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Health check for Waubra Wind Farm

15 Oct, 2009 12:45 AM
THE Victorian Government will examine claims that Waubra's 128-turbine wind farm is harming the health of nearby residents.

Finance, WorkCover and Transport Accident Commission Minister, Tim Holding, wrote to Western Victoria MLC Peter Kavanagh earlier this week to confirm that three government departments would examine "potential hazards" caused by sub-audible noise emitted by the turbines.

Mr Kavanagh raised the issue in parliament on September 2, after meeting with several Waubra residents who claim the towers have caused headaches, nausea and sleep deprivation since they began operating in June.

"I did a tour of Waubra in late August and people there are very upset about the wind farm," Mr Kavanagh said.

"Most off them were fairly happy to go along with the turbines before they were installed, but now I know of one family who won't live in their house.

"It certainly isn't an isolated incident."

WorkSafe Victoria, the Environmental Protection Authority and the Department of Human Services will work with local government to examine the issue raised by Mr Kavanagh.

But a WorkSafe spokesman denied the move was a formal investigation.

"It's not an investigation. We are looking at specific claims made by a few local residents," he said.

"Questions have been asked of the minister and by getting other relevant departments involved we are trying to answer the questions asked.

"It's in its very early stages and where it goes we don't know."

A spokesman for Acciona Energy, the Spanish company behind the wind farm, said extensive studies of wind farms worldwide were yet to provide conclusive proof that they were harmful.

"Acciona Energy is not aware of any investigation but would willingly participate with confidence, knowing there is no clear, consistent scientific data, nor a peer-reviewed scientific consensus, to confirm a connection between modern wind turbines and health concerns," he said.

"The Waubra wind farm meets the stringent noise levels required by government."

The spokesman said the farm reached full generation capacity for the first time two weeks ago.

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comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Let's hope these government departments don't do an Acciona and put filters on their testing equipment to hide infrasound!
Posted by Austin McCrabb, 16/10/2009 6:37:34 AM
Turbines are a health hazard and kill birds, Mr No Helper.
Posted by E Paulding, 16/10/2009 6:56:48 AM
Where's Joe No Helper on this issue? He's the one that stated turbines are fantastic, well now they're a health hazard Mr No Helper.
Posted by Jack, 16/10/2009 6:58:58 AM
Acciona Energy once again lie to the media. There have been numerous studies done that show the high levels of low frequency noise made by the turbines make people crook. Surely the penny has dropped that wind farms are no good, not only to those living close but to the rest of us who will have to pay double for our power for something that only works 25 per cent of the time. Does that make any sense?
Posted by mick, 16/10/2009 7:07:51 AM
About time they did something, but it doesn't sound like they're taking it very seriously. They haven't bothered to test the noise to see if the wind farm is operating in compliance with the planning permit, so what will they do now? Best they get someone with suitable equipment to test low frequency noise and infrasound. Sustained exposure to this noise has been proven to make you ill many times contrary to the pathetic claims continually made by Acciona Energy.
Posted by rob, 16/10/2009 7:25:23 AM
"Acciona Energy is not aware of any investigation. But a WorkSafe spokesman denied the move was a formal investigation. "It's not an investigation. We are looking at specific claims made by a few local residents," he said. Wow this sounds interesting. I do hope no one gets lost!
Posted by david, 16/10/2009 7:36:13 AM
Why on earth is a Spanish company behind this wind farm? I just cannot understand this.
Posted by Salander, 16/10/2009 9:55:41 AM
The Labor Government is a total joke, yet again they promise to do something, but do nothing. They just spin a line and hope people will lay off the issue. Not a chance Joe No Helper! Turbines are a health harzard!
Posted by Dick, 16/10/2009 10:14:24 AM
Infrasound is going to prove a huge headache to wind factory proponents, as well it should. Sub-audible sound has been used and experimented with for years by military forces as a weapon, able to disable enemy troops. While the sound eminating from wind turbines is not intended to harm humans, any sub-audible sound has the potential to do so under the right conditions. Wind turbines have been brought on the market and “farms” installed in a hell-for-leather manner throughout the world, all without sufficient investigation into their possible bad side-effects. Land owners considering signing up with wind factory promoters should check the lease conditions very carefully, as they may well end up being responsible for the health-damage and compensation law suits that will inevitably follow.
Posted by Jim, 16/10/2009 10:20:57 AM
Geez, looks like the State Government is up to its old bungling tricks again. Who is doing this study? (or will they be to scared to actually do it?) What are they worried about finding? It's a shame that studies of their problems have not been undertaken before they have been put up so close to homes. You can understand that even without the infrasound that people wouldn't want them so close to their houses. The way this rural community and others have been treated is a disgrace.
Posted by Ally, 16/10/2009 10:30:57 AM
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