Wind turbines can have distressing noise effects that can degrade health and lifestyles, a resource consent hearing was told yesterday. Tararua Aokautere Guardians called a number of witnesses to support its submission against the proposed 127 turbine Motorimu Wind Farm planned for the Tararua Ranges behind Linton and Tokomaru. Sound energy expert David Bennett said there is "extensive evidence, both internationally and within New Zealand," that wind turbines can have distressing noise effects which can degrade health and lifestyles, and hence property values". If Motorimu proceeded as planned, Kahuterawa Valley would be particularly affected, while Linton-Tokomaru area residents would also be affected, particularly in easterly winds and conditions of temperature inversion. Dr Bennett and noise expert Richard Thorne both criticised the recognised noise Standard for wind farms, NZS6808. Dr Bennett said the standard's deficiencies contributed to division between developers who say they meet the standards and residents who feel noise distress. Mr Thorne said noise research showed 10 percent of exposed people were "highly annoyed" by traffic noise at 60dBA, while the same degree of annoyance occurred at 36dBA for wind turbine noise.

A federal government health body has dismissed claims that low-frequency noise from turbines causes health problems in people who live near wind farms. A review of published scientific literature by the National Health and Medical Research Council found that wind farms caused no direct pathological effects.

One-time wind farm advocate Donald Thomas now believes turbines are affecting the health of those who live or work in the area. Picture: van der Klooster The noise of turbines could carry all the way to Clunes if the Waubra South wind farm extension goes ahead, Evansford resident Donald Thomas says. Mr Thomas joined about 60 wind farm opponents at a meeting at Evansford Community Centre last week to draw attention to the health issues they say the turbines create.

Meridian Energy's new wind farm near Wellington will be switched on officially today, but is already generating noise complaints from nearby residents. "It's kind of a humming sound, not a swish-swish or a thump-thump," Makara resident Deb Compton said. The 62-turbine West Wind project has been taking shape southwest of Makara township since September 2007.

The couple received a letter last month informing them that the NSW Land and Environment Court had ruled that Epuron be required to purchase their property for its pre-turbine price due to the large, adverse affect of the turbines on their property. The couple can choose to stay but they would have to accept the subsequent plunge in property value and put up with any noise or health complaints caused by the turbines.

Proposed wind farm will set an "alarming" precedent if allowed to go ahead as planned.

With mandatory renewable energy targets and so much money on offer, wind is booming, despite mounting evidence it is inefficient, costly and does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the residents of Blayney in NSW have decided to strike back.

Ashhurst man Harvey Jones has sounded a warning about what Turitea residences could be in for if a wind farm gets the go-ahead there. Yesterday, he described to the board of inquiry considering the Turitea proposal how he would hear a "low rumble like a train" and a noise "sometimes like a jet flying over the top."

A Massey University survey shows that 80 percent of people in Manawatu who live within 3km of wind turbines find them intrusive. And 73 percent think the turbines are unattractive. This finding is at odds with the national support for wind energy expressed in other published studies, building technology senior lecturer Robyn Phipps, who led the survey said in a report.

New regulations that formed part of the Coalition's election platform yesterday came into effect, giving residents veto power over turbines within 2km of their home. Turbines have also been banned within 5km of major regional towns, and from scenic areas. In the first signs that Victoria stands to lose billions of dollars from its economy and that investment will be redirected to other states, wind farm companies have already started to withdraw from Victoria or have had their projects thwarted.

Victorians who have endured health problems from a nearby wind farm have been gagged from talking in return for the sale of their land. Spanish multinational energy company Acciona has been quietly buying farms adjacent to its site at Waubra, near Ballarat, as an increasing number of residents in the tight-knit community complain of the ill-effects of living near turbines.

John Jess has been valuing properties in Gippsland, Vic, since 1982 and says wind turbines are having a significant impact on values for both farmland and residential property. Having conducted valuations for a panel hearing on proposed wind farms, Mr Jess said farming properties appear to drop 10-15 pc near turbines. There is stronger evidence to suggest rural-residential values drop by 30-40pc near win turbines.

People will complain about wind-farm noise no matter what restrictions are put in place, a board of inquiry has been told. As the wind wailed outside Palmerston North's FMG Stadium yesterday, inside, the board continued to hear about noise issues relating to the proposed Turitea Wind Farm. Environment Minister Nick Smith appointed the board to decide if the 121-turbine proposal from Mighty River Power should go ahead.

A Turitea man says he will be forced from his home because Mighty River Power told him noise from wind turbines in the reserve will make his house uninhabitable. Mark Nicholls has been living in his slice of paradise for 10 years. He has 20 hectares of native bush, 13ha of pasture, which he farms, and a view to die for. It is so private that he can bathe on his veranda.

The Danish wind turbine manufacturer accuses concerned neighbours of giant wind turbines of merely wanting to destroy the wind turbine industry. A harsh smear, but it works, says a professor. Vestas rejects the criticism.

The resident was requested to wear a portable Holter monitor following an episode of acute hypertension. Waubra Foundation director Dr Sarah Laurie said the resident's blood pressure became "extremely elevated" overnight while sleeping, while turbines were operating.

"It was like you had a hat on that's too tight and you have a pain that just gets worse and worse, and you can't take it off," Ms Godfrey said. "There was pain most of the time." Ms Godfrey broke down in tears as she gave evidence at the Environment Resources and Development Court.

The Waubra wind farm, near Ballarat, is detrimental to residents' health, a specialist consultant's report has found. ...The Dean Report by Noise Measurement Services found Waubra resident Noel Dean "has been and is currently adversely affected by the presence and activity of the Waubra wind farm".

The operators of Waubra Wind Farm have bought the property of one of their most vocal critics. Acciona Energy announced the purchase of Trish and Victor Godfrey's five-acre property yesterday for an undisclosed amount. Managing director Brett Thomas said the decision to buy the Godfreys' property followed lengthy discussions with the couple over the visual impact of turbines on their property.

University of Ballarat engineering lecturer Graeme Hood said the Victorian Government should commission a comprehensive independent investigation to determine exact levels of inaudible sound produced, after his own study proved inconclusive. ...Mr Hood said his research found that an audible swishing noise emitted by the turbines ranged between 60dB, or the equivalent of conversational speech, and 80dB, or the equivalent of average street traffic.