Federal government approves delayed wind farm in Tasmania

After years of delay, Tasmanians finally have an answer on whether a major wind farm will go ahead.

The Albanese government has approved a proposed 100-turbine wind farm in Tasmania’s northwest after years of delay.

The Robbins Island wind farm has not had an easy path.

Fears for local fauna, including the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, have driven opposition.

Anthony Albanese’s former environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, delayed giving federal approval on the project seven times since 2022.

But the Prime Minister’s new environment chief, Murray Watt, announced on Friday that he had given it the green light.

The Robbins Island wind farm project in Tasmania’s northwest has been approved. Picture: Bob Brown Foundation.

“Today, in line with national environment law, I have approved a new wind farm on Robbins Island in northwest Tasmania with significant additional environmental conditions attached,” Senator Watt said.

“The wind farm is expected to generate enough energy to power 422,000 homes, supporting Australia’s renewable energy transition.

“It has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4 million tonnes per annum, equivalent to taking more than one million cars off the road each year.”

Though, he added, there were “strict conditions” attached.

“The Australian government has imposed comprehensive conditions, beyond those previously imposed by the Tasmanian government,” Senator Watt said.

“These include additional conditions to mitigate and manage risks to the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot and to enhance conservation outcomes for the species.”

Among the conditions are surveys for three years prior to construction with the aim of learning more about the bird, including its migratory habits over Robbins Island.

Originally published as Federal government approves delayed wind farm in Tasmania