Wind Turbine Syndrome
Research from across the world by scientists and medical authorities describe significant health effects for people living in close proximity to industrial wind developments. For example, Dr. Nina Pierpont has found a variety of neurobiological disturbances in people living close to wind farms, the symptoms include sleep disturbance, headaches, ear pressure, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dizziness, nausea, visual blurring, tachardia (rapid heart beat), irritability, problems with concentration and memory and panic episodes. She has noted that the symptoms begin when the turbines begin to operate and stop when a person leaves the wind development vicinity. She also notes that certain groups in the community are more susceptible to symptoms – children, the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions. But it can impact anyone.

Wind turbines emit a low frequency sound and they create a shadow flicker and/or a strobe effect as the rotors spin. Dr. Pierpont explains that low-frequency sound can be sensed as pressure in the ears and as a feeling or vibration in the chest and throat. Pierpont and other clinicians maintain that the symptoms are caused by turbine low-frequency noise and vibration and shadow flicker that affect the body's various balance organs including the vestibular organs of the inner ear. Neighbours of industrial wind turbines describe the distressing sensation of having to breathe in sync with the rhythmic thumps of the turbine blades, especially at night when trying to sleep. Her conclusion is that wind turbines should be no less than 1.5 miles (2.5 kms) from residences; or 2-3 miles in mountainous areas – to protect public health.

Waubra Wind Energy Facility
The Waubra WEF began operation at the end of March 2009. Acciona slowly brought their turbines "on-line" - introducing small groups of turbines at a time until it became fully operational around mid 2009.  As the turbines became operational, residents in the area began to experience the symptoms described as Wind Turbine Syndrome. Families have moved or are trying to move from the area, some are unable to move because they cannot sell their homes. Some families are having difficulties working on their farms unless the turbines are not running - when the wind is low.

Victorian Noise Standards for Wind Energy Facilities
The simple fact that so many residents near industrial wind developments in Australia and around the world complain about noise and health problems suggests that the noise standards used by the wind industry are not providing adequate protection for residents. For example, in a survey led by Dr. Robyn Phipps PhD with residents living near wind farms in the Tararua and Ruahine ranges  of New Zealand, it was found that 52% of households living within 2 - 2.5 km of the wind farm reported they heard turbine noise; 36% living within 2.5 – 3 km and 25% of households living over 10 km away reported hearing turbine noise. The noise standard used in Victoria is based on a New Zealand noise standard and was adopted at a time when New Zealand had only one operating wind turbine - a turbine that is much smaller than today's giants.  The Victorian Government bypassed existing noise control measures set up by the Environmental Protection Authority to control noise from industry and no peer review of the NZ standard was done. The wind industry continues to support this outdated standard, and denies the correlation between wind turbine noise and human health, despite the growing body of evidence. The Victorian Government has been informed by many groups across the State that the standard must be revised to protect public health, so far they have not.

Minimum Set Backs from Residences
Numerous groups have called for set backs of turbines from residences to prevent health issues and unnecessary disturbance. The French Academy of Medicine call for a turbine set-back of 1.5 km, the UK Noise Association recommend 1 mile (approx, 1.6kms), the Glen Innes and Upper Lachlan Shire Councils in NSW call for set backs of 2kms - this is all much greater than Victorian Standards which can allow turbines as close as 400 metres to residences.

Further Reading on Noise and Health Effects of Wind Turbines:

Wind Turbine Syndrome website.

National Wind Watch website for the following articles:

Mars Hill Wind Turbine Project Health Effects - Preliminary Findings, Michael Nissenbaum, Maine USA, March 2009

Noise Pollution from Wind Turbines, Julian Davis BSc., MBRS and S. Jane Davis MA RN HV

Noise Radiation from Wind Turbines Installed Near Homes:

Wind Turbines, Noise and Health, Dr. Amanda Harry, UK, 2007

Evidence of Dr. Robin Phipps In the Matter of Moturimu Wind Farm Application Heard before the Joint Commissioners, Palmerston North, Australia, March 2007

Industrial Wind Turbines, Infrasound and Vibro-Acoustic Disease, Professor Mariana Alves-Pereira and Nuno Castelo Branco, MD, Portugual, 2007

Simple Guidelines for Siting Wind Turbines to Prevent Health Risks, George Kamperman, Kamperman Associates, Inc. and Richard R. James, E-coustic Solutions, NOISE-CON, 2008 Dearborn, Michigan, USA.