Collector Wind Farm
Collector Wind Farm comprises 54 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 226.8 MW. It received planning approval in 2013 and construction was completed in early 2021.
CLIENT
RATCH Australia Corporation Limited
LOCATION
Southern Tablelands, NSW
COMPLETED
2021
Our scope
We provided acoustic services from the design and planning stage of the project, including extensive background noise monitoring, through to post-consent noise compliance monitoring.
Noise compliance assessment involved a mix of at residence and intermediate noise monitoring positions as well as subjective assessment of special audible characteristics.
CHALLENGES
Consistent with contemporary NSW wind farm guidelines, the development consent required an assessment of low frequency noise levels. However, low frequency noise is challenging to measure in windy conditions because of the effect of wind passing across the microphone. A bespoke background noise survey with different microphone configurations, and intermediate locations nearer to the wind farm, were needed to develop reliable datasets and procedures for compliance monitoring.
Under the development consent, the compliance assessments needed to be completed within 6 months after commencing operation. However, maintenance activities and varied turbine operations meant that prolonged surveys and detailed analysis of site operations were required to provide a robust assessment of compliance. This was further complicated by the effects of extreme weather events and the challenges of limited site access during COVID travel restrictions.
PROJECT TEAM
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