NOISE levels from wind farms should be monitored by the state’s top environmental watchdog, a Western Victorian MP says.
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Upper house MP Simon Ramsay will ask the planning minister to allow the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to monitor and enforce noise restrictions across the state’s wind farms, many of them in the south-west.
Mr Ramsay said he had been pressed by wind opponents in Macarthur and Waubra over both wind farms not being issued with compliance certificates.
“There’s still been no compliance certificates issued in Victoria, that’s my understanding,” Mr Ramsay said. The certificates are not required for the wind farms to operate.
Macarthur wind farm operator AGL Australia released a report in July last year showing no change in noise levels before and after construction of the wind farm, specifically in sub-audible infrasound.
Mr Ramsay said the EPA would be “at arm’s length” from both companies and the government and could provide independent data on the contentious issue.
“It’s an independent and transparent agency.”
Asked whether he believed wind turbines caused health problems, the Liberal MP said he was sympathetic.
“I always I use the theory that it’s a bit like a dripping tap ... it’s always on your mind,” he said.
s.mccomish@fairfaxmedia.com.au