Cherry Tree Wind Farm – Waubra Foundation Statement

Waubra Foundation CEO Sarah Laurie’s statement to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal hearing is the most comprehensive and up to date report on current research into the adverse health effects experienced by those living and working near industrial wind turbines, January 2013

The wind developer Infigen proposed a 17 turbine wind project adjacent to the Trawool Valley, near Seymour, some 90 minutes drive north of Melbourne. The Mitchell Shire unanimously rejected Infigen’s proposal following overwhelming community objection.

Infigen immediately took the Mitchell Shire to VCAT where a hearing commenced on 29 January, 2013 and continued for 7 weeks, with the local community and the Waubra Foundation joined as parties. The Commissioners heard evidence from a range of medical and acoustic expert witnesses as well as concerned citizens with relevant professional expertise and a wind turbine host who had developed symptoms.

The transcript of oral evidence from Dr Black, the expert medical witness for the wind developer can be viewed here.

The statement of the wind turbine host Mr David Mortimer can be viewed here.

On March 6th, 2013, the VCAT Commissioners took the unusual step of issuing some preliminary remarks acknowledging there was an association between certain symptoms and wind turbines, but highlighting the key issues of concern for them, namely the existence of a direct causal link, the incidence of those problems in the population living nearby, and the distance of these adverse effects.

On April 4th, 2013 the VCAT Commissioners Wright and Liston issued their orders which acknowledged the existence of a range of symptoms in residents living near wind turbines. The Commissioners acknowledged what they called the “knowledge vacuum” and delayed making a decision on this development for 6 months pending further information, particularly with respect to the impact on residents beyond 2km.

Waubra Foundation CEO Sarah Laurie’s statement of evidence and additional attachments and information can be viewed here. Note that the individual attachments referred to in the CEO’s statement are to be found in the Resources section of this website.

Download Sarah Laurie’s statement →