Robbins Island and Jim’s Plain wind farms face mounting opposition from locals

Residents living near the sites of two proposed wind farms have expressed concerns about the potential for long-term damage from the developments.

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A COMMUNITY meeting will be held in the state’s far North-West on Thursday night as residents share concerns over two wind farm developments in the region.

The gathering will be hosted by the Circular Head Coastal Action Network, which comprises a range of people including farmers, fishers and other concerned residents.

UPC Renewables obtained development approval in July last year for the Jim’s Plain wind farm, which will have up to 31 turbines.

It is seeking approval for another wind farm at Robbins Island, which would have a maximum of 122 turbines.

The proposed site of the Robbins Island wind farm development. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Third-generation Marrawah farmer Stafford Heres said he was worried about the potential for long-term damage from the developments.

“Tourists come to this island for the look of the place, not to look at massive wind farms,” he said.

Birdlife Tasmania convener Eric Woehler said he was concerned about the possible impact on Tasmanian birdlife.

An artist’s impression of a proposed 1.2km bridge to Robbins Island to help UPC Renewables construct a wind farm and carry electrical cables off the island.

UPC Renewables Australia chief operations officer Dave Pollington said tourism groups had not expressed concerns to them about the project.

Mr Pollington said the potential impact on birdlife for the Robbins Island development had been investigated.

He said extensive consultation had been done on the developments, with positive, negative and indifferent views expressed.

He said reports on the proposal would be available to the community when the development application was made public.

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