Proposed Bell Bay Wind Farm

       This Petition draws to the attention of the House:

• Communities are deeply concerned about the proposed Bell Bay Wind Farm, in-between the coastal towns of BellBuoy Beach and Beechford. The project consists of 28 turbines 270 meters high.
• This area supports a sensitive ecosystem: breeding wedge-tailed eagles, sea eagles, migratory, coastal birds, Tasmanian devils; regarded as ecologically sensitive. Residents fear large-scale development may harm biodiversity, habitat, vegetation, and ecosystem stability, with potential long-term impacts.
• Concerns include major visual intrusion on the coastal-landscape; shadow flicker; low-frequency and other noises; and the cumulative effect of these on residential, wellbeing and mental health, particularly given turbines proximity to homes.
• Residents emphasise robust governance. As this project site involves land owned by a local councillor, spouse of an elected state MP, many believe this may create a perceived conflict of interest between private financial benefits to the MP's family and the impacts falling on surrounding communities.

       Petitioners therefore respectfully request the House to:

1.      Commission an independent environmental impact assessment, including species-specific modelling, a review for raptors, migratory/coastal birds, wildlife.

2.      Require a government-led consultation process before any approval, to ensure residents receive clear, accessible information and opportunities to respond.

3.      Withhold approvals until environmental, community-impact, and governance concerns have been independently and satisfactorily resolved.

4.      Strengthened environmental protections for large scale energy projects, especially in ecologically sensitive coastal areas.

5.      Ensure strict, independent oversight of any perceived or potential conflicts of interest relating to elected representatives or their families in the context of this project.