Robbins Island wind farm given greenlight to operate all year long after five-month shutdown condition overturned

A five-month shutdown condition for the Robbins Island wind farm has been overturned by the planning tribunal. Read more for reaction to the decision.

Render showing a future Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park, seen from Montagu, across Robbins Passage. Picture: Robbins Island Wind

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has overturned the five-month shutdown condition imposed on ACEN Australia’s Robbins Island Wind Farm.

The Environmental Protection Authority previously ruled that the wind farm would have to shut down for five months each year due to the risk the turbines posed to orange-bellied parrots.

However, that decision has since been overturned by the tribunal.

ACEN Australia managing director David Pollington said the decision was welcome news.

“The outcome reflects the considerable effort that has gone into conducting a comprehensive environmental assessment, ensuring the project aligns with ACEN Australia’s commitment to responsible and sustainable development,” Mr Pollington said.

“ACEN Australia has undertaken exhaustive and robust environmental assessments to identify and minimise potential impacts.

“This iterative process included reducing turbine numbers and heights, refining the project footprint, incorporating sophisticated technologies like AI-driven bird flight path monitors to stop turbines when birds such as Wedge-tailed eagles are flying through the project area.”

ACEN Australia CEO David Pollington. Picture: LinkedIn

Mr Pollington said the Robbins Island project would boost Tasmania’s renewable industry and the potential for the state to be a green industry hub.

“We are optimistic about securing Commonwealth environmental approvals, allowing us to contribute significantly to Tasmania’s renewable energy landscape.

“The economic windfall for North-West Tasmania cannot be overstated – with up to 400 construction jobs for the $2.6bn construction value, up to 65 oin ngoing operation and maintenance jobs, and a generous commitment to shared community benefits.

“The Robbins Island Wind Project is not just a milestone for ACEN Australia; it is a step towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Tasmania and Australia.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff also welcomed the tribunal’s decision.

“Tasmania is the nation’s leader in renewable energy, and our government recognises the economic development and job creation that the sector holds,” Mr Rockliff said.

“As our state grows, our energy demand is also growing, and we will need more energy to continue to meet Tasmania’s needs.”

The proposed site of the Robbins Island wind farm development from Bevan Anderson's property at Montague. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

Mr Rockliff said there was a need for an appropriate balance between renewable energy projects and protective native species.

“As a government and as a society, we have responsibilities to both.

“Our government understands the need for greater renewable supply, and we cannot allow single-minded agendas to override the best interests of all Tasmanians.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with ACEN to bring both the Robbins Island and Jim’s Plains wind farms online.”

Labor energy spokesperson Dean Winter said the tribunal had made a “very good decision”.

“The condition to shut the turbines down for five months of the year was ridiculous, especially since the orange-bellied parrot hadn’t been sighted there for 20 years,” he said.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey called the decision a win for common sense.

“This is great news for the Robbins Island project, great news for Tasmanian businesses and great news for Tasmania’s potential to be a renewable energy powerhouse,” Mr Bailey said.

“However, it does highlight glaring issues in the development and approval processes. How is it that we ended up here in the first place?

“Effectively we have one arm of government supporting renewable energy development, another arm imposing significant restrictions and yet another arm of government overturning the decision after a lengthy review process.

“If we want to have a clean, renewable energy future here in Tasmania we have to do better than this.”

However, the overturning of EPA restrictions on the Robbins Island Wind Farm drew the ire of the Bob Brown Foundation.

“This is part of humanity’s deliberated destruction of the natural world which sustains all life,” Bob Brown said.

“Instead of turning off wasted electricity, we will wreck another surviving stronghold of natural wildlife diversity in Australia.

“As a nation, we can do better than destroy this magnificent part of our natural heritage on the altar of a wasteful and never-satisfied guzzling of more electricity.

“A simple, decent energy efficiency program would make available much more electricity than this destructive project driven by profiteering in 2023.”