CommunityAttitudes DECCW

Community Attitudes to
Wind Farms in NSW

Client Contacts
Dr Chris Briggs - State Coordinator, Renewable Energy Precincts
Polly Mitchell - Policy Officer, Climate Change, Air & Noise
NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
AMR Interactive Contacts

David Span - Research Director
Nina Mital - Group Account Director
Ogilvy House, 72 Christie Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065
Ph: 02 9020 6700
Email: david.span@amrinteractive.com.au; nina.mital@amrinteractive.com.au
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW

59-61 Goulburn Street Sydney 2000
PO Box A290 Sydney South 1232
Ph. 1300 361 967
DECCW 2010/947 / ISBN 978 1 74293 011 4
Project 3963
16 September 2010
© 2010 AMR Interactive
Disclaimer
This report was prepared by AMR Interactive in good faith exercising all due care and attention, but
no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the relevance, accuracy,
completeness or fitness for purpose of this document in respect of any particular user’s
circumstances. Users of this document should satisfy themselves concerning its application to, and
where necessary seek expert advice in respect of, their situation. The views expressed within are not
necessarily the views of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (DECCW)
and may not represent DECCW policy.
Community Attitudes to Wind Farms in NSW
Table of Contents
1.0 Executive summary ..........................................................................................7
2.0 Introduction ................................................................................................. 11
2.1 Background........................................................................................... 11
2.2 Research objectives ................................................................................ 13
3.0 Method........................................................................................................ 14
3.1 Residential survey .................................................................................. 14
3.2 Business survey ...................................................................................... 17
4.0 Results – Residential survey.............................................................................. 19
4.1 Demographic profile................................................................................ 19
4.2 Renewable energy .................................................................................. 23
4.3 Awareness and knowledge of wind farms....................................................... 26
4.4 Attitudes to wind power and wind farms ....................................................... 33
4.5 Support for wind farms ............................................................................ 38
4.6 Segmentation of supporters and opposers...................................................... 50
4.7 What is driving support for wind farms? – Residents .......................................... 53
4.8 What is driving support in each Precinct? ...................................................... 55
5.0 Precinct summaries ........................................................................................ 56
5.1 Precinct overview................................................................................... 56
5.2 Precinct snapshots .................................................................................. 57
6.0 Results – Business survey ................................................................................. 64
6.1 Perceptions of local region........................................................................ 64
6.2 Renewable energy .................................................................................. 66
6.3 Awareness and knowledge about wind farms .................................................. 67
6.4 Attitudes to wind power and wind farms ....................................................... 71
6.5 Support and investment ........................................................................... 76
6.6 What is driving support for wind farms? – Businesses......................................... 81
7.0 Key findings and conclusions ............................................................................ 83
7.1 Familiarity with wind power ...................................................................... 83
7.2 Perceptions about wind power and its benefits and impacts ............................... 83
7.3 Level of support for wind farms .................................................................. 84
7.4 Driving support for wind farms ................................................................... 84
7.5 Segments ............................................................................................. 84
7.6 Precincts.............................................................................................. 85
7.7 Businesses in the Renewable Energy Precincts ................................................ 85
7.8 General conclusion ................................................................................. 85
8.0 Appendices .................................................................................................. 86
8.1 Appendix A: Questionnaires ....................................................................... 86
8.2 Appendix B: Weighting ............................................................................101
8.3 Appendix C: Analysis ..............................................................................103

