Media release – No Turbine Action Group (NTAG), 21 February 2022
EPURON NOISE MEETINGS INCREASE COMMUNITY CONCERNS ABOUT WIND FARM NOISE
Public meetings about potential turbine noise from St Patricks Plains Wind Farm have not allayed neighbour concerns but have instead escalated their concerns.
Tasmanian wind farm developer Epuron presented its noise modelling predictions for the St Patricks Plains Wind Farm proposal in the Central Highlands at four community information sessions held at the Steppes Hall on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 February.
There was justified criticism of the way Epuron’s meetings were held – in an inappropriate venue with no power, no potable water, limited capacity – with two sessions conducted for an invitation-only audience during work hours on Friday.
The meetings confirmed No Turbine Action Group (NTAG) research that neighbouring residents in the Penstock, Shannon, Wilburville and Flintstone settlements will hear unacceptable turbine noise. NTAG also understands noise modelling conducted by Epuron’s consultant, Marshall Day Acoustics (MDA), does not conform with current Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) policy.
In August 2020 EPA Tasmania revised the policy for noise output from wind farms down from 40 decibels dB(A) to 35 dB(A). The EPA published a communique stating, “The Board requested the Director inform the proponents of the St Patricks Plains development of the new policy limit”.
Donna Bolton, Epuron’s General Manager for development projects in Tasmania, told the attendees that Epuron was unaware of the lower noise limit, and the EPA had not informed Epuron. Marshall Day Acoustics’ noise predictions are based on the old noise limit of 40 dB(A).
NTAG considers it implausible that Epuron and MDA would both be unaware of the changes implemented in 2020 to wind farm noise limits in Tasmania.
“Locals do not want to hear turbine noise. It appears that either the EPA may be derelict in its duty, or Epuron is trying to put one over the local community,” Mr Ridley resident at Shannon and Chair of NTAG said.
Meetings heard that MDA has been responsible for predicting noise in other wind farm developments which have resulted in noise disputes between operators and distressed residents who live adjacent to wind farms. MDA is currently a defendant in a noise matter in the Supreme Court of Queensland, where it is alleged to have been negligent and engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct.
“Marshall Day Acoustics should not be trusted to present an accurate prediction of likely noise impact,” said Melbourne-based lawyer Dominica Tannock (DST Legal) who was present at sessions on behalf of individuals and NTAG. DST Legal has represented parties in court challenges on the Mainland where the accuracy of MDA’s noise assessments has been in issue.
Attendees also found out noise would be heard 7km or more from the wind farm as modelling is based on average noise not the loudest noise.
Bert Lawatsch, who attended the public meeting on Saturday afternoon described it as a “con job from start to finish” and a box ticking exercise by Epuron.
“Rather than Epuron allaying noise concerns at their information meetings, bigger concerns have been unearthed and stronger opposition to the wind farm has resulted,” said David Ridley. NTAG counting concluded only 11 out of the cumulative 91 attendees showed support for the wind farm.
“Epuron will imminently become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korea Zinc,” said David Ridley. “They do not have a social licence for this project. Tasmania’s unique environment and lifestyle is in danger of being lost, to profit a foreign mining giant”.
