Gippsland Leaders Unite at Offshore Wind Parliamentary Showcase
Regional leaders, government representatives, industry proponents and community advocates came together at the Gippsland Offshore Wind Parliamentary Showcase, held in the Parliament of Victoria’s Federation Room, to highlight Gippsland’s readiness for the next stage of offshore wind development.
The event followed the Victorian Government’s announcement of the commencement of the Gippsland Offshore Wind auction process, launched earlier in the day by Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon Jaclyn Symes. The announcement marked a significant milestone for the region as Gippsland continues to position itself at the centre of Victoria’s renewable energy transition.
The showcase brought together representatives from business, community, education, the Gunaikurnai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation, offshore wind proponents and government agencies. Attendees reflected a strong cross-section of regional leadership, united by a shared focus on the opportunities offshore wind can deliver for Gippsland.
At the event, the Gippsland Offshore Wind Alliance shared its recently released Gippsland Offshore Wind Sector Plan, and the GOWA Presentation which outlines the potential benefits of offshore wind for the region, including new energy generation, jobs, training pathways and broader regional investment.
The event was attended by Minister Jaclyn Symes, alongside parliamentary colleagues including Tom McIntosh, David Davis and Danny O’Brien. Their attendance, along with bipartisan engagement, reinforced the importance of collaboration in supporting the region’s offshore wind future.
Minister Jaclyn Symes also joined joint Chairs of the Gippsland Alliance for Offshore Wind, Darren McCubbin, CEO of Gippsland Climate Change Network, and Tony Cantwell, CEO of Committee for Gippsland, in recognising the collective work underway across the region.
GCCN also acknowledged former Minister Lily D’Ambrosio MP and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action for their work in establishing the pathway for offshore wind in Gippsland.
The showcase demonstrated the depth of regional support and the strong social licence for renewable energy development in Gippsland. As investment opportunities continue to emerge, regional leaders remain focused on ensuring that local communities, workers and businesses are positioned to benefit from this next chapter in Victoria’s energy future.