Australia's approach to adverse health effects from wind farms: Legal and policy guidelines and environmental impact assessments at federal and state level

A flexible precautionary approach to health impacts from wind turbine noise and shadow flicker, which are considered social issues by planning authorities, has developed to differing degrees throughout Australia. This paper examines shadow flicker and noise, including low frequency noise and infrasound, from wind turbines, because anecdotal evidence connects them to adverse health effects in Australia and internationally. Health issues relating to transmission lines, air safety, the stability of turbines or other construction problems are not discussed.