April 17, 2012
Australia

Mortlake wind farm meeting

Sarah Scopelianos, www.weeklytimesnow.com.au 17 April 2012

Waubra Foundation’s Sarah Laurie plans to answer questions about health issues related to wind farms at a meeting in Mortlake tomorrow.

The outspoken doctor told Weekly Times Now today people had “every right to be concerned” about wind farm projects close to towns.

The newly-formed Mortlake South Wind Farm Action Group will hold a meeting tomorrow at the Mortlake Soldiers Memorial Hall at 7pm about Acciona’s proposed development 5km from town.

The proposed $200 million wind farm comprises of 51 wind turbines across 11 properties and will generate 76.5MW of power.

Dr Laurie said more research needed to be done into low frequency sound energy produced by wind farms which are believed to cause health issues for some nearby residents.

She said the foundation was collecting field data but more needed to be done by independent clinical researchers.

Dr Laurie said currently most tests were conducted outside people’s homes when in fact the whole spectrum of sound needed to be recorded including inside homes.

“It’s seriously damaging people. People who can afford to leave do. Turbine hosts are also getting off properties,” Dr Laurie said.

Mortlake South Wind Farm Action Group spokeswoman Shelley McDonald said the group was concerned Acciona’s wind farm would be developed under old regulations and not the Victorian Government’s 2km rule.

She said people living near turbines at Waubra, Cape Bridgewater, and Glenthompson will speak at the meeting.

Mrs McDonald said the Acciona project would see one turbine within 1.2km of her home, five turbines within 1.5km and nine with 3km.

“This is not about trying to stop wind farms, this is about appropriate locations. This is going to be 5km from town and is surrounded by 97 houses. It shouldn’t be put in such a densely populated place,” she said.

Acciona Australia’s community relations senior manager David Clarke said company representatives would attend tomorrow’s meeting.

“Acciona Energy has been working hard to inform the local community about the approved project and will hold a series of open houses in April to enable people to learn more about the price,” Mr Clarke said.

“While the Mortlake South Wind Farm enjoys strong community support, we understand some people have concerns and we see this meeting as further opportunity to hear and understand these points of view.

“We understand health is often raised as a concern but there is no peer-reviewed, scientific evidence wind turbines impact health.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/17/mortlake-wind-farm-meeting/