Council takes RATCH to court over turbine noise

Tablelands Regional Council in Queensland has voted to start legal proceedings against RATCH Australia over claims that it has failed to comply with noise monitoring conditions at the Windy Hill Wind Farm.
The 20 turbine project was approved by the order Herberton Shire Council in 1999, with conditions requiring RATCH – then Transfield Infrastructure Services – undertake periodic monitoring periodically for three month periods.
Local press reports that the council has instructed its lawyers to commence proceedings in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court following an independent report said there was no evidence to show the monitoring had occurred.
The council wants the company to comply with the original conditions, and also to shut down three turbines at night time until compliance had been achieved.
RATCH says it has commissioned two studies of Windy Hill noise levels, including one for a three month period.
The company says those studies showed Windy Hill complied with the conditions, and it is surprised the council has initiated court proceedings.