Controversial wind farm decision delayed until June

A decision on the controversial wind farm in the state’s far North-West has once again been delayed and a new deadline set. The latest >>

Robbins Island Wagyu, Old Port Road, Montagu, Tasmania. Tuesday October 8 2024 Picture by Phillip Biggs

One of Tasmania’s most controversial proposed wind farms has suffered another delay.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said the final EPBC decision deadline for the Robbins Island Wind Farm has been extended to June 27.

“Additional time is needed to ensure all relevant information for this complex decision is thoroughly considered,” she said.

The fresh deadline extension for Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek comes after the decision has already been delayed five times, with the most recent delay extending the decision time out to May 9.

Robbins Island, far northwest Tasmania, where there are plans for a 100-turbine wind farm. Credit: Bob Brown Foundation.

On May 10, the department confirmed the department’s assessment remained ongoing, and a recommendation had not yet been made to the Minister.

The wind farm was first determined a controlled action under federal environment laws in 2017 under a Coalition government.

The project faces fierce opposition from community members in the region and the Aboriginal community.

The most recent delay comes after a 2024 study found the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot spent more time on the island than previously thought.

A large flock of migratory shorebirds over Robbins Island, northwest Tasmania. Picture: A Darby, BirdLife Tasmania.

Over late February to early March 2024, 46 VHF transmitters were attached to the critically endangered OBPs and 20 VHF receivers were deployed across the migration flyaway within Tasmania.

The interim orange-bellied parrot migration tracking report found based on the number of birds detected and the length of time spent in areas, the north-west region, which includes Robbins Island, appeared “to be high use areas for juvenile OBPs on migration and potentially over winter”.

The report said 12 of the tagged birds — making up 26 per cent — being detected suggested the detection sites “were placed in core migration pathways of OBPs”.

The developer behind the wind farm, ACEN, dismissed the reports findings and said “long-residence times” could mean a number of hours or less.

The state government and opposition both champion the wind farm, while the Greens and others including independent member for Braddon Craig Garland oppose the “mega” wind farm due to its potential impacts on Aboriginal Heritage and the environment.

Originally published as Controversial wind farm decision delayed until June