Hundreds of people from the length of the New South Wales east coast have attended an anti-offshore wind zone rally in the Hunter region. 

In July this year, the federal government unveiled plans for Australia’s second offshore wind zone, stretching more than 1,800 square kilometres between Newcastle and Port Stephens.

The project is expected to generate up to 5 gigawatts of power for more than 4 million homes.

Organisers of the rally against the offshore wind zone estimated 500 hundred people turned up to today’s event at Nelson Bay in Port Stephens, with attendees coming from as far away as the Illawarra.

Plans to establish another NSW offshore wind zone have polarised residents of the state’s south coast. 

Nelson Bay resident Gail Nicolosi fears the proposal will ruin the lifestyle of the quiet beach-side community.

“There hasn’t been enough information given out, except for today and just recently,” she said.

Fears business will be hit

Local tourism operator Frank Future, who has made a living off whale-watching tours for almost 30 years, said offshore wind could destroy his livelihood.

“I rely entirely on the environment,” he said.

“It will put an enormous amount of noise into the water; there’s going to be a lot of traffic across the whale highway.

Further consultation opportunities expected

In a statement, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said feasibility licences needed to develop projects within the zone must comply with “strict environmental regulations”.

“These processes will give the community three further opportunities to have their say on individual projects,” he said. 

Justin Page from the Hunter Jobs Alliance, a charity that campaigns to maintain well-paid and secure jobs in the region, said the wind zone was crucial to secure jobs. 

“It’s the equivalent of about 3,000 jobs through the construction phase, and then 1,500 throughout the life [of the project],” he said. 

“I think the timing lines up perfectly with coal-fired power stations shutting down. 

Political pressure

Among the hundreds in attendance at the anti-offshore wind rally was Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, a long-time opponent of renewable energy zones. 

He says there is growing anger at the rapid development of renewable energy across the country.

“You’ve got to come out and start talking to the people who diametrically dislike this,” he said. 

My Joyce questioned why the government would not consider developing wind zones off the coast of Sydney. 

“Apply to have wind factories off Manly, off Bondi, Middle Head and put your transmission lines there,” he said. 

“Of course, they won’t do it; they’ll lose their bananas, and the election will be lost.”