RPS is providing environmental services and planning expertise to support Australia’s first offshore wind project – Star of the South.
Initially commissioned by Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) in 2017, RPS provided a high-level due diligence report to identify any potential environmental or consenting risks associated with the project proposal. Now in the early feasibility phase, our team is supporting Star of the South with its offshore approvals and environmental impact assessment (EIA) work, including designing and managing the project's Marine Ecology Survey Program.
Australian Fur Seals on Kanowna Island, Victoria
Star of the South's Marine Ecology Survey Program is part of baseline environmental studies that are informing the project's impact assessment and feeding into State and Commonwealth approvals processes—the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and Commonwealth Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The studies we are undertaking for Star of the South document marine mammals (such as whales, dolphins and seals), along with seabirds and shorebirds, fish communities and sharks, and benthic habitats (ocean floor animals and sediments) across different seasons. The program also includes the deployment of wave and current meters to inform a coastal processes assessment.
RPS has partnered with local universities and research institutions in the design and execution of the Marine Ecological Survey Program, with survey designs peer-reviewed by independent experts.
Our team has also been appointed as the lead offshore approvals consultant for Star of the South, and has delivered the first stage approval submission—project referrals to the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
This underwater vision was captured as part of the 2020 summer fish surveys. Close encounters between octopus and shark!
A key challenge for investigations in 2020 was the restriction of travel and movement due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. We worked closely with Star of the South and survey partners to ensure investigations could progress while adhering to social distancing guidelines and government health advice.
This audio of humpback and dwarf minke whale calls was captured as part of our marine ecology survey program.
To support Star of the South with its offshore approvals and environmental impact assessments, our Ocean Science & Technology team has been working to quantify the potential impacts of the development on ocean waves and currents.
Your contact information:
All fields are mandatory *
RPS is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We will only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you have requested. We would also like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you.
Your contact information:
All fields are mandatory *
RPS is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We will only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you have requested. We would also like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you.