Call on controversial wind farm pushed back again

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Call on controversial wind farm pushed back again

Australia’s environment minister has copped heat from both sides of the political spectrum after delaying an approval decision on a contentious wind farm.

Tanya Plibersek on Friday pushed back making a call on the 100-turbine proposal at Robbins Island in Tasmania until at least May 9.

The project, almost certain to remain in limbo until after the yet-to-be-called federal election, has been the subject of an unsuccessful court challenge from a community group.

It has earned the ire of environmentalists, who are concerned about potential impacts on wildlife including the critically endangered migratory orange-bellied parrot.

There are also fears building a bridge to the island as part of the project would expose healthy Tasmanian devils to a devastating facial tumour disease.

An environment department spokeswoman said additional time was needed to assess new scientific analysis about the parrot’s migration.

“The department’s assessment remains ongoing, and a recommendation has not yet been made to the minister,” the spokeswoman said.

A decision on the project was due on Friday, a deadline already pushed back from early December.

Robbins Island sits in the electorate of Braddon, which is held by the Liberals but considered a key battleground.

Liberal candidate Mal Hingston accused Ms Plibersek of pandering to mainland Green votes and said the decision was “disastrous” for jobs in the region.

Delays risked investment leaving the island state, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.

“Demand for power in Tasmania is growing and if we don’t bring online more generation soon, there will be consequences,” chamber chair Wayne Davy said.

Conservation group the Bob Brown Foundation also called for an end to delays, saying a “firm no” call should be made.

“If after seven years, the proponent … has failed to convince successive ministers that it can operate without impacts on … listed threatened and endangered species, it should be rejected,” campaigner Scott Jordan said.

Proponent ACEN Australia was confident the project would meet all the necessary criteria to jump its final approval hurdle.

The $3 billion project was expected to inject $600 million into Tasmania’s economy during construction and create up to 400 building and 60 ongoing jobs, managing director David Pollington said.

“It will play a key role in supporting Tasmania’s renewable energy target to double capacity by 2040 and contribute to Australia’s clean energy transition,” he said.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Call #controversial #wind #farm #pushed

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up