The report by Aecom was prepared for AGL, but the shire took the matter a step further and hired a consultant to provide a peer review of that report and verify its findings. Moyne Shire councillors will examine the issue at today’s council meeting.

The meeting’s agenda recommends acknowledging the report, which finds that the wind farm “is operating in compliance with the New Zealand standard (for) acoustics” — the accepted guidelines used to measure noise from wind farms.

Aecom set up six testing devices near six residences in the vicinity of the Macarthur wind farm. It found “for the majority of the subjective assessments at (the residences) the wind farm noise was inaudible or only faintly audible”. 

Councillors will also vote on a motion from councillor James Purcell, who is seeking the support of the Municipal Association of Victoria in Moyne Shire’s opposition to fracking.

Other matters on the agenda include the Koroit Lions Club’s desire to turn the former Koroit pre-school site into an op-shop, awarding of the first round of community assistance grants, Moyne Shire’s submission regarding the state’s Aboriginal heritage amendment bill and a planning permit for a new dwelling in Walkers Lane, Koroit.