SA-BEST MP Connie Bonaros has called for a moratorium on new wind farm developments in South Australia amid ongoing health concerns and impacts on local communities.
About 50 protesters took to the steps of parliament house in Adelaide on Wednesday to voice their own issues with wind farm developments which they say are being built too close to homes.
Of particular concern is a proposal for a wind farm at Crystal Brook, in the state's mid-north, where French company Neoen wants to install 26 wind turbines that are 240 metres high, or nearly twice the height of the tallest building in Adelaide.
"Wind farms around the world, including many either being built or being proposed in SA, are getting ridiculous in size and generation capacity," Mr Bonaros said.
"It is therefore imperative that they are located in areas that do not impact local communities and the people who live in those communities."
Ms Bonaros urged the government to halt approval or construction of all new wind farms to allow for an independent and thorough review of their impacts.
"We must ensure that both operating and future wind farms in South Australia are not allowed to emit noise that causes sleep disturbance or otherwise harm human health," she said.
"We also need to review legislation surrounding wind farm developments to ensure that SA residents are adequately protected from harm over the lifetime of each project."
Gayle Manning, from Keyneton in the Adelaide Hills where a wind farm is set to be developed, said the size and capacity of wind turbines had increased dramatically but Environment Protection Authority studies and guidelines had not kept up.
"In order to ensure the safety of all people living close to wind farms, it is imperative that we better and fully understand their impacts," she said.
