Wind farm blocked over threat to parrot
smh.com.au|April 5, 2006
The federal government has blocked a wind farm proposal on Victoria's south-east coast after a report found the project would threaten an already endangered parrot species.
The federal government has blocked a wind farm proposal on Victoria's south-east coast after a report found the project would threaten an already endangered parrot species.
Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell announced he would not approve the wind farm at Bald Hills in south Gippsland.
The report looked at the effect of wind farms on four species of migratory birds and concluded one species in particular, the orange-bellied parrot, was at risk of extinction within 50 years.
"On the basis of the information that has been presented to me on the orange-bellied parrot, I have decided not to approve the Bald Hills wind farm", Senator Campbell said.
"I understand that this will be a disappointing outcome for the proponents of the wind farm but it is very clear to me from reading this report that every precaution should be taken to help prevent the extinction of this rare bird.
"This certainly does not mean …
Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell announced he would not approve the wind farm at Bald Hills in south Gippsland.
The report looked at the effect of wind farms on four species of migratory birds and concluded one species in particular, the orange-bellied parrot, was at risk of extinction within 50 years.
"On the basis of the information that has been presented to me on the orange-bellied parrot, I have decided not to approve the Bald Hills wind farm", Senator Campbell said.
"I understand that this will be a disappointing outcome for the proponents of the wind farm but it is very clear to me from reading this report that every precaution should be taken to help prevent the extinction of this rare bird.
"This certainly does not mean there is no place for wind farms in Australia."
The report said there were only between 99 and 200 of the parrots left in Australia and they were usually found within two kilometres of Australia's coastline.
Even if only one orange-bellied parrot died each year as a result of flying into a wind turbine, it could be enough to tip the species into extinction, the report found.
Wind Power Proprietary Limited had already won approval from the state government to build 52 turbines between Tarwin Lower and Walkerville.