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November 2011, Volume 25, Number 5,  Turbines and Health,  By Dr. W. David Colby

When I became the acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent, little did I  know that I would be swept headlong into controversy about harnessing the wind  right here in our backyard. Three years ago, I was asked to help make sense of the conflicting information the local council was receiving about the effects of wind  turbines on human health.

I researched the topic extensively and found no scientifically credible evidence that wind turbines eroded human health. I was then asked to produce a more extensive report that was issued by the Chatham-Kent Health Unit. Since then I  have been asked to speak on a number of occasions about wind turbines and health,  and I have collaborated on an international panel review on the topic with some  of the biggest names in audiology and occupational health.

It is admittedly a complicated topic that has been made more complicated by  the huge amount of misinformation that has been circulated. Wind turbines do not  produce unique sounds in terms of intensity or characteristics. The sound intensity  is virtually the same as what is found in normal urban environments.

There is also  no convincing scientific evidence of an epidemiologic link between wind turbine  sound exposure and health problems. However, a very small number of  people believe otherwise; they’ve attributed illnesses of all kinds to wind  turbines. There is no doubt that some people find the low level swishswish sound of wind turbines annoying. And these people claim that annoyance itself is a health effect, since annoyance can lead to stress and too much stress is bad. However, by such criteria, living anywhere in a town or city is a threat to health.

Wind power opponents continue to make claims about sickness caused by turbines,  which they call “industrial” wind turbines, as that sounds more threatening.  However, 10 reviews, including reviews by Ontario’s chief medical health officer, the Australian government, the Sierra Club and McMaster University have confirmed  that there is no evidence of direct adverse health effects from wind turbines when sited to comply with Ontario’s noise regulations.

Furthermore, all the power generation alternatives except solar energy are clearly worse than wind turbines in terms of health and environmenral effects. That’s especially true of coal-fired generating stations. According to a study prepared for the Ontario government, coal plants cause nearly 250 deaths and more than 120,000 illnesses (such as asthma attacks) each year in the province. So while I am sympathetic to concerns raised by local residents and agree that any projects must be sited in a way that minimizes impact on local residents, when it comes to energy choices for healthy communities, I am confident that we shouldn’t be tilting at windmills.

Dr. W David Colby is acting medical officer of health in Chatham-Kent, and associate professor at the University of Western Ontario’s  Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

As part of her prize, Neve was given a small parcel of shares, joining 1900 others who jointly own Australia’s first community-owned wind farm, 10 km south of Daylesford, in Central Victoria.

Per Bernard, founder of Hepburn Wind said, ‘In Denmark, where I was born, most wind farms are owned by communities. I am so proud that the Hepburn community has come together to benefit from renewable energy.’

Vicki Horrigan, chair of the Hepburn Wind Community Fund announced grants of $15,000 to community groups for causes as diverse as an arboreal tree mammal research project in the Wombat Forest, a community arts project by the Bungal Arts Depot in Ballan, welding equipment for the Daylesford Men’s Shed and play equipment for the Clunes Playgroup.

The Banksia trophy for the built environment category, will join our Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Award and our Climate Alliance award for Innovator of the Year 2010 in our seriously crowded office!

5 Nov: you are invited to our Launch Festival

It is time to officially celebrate community power – we hope you will join us as we open Australia’s first community owned wind farm at our Launch Festival.

This family friendly event will feature local music, food stalls, wind farm tours, information booths and we are privileged to be hearing from David Karoly, one of Australia’s leading climate scientists.

Bring your friends and family or organise a busload to come along and enjoy the day out atop Leonards Hill!

For further details see hepburnwind.com.au/launch and register your attendance at hepburnwindlaunch.eventbrite.com

This award is presented to the entry that has been deemed by the judges to demonstrate leadership and innovation in lifting awareness, improving understanding, advancing social and community consciousness of sustainability issues and educating to achieve real, tangible outcomes.

On behalf of our community of members and supporters we are proud to be recognised in this way, let’s hope we take home that award!

Hepburn Wind is excited to announce that Red Energy has launched an offer in support of the Hepburn Wind Farm.

Hepburn Wind shareholders and supporters can sign up to Red’s Community Saver offer and enjoy:

• 10% Pay on Time discount off your entire electricity bill (not just your energy usage)
• $12.50 contribution to the Hepburn Wind Community Fund for every bill you pay on time – up to $50 per annum
• 2 year contract*

To show your support and for further information phone 131 806 or go to redenergy.com.au/hepburnwind and switch today!

*Terms and Conditions apply

The fund will support organisations that operate or are based within the Hepburn Shire and in the parts of the Moorabool Shire within 20 km of the wind farm at Leonards Hill. Applications for the first funding round will close on Friday 14 October at 5pm, with the grants to be announced in early November.

For further information visit hepburnwind.com.au/fund or call Community Officer Taryn Lane on 0458 048 287.