June 13, 2012
Australia

Turbines ‘clearly’ heard 2km away: report

Cimara Pearce, The Weekly Times | www.weeklytimesnow.com.au 13 June 2012

A report into wind farm noise has recommended that turbines on existing wind farms less than 2km from housing be removed.

The Victorian Government last year introduced policy that states a wind farm cannot be located within 2km of an existing dwelling but turbines built near homes before the legislation was passed remain switched on.

A new report, released today by Noise Management Services, emphasises “the need for, and practicality of” the 2km setback.

“It is recommended that the 2km setback be implemented at Waubra, Cape Bridgewater and other existing wind farms,” the report said.

“Observations at the different wind farms under different weather conditions and measurement distances indicate the sound of turbines are individually observable (swish, rumbles, clunks, whines) at distances of 200–500m.

“At around 900m only clearly distinctive turbines are identifiable (swish, rumbles) and by 2000-3000m the sound of turbines is cumulative and is heard as a general source of noise.

“At each location the wind farm could be clearly heard at dwellings approximately 2000m from the nearest turbines.

“The sound of turbines can be heard 2000m upwind and 2000m downwind, as well at an angle to the turbines.”

The report also found that some noise from wind farms exceeded night time noise criteria.

Meanwhile, Ballarat Democratic Senator John Madigan will attend a wind farm forum at Bacchus Marsh tonight.

The forum is expected to draw a large crowd and will be held at St Bernard’s church in 61 Lerderderg St, Bacchus Marsh.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/13/turbines-clearly-heard-2km-away-report/