List of Tables
Table 1. Local Government Areas in the Renewable Energy Precincts............................ 14
Table 2. Example of table: Level of agreement that wind farms help increase tourism,
by Precincts and regional control area ...................................................... 16
Table 3. Sampling of industries and groupings for analysis ......................................... 18
Table 4. Residency, location and size, by Precincts and regional control area ................. 19
Table 5. Ratings of aspects of local region, by Precincts and regional control area ........... 22
Table 6. Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources, by Precincts and regional
control area....................................................................................... 23
Table 7. Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources in Precincts, by gender and age .. 24
Table 8. Acceptable power sources for proposed power station, by Precincts and
regional control area............................................................................ 25
Table 9. Acceptable power sources for proposed power station, by gender, age and area
of residence....................................................................................... 25
Table 10. General awareness of wind farms, by Precinct and regional control area ............ 26
Table 11. Source of information about wind farms, by Precincts and regional control area
(unprompted – multi-response) ............................................................... 29
Table 12. Perception of consultation about wind farms and adequacy of information, by
Precincts and regional control area .......................................................... 30
Table 13. Information needs, by level of support/opposition to wind farms 1-2 km from
residents, in the Precincts (unprompted - multi-response) .............................. 32
Table 14. Attitudes to wind power, by Precinct and regional control area ....................... 34
Table 15. Attitudes to wind farms in local region, by Precinct and regional control area...... 36
Table 16. Impact of wind farms on property values, visual appeal and noise, by Precinct
and regional control area ...................................................................... 37
Table 17. Overall support for wind farms in the Precincts, by gender, age and area of
residence, in the Renewable Energy Precincts ............................................. 43
Table 18. Relationship between support for wind farms 1-2 km from residence and
visibility of an existing or planned wind farm from residence, across the
Precincts .......................................................................................... 44
Table 19. Perceived benefits of wind farms by level of support/opposition to wind farms
1-2 km from residents, in the Renewable Energy Precincts (unprompted – multi-
response ........................................................................................... 45
Table 20. Perceived concerns about wind farms, by level of support/opposition to wind
farms 1-2 km from residents, in the Renewable Energy Precincts (unprompted –
multi-response) .................................................................................. 46
Table 21. Segmentation of strong supporters and opposers in the Precincts ..................... 50
Table 22. Age profile of segments in the Precincts .................................................... 50
Table 23. Attitudinal dimensions for residents in the Precincts ..................................... 53
Table 24. Summary of the attitudes/perceptions in each precinct of greater importance
in driving support and which are less favourably rated................................... 55

Table 25. Ratings of local region as a business manager, by business groupings ................. 65
Table 26. Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources, by business groupings .............. 66
Table 27. Perception of power sources as acceptable, by business groupings .................... 66
Table 28. General awareness of wind farms, by business groupings ................................ 67
Table 29. Source of information about wind farms, by business groupings (unprompted –
multi-response) .................................................................................. 68
Table 30. Consultation about potential wind farms and further information, by business
groupings .......................................................................................... 69
Table 31. Information needs, by non-farming and farming industry groups (unprompted –
multi-response) .................................................................................. 70
Table 32. Attitudes to wind power, by business groupings ........................................... 72
Table 33. Attitudes to wind farms in the region, by business groupings ........................... 74
Table 34. Impact of wind farms on business, property value visual appeal and noise, by
business groupings ............................................................................... 75
Table 35. Overall support for wind farms, by business groupings ................................... 77
Table 36. Consideration of investment in wind farms and use of green energy, by non-
farming businesses............................................................................... 78
Table 37. Approach or consideration on property, by farming businesses ......................... 78
Table 38. Benefits of wind farms to business, by support/opposition to wind farms being
built 1-2 km from the business (unprompted – multi-response) ......................... 79
Table 39. Concerns about wind farms to businesses, by support/opposition to a wind farm
being built 1-2 km from business (unprompted – multi-response) ...................... 80
Table 40. Population distributions of residential survey by gender and age within Precinct . 101
Table 41. Population distributions of residential survey by gender and education within
Precinct........................................................................................... 101
Table 42. Weighting of residential survey within the six Precincts ................................ 101
Table 43. Survey weights applied in the residential survey shown by gender and age
within Precinct (before weighting by area) ................................................ 102
Table 44. Weighting of business survey by industry to approximate distribution across the
Precincts ......................................................................................... 102
List of Figures
Figure 1. Global Cumulative installed capacity 1996-2008........................................... 11
Figure 2. Renewable Energy Precincts and location of approved and planned wind farms .... 12
Figure 3. Amount of time lived in area, by age group ................................................ 17
Figure 4. Amount of time lived in area, by Precincts and regional control area................. 20
Figure 5. Ratings of aspects of local region, in the Renewable Energy Precincts................ 21
Figure 6. Knowledge about wind farms, by Precincts and regional control area................. 27

