Strait offshore wind zones have sparked concerns about transparency, compliance, and the potential cost to taxpayers. 

The surveys, carried out by the 7-Oceans research vessel owned by Infinity Oceans, were conducted despite no feasibility licenses being issued for offshore wind development in the region.

Responsible Future Illawarra, a group advocating for sustainable and environmentally responsible development, tracked the vessel’s movements using maritime charts. They found that the survey locations closely matched the declared offshore wind zones in Bass Strait and the Illawarra.

“If the 7-Oceans vessel is conducting surveys for offshore wind development, it raises important questions about why this is happening before feasibility applications have even been assessed,” says Alex O’Brien of Responsible Future Illawarra.

“If this is being done by a developer, they may be acting without the necessary licenses. If it’s the government commissioning the surveys, it contradicts previous statements that the government will not subsidise offshore wind projects.”

Despite the concerns, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has confirmed that the surveys are not related to the offshore wind initiative.

“No feasibility licences have been granted in the Illawarra offshore wind area. The survey work being conducted by 7-Oceans is unrelated to offshore wind,” a department spokesperson said.

However, Mr O’Brien remains sceptical. “The Illawarra community deserves transparency and accountability,” Mr O'Brien says. “The lack of communication from the government and local Labor MPs only fuels suspicion and leaves the community with unanswered questions.”

Responsible Future Illawarra has attempted to contact Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen and says the silence from local MPs is deepening concerns and leaving the community in the dark about the true purpose of the activity.

The Bugle will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.