August 26, 2019
Bunya Mountains land owner Bruce Thompson has called for eagle-sensing technology to be installed at the Coopers Gap wind farm to lessen the chance of bird strikes at the project.
Mr Thompson told southburnett.com.au he was concerned there had been fewer reports lately of wedge-tailed eagles being spotted at the Bunya Mountains.
He said that during drought, the number of sightings usually rose due to increased carrion.
“I opposed the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in the media because of my concerns that avian species would be decimated and it appears my concerns were valid,” Mr Thompson said.
Mr Thompson said there was a monitoring device available that could prevent bird deaths.
The ABC reported late last year that this new technology was being trialled at the Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania.
Sensors detect the birds a kilometre away. The eagle is then automatically tracked.
If it was detected flying towards a turbine, a signal would be sent to that turbine to turn off during the danger period.
There will be 123 turbines in operation when the Coopers Gap wind farm, which is located to the north of the Bunya Mountains National Park, is fully commissioned.
