A contentious wind farm proposed for an island off Tasmania's north-western tip is one step closer to reality after the local council voted to approve it during a heated meeting.
Multinational renewables company ACEN has sought approval to build a wind farm with up to 122 turbines on Robbins Island, north-west of the town of Smithton.
On Thursday night, more than 100 people attended the Circular Head Council's monthly meeting, which was held at Smithton's community and recreation centre, due to the level of community interest.
The council had received almost 400 representations from the community around the proposal, and members of the public were given the opportunity to speak for and against the wind farm at the meeting.
Councillor Tony Hine described the wind farm as a "critical thing for Tasmania".
"Somewhere along the line, we have got to try and generate the electricity that allows you to cook your toast in the morning, and all those sorts of things," Cr Hine said.
"We've got to keep moving forward. This project is shovel-ready."
He was one-of-five councillors who voted to approve the wind farm, with just one — Councillor Sally Collins — voting against.
"I have grave concerns about the impact on our scenic community and I think this is too valuable of an area to sacrifice," Cr Collins said.
Three other councillors could not vote and contribute to the debate after declaring conflicts of interest.
The proposed site of the 900-megawatt wind farm is a migration area for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot.
It won environmental regulatory approval from the state's Environment Protection Authority in December, on the condition that it shuts down for five months every year during the bird's migratory season.
Barnett welcomes approval for 'important' project
Energy Minister Guy Barnett has welcomed the decision by the Circular Head Council.
"We say thanks to the Circular Head Council for their deliberations," he said.
"It's this sort of development that is so important, not just to our renewable energy future in Tasmania but the growing of our economy and delivering a cleaner environment.
"We're very pleased and as a government we'll do everything we can to help progress renewable energy developments like that.
"It's now for the federal government to consider this. We'd ask them to consider it in a timely manner."
Robbins Island 'the worst place'
Chief operations officer for ACEN Australia, David Pollington, said he welcomed the approval from council.
"I would like to thank council for its time and effort in thoroughly reviewing the project," he said.
"We believe that Robbins Island Wind offers the right mix of benefits and opportunities for the Circular Head region and the state of Tasmania.
"It's an exciting next step in the project's journey that will help lower electricity prices for all Tasmanians."
However, the Greens' environment spokesperson, Dr Rosalie Woodruff, described the council's decision as "deeply disappointing".
"It's critical [that] Tasmania and the rest of the country continues to reduce our carbon emissions to fight climate change, but Robbins Island is the worst place to put a wind farm," she said.
"Robbins Island's international biodiversity significance should have ruled it out as a possible development location decades ago."
More hurdles ahead
In December, Mr Pollington had described EPA's five-month shutdown condition as "problematic".
However, now the council has approved the proposal, ACEN has 14 days to lodge an appeal around the conditions to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The federal Environment Department is also assessing the project under Australia's national environmental law and a spokesperson says a decision is expected in due course.
If approved, the wind farm would be built in two stages, and would include other infrastructure, including a bridge across Robbins Passage, a wharf, electrical infrastructure and operational facilities.
