Bob Brown places activists on war footing over Robbins Island wind farm, MMG mine tailings dam
Brown is preparing his activist army for what he says will be the biggest mobilisation of protesters since the Franklin Dam dispute of the 1980s.
Bob Brown is threatening the biggest mobilisation of protesters since the Franklin Dam, believing the Albanese government will imminently issue approvals for two of Tasmania’s most contentious projects.
Dr Brown on Wednesday effectively placed his growing foundation on a war footing, suggesting the $1bn, 900MW Robbins Island wind farm and preliminary work on the MMG Rosebery mine tailings dam were to receive approval in coming days.
Both projects are highly contentious and have faced years of regulatory delays and court challenges, with business and conservationists alike criticising former environment minister Tanya Plibersek’s handling of federal approvals.
“Besides subsidising the slaughter of Tasmania’s native forests and wildlife, backing these destructive but unnecessary projects in Tasmania means Albanese and (federal Environment Minister Murray) Watt will bring on the biggest public confrontation with environmental defenders here since the Franklin Dam,” Dr Brown said.
“It is tragic that the Prime Minister has deliberately appointed a corporate lackey as environment supremo. So be it.
“Backed by public opinion, we will take them on in the defence of the many heirloom creatures that they are pushing towards extinction.”
ACEN’s Robbins Island 100-turbine wind farm, off Tasmania’s northwest tip, is one of the biggest private projects in Tasmanian history but has created concerns for a raft of endangered and other species.
The 9900ha island is in a globally acclaimed wetlands area and is a haven for legions of migratory and resident birds, including the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot, and for the last wild, disease-free Tasmanian devils.
“Robbins Island hosts a huge population of migratory birds, some of which fly to Siberia and Alaska and are amongst the most threatened species on Earth,” the Bob Brown Foundation said in a statement.
“Besides transmission lines smashing rainforest, the Robbins Island project includes a vast concrete causeway, 100 turbines with blades spinning more than twice as high as Hobart’s Wrest Point Casino tower in the middle of flight paths – including those of the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot and Tasmania’s giant wedge-tailed eagle.
“ACEN’s project (which includes a 1.2km bridge) would expose the only remaining naturally safe population of Tasmanian devils to facial tumour disease.”
ACEN and supporters of the project argue devils can already cross to the island at low tide, that the parrot is at best a rare and infrequent visitor to the island, and that other impacts can be mitigated or offset.
The tailings dam, proposed by majority Chinese-owned MMG to extend the life of its zinc, copper and lead mine at Rosebery, in Tasmania’s west, involves clearing up to 285ha, including rainforest.
“To-be-destroyed rainforest, at McKimmie Creek, is prime habitat for the Tasmanian masked owl and azure kingfisher,” the BBF said.
“A much bigger dam, being built outside Takayna by the nearby Bluestone Mines’ Renison tin mine, could take all of MMG’s waste and save the Takayna rainforest.”
MMG and supporters of the dam argue it will comply with all state and federal environment laws and extend the life of the mine beyond 2030, securing up to 600 jobs.
ACEN and MMG were contacted for comment. Senator Watt would not comment on the approvals but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reform of national environmental laws.
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