A SMALL contingent of anti-offshore wind farm protesters took the opportunity to be seen by their local State MP, Kate Washington, at the Tea Gardens dredge announcement on Sunday 21 January.

Keeping the hope to be heard alive, many of the locals at the announcement wore demonstration t-shirts, while protesters also set up at the local skate park, hoping to catch Ms Washington’s attention on her way down the Myall Way.

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Keeping a quiet and respectful distance from the dredge announcement, the presence of the protest was still noticeable, reminding media present of strong local opposition to wind farms being installed within sight of the coast.

The Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association held a public vote of its members in 2023, formally adopting an anti-wind farm stance, and its President, Bruce Murray, attempted to speak to the issue while Ms Washington was in town.

“Kate Washington is our local representative, and a member of the Labor Party, who was voted by her constituents to stand up for us, even against (Federal Labor Minister) Chris Bowen.

“The offshore wind farms will provide no benefit to the Myall Coast, no new roads, services, nor cheaper utilities – nothing.”

Ms Washington, whose priority in Tea Gardens on the day was the Myall Estuary dredge announcement, told NOTA, “Last year and this year, I’ve met with many locals with genuine concerns about the prospect of an offshore wind farm.

“I’ve shared those concerns with the Federal Ministers responsible for making the decisions on the project, and as our community’s representative in the NSW Parliament, I’m very happy to continue to meet with locals to discuss their concerns, despite the fact that decisions regarding the project are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government.”

By Thomas O’KEEFE