Transformer Approval a ‘Dark Moment’ for Local Birds?

Media release – BirdLife Tasmania, 26 May 2023

DARK LAB TRANSFORMER DECISION A DARK MOMENT FOR LOCAL BIRDS?

BirdLife Tasmania is concerned that birds will be losers after the Huon Valley Council approved the Dark Lab Transformer project proposed for the Ida Bay State Reserve.

The organisation has raised concerns about potential impacts on the critically-endangered swift parrot and other endangered bird species arising from the loss of specialist habitat in a reserved area, night operations, and increased road traffic.

“Five endangered or critically-endangered bird species have been recorded in the vicinity of the proposed development,” Dr Mike Newman, Chair of the BirdLife Tasmania Science Subcommittee, said today.

“The species we are most concerned about are the azure kingfisher, grey goshawk, masked owl, wedge-tailed eagle and swift parrot.

“These species will be placed at increased risk during project construction and operations,” Dr Newman said. “The loss of even two or three individuals can be significant in small populations.”

A further concern for BirdLife Tasmania is that the development will destroy specialist habitat that’s suitable for the threatened bird species, as well as birds such as the ground parrot and southern emu-wren.

The proposal is within the Southern Forests Swift Parrot Important Breeding Area. In some years, most of the swift parrot breeding population has been present in the Southern Forests.

The South-east Tasmania Key Biodiversity Area has been designated ‘In Danger’ because of threats to breeding habitat of the critically-endangered swift parrot.

“It is most important that we protect all habitat suitable for threatened bird species, and that developments do not lead to fragmentation of that habitat. This is yet another private development on public land that’s reserved because of its conservation status,” said Dr Newman.

BirdLife Tasmania is also concerned about potential impacts of night operations. Artificial light is well known to disturb or disorient birds.

Nocturnal species such as the tawny frogmouth, Australian owlet-nightjar, southern boobook, and Tasmanian masked owl, have all been recorded in the surrounding area. The Tasmanian masked owl is endangered. Other species such as swallows, martins and needletails can feed at night on insects that are attracted to light.

“Overall, we’re disappointed that the potential impact on birds, which we work so hard to protect, appears to have been overlooked in the decision to approve this project,” Dr Newman concluded.