Equis is set to develop a wind farm featuring turbines that could reach heights of up to 270 meters on the northern coastline of Tasmania.
The proposal, submitted to Tasmania’s Planning Commission, involves placing the turbines on property owned by Winston Archer, a local council member in George Town and the husband of Bridget Archer, the Liberal Member for Bass.
Some residents have voiced concerns that the political connections to the project might undermine community advocacy efforts. In response, Ms. Archer has stated her intention to remain “at arm’s length” from the wind farm initiative.
Gill Harris, a resident who has lived in the area for seven years, expressed her apprehension about the potential impacts of the proposed $950 million wind farm on her peaceful retirement dreams. “We don’t want this area to look like an industrial field,” she remarked. “We don’t want it spoiled.”
Ms. Harris is part of a coalition of locals opposing the wind farm, which also includes Nicholas Wigg, whose family owns a nearby holiday home. “It’ll take away from the serenity of what makes this place special,” he commented.
Angela Armstrong, a former candidate for the Nationals and Jacqui Lambie Network, who relocated to the area six years ago, shares similar sentiments. “This isn’t anti-renewables; it’s about the wrong project in the wrong location,” she stated.
Residents are concerned that the affiliations of local politicians with the project will hinder their ability to advocate effectively. “There’s no way they’ll push back because they do stand to benefit financially,” Ms. Harris asserted.
The proposed wind farm, with a capacity of 224 megawatts and comprising 28 turbines, will be located between Bellbuoy Beach and Beechford. The Tasmanian government designated the wind farm as a major project in 2024, meaning it will be evaluated by a planning panel rather than the local council.
According to the proposal submitted to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, the wind farm will cover 19 parcels of land, although the specific layout is still pending approval and may change. Property records indicate that 12 of these parcels are owned by Effingham Pty Ltd.
In her parliamentary declarations, Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer disclosed that her husband, Winston Archer, is both a director and shareholder of Effingham Pty Ltd and owns agricultural land in George Town. Additionally, one of the proposed turbine sites is directly registered under his name.
Ms. Archer clarified that she has not participated in any approvals related to the project, as it is not part of her portfolio. She emphasized her commitment to remaining neutral, stating, “If I was advocating for that project, you would tell me that I had a conflict. It’s equally true if I was advocating against it, because I have declared an interest in the project.”
She expressed uncertainty about whether she needs to clarify the project’s link to the public, indicating her compliance with existing integrity standards. “I probably don’t come and relay to the public every time [my spouse] sells a sheep or some wool or something either,” she added.
Experts are raising questions regarding the transparency of the situation. Professor David Adams, a scholar in public policy and governance, acknowledged that while Ms. Archer’s disclosures might meet technical requirements, there may be a need for further transparency given the potential implications of the project. “The perception that the minister may be compromised in her ability to advocate for the local community while being linked to significant income streams for a company owned by her husband is a concern,” he noted.
He referenced Tasmania’s ministerial code of conduct, which encourages officials to “err on the side of transparency” to maintain public trust. He suggested that more detailed disclosures regarding the company’s connection to the project could alleviate concerns about conflicts of interest.
Equis has not disclosed how much compensation landowners might receive for hosting turbines, nor has it specified how many turbines would be placed on Mr. Archer’s property. A report from the Clean Energy Council indicated that landowners typically earn between $38,500 and $45,500 annually per seven-megawatt turbine.
While Professor Adams did not imply that the minister has violated conduct codes, he believes additional declarations would enhance transparency. He recommended that a more detailed public statement concerning the company’s ownership and the government’s advocacy efforts for the community would be beneficial.
Following the last state election, three of the seven elected representatives in Bass are from the Liberal party, including Ms. Archer.
Equis has stated that, once operational, it will implement a community benefit program aimed at generating positive economic and social outcomes for the area. However, the actual value of such community benefit funds can vary.
