Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Key Learnings from Ten Years of Monitoring
and Management Interventions at the Bluff
Point and Studland Bay Wind Farms: Results
of a Review
Chris Sims , Cindy Hull , Elizabeth Stark , and Robert Barbour
Abstract The Bluff Point and Studland Bay Wind Farms (formerly, the Woolnorth
Wind Farm) was approved by Commonwealth and State regulators in 2001 and com-
menced operations in 2002 and 2007, respectively. A suite of monitoring and man-
agement actions, some required under approval permit conditions and others beyond
these requirements, have been in place at these wind farms since operations com-
menced. During 2010, an extensive review of all the monitoring and management
actions contained in relevant Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) was under-
taken by Roaring 40s (owner of the wind farms at the time), personnel from the
Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority, EPA, and Department of Primary
Industry, Parks, Water and Environment. The purpose of the review was to examine
the effectiveness and utility of each program and management action. The review was
a collaborative, structured risk assessment. It found some monitoring programs were
completed and cessation was recommended. Others had not adequately targeted key
risks or were unlikely to achieve their objectives and were modifi ed or ceased. The
process enabled gaps in knowledge to be identifi ed and surveys designed to target
these gaps. The outcome of this review was that the new EMPs addressed the agreed
risks at the sites, and comprised a combination of compliance monitoring and research
to build knowledge about the agreed risks. The key learnings were that: assumptions
about risks on site should be carefully evaluated and tested; objectives of surveys
need to be clearly defi ned; survey design must be robust and follow scientifi c best
practice; management actions must be informed by evidence or sound logic; and
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