No Turbine Action Group considering legal action after EPA approves St Patricks Plains Wind Farm

A Tasmanian wind farm has been given the green light from the EPA — but it’s been met with stern opposition. Why residents say Tasmanians can ‘kiss goodbye’ to remote, unique landscape.

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

A group of disgruntled residents are considering launching an appeal against an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) decision to approve a proposed wind farm in the Central Highlands.

Proponents Ark Energy plan to install 47 wind turbines across several properties at St Patricks Plains.

The project area is about 10km southeast of Miena and 25km north of Bothwell.

The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm, estimated to generate up to 3000 megawatts, will be connected to existing TasNetworks transmission lines.

Ark Energy will install a maximum of 34 Identiflight units across the site to minimise eagle collision risk.

EPA Board Chair Andrew Paul said it determined that the wind farm could be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner with conditions that would need to be included in any permit granted by the Central Highlands Council.

“Various environmental issues were considered in the assessment, and a number of conditions have been imposed relating to management of eagle collision risk, avoiding and minimising impact on threatened natural values, operational noise management and avoiding impacts on groundwater and surface water.”

The proposed site for the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm in Tasmania's Central Highlands. Picture: SUPPLIED

The EPA said that the public consultation period for the wind farm, which took place between August 12 and September 25 last year, resulted in 160 submissions in relation to the project.

The No Turbine Action Group (NTAG) was formed in opposition to the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm and concerns about the impact the project will have on the endangered Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle.

“The EPA has given approval to industrialisation of the Central Highlands,” NTAG chair David Ridley said.

“Under the EPA decision Tasmanians can kiss goodbye the remote and unique Tasmanian subalpine landscape we love.

“NTAG is seeking legal advice on the EPA approval because it attempts to fit the wrong project in the wrong location.”

NTAG says that it has 270 supporters and members across Tasmania.

“We will have a detailed look at the EPA decision, see what Central Highlands Council has to say, and consider our next step,” Mr Ridley said.

“We will be guided by expert acoustic, visual and ecological advice and information as well as legal advice.

“An appeal to TasCAT for an independent review of the decision is on the books.

“Our next steps also will be informed by any decision by Federal Environment Minister Plibersek because the impact on nationally threatened species will be significant.”