Wind farm ‘new Franklin Dam’: Bob Brown

Bob Brown has defended his fight against a proposed wind farm in northern Tasmania.

Bob Brown, pictured in 1983, has compared the proposal for a wind farm in northern Tasmania to the Franklin Dam. Picture: Chris Crerar/News Corp/istock

Bob Brown has defended his fight against a proposed wind farm in northern Tasmania, saying the project goes too far, comparing it to the Franklin Dam.

The former Greens leader has shocked many over his protests against a wind farm project on Robbins Island over its visual impacts and the threat the massive windmills pose to birdlife.

Dr Brown told The Australian today that the wind farm has social and economic consequences which have to be debated, and that he fears the profits of the farm will not flow to Tasmanians.

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“I’m a big supporter of renewable energy and energy efficiency but this massive wind-farm goes too far,” he said.

Bob Brown. Picture: Richard Dobson

“It’s comparable to the Franklin Dam for hydro-energy … you have to look to the environmental, economic and social consequences of this wind farm.

“The wind towers are taller than any building in Tasmania.

“And we’re one of the poorest states. I’m concerned the profits of this project will not go to Tasmanians, but to the multinational building it.”

Dr Brown was a leader in the environmental movement of the 1980s which ultimately stopped the Franklin Dam, and it helped spark his political career and the rise of the Greens.

The proposed Robbins Island wind farm in Tasmania’s northwest will be one of the world’s biggest, with up to 200 towers measuring 270m high from ground to blade tip.

If it goes ahead, electricity from the Robbins Island project will be sent to the mainland via a new ­undersea cable to help make Tasmania a “battery for the nation.”

Dr Brown said today he wants more transparency around the wind farm.

“Let’s open the books on this wind farm. Let’s debate the wind farm,” he told The Australian.

“Show us the parameters of the project and let the public in … both governments have tried to push this wind farm through.

“There are two other wind farms being constructed in Tasmania, that’s fine. But this project on Robbins Island is so much bigger … there are costs and consequences.”