Windfarm plan could threaten disease-free Tasmanian devil colony, documents reveal

Exclusive: Environment officials raised concerns that damage to habitat on Robbins Island could be difficult to offset

A proposed new windfarm on Robbins Island off north-west Tasmania could threaten a disease-free Tasmanian devil population, according to federal environment officials, who say the damage to habitat could be difficult to offset.

Correspondence obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws shows officials raised concerns that no comparable habitat existed anywhere else to compensate for the effects the project could have on the island's unique devil colony, which is considered a stronghold for the survival of the species.