PARK WATCH Article March 2025 |

Jordan Crook questions the effect on brolgas of the engagement process for wind farms

VNPA has long supported moves to renewable energy across Victoria. Yet development, be it on land or in the sea, must be accompanied by strong planning rules to protect biodiversity.

In 2020, our feedback to the draft standards for Brolga Assessment and Mitigation Standards for Wind Energy Facilities, noted the very vague and worrying objectives, including no aspiration to protect Brolga (Antigone rubicunda) populations, and removing the need for Brolga surveys to cut costs for energy companies.

Beauty of Brolgas

Brolgas are large birds standing up to 1.8 metres tall with a 2 metre wing span. Large birds need large and safe areas to live in and move safely across their homelands.

You’ll never forget the first time you see a Brolga. The first time I saw one was near Heywood on Gunditjmara Country, flying low across a paddock and landing to meet up with its partner where they honked and danced in joy. It’s an astounding sight.

These giant birds are in decline in Victoria, and are listed as Endangered. They’re feeling the effects of feral pests and the destruction of their wetlands.

But there’s a new risk in the Brolgas’ homelands, and how we manage this risk may culminate in these majestic birds being squeezed to the edge of existence.

The State Government’s recent process, ‘Managing the Biodiversity Impacts of Renewable Energy’ included a proposed Handbook for renewable energy developers to navigate their responsibilities to wildlife and ways of mitigating risks.

Although the process is welcome and much needed, massive knowledge gaps in the decision-making process and impacts on wildlife like Brolgas need further study and investment. This is also true for Grey Headed Flying Foxes and Southern Bent Wing Bats.

The impact of wind energy development needs to be assessed at a landscape scale, and not through a project by project approach where cumulative impacts on nature are overlooked. For example, in North America the Whooping Crane (Grus americana), a creature much like our Brolga, are 20 times more likely to select a ‘rest stop’ during their migrations at locations at least 5 km away from wind turbines.

Evidence on the Victorian Brolgas seems to suggest they too need bigger buffer zones between their wetlands and flying routes.

The government is suggesting buffer zones of 900 metres around wetlands where Brolga are breeding will be sufficient. Yet studies show they need an area of up to 2 km around such sites.

Sensitive development

The industrialisation of the Brolga’s homelands (as well as those for the Southern Bent Wing Bat and Grey Headed Flying Fox) to create electricity for humans will likely have severe impacts.

Further information is needed on the movements and impacts on local wildlife to make an informed and useful submission.

There’s no doubt that the climate crisis requires fast and meaningful transitions to non-fossil fuel energy sources. But the hasty nature of the process, and the quality of documents provided, makes it appear that the government is rushing to a solution which may seriously impact the Brolgas. Nature protection must be at the forefront of a sustainable transition.