Dear Director General,
I have been asked by residents in the Mt Bodangora / Wellington area to comment on the proposed wind development. I make the following comments having investigated the area of wind turbine noise and its effects on surrounding rural residents for the last two years. I have worked with sick residents and their treating doctors, with national and international acoustic engineers, physiologists, psychologists, epidemiologists and medical practitioners to better understand the problems. We are all concerned about the growing numbers of people seriously adversely affected by these developments, when they are located too close to homes and workplaces.
I have heard a similar range and pattern of symptoms from residents affected by industrial infrasound and low frequency noise from other sources including gas fired power stations (Uranquinty) and open cut coal mining (residents formerly from Wollar and the Cumbo Valley in the Upper Hunter). Some of those sick residents have subsequently been gagged from speaking publicly about their problems, with significant financial penalties should they choose to do so. I understand officers in your department are well aware of some of these cases.