Figure 7. Knowledge about wind farms, by gender, age and area of residence, in the
Renewable Energy Precincts ................................................................... 28
Figure 8. Perception of consultation about wind farms and adequacy of information in
the Precincts, by awareness in region and distance to nearest
operating/planned wind farm ................................................................. 31
Figure 9. Attitudes to wind power in the Renewable Energy Precincts ............................ 33
Figure 10. Attitudes to wind farms in local region, in the Renewable Energy Precincts ......... 35
Figure 11. Overall support for wind farms, in the Renewable Energy Precincts................... 38
Figure 12. Support for wind farms in NSW, by Precincts and regional control area .............. 39
Figure 13. Support for wind farms in local region, by Precincts and regional control area ..... 40
Figure 14. Support for wind farms 10 km from the residence, by Precincts and regional
control area....................................................................................... 41
Figure 15. Support for wind farms 1-2 km from the residence, by Precincts and regional
control area....................................................................................... 42
Figure 16. Support for wind farms 1-2 km from residence, by awareness in region and
distance to nearest operating/planned wind farm, in the Renewable Energy
Precincts .......................................................................................... 44
Figure 17. Positive ratings of questions on wind power, by segments across the Precincts ..... 51
Figure 18. Positive ratings of attitudes to wind farms, by segments across the Precincts ...... 52
Figure 19. Attitudinal and demographic drivers of support for wind farms across the six
Precincts, showing the strength of relationship*........................................... 54
Figure 20. Driving support for wind farms in New England Tablelands: showing strength of
importance of attitudes/perceptions and how favourably they were rated .......... 58
Figure 21. Driving support for wind farms in Upper Hunter: showing strength of
Figure 22. Driving support for wind farms in Central Tablelands: showing strength of
Figure 23. Driving support for wind farms in NSW/ACT Border Region: showing strength of
Figure 24. Driving support for wind farms in South Coast: showing strength of importance
of attitudes/perceptions and how favourably they were rated ......................... 62
Figure 25. Driving support for wind farms in Cooma-Monaro: showing strength of
Figure 26. Perceptions of local region as a business manager, by businesses...................... 64
Figure 27. Attitudes to wind power, by businesses ..................................................... 71
Figure 28. Attitudes to wind farms in local region, by businesses ................................... 73
Figure 29. Overall support for wind farms, by businesses ............................................. 76
Figure 30. Drivers of support for wind farms, showing strength of importance and
favourable rating of each measure*, by businesses ....................................... 82

