Wind Farms

​​​​​​​​​​​​The EPA is responsible for assessing and regulating environmental impacts of wind farms in Tasmania. Assessment of wind farm proposals involves identifying key environmental risks and imposing requirements for risk mitigation to ensure impacts to the environment are minimised. If a wind farm proposal is approved, EPA regulatory officers ensure compliance with environmental conditions during pre-construction, construction, commissioning, operational and decommissioning phases. 

Environmental issues associated with wind farms can include:

  • threatened species (flora and fauna) impacts, including bird strikes
  • weed and disease management
  • cultural and aboriginal heritage impacts
  • visual impacts 
  • noise​

Noise Limits

In July 2025, the EPA Board adopted a new policy on operational noise limits for wind energy projects (wind farms). The EPA Board Policy – noise​ limits for wind energy projects(the Policy) applies from 31 July 2025 and supersedes the previous EPA Board policy regarding operational noise criteria for wind farms. The Policy is in accordance with accepted best practice environme​ntal management standards elsewhere in Australia and sets operational design criteria and noise emission limits for wind farms at noise sensitive premises of 35 dB(A) LAeq 10 mins, or background (LA90) + 5 dB(A), whichever is greater.

A document that provides further details about how the Policy will be applied can be found here​​.​

Eagle Nest Searching and Nest Activity Checks

The EPA Guide to Eagle Nest Searching and Nest Activity Checks is intended to provide direction to proponents and stakeholders where there is a requirement to undertake eagle nest searches and nest activity checks for either of Tasmania's threatened eagle species, the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax fleayi) and/or the white-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) as part of an environmental impact assessment.

Offset Guidelines for Impacts to Threatened Eagles​


For the majority of Tasmanian wind farms the conditions of approval require offsets for impacts to threatened eagle species that may result from the operation of the windfarm. Offsets are imposed via permit conditions. The Offset Guidelines for Impacts to Threatened Eagles from Wind Farm Developments​ provides windfarm operators and regulators guidance regarding the process of identifying, assessing and approving appropriate offsets within the context of a broader, strategic eagle management objective. ​

​​​Wind Farm Related Resources

Noise Measurement Procedures Manual 2008 - Revised Second Edition​​​​

Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner

Clean Energy Council

Australian Renewable Energy Agency

Clean Energy Regulator

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