5 April 2006 - A new report
into the collective impact of wind farms on some
of Australia’s threatened and migratory bird species
warns of threats posed by coastal wind farms to
the long-term survival of the threatened Orange-bellied
Parrot, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell said today.
The report, Wind farm collision risk for birds
– Cumulative risk for threatened and migratory
species, examined the impact that wind farms might
have on four bird species - Orange-bellied Parrot,
the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, the Swift Parrot
and the White-bellied Sea-Eagle.
While the report found that wind farms are not
likely to have a major impact on these species
in terms of their population levels, it specifically
expressed concern about the long-term survival
of the Orange-bellied Parrot. It also recommended
that further examination of Wedge-tailed Eagles
should be undertaken at individual wind farm sites
in order to better predict the impacts.
“The report has found that the Orange-bellied
Parrot is at risk of becoming extinct within 50
years and that is before you take into account
any impact of wind farms,” Senator Campbell said.
“It is estimated that there are somewhere between
99 and 200 Orange-bellied Parrots left in Australia
and they are predominantly recorded within two
kilometres of Australia’s coastline.
“While the report found that the impact of wind
turbine collisions on the Orange-bellied Parrot
may be small, up to one bird death per year, it
concluded that almost any negative impact on the
species could be sufficient to tip the balance
against its continued existence.”
The report concluded:
“Given that the Orange-bellied Parrot is predicted
to have an extremely high probability of extinction
in its current situation, almost any negative
impact on the species could be sufficient to tip
the balance against its continued existence. In
this context it may be argued that any avoidable
deleterious effect - even the very minor predicted
impacts of turbine collisions - should be prevented.”
Wind farm collision risk for birds – Cumulative
risks for threatened and migratory species, p47
(Orange-bellied Parrot report)
As a consequence of the report’s findings, the
Australian Government’s Threatened Species Scientific
Committee has been asked to review the status
of the Orange-bellied Parrot.
“The Orange-bellied Parrot is currently listed
as endangered under federal environment law but
I want to know whether there is a case for this
to be lifted to critically endangered to ensure
that appropriate priority is given to conservation
strategies necessary to enhance its long-term
survival,” Senator Campbell said.
Ahead of decisions on a number of wind farm proposals
being finalised, Senator Campbell requested the
independent wind farm review following concern
that the cumulative impacts of all wind farms
on listed species had not been fully understood.
The Orange-bellied Parrot was of particular interest
in terms of the assessment of the proposed Bald
Hills wind farm in Gippsland, Victoria.
“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.
“In certain areas, the risk to birds from impacts
with wind turbines will be higher than in others.
As such, the potential for each project to have
a significant impact on nationally threatened
and migratory species will always need careful
consideration on a case-by-case basis.
“I have long held the view that wind farms, when
located in the right area with the support of
the local community, play a very valuable role
in Australia’s development of renewable energy.
“To this end, I have proposed that State and Territory
Environment Ministers work with me on development
of a National Code for the location of wind farms,”
Senator Campbell said.
For full details of Wind farm collision risk for
birds – Cumulative risks for threatened and migratory
species, visit the Department’s web site at http://www.deh.gov.au/epbc/publications/wind-farm-bird-risk.html
