Investigations

Wind and wave monitoring

We monitored wind and wave conditions for 2.5 years to confirm the project’s feasibility. Floating detection and measurement devices, called floating LiDARS, collected data from November 2019 until late 2022.

Seabed geophysical study

We used soundwave equipment to map the seafloor, measure water depths and identify any buried infrastructure such as cables.

Seabed geotechnical study

We spent five weeks at sea collecting soil and rock samples from up to 70 m beneath the seafloor to help inform turbine foundation design and placement. Find out more about the campaign.

Birds

Bird specialists surveyed seabirds and shorebirds from the air, by boat and along the coastline. We also surveyed colonies on nearby islands and installed sound monitors to understand population numbers. Key birds species were fitted with GPS tags to track their movements 24/7 and pinpoint foraging areas and migration routes.

Fish and invertebrates

Fish specialists completed net surveys and used underwater cameras to film fish in 130 locations in winter 2020 and summer 2021. We’ve also monitored the movements of CSIRO tagged white sharks in and around our 2019 Exploration Licence area, and studied pelagic fish which swim closer to the water’s surface. In 2023 we surveyed pelagic fish, using underwater video cameras to understand the types of fish species in the area.

Marine mammals and turtles

Marine mammal specialists completed two years of surveys by air, boat and with underwater sound recorders called marine hydrophones. The recorders pick up calls from up to 20 km away and help identify different species and behaviours. Seals from local colonies were fitted with GPS tags to track their movements 24/7.

Benthic surveys

We surveyed plants and organisms on the seafloor by underwater video at 80 locations. We also collected around 200 samples of sand, sediments and other materials from the seafloor for analysis.

Coastal processes (tides and currents)

We collected data on currents and natural sediment movement with two wave and current monitors placed on the seabed along the coastline.

Native plants and animals

Ecologists and zoologists started detailed surveys for native plants and animals along our proposed transmission route in 2020.

Plant surveys involve recording the amount, type and quality of native vegetation. Animal surveys identify if the area is used by native animals. Information is collected using a range of survey methods including remote sensing cameras, hair tubes, searching for droppings, playing recorded animal calls and listening for responses, and visual searches.

Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys

Archeologists and representatives of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Corporation (GLaWAC) surveyed the project’s transmission route to investigate for evidence of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Soil and ground conditions

Soil testing and ground surveys along the proposed transmission route are now complete.