The Supreme Court of Tasmania has dismissed an appeal against the proposed $1.6 billion Robbins Island wind farm, allowing the renewable energy project to proceed.
The Circular Head Coastal Awareness Network had challenged the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s earlier approval.
That approval included multiple environmental conditions, including a $100,000 fine for the death of an orange-bellied parrot or wedge-tailed eagle, as well as exclusion zones and monitoring requirements.
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the project, which would see 100 turbines erected, can move forward as planned.
Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan said the decision was a victory for “common sense”.
“We need to get this done. The project has undergone among the most rigorous approvals processes in the world,” he said.
“It will be a massive boost for our renewable energy future. It will inject hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity, create jobs and help Tasmania keep our power prices the lowest in the nation.”
The project now requires backing from the federal government and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, expected in March.
“This project has been sitting on [her] desk for so long now that I can only assume it’s buried by dust,” Duigan said.
“Instead of leaving this project in limbo, the federal Labor government needs to commit to giving Robbins Island a green light ahead of the 2025 federal election.”
