Experts warn Chris Bowen Illawarra wind project may lead to bird ‘collisions, deaths’

With the Energy Minister approving the giant Illawarra offshore wind zone, experts say more research is needed to determine if threatened species will be at risk.

The federal government has been urged to conduct more research before building the Illawarra offshore wind zone, warning endangered birds may be at risk of “collision, injury and death.”

As Energy Minister Chris Bowen moves ahead with the controversial project, experts have raised the alarm about the potential impact on dozens of species, who could potentially be impacted by the giant turbines.

“Our primary concern is the impact on seabirds. Their behaviour, flight patterns, migratory paths and foraging habitat makes them particularly vulnerable to collision, injury and death due to offshore wind farms” said marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck, from Humane Society International.

While Mr Chlebeck “cautiously supported” the offshore wind zone, he urged Minister Bowen to take a delicate and measured approach.

In a submission to the project, BirdLife Australia also warned the federal government: “Each year, thousands of large albatrosses and giant petrels migrate up to 20,000 kilometres to feed on dead and dying Giant Cuttlefish during the Australian winter.

The Shy Albatross, one of dozens of threatened species possibly experts warn needs to be considered as part of the Illawarra offshore wind zone. Picture: WWF Australia

“With periods of high winds occurring in winter off the NSW coast, these threatened species could be at high risk of collision with turbine blades, resulting in catastrophic, internationally significant impacts to populations.”

Dr Bethany Hoye, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences at the University of Wollongong told The Daily Telegraph: “there are 19 species of Albatross off the Illawarra… of which 17 are threatened species. At least 9 species are off the coast in any given month”

A Gould's Petrel, Australia's rarest seabird. Picture: NSW National Parks

Dr Hoye told The Daily Telegraph: “seabirds like the Albatross fly into a wave and take off to get elevation. And they get to a height that we don’t actually know… in order to soar long distances.”

In regards to how the turbines could possibly impact their habitat, Dr Hoye said “We know these birds forage based on smell… we don’t understand how they respond to light and to colour.”

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

With reference to the Illawarra offshore project, Dr Hoye indicated “we have a lack of information about how this wind development might impact these ecosystems… and that’s not to say there is a problem or there will be a problem. We need independent research.”

Wind farm guidelines published by the federal government confirm that birds “...are at risk of collision... and in turn, injury or death” but claims these can be mitigated by “blade design” and “detection techniques.”

A spokesperson for Minister Bowen said:

“We appreciate that communities are concerned about ensuring the environment is protected as offshore wind areas are developed around Australia.

“We take that concern seriously and development of our local industry will be undertaken in an environmentally sustainable and responsible way.

“Designated offshore wind areas are refined and adjusted following consultation with communities and to take into account environmental matters and avoid highly sensitive environmental areas.

“Changes have been made between the proposed and declared boundaries for offshore wind areas in the Hunter, Illawarra, Gippsland, and Southern Ocean in response to environmental matters, including to protect bird and marine life in particular areas.”