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Offshore wind farms are operating safely around the world, alongside marine life.

Before wind farms are built, environmental assessments are carried out to help protect ocean habitats and animals such as whales, seabirds and fish.

Offshore wind is a key part of Victoria's clean energy transition. It’s a proven, well-regulated technology that works safely alongside nature.

Protecting the environment

All offshore wind projects are subject to robust Victorian and Australian government environmental management and impact assessment frameworks before, during and after operations begin.

Offshore wind projects may need to be assessed under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) if it is decided this is required. The Commonwealth Minister for Environment determines EPBC approvals under the Act.  
An assessment under the EPBC Act includes construction, operation and decommissioning of wind turbines, cables, substations and associated infrastructure. It must take the following into consideration:

  • australia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention
  • relevant biodiversity conventions, for example Biodiversity Convention, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
  • requirements of a recovery plan, conservation advice or a threat abatement plan for a listed threatened species
  • Australia’s obligations under migratory species conventions and treaties, including the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), Republic of Korea Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA), Bonn Convention and Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)
  • a management plan in force for an Australian Marine Park (AMP)
  • public consultation and feedback on the proposed project.

Read more about the EPBC Act process.

Reducing the risk to marine life

During the investigation and construction of an offshore wind project, developers may apply a range of protective measures such as:

  • restricting vessel speeds
  • using thermal imaging, underwater passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and other observation methods such as trained observers onboard to look out for and track marine animals and other protected species
  • shutting down sound sources if marine mammals are detected within a certain distance
  • putting in place noise-reduction systems such as bubble curtains during construction.
  • maintaining exclusion zones around vessels.

Exploring the seabed

Before an offshore wind farm can be built, underwater surveys are carried out to map the seabed. These surveys are known as non-seismic high resolution geophysical (HRG) surveys.

Non-seismic HRG surveys use acoustic equipment that is towed above the seafloor by slow-moving vessels. The equipment uses varying frequencies of sound and passive sensors, which are silent. The sound sources in these surveys are low in energy, travel short distances and disappear quickly.

This type of technology is not the same as the technology used for offshore oil and gas exploration. Oil and gas exploration uses a method called seismic testing or seismic blasting, which is designed to penetrate kilometres into the sea floor to find oil and gas and is much louder and more invasive.

There is no evidence of offshore wind project development, including non-seismic HRG surveys, harming marine mammals or protected species.

The Australian Government has published its own guidance on environmental factors for offshore wind projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) to support the industry to identify and manage impacts to the environment.

Visual amenity

The visibility of offshore wind farms will vary depending on a range of factors including turbine height, distance from the shore and weather conditions.

Feasibility license holders for proposed projects will need to consult on the location and placement of turbines as part of their management plan and to support assessment under the EPBC Act.

All offshore wind farms in Victoria will be in waters governed by the Australian Government.

The Gippsland declared offshore wind area begins at least 10 km from shore. Our interactive images will help you visualise what wind turbines off the coast of Gippsland might look like.

The Southern Ocean declared area begins at least 15 km from shore. View the Australian Government’s visualisations of what an offshore wind farm may look like in the Southern Ocean.

Fishing

International experience shows fishing and offshore wind can and do coexist in many places. Because this is a new industry in Australia, further work is being undertaken to understand how fishing activities and offshore wind projects can best interact.

Once a wind farm is operational, there may be small, restricted areas around turbines and substations. There may also be larger restricted areas during construction.

The exact details of any restricted areas will be decided on a project-by-project basis, with developers required to show how they will share the area with other users. They will need to consult with fishers and have a plan for gathering and responding to ongoing feedback throughout the life of the project.

International examples of offshore wind and recreational fishing suggest they can share the same space. Around the world, offshore wind foundations have been shown to act like artificial reefs, providing new habitat for fish and other marine species, leading to increased biodiversity and stronger local fish populations.

The Australian Government has released advice on Offshore renewables and interactions with fisheries.

Want to learn more?

Explore our technical guidance material on the existing legislative process that offshore wind developers will be required to undertake, including the environmental and biodiversity approvals.

Explore our wind turbine visualisations page to find out more about how offshore wind farms might look in Victoria.

Page last updated: 01/07/26