About this report
Onshore wind farms built in Australia must show how they will reduce harm to species that are protected by national environment law. This is necessary for seeking approval under the EPBC Act. This includes both local and migratory bird and bat species.
This report provides information for understanding potential impacts of onshore wind farm developments. It also assists proponents to develop strategies for reducing harm to birds and bats.
The report is in two parts:
- Ecological risk assessment – this looks at the life and behaviour of 1,095 bird species and 81 bat species. It identifies which species are most at risk from onshore wind farms in Australia.
- Literature review – this looks at impact mitigation and management strategies. It focuses on international wind farm operators.
The report provides scientific information. It does not represent official regulatory guidance or advice. The potential impact of a proposed project depends on site and project-specific information. Other Renewables Environmental Research Initiative (RERI) projects will build on these results.
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For more details, read about the EPBC Act.