Community Matters
Community Charter
As a long-term owner and operator of wind farms, AGL is committed to being a valued member of the local community.
The following principles drive how we go about our business.
Principle 1: We will deliver on our promises to the community – with actions, not words.
Principle 2: We will endeavour to respond to all queries within 5 working days.
Principle 3: We may not be able to solve all perceived problems put to us, but we will investigate, aim to find a solution and communicate the outcomes.
Principle 4: We are committed to being a valuable member of the community by using our resources to build a stronger local community.
Principle 5: We will leave a positive legacy in the community that extends beyond the life of the project.
Noise Monitoring Program
To date, over 40,000 hours of noise monitoring has been conducted at the Macarthur Wind Farm, which is well beyond the amount of noise monitoring required in the Planning Permit. We are pleased to advise that all noise monitoring results received to date at 13 neighbouring dwellings demonstrate that the Macarthur Wind Farm complies with the acoustic requirements of the Planning Permit.
The Governments strict noise regulations for the Macarthur Wind Farm are in line with the World Health Organisation's guidelines for noise limits.
AGL has engaged fully accredited noise acousticians to carry out the monitoring and all noise monitoring has been conducted in accordance with the relevant Standards. In the interest of transparency, all relevant raw noise data collected from this monitoring is being provided to the landowners for their records.
Macarthur Wind Farm complies with strict permit noise limits
The Macarthur Wind Farm is successfully operating within the strict noise limits set in the wind farm's State Planning Permit, as evidenced in the Macarthur Wind Farm Noise Compliance Assessment independently produced by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM). This Noise Compliance Assessment is part of a wider noise monitoring program implemented by AGL since the first turbines started operating in late September 2012.
View the Noise Compliance Assessment report Part A and Part B that has been conducted in accordance with the relevant Standard and submitted to the Victorian Government for review.
The Planning Permit, which is enforced by the Victorian State Government, required that pending landowner approval, noise monitoring was to be carried out at specified dwellings neighboring the Macarthur Wind Farm. Noise loggers were installed between February and March 2013 to capture the noise data for this objective assessment.
The Planning Permit requires that the noise level from an operating wind farm, measured outdoors of a dwelling at any relevant nominated wind speed, shall not exceed the background noise level before the wind farm was operating by more than five dB(A) or a level of 40 dB(A) (whichever is higher). The combined noise levels were assessed at 10 minute intervals at the specified dwellings. Compliance was assessed throughout the entire day, and separately at night when the background noise level is typically lower.
The testing also monitored for special audible characteristics (clearly audible tones, impulses, or modulation of sound levels). Special audible characteristics were not determined to be present at any of the noise monitoring locations.
Additional noise monitoring beyond the Permit requirements
In addition to the noise monitoring required in the Planning Permit, extra noise monitoring was carried out at the Macarthur Wind Farm since the first turbines started operating on 30 September 2012. All results received confirm the wind farm remains compliant with the strict noise limits set in the Victorian Governments Planning Permit. View the monthly noise monitoring reports below.If you have any questions about the noise monitoring, please call the Community Relations team on 1800 039 600.
For wind speed and wind direction information, please visit wind.willyweather.com.auComplaint Evaluation and Response Procedure
The Complaint Evaluation and Response Procedure below has been endorsed by the Minister for Planning. Comments received from the community have been taken into account and included where appropriate in the final version. Click here for the Minister for Planning's approval.
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Contact us
To find out more about the Macarthur Wind Farm please call the AGL Community Relations team on 1800 039 600 or email macarthurwindfarm@agl.com.au.
