Peer review of acoustic assessment, Flyers Creek wind farm
Acoustic Group
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Acoustic Group has performed a desk-top review of the acoustic documents comprising the acoustic assessment for the Flyers Creek Wind Farm. Further, The Acoustic Group has conducted preliminary sound monitoring at an existing operational wind farm (the Capital Wind Farm) which was approved in New South Wales on the basis of similar analyses, guidelines and reports to that provided for the Flyers Creek Wind Farm. The conclusions of the Acoustic Group are set out below.
The Background Noise Monitoring Survey Report has been found to be flawed:
The Noise Impact Assessment (Chapter 12, Environmental Assessment and Appendix G2 Noise Impact Assessment) has been found to be inadequate and likely to be inaccurate. They fail to properly examine:
There has been found to be a fundamental inadequacy in the acoustic assessments in that they do not attempt to discuss or examine the actual noise impact for the community. Such an analysis is required by the Director-General’s Requirements and by the principles contained in the South Australian legislative framework.
The adequacy of the South Australian Guidelines in protecting the amenity of the community surrounding the wind farm has been examined. Fundamental inconsistencies and omissions in the South Australian legislative framework relating to wind farm noise have been identified. There are fundamental inconsistencies and omissions in relation to Indicative Noise Levels and in relation to low frequency noise and infrasound. It has been found that the Guidelines establish criteria which conflict with their own objectives.
It has been found that application of the South Australian Guidelines cannot be reconciled with the New South Wales Protection of the Environment Operation Act (POEA) nor with the New South Wales Industrial Noise Policy. The proposed wind farm will result in the generation of offensive noise breaching the New South Wales legislative framework.
Initial results from preliminary testing at the Capital Wind Farm have been found to confirm concerns that the Flyers Creek Wind Farm will result in the generation of intrusive and offensive noise. Testing has demonstrated that the Capital Wind Farm is generating audible noise significantly above predicted levels and above levels prescribed by its consent at the residential site tested. These noise levels validate complaints of significant adverse impacts.
Preliminary testing at the Capital Wind Farm demonstrates low frequency noise and infrasound at levels and fluctuations likely to impact on residents.
On the basis of the above, The Acoustic Group has found that approval of the Flyers Creek Wind Farm proposal would expose the surrounding community to intrusive and offensive noise and would leave the approval authority, land owners and the proponent open to litigation and complaint accordingly.
Prepared for: Flyers Creek Wind Turbine Awareness Group Inc, PO Box 135, MILLTHORPE NSW 2798
Date: 15th December, 2011
THE ACOUSTIC GROUP PTY LTD, CONSULTING ACOUSTICAL & VIBRATION ENGINEERS, 20-22 FRED STREET, LILYFIELD, 2040, NSW, AUSTRALIA
Download original document: “Peer review of acoustic assessment, Flyers Creek wind farm [1]”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/peer-review-of-acoustic-assessment-flyers-creek-wind-farm/
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[1] Peer review of acoustic assessment, Flyers Creek wind farm: https://docs.wind-watch.org/Cooper_S_Flyers_Ck.pdf