Epuron pointing to wind farm noise study findings

Sydney-based renewable energy developer Epuron is planning potential wind farms:

Epuron in recent project update material spoke of findings from an ongoing wind farm noise study by researchers at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, which is part of Flinders University.

"Results from an independent university study published in October found that residents who live within 10 kilometres of a wind farm do not appear to experience any measurable impact in their sleep from wind turbine noise," Epuron said.

"The study found they did not experience higher levels of sleep disturbance and were more likely to have their sleep disturbed by other causes and noise sources.

"Another lab-based study also found that wind farm noise did not appear to affect sleep patterns."

The possible effect of turbines on sleep is one of the issues sometimes raised by opponents of wind farm developments.

The Stanley and St Patricks Plains projects have both met levels of community opposition.

Epuron is planning a public noise information session and noise assessment briefings for the St Patrick Plains project in February, at the Steppes Hall.

The briefings will be for residents and owners of properties east and west of the wind farm site, and will not be open to the public.

Epuron said the briefings had been delayed by travel restrictions and border closures.

The federal Environment Department declared the Guildford project a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The state Environment Protection Authority will assess it under the act.

Epuron in September said assessment studies would start soon.

It said the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle would be a key "area" for assessment.

"Eagle utilisation across the site will be studied for up to two years," it said.