February 20, 2012
Australia

Government orders noise audit of wind farms

AAP, www.theaustralian.com.au 20 February 2012

New South Wales’ three working Government-approved wind farms are to be audited, with residents claiming they make too much noise.

NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard says the decision to audit the three southern NSW farms follows ongoing complaints from local residents.

The three facilities in question are the Capital, Cullerin Range and Woodlawn farms near Canberra.

Mr Hazzard says previous investigations by his department found the farms were complying with noise limits, but residents continue to complain to Government.

“To address this, the NSW Government will engage an independent, specialist noise consultant to determine the issue,” he said in a statement.

“The audit will also provide information on low-frequency noise from these wind farms to provide input into the finalisation of statewide wind farm guidelines.”

Mr Hazzard says wind farms will play an important part in the state’s energy future, but it is important the community has confidence they are operating in line with their consent conditions and are not diminishing people’s lifestyles.

He says the planning department will also assess visual issues and the impact of the wind farms on flora and fauna.

Opposition Environment spokesman Luke Foley later accused the Government of “pandering to the flat-earthers” opposed to wind energy.

“All the signals the Government is sending out are hostile to the development of wind energy in this state,” he said.

The audit is set to be completed by August.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/20/government-orders-noise-audit-of-wind-farms/