The Star of the South wind farm, which could power up to 20 per cent of Victoria’s electricity needs, has inked a key partnership en route to its development.
An engagement agreement with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) strengthens a seven-year relationship and will ensure the Gunaikurnai people remain involved in project discussions throughout.
The Gunaikurnai people will be empowered to advocate for their rights, interests and aspirations during Star of the South’s feasibility stage, ensuring cultural protection, access to jobs and training, and economic opportunities.
“We’ve been working with Star of the South since the early days of this proposal, and this agreement reflects our ongoing efforts to ensure Gunaikurnai people are actively shaping conversations from the start,” GLaWAC acting chief executive officer Charee Smith said.
“Our role is to protect Country, uphold cultural heritage, and should the project proceed, create real opportunities for healing, jobs, and long-term community benefit.”
Star of the South is widely regarded as Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, with the potential to power 1.2 Victorian homes if built to its full capacity of 2.2GW. This is expected to add around $3 billion to the Gippsland economy while creating 200 local jobs across 30 years of operations.
The project is currently being progressed under a feasibility licence, with an environmental and planning assessment, and approval and licensing processes taking place.
All things going well, Star of the South could commence construction later this decade, with first power set for 2030 to support Victoria’s 2GW by 2032 offshore wind energy target.
Offshore wind is one of the world’s fastest growing renewable industries, with around 83GW of offshore generation in operation worldwide (as of June 2025). A further 8GW of capacity was added in 2024.
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