Southern Flinders locals call for wind farm rules overhaul over opposition to Neoen development

Residents are mobilising to fight plans for wind turbines at Crystal Brook, which would fall just metres short of the world’s largest, in Germany.

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Residents are mobilising to fight plans for wind turbines at Crystal Brook, which would fall just metres short of the world’s largest, in Germany.

The State Commission Assessment Panel will meet in Port Pirie on Monday to consider plans for 26 turbines, which would measure 240m high — almost double the height of Adelaide’s Westpac building.

Renewable energy company Neoen is planning the project about 3.5km from Crystal Brook.

During consultation, more than 260 people had their say on the plans, with the overwhelming majority opposed to the development.

In nearby Beetaloo Valley, the community’s opposition to the $500 million project is clear, with many properties featuring protest signs with the words, ‘No Wind Farm’ strung to their fences.

Crystal Brook man Mark Cunningham was devastated when he found out his new home might soon look out over the towering turbines.

“After working hard and saving as much as we can for my entire working life of 22 years, I was finally able to gather enough to start the process of demolishing our old asbestos-clad house and sign up for a new one to be built,” Mr Cunningham said.

Just a couple of weeks after signing a building contract, he learnt that his new home would be just 1.6km from the development.

Mr Cunningham was concerned the turbines may keep his family awake at night.

“We don’t want to risk being an experiment if something does affect us,” he said.

Some residents are calling for a review of planning rules to create bigger buffer zones between wind farms and homes.

The State Commission Assessment Panel has already travelled to Port Pirie once, late last year, to hear from about locals citing concerns about health impacts, loss of views and degradation of the southern Flinders Ranges environment.

On Monday the panel will hear Neoen’s response to residents’ submissions, before deciding whether to recommend Planning Minister Stephan Knoll approves the project.

Resident Pam Pilkington was also concerned about health impacts caused by the turbines’ vibrations.

Mark Cunningham is concerned about plans for a 26-turbine wind farm near his home at Crystal Brook. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“These particular turbines aren’t even in Australia for them to have been tested, so that’s a great concern,” Ms Pilkington said.

“This application was lodged under the current regulations but those regulations were put in place when wind turbines were half the size and half the capacity.”

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros said Neoen’s proposed turbines were just 6.5m shorter than the world’s largest ones in Germany.

She wanted a review of planning rules to limit projects to a minimum of 2km from homes, and 5km from townships.

Mr Knoll said the State Planning Commission was reviewing the requirements for wind farm developments.

“It’s important that we have a consistent and contemporary policy framework across the state that better reflects the real concerns of affected local communities,” Mr Knoll said.

A new planning and design code affecting developments across the state would be operational by July 2020, he said.

Neoen Australia’s managing director Franck Woitiez said none of the numerous studies on wind farms had found reliable evidence of effects on human health.

South Australian guidelines restricted turbine noise to 40dB — below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 45dB — and Neoen adhered to those limits.

“In addition, South Australian guidelines have also prescribed a distance of at least 1km between turbines and uninvolved dwellings,” Mr Woitiez said.

“As a long-term developer, owner and operator of renewable assets, good outcomes for the community are key to Neoen’s business model and reputation.”

If approved, the Crystal Brook farm would feature turbines the same height as another proposed by Neoen, at Kaban, 115km southwest of Cairns.

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