An engineering lecturer given the task of monitoring noise levels around the Waubra Wind Farm says there needs to be a thorough independent investigation by the State Government. University of Ballarat engineering lecturer Graeme Hood has spent time at Waubra monitoring sound levels in the area to determine the nature of sound emitted by the wind farm. Mr. Hood commenced the research in September in response to complaints from a number of residents.

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.

The Victorian Government will examine claims that Waubra's 128-turbine wind farm is harming the health of nearby residents. Finance, WorkCover and Transport Accident Commission Minister, Tim Holding, wrote to Western Victoria MLC Peter Kavanagh earlier this week to confirm that three government departments would examine "potential hazards" caused by sub-audible noise emitted by the turbines.

The State Government will investigate the health concerns of Victorians who live near wind farms. Last month, the Democratic Labor Party Member for Western Victorian, Peter Kavanagh, asked the Government to investigate whether workers near wind farms faced health hazards. Some landholders near the Waubra wind farm, west of Ballarat, say a low frequency hum from the turbines is making them sick.

The State Government will investigate what health effects the wind farms in Waubra, near Ballarat, will have on locals. Western Victoria Democratic Labor Party MP Peter Kavanagh said residents were concerned about the effects of sub-audible noise produced by wind farm generators.

The fact wind farm noise can be heard by neighbours does not necessarily make that noise unacceptable or significant, a hearing has been told. ...The company wants to build 56 more turbines on the eastern side of the Tararua Ranges, but is running into opposition from neighbours annoyed about noise.

Turbine noise will likely be the most contentious issue at a hearing to decide if an extension to Te Rere Hau wind farm should be allowed. Thirty-three of 36 neighbours of the proposed wind farm, east of Palmerston North, oppose an extension because of noise concerns. New Zealand Windfarms yesterday defended its record on turbine noise as it sought the right to add 56 turbines on the eastern side of the Tararua Ranges. ...Despite a series of complaints about noise, the company argued it could show it was complying with consent conditions.

Results from testing at Waubra windfarm have led Ballarat University lecturer, Graeme Wood, to consider undertaking further investigation to understand what effects the turbines are having. "There are grounds for investigation," he said. ...Speaking last Friday, he said that noise levels are not extreme, but there is a much broader band present than originally expected. "There is more noise at low frequency than expected. The turbines make a range of sound," he said. Also of interest are high pulses of sound, several times a second.

George McLaughlin's property has been on the market for five months, but after his new neighbour, Capital Wind Farm, fired up its turbines about a month ago, he decided to move out even if he cannot sell. While Kevin Rudd was pushing global solutions for climate change in New York at the weekend, in NSW the battle between wind farms as planet-saving sources of renewable energy and residents who say they destroy rural life is coming to a head.

A small group of protesters took advantage o f the Federal health minister' s visit to Ballan yesterday to stage a quiet demonstration against the region's wind farms, but Nicola Roxon was unperturbed. The group wielding placards detailing the alleged adverse health effects of living near the giant turbines stood in the grounds of the town's new super clinic as Ms. Roxon officially opened the building before a group of about 80.

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."

The University of Ballarat has begun investigating noise levels near Waubra Wind Farm, with residents claiming low frequency turbine sound is affecting their health. Some say they have experienced headaches, nausea and sleep deprivation since the turbines began operating. The tests will be done at various locations

Wind farms may be good for the environment, but are they good for people living right next to them? Farmers living near Australia's biggest wind farm in Waubra in north western Victoria claim it's making them sick. But the State Government and the wind farm company say there's no evidence to prove the turbines are the cause of the problem. Cheryl Hall reports.

An engineering expert has started testing noise levels at properties near the Waubra wind farm. Some residents close to the farm say low frequency noise from the turbines is damaging their health. Ballarat University engineering lecturer Graeme Hood will do the tests.

A wind farm company has refuted claims by Waubra residents that 128 turbines are causing excessive low-frequency noise. ...However, a University of Ballarat engineer has cast doubt on the tests. Graeme Hood said sound measuring equipment purchased by Mr. Dean, showed low-frequency sound measured at 70 to 80 decibels in Mr. Dean's home.

The Victorian Government is being called on to investigate whether wind farms can cause people to get sick. A family from Waubra, west of Ballarat, recently moved out of their house because they say a low frequency hum from the Waubra wind farm was giving them headaches.

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.

People who find themselves living next door to a wind farm are unlikely to have their land compulsorily acquired, despite some residents complaining that the turbines are hurting their health. Michael Pickering, an expert on compulsory acquisition with LAC Lawyers in Melbourne, said there is no straightforward legal process open to landowners who believe their properties should have been acquired before energy companies were permitted to erect large turbines.

Makara residents have complained of constant thumping, ka-thunk-type noises and swooshing and swishing coming from the West Wind wind farm and warn a similar development will be just as noisy. Makara Ohariu Community Board chairwoman Ruth Paul said complaints came from 20 households to the Meridian Energy noise complaint hotline in just two days last month.

When Trisha Godfrey bought her dream home she never imagined this. Sixty-five turbines in her view, some just eight-hundred metres away. Since they've been operating she's had trouble sleeping and suffered constant headaches and nausea. "All I know is before the wind turbines went on I was okay and now I'm not."