Both sides of the offshore wind farm debate have been promoting events for the public this year.

This follows 2023’s big offshore wind protest, when more than 1000 people attended the Coalition Against Offshore Wind (CAOW) rally at Flagstaff Hill on October 29.

After a lull over the holiday season, various groups were gearing up for events in 2024.

No Offshore Wind Farms Illawarra – the public Facebook group with 8.3K members – listed two events: a Canberra protest linked to a ‘National Rally Against Reckless Renewables’ on February 6 and a Community Coastal Walk at Warilla on January 27.

“Wear your ‘No Offshore’ shirt or any blue shirt to show unity and spark conversations,” event organisers posted. “It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness and stand together.” The ‘Walk and Talk’ series has also taken place in Shellharbour.

On the other side of the issue, the Yes 2 Renewables Alliance planned to hold a Family Fun Day at Wollongong’s Osborne Park from 11am-1pm on Sunday, February 4. Organisers were promising to share information, art installations and free ice-cream for children (“Keep our kids cool while we fight to cool our planet!”)

The Illawarra is awaiting a decision on its offshore renewable energy zone by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

The proposed area covers 1461km2 and extends offshore of Wombarra in the north to Kiama in the south. A 94-day consultation period closed last year on 15 November.

The government says the zone has a potential power generation of 4.2GW and may create 2500 jobs during construction and 1250 ongoing jobs.

For updates: www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/offshore-wind/areas/illawarra