Call for Volunteers: GNEC26!
Want to be part of Gippsland’s biggest clean energy events?
The Gippsland New Energy Conference (GNEC26) is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help welcome delegates, support sessions and keep the event running smoothly.

Held on 18–19 August 2026 at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre (GPAC), Traralgon, GNEC brings together industry leaders, government, businesses and communities from across the region to explore Gippsland’s clean energy future.

Volunteer roles include:
• Registration and delegate check-in
• Wayfinding and guest assistance
• Session support
• General event support

Register your interest to volunteer for GNEC26 today.

Volunteer Registration Form

The Team at Blue Mackerel are keen to engage with the community, share updates, and answer any questions you may have:

• 16 June – Fish Creek Primary School (Offshorewind4kids)
• 18 June – Bright Sparks, Kalimna Forest Tech
• 20 June – Foster Farmer’s Market (with the offshore wind developer group)
• 25 July – Seaspray Hall pop-up (10am–12pm)
• 25 July – Woodside Hall pop-up (2–4pm)
• 28- 30 July – Seafood Directions, Sydney (with the offshore wind developer group)

The Blue Mackerel team is continuing its assessments and is planning on submitting a competitive bid to the Victorian Government’s auction process due to start in August 2026.

Blue Mackerel Events

The Gippsland BESS is holding its second community drop-in session to help shape how the project can deliver local benefits. The proposed 600 MW / 1200 MWh Gippsland BESS is located near the Hazelwood Terminal Station. 

Gippsland BESS Community Drop-In Session

• Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026
• Time 1:30pm and 4:00pm
• Venue: Hazelwood North Public Hall.

European Energy have updated their technical assessments, lodged with the planning application to Department of Transport and Planning, and will soon be on public exhibition. Link to More details at Permits Register. 

For more details contact:
European Energy 
E:infoaus@europeanenergy.com

Gippsland BESS

Renewable energy zones are areas identified as the best places to host wind, solar and battery projects, and will play a key role as Australia transitions the energy grid from coal to renewable energy.

Renewable energy zones will:

• Help coordinate renewable energy projects and reduce the need for unnecessary transmission infrastructure
• Enable VicGrid to set clearer rules around how projects gain access to the grid, including expectations for how developers engage with communities
• Provide more certainty about how and where renewable energy projects are developed
• Unlock new economic benefits for regional communities and Traditional Owners

Renewable energy zones give communities and industry more clarity about where renewable energy projects are most suitable. 

Renewable energy zones

If you’re looking for work in Gippsland, it’s now easier to see what roles are connected to the Marinus Link project.

Marinus Link is advertising local roles through the Gippsland Jobs Hub, working closely with lead contractor, TasVic Greenlink.

The Gippsland Jobs Hub plays an important role in connecting local people with job opportunities as major projects like Marinus Link progress. This helps ensure people in Gippsland can access and benefit from the work happening in the region.

View current opportunities here: Gippsland Jobs Hub

Gippsland Jobs Hub

Draft Community Benefits Sharing Framework (CBSF) is now on public exhibition until Sunday, 7 June 2026.

A $20 million Legacy Fund has been allocated to support long term outcomes for the communities of North West Tasmania and Gippsland that will host Marinus Link’s infrastructure.

The Draft CBSF outlines how community benefits will be delivered, focusing on immediate support, enduring partnerships and long-term legacy investments.

We encourage you to review the Draft CBSF and share your feedback through the Marinus Link online survey.

Marinus Link

Star of the South environmental assessments open for public comment from 18 May to 29 June 2026.
This is an important step in project planning and another opportunity to learn more and have your say.

During the 6-week review period, you can:

• From May 25- June 20th Star of the South is hosting a rang of direct community engagements Link to full list.
• Learn about the project, its potential environmental effects and how these will be managed
• Hard copies of all documents can be viewed at local Gippsland Libraries.
• Digital Copies can be viewed and download from Star of the South website. Link below. 
• Ask questions and speak with our team at online and in-person community events
• Make a formal submission for government consideration before project approval decisions are made.
• You’ll be able to access the draft Commonwealth EIS and Victorian EES documents from Monday 18 May.

Your opportunity to be informed and make a response. 

Star of the South

The Port of Hastings Corporation invites you to attend our drop-in information sessions to learn more about our progress on the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and technical studies for the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal.
‍As these are drop-in events, you can attend any time between the scheduled hours.

Hastings
🗓️When: Thursday, 28 May 2026 & Saturday, 13 June 2026
⏰Time: From 10 am – 1 pm
📍Where: Hastings Seafarers Centre (2b Bayview Road, Hastings VIC 3915)
Cowes (Phillip Island)
🗓️When: Saturday, 30 May 2026
⏰Time: From 10 am – 1 pm
📍Where: Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre (91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes VIC 3922)
Balnarring
🗓️When: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
⏰Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
📍Where: Western Port Yacht Club (1 Foreshore Road, Balnarring Beach VIC 3926)

Information + Registration

The Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance – (GOWA) a partnership between Committee for Gippsland, the Gippsland Climate Change Network, and strategic partners – welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of a $124.5 million investment to progress development activities for the proposed Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings.

As outlined in our Gippsland Offshore Wind Sector Plan released last week, port infrastructure is a critical enabler for the successful rollout of an offshore wind industry, supporting the assembly and deployment of offshore wind components.

The Government’s funding is intended to progress technical and environmental assessments, including the Environmental Effects Statement process, for this nationally significant piece of infrastructure.

GOWA Media Release