Pressure on Tanya Plibersek after ‘eagle-killing’ St Patricks Plain wind farm approved

A controversial Tasmanian wind farm whose proponent concedes it could kill 81 endangered eagles has secured development approval, shifting the focus to Tanya Plibersek, who will have the final say.

Wildlife expert Nick Mooney at Roaring Beach Wildlife Refuge near Roaring Beach, Tasmania, with a rescued wedge tailed eagle thought to have been injured by hitting a wire. Picture: Peter Mathew

A Tasmanian wind farm whose proponent concedes it could kill 81 endangered eagles has secured development approval, shifting the focus to Tanya Plibersek, who will have the final say.

The 300MW, 47-turbine project, backed by Korea Zinc for St Patricks Plains, in Tasmania’s Central Highlands, was on Tuesday granted planning approval by the local council.

With state Environment Protection Authority approval already in place, the project requires just federal environmental approval, with the Environment Minister coming under immediate pressure from opponents and supporters.

State Energy and Renewables Minister Nick Duigan, recently revealed to have sent supportive text messages to a different wind developer, called on Ms Plibersek to provide final approval for the project “in a timely manner”.

“It’s great news and another big step in growing Tasmania’s renewable energy resource,” Mr Duigan said. “This project will also make a significant contribution to achieving our renewable energy target – to double energy production by 2040.”

That policy – based on taxpayers helping to fund a new $3.3bn cable under Bass Strait to export energy to the mainland – has created a “wind rush” in Tasmania.

Bird experts say this could lead to an ecological disaster because of a failure to adequately avoid migratory bird routes and high density eagle areas.

According to the EPA, the St Patrick’s Plains wind farm proponent estimates its 231m-high turbines will kill 41 to 81 wedge-tailed eagles across the farm’s 30-year lifespan, based on mitigation reducing 58.5 per cent of collisions. The proponent argues its use of technology to halt turbines when eagles approach could further improve collision reduction to 85 per cent, and deaths to as few as 11 to 33 over 30 years.

However, eight eagles have been killed at the neighbouring Cattle Hill Wind Farm in the past four years, despite the use of the same “Identiflight” collision avoidance technology.

Eagle expert Nick Mooney said the “almost total emphasis on automated turbine slowing” was inadequate to protect eagles.

“Surely it is more sensible to have wind farms where there are few eagles, as a primary protection, with secondary protections such as automated slowing and/or a black blade added,” he said. “Eagles will die as a result of this lack of tiered protection.”

Australian wind farm developers have failed to act on overseas evidence that simply painting every third blade black can significantly reduce eagle deaths by making turbines more visible to them.

The local No Turbine Action Group said it would take legal advice on the council’s approval, made with just six councillors present after three recused themselves over conflicts of interest.

“You can kiss the Central Highlands goodbye, as we know it,” said group chair David Ridley.

Members of the No Turbine Action Group protesting against the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm.

Korea Zinc subsidiary Ark Energy welcomed council planning approval. “This project will deliver much-needed new renewable electricity generation to help Tasmania benefit from its world leading wind resource … as well as bring a wide range of benefits for the local community and region,” said Ark’s Donna Bolton.

“Proactive avoidance and the latest technology have been combined to achieve the least impact possible to Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles.”

Ms Plibersek has declined to comment. Her department says it is considering the EPA report.