Renewables Environmental Research Initiative

Understanding the Seabed for Better Environmental Decisions

RERI Project 14: Mapping seabed geomorphology and marine benthic habitat values in the Bass Strait region (including the Gippsland and Northern Tasmania Declared Areas)

This project focuses on creating regional maps of the seabed environment in the Bass Strait, including the Gippsland (Victoria) and Bass Strait off Northern Tasmania offshore declared wind areas.

These maps will identify the seabed features, processes and biological values that characterise the region. This will improve understanding of potential habitats for marine benthic species. This knowledge is essential for offshore renewable energy developments and will support both proponents and regulators to conduct efficient and high-quality environmental impact assessments.

Why is this important?

Australia's offshore wind industry is growing rapidly, particularly in the Bass Strait where strong, consistent winds make it ideal for renewable energy generation. But these waters are also home to diverse marine ecosystems. By understanding the seabed, what lives where and why, we can help to ensure that offshore renewable energy development proceeds in an informed way, which minimises environmental impact.

What will the project deliver?

The project will provide:

• Detailed maps showing seabed features and processes, from shallow coastal areas to deeper offshore regions
• Habitat information identifying areas that are important for different benthic marine communities
• Environmental data that help both developers and regulators understand potential impacts on the seabed
• Guidance documents that make this information easy to use in environmental assessments

Setting the Standard for Seabed Characterisation

RERI Project 33: Best practice survey guidelines and data standards for marine benthic characterisation to support offshore renewable energy developments in Australia

This project will identify best-practice guidelines for data collection, characterisation of seabed environments and monitoring for potential impacts associated with offshore renewable energy. The project will review current practices in Australia and overseas to determine leading approaches and advise what is needed to strengthen environmental planning, decision-making, and monitoring in Australia.

Why is this important?

Currently, approaches to assess seabed environments vary, making it difficult to compare results and provide quick, consistent advice for environmental management. Clear, standardised guidance on best-practice approaches will lead to more effective, streamlined environmental assessments for both industry and Government. Australia's offshore wind industry is new, so we have the opportunity to learn from international experience and establish world-class standards from the start.

What will the project deliver?

The project will provide:

• A Review and gap analysis to identify potential seabed impacts and recommend methods for assessing seabed environments before, during, and after offshore renewable project construction
• Recommendations on best-practice survey guidelines and data standards that ensure information is collected consistently and can be easily shared and compared
• Practical guidance and training materials to help environmental professionals, renewable energy developers and environmental regulators apply these guidelines effectively

International perspective

While Australia's offshore renewable journey is just beginning, the industry is mature in other countries. Our guidelines and data standards will incorporate lessons learned from offshore renewable energy developments overseas, while being specifically tailored to Australian marine environments and regulatory requirements. This ensures we will benefit from global experience while maintaining standards appropriate to our unique conditions.

ŮŮÊÓƵ the Renewables Environmental Research Initiative (RERI)

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is implementing the to address critical information gaps relating to the regulation of renewable energy developments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The RERI will support a more efficient transition to offshore renewable energy and the protection of Australia’s biodiversity while meeting net zero targets.

By delivering better environmental data and guidance, RERI projects will support proponents of renewable energy projects by addressing scientific knowledge gaps; developing guidance on best-practice conditions, mitigation, monitoring and offsets; developing information standards, such as data standards and survey methodology guidelines.

RERI projects will draw on lessons learned from around the world. This will ensure Australia’s regulation of environmental impacts reflects international best practice.

Looking Forward

Geoscience Australia’s leadership in delivering these RERI projects are part of Australia's broader commitment towards net zero and developing offshore renewable energy while ensuring responsible management of the marine environment. This will advance sustainable development and contribute to a clean energy future, while maintaining a healthy and sustainable ocean economy.

Talk with Us

For more information, please contact us at offshoreenergy@ga.gov.au