The Power of Wind - Tour Converts Turbine 'Sceptic'

Last month David Robinson, the convenor of community environment group LIVE, joined Beyond Zero Emissions for a tour of two Victorian windfarms. The following is his account of the trip: 

Up until recently, my personal experience of wind turbines hasn’t been positive. Years ago, my family had a holiday at "Marshmead", a sustainable village, set in a national park on the banks of the Mallacoota Inlet. "Marshmead" was remote and not connected to the electricity grid. Power came from an early generation wind turbine. I remember how annoying the constant "thwaap thwaap" of this vintage technology had been and while I approved of the use of wind turbines, I decided that living close to one could be a problem.

So when I received an invitation to attend Beyond Zero Emissions’ tour of two wind farms in Central Victoria, this grumpy old wind turbine sceptic and somewhat reluctant bus tourist, was hesitant at first. But egged on by a friend, I decided to go anyway.

After an hours bus drive, we were at Hepburn Wind's facility at Leonard's Hill, near to Daylesford. Tours are only by arrangement with the management, so you can't just rock up and get to touch the turbines. Up close the first turbine was a truly awesome sight: 120 metres from toe to tip. The two turbines cost $12 million and generate 4MW, enough electricity to power Hepburn Shire, an area with 14,000 people.

The guide provided all sorts of statistics, most of which went over my head. But the main thing I noticed (or more to the point, didn't notice) was the sound. There was a soft "swish swish" as the blades rapidly turned; much more quite than the traffic noise on a busy road.

All in all, Hepburn Wind was a refreshing experience - perhaps wind turbines weren't so bad after all!

We were ushered back into the bus and then we were on the road again to Challicum Hills wind farm. With a generating capacity of 52 MW, Challicum Hills was much bigger than Hepburn Wind. Set in farmland, the 35 turbines are spread over seven properties. You could see them all from our vantage point; the furthest one was several kilometres away. These turbines were a bit shorter than those at Leonard's Hill, but they will still massive structures.

Again I noticed the lack of noise. You could get downwind of one of the turbines and there was still very little sound. My ceiling fan at home makes more sound in summer.

Someone asked a common question: Where were all the dead birds, mashed by the 200 km/h blade? There were none! The owner of the wind farm, Pacific Hydro had commissioned a survey a year ago to determine the wind farm’s effects on wildlife. During this survey, conducted over many months by an independent researcher, only a few dead birds had been found and their cause of death was unclear. Suffice to say there were far more dead birds and animals on the road that passed by, killed by passing cars and trucks. How come those who advocate no wind turbines don't campaign against cars that kill much more wildlife on country roads?

Some think that wind turbines are ugly, that they are a blot on the landscape. But do these same people complain about roads, powerlines, and existing coal- or gas-fired powerstations? Don't they spoil the landscape too? Perhaps if something has always been there you are oblivious to it. It is only when something new is added that some people oppose the change.

After visiting the farms I am now a convert. My earlier reservations have been blown away. I would be prepared to live within 2 km of a wind farm.