The outcome of a controversial wind farm could remain unknown until the next election

The outcome of a controversial wind farm could remain unknown until the next election with the federal minister further delaying her decision until next year. What happened:

Robbins Island, in Tasmania's far northwest, is a haven for thousands of migratory and resident bird species, but also the proposed site for a 100-turbine wind farm. Picture: Bob Brown Foundation

Tasmania’s longest running wind farm feud just got longer with another delay to the controversial project.

The department of climate change, energy, the environment and water has again extended the time for which Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek must make a decision whether or not to approve the 100 turbine wind farm on remote, privately owned, Robbins Island.

After first extending the time for a decision out to December 9, on Thursday the department advised the time for the minister to decide whether or not approve the controlled action had been further extended until March 7, 2025.

Minister for the Environment and Water of Australia, Tanya Plibersek. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

A department spokesman said the assessment remained ongoing and the Minister had not yet reached a final decision.

“Additional time is needed to work through the complexities involved in this project and ensure all relevant information is thoroughly considered,” the spokesman said.

Ms Plibersek had requested further information from the proponent, ACEN, about impacts on 366 hectares of endangered Tasmanian devil habitat in April 2023.

Under the EPBC Act, Ms Plibersek was required to make a decision 30 days after receiving the requested information, however the department delayed the decision time out until December 9 before again delaying the decision until next year.

Bob Brown Foundation campaigner and Greens Senate candidate Scott Jordan said the project has had endless opportunities to make its case that it could operate without impacts on critically endangered and endangered animals but has failed.

“Enough is enough,” Mr Jordan said.

“The project does not comply with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Minister should step up and refuse the permit.”

Scott Jordan. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With best estimates placing the upcoming federal election for March likely pushing this decision into the hands of the next federal environment minister.

Mr Jordan said “election or no election, how long and how many opportunities do we give a company to keep pushing a project that doesn’t comply?”

“If they haven’t made the case you have to reject it and not keep extending lifelines to them,” Mr Jordan said.

Tasmania’s Energy Minister Nick Duigan slammed the decision to delay with the state government a heavy backer of the wind industry and the project.

Opponents from the Circular Head Action Network called on the Minister to resign over his steadfast support for the project after he met with the group to discuss their concerns in August 2024.

Minister Nick Duigan. GBE hearings 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Duigan said the project will generate hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in economic activity.

Mr Duigan said it was disappointing news for those developing the project and his government would continue to “slash red tape” and back the productive industries.

A spokesman for ACEN said it was disappointed about the extension but confident a positive decision would be made about the project in the short term.

Originally published as The outcome of a controversial wind farm could remain unknown until the next election