http://devilbirder.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/twitching-tragedy.html ===============================
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I feel privileged to be connected with the Birding-Aus forum and respect that, from time to time, there are differences in points of view on a number of issues. I once assumed that a poorly sited wind energy development which had the potential to do more environmental harm than good would not get through the planning assessment process and, as a committed Biodiversity Conservation and Animal Behaviour Science Degree student and landscape restoration practitioner concerned about climate change, subscribed to the idea that wind energy was intrinsically “good”. But my personal experience in an area I know well has changed my view and I’m concerned that quickly dismissing opposition to such developments as a failure to understand the magnitude of climate change threats to biodiversity, while it may be true in some cases, could be dangerously wrong in others. Perhaps pigeonholing opposition to wind energy developments as stemming from emotionally charged or coal industry backed ignorance or from an anti-green “cause” explains why a great cost-effective conservation opportunity may be lost and a highly environmentally costly choice may be made regarding Pacific Hydro’s proposed “Keyneton” wind energy development in South Australia: I cannot see how the high environmental costs of this development could be offset realistically by its benefits: I think there is evidence to show that it represents a significant threat to the viability of the most important peppermint box (Eucalyptus odorata) grassy woodland and redgum habitat for hollow-dependent fauna and at least half the threatened woodland bird species of Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, not “just” a direct threat (turbine strike and barotrauma) to Peregrine falcons and other raptors and at least 12 species of microbats. The development would certainly fragment and degrade an extremely rare ecotone-rich connection for wildlife between the higher rainfall areas of Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and the low rainfall Murray Plains to the Murray River through land which is (and in the absence of this development would likely remain) protected from fragmentation and the other major threats associated with agriculture, building and road development. Earthworks would involve construction of 42 three metre deep concrete foundation pads (each the size of a 2 acre block) with a crane pad, fencing, trenching and other infrastructure alongside it, over 40 kms of underground trenching, over 40 kms of 10m wide roads over the Somme Creek on it’s western boundary and between springs at each end and the middle of the site, and the headwaters of all the main ephemeral creeks that feed the Sedan wetlands (ironically recently Biodiversity Fund funded) lined up along the eastern boundary, and the Marne River. The Marne is the last red-gum (hollow rich) lined connection between the high rainfall ranges through the Mallee plains and Murray River. It will fragment feeding and breeding habitats and introduce weeds, erosion, polutants and siltation. The development will separate the largest remnants of hollow-rich peppermint box grassy woodland and the best of the last temperate native grasslands (including two EPBC listed Critically Endang ered ecological communities) in the whole of the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges. I applaud the Labour government’s action on climate change but because of fast-tracking with South Australia’s Statewide Windfarm policy DEWNR was not asked to comment on state-listed threatened species recorded in the area. Not enough was known about the fauna at the time the Peppermint box grassy woodland and Lomandra effusa natural temperate grassland ecological communities were listed under the EPBC Act so only the vegetation was allowed to be considered in the EPBC referral process – not the fauna it supports (and supports it). The area falls in what seems to have been treated as an administrative and political “no-man’s land” at the border of NRM boundaries and Councils and in safe Liberal electorates. I was not impressed by the weakness of the proponent’s opportunistic, ridge-based, unfocused fauna (and flora) survey effort. Company executives have openly stated that “wildlife leaves the area” – the question “why?” (and where is it supposed to go) has not been answered.
Regards,
Alex
Alex Randell, Nuriootpa SA. ________________________________________ Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 1:29 AM Cc: birding-aus@vicnet.net.au
Yes, wind turbines do kill birds but nowhere near as many as other human structures and activities. Obviously they need careful placement to avoid bird “highways” but on balance I believe they are good things
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There’s also a proposal to build a 200-turbine wind farm on King Island in Bass Strait, the largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-24/hydro-presses-on-with-next-phase-of-ki ng-island-wind-farm/4775494
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde, NSW
Sent: Monday, 1 July 2013 12:18 PM Cc: Stephen Ambrose; birding-aus wind turbine
There’s a proposal to build a wind farm at Robbins Island, which is the largest habitat for migratory waders in Tasmania. It’s on the migratory route for Orange-bellied Parrots, and the only site in Tasmania where a number of migratory waders are regularly found.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/09/08/171545_tasmania-news.html
Yes, wind turbines do kill birds but nowhere near as many as other human structures and activities. Obviously they need careful placement to avoid bird “highways” but on balance I believe they are good things
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2013/jun/28/white-throated-needle ===============================
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There’s a proposal to build a wind farm at Robbins Island, which is the largest habitat for migratory waders in Tasmania. It’s on the migratory route for Orange-bellied Parrots, and the only site in Tasmania where a number of migratory waders are regularly found.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/09/08/171545_tasmania-news.html
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Yes, wind turbines do kill birds but nowhere near as many as other human structures and activities. Obviously they need careful placement to avoid bird “highways” but on balance I believe they are good things
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Thanks for adding extra information and balance to the incident.
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Here is another perspective of the same incident, by Harry Huyton, the RSPB’s Head of Climate Change Policy:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2013/jun/28/white-throated-needle tail-wind-turbines
Regards, Stephen
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW