Communications and Updates

Dear Dominic, Abbey and Paul,

On behalf of the Tall Tree Action Group, I am formally requesting a peer reviewed study be commissioned, to study the effects of aural and visual stimuli caused by wind farm turbines, for the neurodiverse community.

We understand that it may not have been understood that the current studies do not encapsulate the entire population.  However, now that the oversite has been explained in detail, it would be discriminatory to not ensure that the well being of the neurodiverse community is understood clearly and considered regarding this proposal.

We appreciate that studies of this nature are complex and take quite some time to complete, which is why we are making the request prior to your submission.

To ensure the study produces quality data, it should at a minimum be quantitative and qualitative.  Covering aural, visual, and synaesthesia** reactions in a range of neurodiverse individuals in a simulated outdoor environment.  The study should also cover the full range of sound frequencies.

We have launched a petition, which has just under 100 signatures in less than 24 hours, to support this request.  We will supply this to you in the coming weeks.

Regards,

Lee

**Synaesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory pathway.

Good afternoon Lee,

Thank you very much for your email on behalf of the Tall Tree Action Group requesting a peer-reviewed study be commissioned to study the effects of aural and visual stimuli caused by wind farm turbines, for the neurodiverse community. Based on conversations to date and experiences shared, including, of course, with yourself, Lee, we understand that this is a very important topic to the community.

As you may be aware, a study of this nature is not typically undertaken as part of the assessments required for wind farms within an Environmental Effects Statement (EES).  That being said, community members can formally request that specific studies be considered within the EES Scoping Phase, and a decision would then be made by government regarding its inclusion. We would encourage this as the best channel for your request. This consultation would happen following the project’s referral, and once the government has made the decision about the formal pathway – likely towards the middle of next year.   I do realise that is a while away, and recognise the time required for a study like this – however the other studies are very large and also take a considerable period of time, around a year in many cases, to finalise.

We want to reassure you that we do take this topic very seriously and understand the importance of continuing to consider and engage with the neurodiverse community as we progress through the upcoming project phases. We will certainly ensure there is a focus on this through the Social Impact Assessment that we expect would be required, although we do recognise this is short of the study you are requesting.

We look forward to continuing this conversation as we move forward.

Kind regards,

Dominic Luddy and Abbie Sutton

Dear Dominic, Abbie and Paul,

It would be an understatement to say that we are disappointed on the position Acciona Energia Australia have taken, regarding our request. 

We find it difficult to believe that you are ‘taking this matter seriously and understand the importance of continuing to consider and engage with the neurodiverse community as we progress through the upcoming project phases.’  Given you have not been able to answer my question at any stage as to how you intend to engage with the neurodiverse community group, would you please explain how you intend to make it a focus of your Social Impact Assessment.

Just because a study of this type is not typically undertaken does not mean that it should not be.  Paul, you said to me during our last meeting “we don’t know, what we don’t know”.  Now you do know!  You do not have that as an excuse, and devaluing myself and my vulnerable community really shows not only the lack of Social Responsibility that Acciona Energia has, but also the lack of respect and human decency.

Taking the punt that hopefully the Planning Minister won’t include the study within the scope of the EES, shows how very little you are really considering this matter or taking it seriously.  We do not feel at all reassured about your intentions moving forward.

All we are asking is that you follow your own Operating Standards. 

“ACCIONA Energía undertakes to identify, evaluate, prevent, mitigate, stop, supervise, communicate, post, deal with, remedy and report the real or potential adverse consequences of its activities to human rights through a rigorous and honest due diligence process, in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Voluntary Principles on Safety and Human Rights.”

1. Identification and evaluation of its actual and potential impacts.
2. Establishment of specific processes and procedures in order to introduce preventive measures on the potential impacts identified

Regards

Lee Evans

on behalf of the Tall Tree Action Group.