Wind turbines to be shipped from Port of Hastings, as state tips $124.5 million into new terminal

The state government has allocated $124.5 million to move forward with developing the Port of Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula into the primary hub for Gippsland’s offshore wind farm development.

The government says it will become “the first heavy-duty port of its kind in Australia”.

While Gippsland’s Barry Beach Marine Terminal and Port Anthony won’t be shipping out large wind turbine bases and blades, they have been identified as potential long-term operational and maintenance hubs for the offshore wind industry.

What happened: The government announced the funding for the Port of Hastings Renewable Energy Terminal in Monday’s state budget.

The wheels in such a large infrastructure project move slowly, and before construction can start various approvals are required. They include an Environmental Effects Statement (EES), which is a necessary step in greenlighting major projects with potentially significant environmental impacts.

• A previous EES was undertaken in 2024, with the federal government rejecting the proposal to expand the Port of Hastings, determining that it would harm surrounding wetlands and marine wildlife.

The EES will include community consultation, which the government is aiming to start this year.

The Port of Hastings Renewable Energy Terminal would house energy companies wanting to assemble turbines to be shipped and installed offshore.

The EES is expected to be completed later this year or in 2027. 

Construction of Gippsland’s offshore wind farm is expected to begin in 2027.

At its peak, the offshore industry is expected to create over 2,370 jobs, according to the state government.

The government says the development will “make sure Gippsland remains the powerhouse of Victoria’s energy production for decades to come”.