Turbines approved in Orange-bellied Parrot flight path

Turbines approved in flight path of Critically Endangered parrot

TASMANIA: BirdLife Australia is disappointed that the Federal Government has approved the construction of a wind farm on Tasmania’s Robbins Island/Pilitika, due to the significant risk it poses to the Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. The decision potentially undermines years of effort and significant investment to save the species. Fewer than 200 Orange-bellied parrots remain in the wild and the species is named as one of the Federal Government’s 100 priority species for conservation.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt approved the development last week after lengthy delays under the previous minister. The decision means turbines will be constructed within the known migration route used by the parrots.

“Investing in renewable energy infrastructure is the right call, but Pilitika country, Robbins Island, is the wrong place for a wind farm,” said Kate Millar, CEO of BirdLife Australia.

“We shouldn’t be in a situation where we have to choose between saving a species from extinction or addressing climate change” –  Kate Millar, CEO BirdLife Australia

“Few birds in Australia have been the focus of so much investment, collaboration and effort, and we are finally starting to see signs that we are bringing this incredible bird back from the brink of extinction. But sadly, turbines will soon be cutting through their migratory flight path.”

BirdLife Australia supports renewable energy developments in the right locations.

“We shouldn’t be in a situation where we have to choose between saving a species from extinction or addressing climate change,” Ms Millar said. “This could have been easily avoided with better planning tools in place to guide smart choices about where to build renewable energy projects while protecting endangered birds.”

Ms Millar said the decision exemplifies the urgent need to reform Australia’s environmental laws, itself an initiative that has also seen lengthy delays.

“Reforms to Australia’s nature laws are back on the table after stalling under the previous term of government, but this decision raises questions about how genuine those intentions are,” she said. “This is not consistent with a government that is serious about protecting Critically Endangered species.”

Ms Millar said evidence-based decision making will be critical to ensuring new infrastructure can be built while also protecting nature. “We need to address climate change and protect habitat for wildlife. It’s not a choice. We can, and must, do both.”

BirdLife Australia Media Enquiries: Please contact James Johnson on 0423 659 324 or at media@birdlife.org.au

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