An inquest was undertaken across 2010 and 2011 by the Federal Senate’s Community Affairs References Committee which investigated concerns raised by some residents over the vibrations emitted by wind farms in close proximity to their homes.

The terms of the inquiry also covered the impact of rural wind farms on property values, employment opportunities and farm income, in addition to reviewing the interface between Commonwealth, state and local planning laws as they pertain to wind farms.

A lengthy process

Senator Steve Fielding originally raised the prospect of such an inquiry in Federal Parliament in October 2010; the matter was later officially referred to the Community Affairs References Committee, and the Inquiry into the Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms began.

The Committee provided an interim report to Federal Parliament on 13 April 2011, where Committee Chair Senator Rachel Siewert requested further time for the inquiry, listing 1 June 2011 as the expected date for delivery of the final report.

By the time the Committee had delivered its second interim report on 30 May, the inquiry had received a total of over 1,000 submissions, and five public hearings for the inquiry had been held in Canberra, Ballarat, Melbourne and Perth.

At this point, the date to deliver the final report was pushed back to 14 June, and Senator Siewert noted that a high level of public interest was apparent – both in the inquiry and in the issue at large.

It was not until 23 June that the Senate’s Community Affairs References Committee tabled its final report in Parliament.

Focus on health effects

In the Final Report, the Committee’s ‘main priority’ recommendation was that the Federal Government should initiate thorough, adequately resourced epidemiological and laboratory studies of the possible effects of wind farms on human health.

“This research must engage across the industry and community, and include an advisory process representing the range of interests and concerns,” the report states.

The Committee recommended that a current National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) review of research on wind farm effects should continue, with regular publication dates for making the review’s findings public.

The Committee also recommended that Australia’s National Acoustics Laboratories should conduct a study to assess the noise impacts of wind farms, including the impacts of infrasound.

The report features a key endorsement of redrafting the National Wind Farm Development Guidelines in order to reflect the health concerns of residents that were voiced during the inquiry process.

Medical issues highlighted

The NHMRC is the government-funded expertise body that promotes the development and maintenance of public and individual health standards.

The organisation has found during its wind energy research review that the main concerns regarding adverse health impacts associated with wind turbines tend to focus on infrasound noise, electromagnetic interference, shadow flickers and the blade glint produced by turbines.

“As with any new technology, wind turbines are not without controversy,” the NHMRC says. “Those who oppose the development of wind farms contend that wind turbines can adversely impact the health of individuals living in close proximity.”

“While a range of effects such as annoyance, anxiety, hearing loss, and interference with sleep, speech and learning have been reported anecdotally, there is no published scientific evidence to support adverse effects of wind turbines on health,” says the NHMRC.

Wind sector responds

Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh says that the Committee’s Final Report has raised some important issues for the Australian wind industry to consider.

“Any change will have its critics, [but] the vast majority of submissions to the inquiry were positive about wind farms in rural communities,” Mr Marsh says.

“Several findings within the report recognised the contribution of wind energy to jobs in regional areas, as well as its contribution to the incomes of farmers.”

Wind energy producer Pacific Hydro agrees with this analysis, noting that of the more than 1,000 submissions and letters to the inquiry, 81 per cent demonstrated support for wind farms.

“While health impacts were a significant focus of evidence and media attention…the Senate Committee found no direct link between adverse health effects and wind turbines, and did not want people to suggest a link had been found,” Pacific Hydro says.

The Final Report reflects public opinion polls that have consistently shown approximately 80 per cent of Australians support wind energy, according to Russell Marsh.

“The industry welcomes the report’s recommendation to the Federal Government to conduct further studies into potential noise and health problems associated with wind turbines,” Mr Marsh says.