Yanco Delta

Virya believes in sharing the benefits of its wind farms with the local community.  Many local businesses will be engaged to work directly on the project, employing local people.  There is a significant benefit in increased economic activity in the region through accommodation, food and equipment hire, as well as a drought proof income to landowners, who in-turn spend more in the local economy.

In every community we build our projects, we work in partnership with the community and listen to the community’s needs through both formal and informal community consultation.  We will also establish a community benefit fund for local organisations and projects, and a community committee will determine how that funding is distributed to best support the region.

Audio impacts from the operation of the turbines are assessed and mitigated as part of the extensive environmental approvals process, and this includes designing a suitable buffer between turbines and any residences to reduce any impact on neighbouring properties.  When operational, the movement of the blades through the air generates some noise, and how loudly this is experienced varies with wind speed, topography and other factors.  Advances in turbine design have reduced the noise impacts, and a normal conversation can be held when standing below a turbine without needing to raise your voice.

The table below gives an indication of the noise levels to be anticipated at a distance of 500-1000m from a turbine, in the context of noise levels we experience every day, although Virya will not place a turbine within 2km of a neighbouring dwelling, ensuring noise levels are even lower than required.

In every community we build our projects, we work in partnership with the community and listen to the community’s needs through both formal and informal community consultation.  We will also establish a community benefit fund for local organisations and projects, and a community committee will determine how that funding is distributed to best support the region.

A study by the NHMRC, Wind Turbines and Health, A Rapid Review of the Evidence, (July 2010) found that “there is no evidence for direct adverse health effects from these [wind turbine] installations.”

On very rare occasions some turbines have experienced  electrical or mechanical failures that have started fires.

These fires are generally contained in the top of the turbine, with turbine monitoring systems alerting fire crews, who can then ensure no spot-fires start at the base of the tower.

Modern wind turbines are also fitted with fire suppressant systems to automatically put out fires and the regular maintenance of equipment greatly reduces the chance of fires being started.

State and Federal fire authorities have consistently stated that they do not consider wind turbines to be a fire risk and that the access tracks act as fire breaks, while also providing good access for fire trucks to otherwise inaccessible areas.

Wind farms have little impact on most birds and bats as they predominantly fly below the swept area of the blade.

Some migratory birds and soaring birds, such as eagles, do fly at the height of the blades. As such, flight paths studies are carried out to make sure that turbines are not placed in migratory flight paths or near cliffs where birds soar.

Ground studies are also undertaken to identify habitat of vulnerable land dwelling animals. Considering wind farms use less than 1% of the property they are located on, there is plenty of room to reposition turbines, tracks or cable routes away from areas of potential impact, avoiding or minimising habitat removal.