briggs community attitudes

8/7/2019 Briggs Community Attitudes

1/10

COMMUNITY ATTITUDESTO WIND FARMS IN NSW


2/10

Background

AMR Interactive surveyed 2022 residents

& 300 businesses in May-June 2010

Survey covered the 6 Renewable Energy

Precincts and 1 control area in regionalNSW

It is the most comprehensive survey of

community attitudes to wind farms andrenewable energy undertaken in NSW


3/10

Solar power and wind energy have thehighest level of community acceptance

30%24%Nuclear

27%33%Conventional coal

74%69%Gas

79%75%Water orhydroelectric

81%81%Wind

96%95%Solar

Regional ControlArea (n=293)

Renewable EnergyPrecincts (n=1729)

Energy source


4/10

High community support for wind farms

Very strong support for

wind in NSW & localarea Majority support at 1-

2km from residence albeit lower (reflectingconcerns about noise,property values &visuals)

57% of farmers said

they would considerhosting wind turbineson their land

85

80

79

60

0 20 40 60 80 100

In NSW

In local region

10 km from residence

1-2 km from residence

% of residents

Total Support


5/10

Support generally varies little between regions but lower in Hunter & New England Tablelands

Support highest in area with most wind farms (NSW-ACT border)

Younger residents (18-29 years) more supportive than olderresidents (65+ years)

638288Central Tablelands

618489NSW/ACT Border Region

607984Cooma-Monaro

637784South Coast

477479Upper Hunter

547682New England Tablelands

1-2km10kmNSWPRECINCT

SUPPORT (%)


6/10

Why do people support wind farms 1-2kmfrom residence?

194None/nothing

2434Increases employmentopportunities

2941Benefits local economy andcommunity

1828Cost effective/ cheaperenergy/ bills

3656Reduces Pollution (cleanpower/ greenhouse gas)

Oppose (n=589)%

Support (n=1053)%

Benefit

About two thirds (68%) residents opposing wind farms 1-2 kilometres

from their residence still identified a benefit of wind farms to the region


7/10

What concerns does the community have aboutwind farms?

1344No concerns

116Impact on environment(vegetation/wildlife/farm animals)

145Concern over powergeneration/effectiveness

3111Impact on Landscape (includingaesthetic/agricultural impact)

4017Noise concerns

Oppose(n=589) %

Support(N=1053)

%

Concern

Only 3% of those opposed nominated a concern about health impacts

Concern regarding noise impacts was the only key driver of attitude in

all six Precincts


8/10

NSW has one of the most stringent noise

standards in the world

You can hold a normalconversation at the base of a

running wind turbine withouthaving to raise your voice

NSW noise standard is tougherthan other states (40 dBA) and

internationally (often 45 dBA)

National Health and Medical

Research Centre (July 2010)issued statement there is nopublished scientific evidence topositively link wind turbines withadverse health effects


9/10

Implications There are vocal opponents of wind farms but they are a minority

there is strong majority support amongst community for wind farms

in NSW & locally

Majority support 1-2km from residence but support lower reflectingconcerns about noise, visual impacts, effectiveness of wind & localenvironmental impacts

NSW has systems in place to address key concerns (noise,environmental standards)

The majority of residents said they do not have adequate

information on wind farms community understanding about windenergy is overall still quite low


10/10

Next Steps Survey to be released and used in conjunction with

release of information resources & workshops: Survey powerful source of legitimacy for wind sector & programactivities (used in verbal briefings to key stakeholders such asNSW Farmers Association)

Workshops for landholders on hosting wind farms to be held in

Armidale, Blayney, Yass & Cooma following successful pilot inUpper Hunter which attracted 140 attendees

Brochures addressing key questions & concerns of communityon wind energy to be released with community survey

On-line greenhouse tool for industry & community just released very positive regional media coverage (10 interviews)

Consumer guide to small wind systems being finalised inNovember

briggs community attitudes

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