Robbins Island wind farm one step closer after Circular Head Council approval

The proposed Robbins Island wind farm is one step closer to operating after Circular Head Council approved the project. WHAT’S NEXT >>

THE controversial Robbins Island wind project has been given the green light from the Circular Head Council to progress to the final stage of government approvals.

The Council approved the Robbins Island wind farm which has plans to build as many as 122 turbines on the island in Tasmania’s North West.

Many advocates have expressed their disappointment with the outcome.

Greens spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said the island and surrounding wetlands are a refuge for many endangered bird species including the wedge-tailed eagle.

“It’s critical Tasmania and the rest of the country continues to reduce our carbon emissions to fight climate change, but Robbins Island is the worst place to put a wind farm,” she said.

The proposed site of the bridge/ causeway for the Robbins Island wind farm development at Montague. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Robbins Island is an incredibly significant area for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, and forging ahead with this proposal will mean much of the island’s Aboriginal heritage will be lost forever.

“Construction of the wind farm would also involve bulldozing the dens and habitat of a substantial disease-free Tasmanian devil population, as devil numbers continue to decline.”

Renewable company ACEN Australia welcomed the approval into the next stage of the wind farm.

“We believe that Robbins Island Wind offers the right mix of benefits and opportunities for

the Circular Head region and the state of Tasmania,” chief operations officer David Pollington said.

“The renewable energy created by Robbins Island Wind is critical to enabling new industry in

Tasmania given there is no spare long term energy in the current system, it will make a major contribution to building a new green hydrogen industry for the state, offering more job

streams for Tasmanians.

“The project is expected to inject $600m into the Tasmanian economy during construction,

and more than $30m each year for the next 30 years once operational.”

ACEN Australia is expecting to employ hundreds of skilled workers to build an operate the Robbins Island project.

“It’s an exciting time for an industry that can provide training, employment and business opportunities for a new generation of learning workers and businesses in Tasmania,” Mr Pollington said.

Peter Wish-Wilson, Green Senator, speaking at the Invasion Day Rally in Hobart. Picture : Mireille Merlet

Meanwhile, the Greens and many from the Circular Head community have advocated to reduce speed limits on Woolnorth Rd in order to protect Tassie devils from being hit.

The Circular Head Council on Thursday voted in favour of reducing the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h on Woolnorth Rd.

Tasmanian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson is pleased with the result that many have been campaigning for years.

“I commend the councillors for listening to their local community and to the many others from all over Australia who made contact with the councillors after being rightly outraged at the council’s initial decision not to stand up for the devil,” he said.

“Tonight’s Circular Head Council motion to reduce the speed limits makes a strong statement and comes at a critical time, sending the right message that communities expect governments to do more to protect our precious wildlife from roadkill.”

Mr Whish-Wilson said reducing the speed limit will save hundreds of healthy devils lives and protect motorists.

“Getting a lower speed limit along this critical stretch of road is vitally important to Tasmania’s few remaining healthy devils, but it’s just a first step,” he said.

“There are a myriad of other things we can and must do to better protect the Tassie devil and other wildlife.”

The Robbins Island project will only now need approval from the state government after being granted permission from the EPA in December and the Circular Head Council on Thursday night.