Chapter 5 – Understanding the potential impacts - NSW Farmers ...

5.3 Health impacts
There have been claims that noise and vibrations from
wind farms make people sick (‘wind turbine syndrome’ or
‘vibroacoustic disease’).The Australian National Health
and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released a public
statement in 2010 reporting no published scientific evidence
to positively link wind turbines with adverse health effects.
Currently, the NHMRC is conducting a further review of
scientific literature, the outcomes of which will provide
guidance for public health policy and expected research. The
reference group undertaking this review is likely to conclude
its work by late 2013.
Wind farm lease agreement negotiations and local community
pressures may cause stress and anxiety during the wind farm
development process. Specialised support for rural NSW
residents is available through the NSW Department of Primary
Industry’s Rural Support Program. The Rural Support Program
aims to build the capacity and resilience of rural communities
through improved knowledge, skills and practices to enable
better management of future environmental and other
adverse events. Contact details for the Program are at the end
of this Guide.
5.5 Positive impacts
It is important that landholders weigh up the predominately
negative impacts discussed above with the positive impacts
listed below:
• Financial remuneration (Section 6.5);
• New access roads can provide improved access for farm
management and fire;
• Vegetation offset requirements could mean planting or
other rehabilitation is undertaken on the landholders
property;
• Community benefits from increased jobs and economic
activity; and
• Environmental benefits from CO2 emission reduction.
Other resources for anyone who may be distressed also
include Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978 and Rural
Mental Health Support 1800 201 123.
5.4 Social/community impacts
Some developments may experience community opposition.
Early consultation and engagement with the community to
build awareness of the project can help effectively resolve
concerns. Further information about engagement with local
stakeholders is provided in Section 7.2.
At a general level there are strong levels of community
support for wind farms in rural Australia flowing from,
amongst other things, the employment benefits that result
from wind energy developments.
Wind Farm Guide for Host Landholders
19