New Zealand - Doubt over wind farm noise

Philip Dickinson told a resource consent hearing yesterday for the Meridian Energy wind farm proposal that evidence on wind turbine noise effects from Meridian's consulting expert was unacceptable. "The information it gives is highly questionable, erroneous in some places, and underpredicts the noise likely to be received by local residents." The noise levels predicted in Meridian's evidence could be nearly 19 times lower than what would actually be heard. Speaking on behalf of residents group Makara Guardians, Professor Dickinson picked apart the report by expert Malcolm Hayes, claiming it was not transparent enough to be credible. He said the report used different noise ratings than would apply to the wind turbine model likely to be installed and did not explain fully methods used to compile the data. "There's a lot of stuff in it, but nothing I wanted to be able to say, "That is right.' There are too many questions."

The report was not necessarily wrong but there were errors and omissions in the way it had been done, he said. Answering questions from the hearing commissioners, he gave his own perspective on the potential noise pollution from the proposed 70-turbine development. Wind farm noise levels accepted in Europe would not be acceptable in Makara, because of lower background noise levels. "It is up to you people (the commissioners) to say New Zealand is much quieter and the (noise limit) level should be lower accordingly," he said. The constant audible presence of wind turbines, which would affect many Makara residents, would be an "aggravation". Many local authorities in New Zealand had underestimated noise from developments such as gas guns in orchards and fans in battery farms. "I don't want Wellington to make the same mistake." Meridian lawyer Hugh Rennie, QC, said Mr Hayes would be responding to the serious allegations later in the hearing. "We certainly do no accept the criticism, and we anticipate Mr Hayes will not either."