Bowen fixated on environmental vandalism at Port Stephens

Bowen fixated on environmental vandalism at Port Stephens

Nationals Senator for New South Wales, Ross Cadell, has called on the community to maintain the outcry over Labor’s quest for offshore wind, after the announcement a feasibility licence had been granted for the Hunter zone.

The Hunter based Senator, who earlier this week met with residents in the Illawarra who are opposed to offshore wind, said the announcement sent a very clear message that Labor wasn’t interested in the community’s opinion.

“Over the past few months, the Port Stephens community has made it very clear that this project presents fatal risks to the tourism economy,” Senator Cadell said.

“Add in the risks posed to marine life, and this project presents as nothing more than environmental vandalism.”

Mr Bowen made the announcement on Thursday, with only one applicant successful in gaining a feasibility licence.

“For eight companies to apply for a licence, yet only one licence to be granted over less than half the zone tells you even the investors are struggling to believe in Bowen’s fixation.

“Mr Bowen will tell you this licence has been granted over an area closer to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. The reality is it is still only 20 kilometres from the shores of Port Stephens.

“We’re talking about towers more than 100m taller than Mount Tomaree. This project will leave the Hunter horizon wearing the scars of Labor’s reckless race.

Senator Cadell called on the community to come out in force against the project, with a community meeting scheduled at Birubi Beach this Sunday.

“The more noise we make to call out Bowen’s environmental vandalism, the less certain any future investor in offshore wind will become.

“I don’t just want investor confidence in offshore wind to soften, I want it to disappear.”

If elected, the Nationals are committed to tearing up existing agreements on offshore wind, and ensuring the New South Wales coastline remains picture perfect.”