Thursday, 18 May 2023

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:50): (187) My question is to the Minister for Environment, and it relates to the potential destruction of nesting and breeding grounds of the brolga due to a seven-turbine windfarm proposal at Brewster, just east of Beaufort in my electorate. The brolga is listed as endangered under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and the last brolga census conducted by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning estimated the population in Victoria was just 635 birds. The proposed seven-tower wind turbine development in Brewster will have a significant impact on the future survival of the brolga. I toured the site and saw brolgas with my own eyes. The Victorian Brolga Assessment and Mitigation Standards: For Wind Energy Facility Permit Applications stipulate strict rules and buffer zones when assessing the impact on the brolga and their breeding grounds. So my question to the minister is this: will the minister intervene to ensure all rules, buffer zones and regulations are adhered to in order to protect the breeding habitat of the brolga and ensure its long-term survival?