A tribunal has overturned a requirement for a proposed wind farm to close down for 5 months annually to guard migrating orange bellied parrots, in a significant win for the business.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Monday welcomed as “pragmatic” an enchantment ruling by the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on the Robbins Island wind farm, proposed for the state’s far northwest.
He mentioned the choice successfully overruled an Atmosphere Safety Authority ruling that will have killed the $1.6 billion mission and set what the business considered a harmful precedent.
“Right this moment’s choice recognises that an acceptable steadiness must be struck between enabling renewable vitality initiatives and defending our native species,” Mr Rockliff mentioned. “As a authorities and as a society, we’ve got obligations to each.”
Nevertheless, the Bob Brown Basis, which together with numerous OBP consultants had supported the 5 month shutdown remaining a situation of approval, labelled the choice “a horrible consequence”.
“We now have this species, of which there solely 74 left on the planet, and which sits on the brink, and we’re going to have the most important wind farm within the Southern Hemisphere proper in the midst of its migratory path,” mentioned BBF spokesman Scott Jordan.
“It’s unacceptable. We will’t perceive how they’ve come to this choice.”
Mr Jordan mentioned it was now as much as federal Atmosphere Minister Tanya Plibersek to stay to her promise of no extra extinctions by blocking the 900MW, 100-turbine wind farm.
He mentioned the island was utilized by 24 chook species, some endangered, and will have a devastating influence on the OBP and different species.
The proposed web site of the Robbins Island wind farm improvement. Image: Chris Kidd
The proposed web site of the Robbins Island wind farm improvement. Image: Chris Kidd
Proponent ACEN expressed aid on the choice. “The Tribunal’s choice to take away the EPA’s disproportionate five-month shut down situation as a part of its mission approval for Robbins Island Wind is welcome information to ACEN
Australia – and I’m certain different renewable vitality builders proper throughout the nation,” mentioned ACEN Australia managing director David Pollington.
“The end result displays the appreciable effort that has gone into conducting a complete environmental evaluation, guaranteeing the mission aligns with ACEN Australia’s dedication to accountable and sustainable improvement.
“ACEN Australia has undertaken exhaustive and strong environmental assessments to establish and minimise potential impacts. This iterative course of included decreasing turbine numbers and heights, refining the mission footprint, incorporating refined applied sciences like AI-driven chook flight path screens to cease generators when birds comparable to wedge-tailed eagles are flying by the mission space.”
Tasmania’s enterprise group additionally welcomed the choice. “All of Australia must do extra to make sure we’ve got the vitality provide we’d like for our future,” mentioned Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Business chief government Michael Bailey.
“That is nice information for the Robbins Island mission, nice information for Tasmanian companies and nice information for Tasmania’s potential to be a renewable vitality powerhouse.
“Nevertheless, it does spotlight evident points within the improvement and approval processes. How is it that we ended up right here within the first place?”
Mr Rockliff additionally expressed concern concerning the approval course of for wind farms, and vowed to hunt “pressing talks” with the Albanese authorities to take away impediments to such initiatives.
“Getting initiatives authorised below federal environmental legislation has been difficult and we name on the federal authorities to work with us on options,” Mr Rockliff mentioned.
“The place there are issues of nationwide curiosity, like renewable vitality provide and native species, Tasmania can not do it alone. “We want the Federal Authorities to work with us and share the duty of placing the proper steadiness.”
