January 12, 2021
Australia

Timing concerns over noise tests as Hawkesdale Wind Farm construction nears

Jackson Graham | The Standard | January 12 2021 | www.standard.net.au

A Hawkesdale community group is pushing for an independent noise report at the site of a planned wind farm to occur as soon as possible, with construction nearing.

Moyne Shire councillors narrowly voted last month to contract their own acoustician after Hawkesdale residents pushed for noise tests contracted by the developer to be independently verified.

The council intended to do the tests before the project commences to establish a background noise level, which the wind farm can be measured against once constructed.

But developer Global Power Generation is working through pre-construction approvals such as fire and traffic management plans with state government departments and the council, with intentions to start construction in the first half of this year.

Hawkesdale and District Development Action Committee’s John Bos said given the unclear time frame for construction, the community had concerns the background noise report would not be done soon enough.

“We need to get this study done under the same circumstances as it would have been done previously by a fully independent acoustician,” Mr Bos said.

Moyne Shire CEO Bill Millard said the council wanted the testing done prior to construction and was requesting quotes for the independent report this month.

“Council is seeking the testing be conducted in mid-to-late February, into early March,” Mr Millard said. “The item will be discussed at a future council workshop, with the costs to inform if the matter needs to go to a council meeting.”

The Hawkesdale community will meet at the town’s hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm to discuss the timing concerns.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/01/12/timing-concerns-over-noise-tests-as-hawkesdale-wind-farm-construction-nears/