Australia’s transition to net zero includes the rapid development of offshore renewable energy, with the first offshore wind licence areas declared in Bass Strait in 2022. Multiple uses in and around declared areas require robust, policy-ready understanding of seabed processes and benthic ecosystems to balance developments with a sustainable ocean economy. Under DCCEEW’s Renewables Environmental Research Initiative, we are delivering an integrated suite of regional seabed geomorphology, benthic habitat and species distribution mapping products across Bass Strait. Together, these maps provide a consistent, regionwide evidence base derived from the AusBathyTopo (Bass Strait) 30m bathymetry grid and associated environmental datasets.
We map seabed geomorphology, providing multiscale insights into seabed stability, sediment transport and infrastructure suitability. We also produce predictive benthic habitat maps that model the likelihood of broad-scale habitat types across the Bass Strait shelf. In data-rich areas, such as the Beagle Marine Park, we explore geomorphology as a proxy for seabed processes and benthic habitats. These mapping products, together with associated regulatory guidance, translate regional seabed science into a practical evidence base for offshore renewable energy projects. They reduce uncertainty and support risk-based regional assessments, enabling more consistent, transparent and environmentally responsible decision-making under national environmental legislation.