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OT: Moorabal/Lal Lal wind farm 14-May-2009 At 12:53:35 AM jkane

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Ex Federal Minister Ian Campbell attempted to block the Bald Hills windfarm development back in 2006 citing the risk to the endangered Orange Bellied Parrot. The report he cited actually concluded that the effect would be "very small – even barely noticeable - compared with natural mortality". It did say it would have a negative impact but it suggested that it should be offset by mitigation and conservation measures.

We all know the most likely explanation that the OBP will go extinct is habitat loss not because less than one a year might fly in to a wind turbine.

It also turned out his decision went against the advice of his own senior department staff.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/04/05/1143916574751.html
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2006/s1697953.htm
http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/pubs/wind-farm-bird-risk-orangebelliedparrot.pdf

Anyway, I think building is supposed to start late this year. The bird thing can be a real issue though. This from the RSPB
"Poorly sited wind farms have caused some major bird casualties, particularly in Tarifa and Navarra in Spain, and the Altamont Pass in California. At these sites, planners failed to consider adequately the likely impact of putting hundreds, or even thousands, of turbines in areas that are important for birds of prey. Tragically, killing many hundreds of birds as a result."