Tasmanian devil disease disaster adds to Tanya Plibersek pressure to block Robbins Island wind farm

Confirmation of the spread of the devastating disease plaguing Tasmanian devils adds to pressure on Tanya Plibersek to stop a wind-farm proposed for the species’ last disease-free stronghold.

As devil face tumour disease spreads near Robbins Island, Tanya Plibersek is being urged to reject a wind farm on the disease-free island. Picture: Bob Brown Foundation / Getty Images

Tanya Plibersek is under heightened pressure to reject a wind farm on Tasmania’s Robbins Island – home to a large, healthy devil population – with confirmation disease has hit nearby mainland populations.

The Australian has confirmed devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is spreading through the previously disease-free Woolnorth area, near Robbins Island.

Devil experts and wildlife carers said this left the devils on Robbins as the only significant wild population left free of DFTD, which has wiped out about 80 per cent of the species.

They warned the wind farm, which includes building a 1.2km bridge to the island, would spread DFTD to the outpost, while the construction work and road kill would have significant impacts.

“Robbins Island is now the last area on the planet where wild devils are disease-free, which is just another reason for this wind farm not to go ahead,” said resident Kim Anderson, who monitors devil road deaths.

The Australian understands an official devil trapping survey in Woolnorth earlier in August found two instances of suspected DFTD.

“The disease is rampant through the area, it’s so distressing,” said local wildlife carer Alice Carson. “It makes it even more important for Tanya Plibersek to keep those Robbins Island devils safe.”

Experienced wildlife biologist Nick Mooney said the devils on unpopulated Robbins Island were “a natural pocket with high densities and overall good habitat and, as far as I know, disease-free”.

“Wind-farm development will bring several outstanding risks – the proposed bridge will greatly increase the chances of disease getting there,” Mr Mooney said.

“Although the island is not isolated – a few times a year the tide is low enough for devils to cross – crossings are clearly rare.”

Mr Mooney said some devil dens would likely be destroyed by wind-farm infrastructure and the project would increase roadkill. “On a small island, that will be significant,” he said.

“A current population of several hundred with perhaps 50 breeding females could be down to five or 10 breeding females if disease has its usual impact.”

ACEN Australia, ultimately owned by Philippines property developer Ayala, plans to build a $1bn 900-megawatt wind farm with 100 turbines on the 9900ha island.

Federal environment officials in June 2022 cited “significant residual impacts to the Tasmanian devil” as a key reason “it may be that the recommended precautionary measure would be to refuse the proposal”.

However, ACEN has since provided a response, including providing offset covenanted devil habitat, and is awaiting a decision by Ms Plibersek.

Managing director David Pollington said DFTD may already be on the island and that devil crossings at low tide were much more frequent than Mr Mooney suggested.

The bridge would have substantial metal gates, designed to prevent devils using it. “It’s a lot of fuss about nothing, confected to try to push against the project,” he said.

Independent local state MP for Braddon, Craig Garland, said the wind farm must be stopped. “Labor is saying ‘no more extinctions’ – well, as soon as they put a bridge or causeway across that channel you’re going to have disease and cats there,” Mr Garland said.

“Why send devils (to zoos) around the world and put them into quarantine when you have a place right here, right now, that is a quarantine area and should remain so.”