Former Greens leader Bob Brown has defended his stance against a wind farm proposed for Tasmania's north west.
Former Greens leader Bob Brown has defended his opposition to a proposed wind farm in Tasmania's north west, comparing the project to poker machines.
Dr Brown said he has long been a supporter of renewable energy, but the $1.6 billion proposal to build up to 163 turbines on Robbins Island in his home state was an "aileron too far".
"Like poker machines, everything has its limits," Dr Brown said.
"I support wind power but think this massive project which will power no Tasmanian homes, is too much a penalty scheme for the island."
He has cited concerns about the size of turbines, the impact on views and dangers posed to migratory birds.
"The transmission lines are planned to cut through wild and scenic Tasmania, including the northeast Tarkine forests."
His position puts the Greens, which have long campaigned for greater investment and government support for renewable energy, in an awkward position.
The Tasmanian Liberal Party accused Dr Brown, who has actively campaigned against the Adani coal mine, of "breathtaking hypocrisy".
"Dr Brown and the Greens have actively campaigned for the shutdown of the entire Australian coal industry and demanded we turn to renewables to deal with climate change," Energy Minister Guy Barnett told the Examiner.
"Such is his commitment to perpetual protest that he has now turned his sights to opposing renewables."
The Labor Party in Tasmania are also backing the wind farm proposal which it says will create sorely needed jobs.
Dr Brown hit back, saying senior Labor and Liberal figures should take a "deep breath" and release the project's economic cost-benefit analysis.
