May 29, 2012
Australia

Wind farm debate whips up again

ABC Rural | www.abc.net.au 29 May 2012

There are already a number of wind turbines on the Atherton Tablelands, but the proposed Mount Emerald wind farm is the largest scale development yet for the far north.

The plan is for 80 towers near Walkamin, some of which are less than two kilometres from residential properties.

A letter sent to the local council by David Sellars, director of environmental health for Queensland Health, cites a “growing body of evidence” that wind farm noise could have health effects.

Queensland Health has since declined to comment on this story.

But in the letter, obtained by the ABC, Mr. Sellers says the National Health Medical Research Council is currently reviewing the possible health impact of wind turbines.

He goes on to to say Queensland Health is likely to be guided by that response, and suggests that until it’s released at the end of the year, the Tablelands regional council takes a precautionary approach to development applications of this type.

Horticulturalist Steve Lavis has been a long time opponent of the Mt Emerald wind farm.

He’s calling for a moratorium until noise and health concerns have been resolved.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/29/wind-farm-debate-whips-up-again/