An emergency warning is in place for Lake Lenthall and Wongi State Forest near Duckinwilla, Queensland. Leave immediately. Keep up to date withHundreds of people from the length of the New South Wales east coast have attended an anti-offshore wind zone rally in the Hunter region.Hundreds of people have attended a rally against proposed offshore wind along the country's east coast
Nelson Bay resident Gail Nicolosi fears the proposal will ruin the lifestyle of the quiet beach-side community."They're charging ahead and doing it without consultation."Local tourism operator Frank Future, who has made a living off whale-watching tours for almost 30 years, said offshore wind could destroy his livelihood."It will put an enormous amount of noise into the water; there's going to be a lot of traffic across the whale highway.
"The government will only be licensing projects that work well with existing industry and the environment and deliver meaningful, long-lasting community benefits."Justin Page from the Hunter Jobs Alliance, a charity that campaigns to maintain well-paid and secure jobs in the region, said the wind zone was crucial to secure jobs.
"Apply to have wind factories off Manly, off Bondi, Middle Head and put your transmission lines there," he said.Get our local newsletter, delivered free each WednesdayWind EnergySouth Sydney great Nathan Merritt in hospital on life support