THE proposed 136 turbine extension to the Woakwine Range windfarm will be put on hold if a novice minor party MP has her way.
SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros has called for a moratorium on all new wind farms in South Australia due to the possibility of adverse health impacts.
Such a moratorium would stall the plans of Infigen Energy, which already has 112 wind turbines at Lake Bonney and is currently building a $38.5m battery storage system near Tantanoola.
Infigen Energy secured planning approval six years ago for a further 136 turbines northwards along the Woakwine Range between Millicent and Cape Jaffa.
Work on the expansion is yet to start.
Speaking recently in the Legislative Council, Ms Bonaros referred to a recent World Health Organisation report to back-up her call for a moratorium.
“The renowned Geneva-based organisation has recently released a report that found wind power turbines have the potential to cause serious health problems – including hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure and even heart problems – to people exposed to excessive noise levels they emit,” Ms Bonaros said.
“The WHO report provided these specific noise recommendations to protect the community.
“We need to ensure the implications of the WHO report are now taken into account in our own windfarm noise guidelines to prevent serious adverse health impacts on rural residents living near windfarms in South Australia – noting background noise, atmospheric and house construction conditions are quite different in Australia compared to much of Europe and that as a result even lower noise levels may be required.
“Wind farms are increasing in size – in terms of both the capacity of energy generated and the size of the wind turbines.
“The revelations by the influential WHO that wind farms have the potential to cause significant health dangers is damning.”
According to Ms Bonaros, an urgent moratorium is needed on approval or construction of any new windfarms until an independent, full and thorough review is undertaken.
Furthermore, Ms Bonaros said an updated, evidence-based, planning and noise pollution compliance regime needs to be implemented.
She said the regime needs to be transparent, effective in protecting health and relevant for much larger, more powerful wind turbines.
“We must ensure both operating and future wind farms in South Australia are not allowed to emit noise that causes sleep disturbance or otherwise harms human health.
“We must also review all legislation surrounding wind farm developments to ensure SA residents are adequately protected from harm over the lifetime of each project and that SA taxpayers will not foot the bill in future for noise nuisance litigation because inadequate planning and noise pollution regulations have failed to protect SA residents from harm.
“SA Best is also concerned windfarm proposals are starting to encroach on some of our state’s most scenic landscapes, including the Flinders Ranges, Barossa and Clare valleys.”
Infigen Energy was approached by The South Eastern Times for comment.
