Source: https://engage.vic.gov.au/changes-regulation-wind-farm-noise
Changes to the regulation of wind farm noise
Have your say about proposed regulations for wind farm noise in Victoria
OPEN FOR FEEDBACK
CLOSES 03 APRIL 2022- Due to a government systems error the date for submissions has been extended until 15th April 2022
Wind farms play an important role in achieving Victoria’s emissions reduction targets and providing a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy future for all Victorians.
New regulations are proposed to ensure that the amenity of local communities is protected and to provide certainty for industry. These will replace interim regulations, which are due to expire in October 2022.
What is being proposed?
Three alternative approaches to wind farm noise regulation have been assessed in a regulatory impact statement (RIS), prepared by Deloitte Access Economics:
- No additional regulation – relying on general provisions within the Environment Protection Act 2017
- Direct regulation – setting specific requirements for compliance
- Permissions – using a permit or other permission from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to specify requirements for compliance.
The RIS identified that the preferred approach is direct regulation, as it is expected to provide greater certainty by creating an explicit and transparent regulatory framework.
The following package of requirements for wind farm operators is proposed under both the direct regulation and permissions options:
- Complying in an ongoing manner with the relevant noise standard
- Implementing a noise management plan, including a complaints management plan
- Providing an annual statement of actions taken to ensure compliance
- Completing a post-construction noise assessment
- Undertaking noise monitoring every five years.
Under all options, EPA will be the primary regulator for wind farm turbine noise, for new and existing facilities.
The Minister for Planning will continue to be responsible for assessing applications and approving permits for wind farm developments.
Why are new regulations needed?
The Environment Protection Amendment (Interim) Regulations 2021 were made on 26th October 2021, are currently in effect and will expire after 12 months. Ongoing regulations are required to ensure continuity and certainty for industry and community.
How does this relate to the interim regulations?
Proposed regulations about wind farm noise have been developed for public feedback, the Environment Protection Amendment Regulations 2022 (‘proposed regulations’).
The proposed regulations have the same requirements for wind farm operators as in the current interim regulations, with some minor points of clarification and updates to the timing of requirements. This includes two changes in response to public consultation on previous draft regulations in January 2021:
- allowing greater flexibility in periodic monitoring of wind turbine noise, specifically the use of alternate assessment points.
- continuing to allow for stakeholder agreements with wind farm operators.
Table 1. Requirements for wind farm operators
| Requirement in the interim regulations | Changes in the proposed regulations |
| Ongoing compliance with the relevant noise standard | No change |
| For properties subject to new stakeholder agreements, upper noise limit of 45dB or background sound plus 5 dB | Timeline of requirement coming into effect changed from 1 November 2021 to 1 June 2022 |
| Completing a post-construction noise assessment within 12 months of commencement of operations | Timeline of requirement coming into effect changed from 1 November 2021 to 1 June 2022 |
| Implementing a noise management plan, including a complaints management plan | Clarifying that the noise management plan must be provided to EPA upon request, with the timeline changed from 1 January 2021 to 1 June 2022. |
| Providing an annual statement detailing actions to ensure compliance, from 1 July 2022 | Due date changed from three months after the end of the financial year to four months, as per the original regulations |
| Conducting noise monitoring every five years, from 1 January 2024 | No change |
| No transitional provisions | Transitional provisions to preserve the requirements that applied under the interim regulations and any reports produced during this time |
How can I participate?
Please provide your feedback via the ‘Participate’ tab at the top of this website.
Please note that submissions to the previous consultation on wind farm noise regulation in January 2021 will not be considered as part of this consultation. Submitters to the previous consultation are welcome to provide additional or revised submissions to this consultation.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will consider feedback and make recommendations on the final regulations or other regulatory options to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. It is intended that these will be introduced, along with a report of responses to public comments in mid-2022.
How can I find more information?
More information about the regulation of operational wind farm noise, including technical guidance is available from the Environment Protection Authority – Victoria (EPA).
Concerns about wind farm turbine noise should be raised directly with the wind farm operator. The operator will respond according to their complaints management procedures. If unresolved, concerns about noise pollution can be reported to EPA via the 24/7 Pollution Report hotline – 1300 372 842 or you can send an email to contact@epa.vic.gov.au.
For more information, see the document library (below) for:
- a summary fact sheet
- the regulatory impact statement
- the draft regulations
- a response to comments from the previous public consultation.
For any questions or further comments about this consultation, please email windfarmnoise@delwp.vic.gov.au
Document Library
- PDFEnvironment Protection Amendment (Interim) Regulations 2021PDF | 204.95 KB
- PDFExposure draft.Environment Protection Amendment Regulations 2022PDF | 184.34 KB
- PDFPublic Consultation ReportPDF | 534.13 KB
- PDFWind farm noise RIS.Jan 2022PDF | 1.71 MB
- DOCFact Sheet Wind farm noise regulationsDOCX | 279.47 KB
Privacy Collection Notice
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (the department) is committed to protecting personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Victorian privacy laws.
The information you provide in the questionnaire and other documents uploaded with your submission will be provided to the department and the supporting Project Team to inform the final regulations for wind farm noise under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (as amended).
Your responses will be used to inform a summary report of submissions received, information from submissions will be aggregated and de-identified in this report. De-identified free text responses may also be selected for inclusion. Submissions will be published with your name, unless you have informed the department to publish without your personal details (see options in the questionnaire). All personal contact details will be removed from published submissions. Third party information provided in submissions will be redacted for privacy.
Your contact details may be used by the department to contact you about your submission.
All questions are optional, and you may elect to leave any question unanswered. This gives you the option to make your submission anonymously.
We will not disclose your personal information without your consent, except where required to do so by law.
You can request access and correction of your information by contacting the Project Team at windfarmnoise@delwp.vic.gov.au .
If you would like more information about DELWP’s Privacy Policy head to http://www2.delwp.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/5464/DELWP-Privacy-Policy.pdf
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