![Could the view of Warrnambool and Port Fairy look like this? The new wind zone has been scaled back to only include Warrnambool and Port Fairy, not Warrnambool. This is an image of what it would have looked like in Discovery Bay. Could the view of Warrnambool and Port Fairy look like this? The new wind zone has been scaled back to only include Warrnambool and Port Fairy, not Warrnambool. This is an image of what it would have looked like in Discovery Bay.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/nB9BrLNgExsfwsLgDBevWP/2ac8dcd9-548c-439f-869e-336bf5cabebf.png/r0_0_1937_924_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Warrnambool City and Moyne Shire councils have expressed concern over a decision to declare a wind farm zone off the coast of Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
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Warrnambool mayor Ben Blain and Moyne Shire mayor Ian Smith said there were too many unresolved questions in relation to the potential impact of the decision on the Warrnambool and Moyne municipalities.
"It's early days and we're still reviewing the decision," Cr Blain said.
"But we have some serious concerns about the impact of the decision.
"Will the turbines be visible from the coast while you're enjoying a walk along the promenade or a swim in Lady Bay?
"While we understand the value of the renewable energy and the employment that will flow from this declaration, we are looking for further explanation as to why the original 5000-square-kilometre zone has contracted to a 1000-square-kilometre zone off the coast of Warrnambool and Port Fairy."
Cr Smith said he was pleased to see the large number of jobs projected to stem from the project but there was little at this stage to indicate the employment opportunities that would emerge for Warrnambool and Moyne.
"At this stage it appears most of these positions will be based in Portland," Cr Smith said.
![Warrnambool mayor Ben Blain says he has some concerns about wind turbines off the coast. Picture file Warrnambool mayor Ben Blain says he has some concerns about wind turbines off the coast. Picture file](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/nB9BrLNgExsfwsLgDBevWP/26d5a742-e538-4259-a2b5-eb0f01ca1514.jpg/r0_0_5432_3380_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"Given that Portland has the industrial scale port, the smelter and major power transmission infrastructure, we're keen to understand why the declared zone did not extend further west.
"We also want more details on how the cables and infrastructure will come ashore and how that looks for our beaches and marine environments."
Cr Blain said the two councils were also looking forward to reading a summary of the community consultation findings along with how the impact on marine life will be managed and needed also to know whether there would be an adverse impact on the tourism industry.
"There will also be seismic testing and we need to know how significant this would be," Cr Blain said.
"We're also keen to have a commitment from the Australian Government about placing any associated power lines underground.
![Moyne mayor Ian Smith wants to know how many jobs offshore wind would create for Moyne and Warrnambool. Picture file Moyne mayor Ian Smith wants to know how many jobs offshore wind would create for Moyne and Warrnambool. Picture file](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/nB9BrLNgExsfwsLgDBevWP/1a8be754-d1ab-4efa-8edc-66ed7bb73e92.jpg/r0_0_5098_3399_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It's a delicate issue. We're in favour of renewable energy and we're also conscious of not wanting to default to a NIMBY attitude.
"But we do have a number of genuine concerns and questions that remain unanswered and we'll engage with the Australian and Victorian governments to get the answers our community needs in relation to a decision that has some perplexing elements."