A Minister, Parrots, and Wind Farms

Filed in archive on August 7, 2006

Just what is happening in Australia? The federal government of Australia seems to be in disarray over the plight of parrots and the construction of wind farms. The migratory patterns of birds and the location of wind farms, which take advantage of wind avenues, are often in conflict. Bird strikes (birds colliding with wind turbines) have become a serious concern especially for environment advocates but the climate-mitigation benefits of wind power generation makes the matter more complicated.

Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell, who is known as a conscientious member of the government and a defender of Australia's rare and endangered species of parrots, had agreed to reconsider his controversial decision to block a $220 million wind farm project in Victoria.

This decision by the environment minister ended a federal court battle with the wind farm developer. So the wind farm will be constructed but the consequence remains debatable. What do you think will happen?