8th August 2022
Statement by Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Environment and Biodiversity Spokesperson
Source: tasmaniantimes.com
Robbins Island development should be rejected under precautionary principle.
Federal and state environment ministers need to heed a recent Federal Court decision and apply the precautionary principle to the EPBC assessment for UPC’s proposed Robbins Island windfarm.
This development should be rejected on the basis of insufficient information of species’ harm.
To date, UPC’s reports have been manifestly inadequate. UPC’s assessments have identified potential impacts on Tasmanian devils and orange-bellied parrots, but the tracking studies and monitoring needed to guide a federal approval decision cannot be completed by the October 11 deadline.
Given the precedent set by the Federal Court on MMG’s proposal in takayna, that the precautionary principle must be exercised if there is insufficient evidence of threatened species impacts, UPC’s application should be marked ‘invalid’.
Robbins Island is part of the migration pathway for the orange-bellied parrot and dozens of seabirds. It is a Tasmanian devil haven, and the proposed wind farm would also impact upon the wedge-tailed eagle.
This biodiversity hotspot is no place for the largest windfarm in the southern hemisphere.
The EPA has already been caught facilitating the interests of the developer, UPC, in the Robbins Island windfarm assessment. It’s there in black and white, revealed under a Greens’ Right to Information request.
The Robbins Island proposal must be rejected by both the Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, and the State Government.
DeFrock 
I wholeheartedly agree the proposed wind farm on Robbins Island should be banned as should all wind farms Australia wide. I favour green energy but not a 30 year band aid source that permanently destroys wildlife habitat. I live at Rye Park, NSW where a wind farm is under construction and the loss of old forest and native grasslands is horrendous. This area is the nesting place for the migratory Superb and Swift Parrots who rely on eucalypt trees for food and nesting hollows. It is time both the State and Federal Governments came to their senses.
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