Impacts on birds from offshore wind farms in Australia: An ecological risk assessment

Reid, K.; Baker, G.B. (2025). Impacts on birds from offshore wind farms in Australia: An ecological risk assessment. Report by Ross Analytics. Report for Australian Government.

@techreport{Reid-2025-2095215,
author = {Reid, K and Baker, GB},
title = {Impacts on birds from offshore wind farms in Australia: An ecological risk assessment},
institution = {Ross Analytics},
year = {2025},
month = {nov},
address = {Canberra, Australia},
url = {https://www.dcceew.gov.au/epbc/publications/impacts-birds-offshore-wind-farms-australia},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, Birds},
}

Export Citation to BibTex

TY - RPRT
TI - Impacts on birds from offshore wind farms in Australia: An ecological risk assessment
AU - Reid, K
AU - Baker, GB
AB - Offshore 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 species.This report provides information for understanding the potential impacts of offshore wind farm developments. It also assists proponents to develop strategies for reducing harm to birds.The report is in two parts:Ecological risk assessment – this looks at the life and behaviour of 270 birds. It identifies which species are most at risk from offshore wind farms in Australia.Literature review – this looks at strategies used by wind farm operators in the northern hemisphere to manage and reduce impacts. These are mostly in Europe. 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.
CY - Canberra, Australia
DA - 2025/11//
PY - 2025
SP - 51
PB - Ross Analytics
UR - https://www.dcceew.gov.au/epbc/publications/impacts-birds-offshore-wind-farms-australia
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Attraction
KW - Avoidance
KW - Collision
KW - Displacement
KW - Birds
ER -

Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Offshore 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 species.

This report provides information for understanding the potential impacts of offshore wind farm developments. It also assists proponents to develop strategies for reducing harm to birds.

The report is in two parts:

Ecological risk assessment – this looks at the life and behaviour of 270 birds. It identifies which species are most at risk from offshore wind farms in Australia.
Literature review – this looks at strategies used by wind farm operators in the northern hemisphere to manage and reduce impacts. These are mostly in Europe.

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.