www.standard.net.au
5 Apr 2012
RESIDENTS situated near wind turbines along the south-west coast near Yambuk have dispelled concerns that the renewable energy generators cause health problems. Pacific Hydro linked up the Codrington wind farm to the power grid in 2001, the first of its kind in Victoria and a harbinger for the numerous larger developments that have now dotted the district. While health issues emanating from turbine noise have been raised by community members in other parts of the state, residents surrounding the Codrington site claim any medical fears are unfounded.
Codrington Gardens owner Geoff Tonks said many tourists passing along the Princes Highway dropped by to observe the turbines. He said residents surrounding the site were largely supportive of the wind farm and believed there were no discernible health issues emanating from the turbines. "No, I think those type of claims are unfounded really", Mr Tonks told The Standard. "People who have lived within only a short distance of the turbines have had children grow up here and they've never raised any issues. "By and large, the wind farm has been good for the community and it's something that has also attracted tourists to the region. Even though we have other wind farms across Victoria, people are still keen to have a look at the original one in Codrington".
An independent study into wind farms released last year measured Yambuk residents' health and found there was no link between exposure to turbines and health problems. University of Adelaide professor Gary Wittert used data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to compare medical prescriptions of people living in areas with and without turbines. His study involved 12,000 people living within a 10-km radius around wind farms in Yambuk, Waubra and two sites in South Australia. Professor Wittert was unavailable when contacted by The Standard yesterday.
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