Plans to put 100 wind turbines on a remote Australian island slammed by community group over fears for endangered wildlife

A controversial 100-turbine wind farm worth more than $1 billion proposed for a remote island in Tasmania is facing a legal challenge from a community group.

The Robbins Island project was cleared to operate year-round in November after a requirement to shut it down for five months a year during the migration period of the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot was nullified.

The closure condition was imposed by Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority, but was overturned following an appeal by project proponent ACEN Australia.

The Circular Head Coastal Awareness Network, a “diverse group” opposed to the wind farm, announced on Tuesday that it has filed High Court proceedings against the project.

The network is appealing the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s decision to allow the farm to operate year-round.

ACEN has previously indicated that the five-month closure would make the project unviable.

Network chairman Steve Pilkington said the wind farm was planned for one of the most beautiful and ecologically important areas in Tasmania.

“We have been fighting this project for the past four years with scarce resources because we believe it is the right thing to do,” he said.

There are several grounds for the appeal, including that the Tasmania Civil and Administrative Tribunal erred in law.

ACEN Australia has previously said the approval to operate year-round came after an extensive environmental assessment to identify and minimize potential impacts.

The company has reduced the number and height of turbines planned, refined the project’s footprint and integrated technology designed to prevent blades from hitting birds.

Under the conditions imposed on the project, ACEN Australia must pay $100,000 for each death of a wedge-tailed eagle or orange-bellied parrot caused by turbines.

ACEN Australia must pay $100,000 for each death of a wedge-tailed eagle or orange-bellied parrot caused by turbines on Robbins Island (photo, wind turbines south of Goulburn, NSW)

The company says the wind farm will create up to 400 construction jobs and up to 65 ongoing jobs.

The development includes a quay, bridge and other infrastructure.

Robbins Island, off the state’s northwest coast, is approximately 9,900 acres and is home to several species of migratory shorebirds.

It is home to a population of Tasmanian devils, which are thought to be free of a fatal facial tumor disease.

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found the 900MW project posed a ‘very low’ risk to the parrot’s recovery and should not be refused on that basis.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the decision struck an appropriate balance between renewable energy and wildlife protection.

The case is expected to appear before the Supreme Court of Tasmania in late February.

The project still requires Commonwealth approval.