1.0 Executive summary

Introduction
As part of its approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the NSW Government has established
emissions reduction programs in a range of sectors. As outlined in the NSW State Plan, it has set
targets to achieve 20% renewable energy consumption by 2020.
Six Renewable Energy Precincts have been established across NSW in areas with the best-known
wind resources: New England Tablelands, Upper Hunter, Central Tablelands, NSW/ACT Border
Region, South Coast and Cooma-Monaro. The Renewable Energy Precincts aim to prioritise and focus
the delivery of the renewable energy projects.
NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water commissioned AMR Interactive to
undertake a study of the attitude of communities to wind farms and renewable energy across the six
Renewable Energy Precincts.
The key objectives of the research were to:
1. Establish a baseline on community attitudes towards wind farms and renewable energy for
purposes of evaluation; and
2. Provide results to inform the work of the Renewable Energy Precincts’ coordinators and
advisory committees, and community debates.
The research surveyed 2022 residents aged 18 years or older across the six Renewable Energy
Precincts and a control area in regional NSW. It also covered 300 businesses across the six precincts.
The research was undertaken via telephone interviews over May and June 2010.
Key findings
Familiarity with wind power
Wind power was well established top-of-mind, with over half (59%) of residents of the Precincts
naming it spontaneously as a clean energy source, second only to solar power. Residents were far
less likely to be familiar with other clean energy sources such as water, gas and bioenergy,
mentioned by less than a quarter (18%) of residents.
Wind power was also widely regarded as acceptable for power generation by over three quarters
(81%) of the population, when residents were asked specifically. This was second only to solar power
which was almost universally accepted (95%).
The high level of familiarity is also demonstrated by the fact that almost everyone (97%) in the
Precincts, and the rest of regional NSW, had heard about wind farms or wind turbines to generate
electricity, and over three quarters (81%) had seen a wind farm or wind turbine (which could be in
person or in the media). A majority (68%) of residents of the Precincts reported they knew about
wind farms currently operating in NSW. Awareness was much higher in NSW/ACT Border Region
(95%), Central Tablelands (90%) and Cooma-Monaro (85%). By contrast, residents of New England
Tablelands (38%) were the least likely to report awareness.
While awareness of wind farms being planned or under construction was limited to less than a third
(28%) of residents of the Precincts overall, residents of Upper Hunter (54%), Cooma-Monaro (53%)
and NSW/ACT Border Region (47%) were relatively more likely to be aware of planned wind farms.
It is worth noting that a majority of residents expressed interest in finding out more about aspects
of wind farms. The most common issues mentioned were around noise, location of wind farms,
impact on the environment and community and effectiveness of power generation.
© 2010 AMR Interactive 7

A third (33%) of residents of the Precincts were aware of the NSW Government’s initiative for
setting up Renewable Energy Precincts, although few overall (16%) considered that there had been
adequate consultation. Awareness of the Government’s initiative was higher among residents who
were aware of a wind farm operating or planned in their local region, especially if it was 5
kilometres (50%) away. A perception of adequate consultation also increased with greater awareness
and closer proximity. A majority (60%) of residents aware of a wind farm operating or planned
within 20 kilometres said that there had been adequate engagement.
Perceptions about wind power and its benefits and impacts
Residents widely acknowledged that wind power has lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal or
gas and that NSW is well positioned with resources. There was, however, less understanding or
greater uncertainty about efficiency and reliability of wind power, and about whether wind power
was the cheapest renewable energy source.
There was also broad acknowledgement that wind farms would benefit the local community and can
boost employment and the economy. Consistent with this, there was broad endorsement of more
wind farms being built in the local region and of more active involvement of the local councils to
encourage wind farms. Only about a third (32%) of residents, however, believed that wind farms
would contribute to an increase in tourism.
About two thirds (69%) of residents did not perceive any health concerns, while on the issue of
safety concerns opinion was more polarised. Residents were also divided in their views on impacts
of wind farms on both property values and visual appeal of the area, and on concern about noise.
Furthermore, the majority (62%) of residents did not perceive a negative impact on the
environment, while opinion was divided on the issue of heritage values.
Level of support for wind farms

The large majority of residents across the Precincts indicated they would support wind farms being
built both in NSW (85%) as well as in their local region (80%). The majority of residents of the
Precincts were supportive of wind farms being built in the vicinity of their residence. Over three
quarters (79%) supported wind farms being built 10 kilometres from their residence, and more than
half (60%) supported them at 1-2 kilometres. Overall support at 1-2 kilometres tended to be lower in
two of the Precincts: New England Tablelands (54%) and Upper Hunter (44%).
Total Support
In NSW 85
In local region 80
10 km from residence 79
1-2 km from residence 60
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents
Residents opposing wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres from their residence were much more
likely than supporters to identify concerns about noise and the impact on the landscape, and much
less likely to identify benefits of wind farms such as reducing pollution, and improving the
community and economy. Notably, over two thirds (68%) of residents opposing wind farms at 1-2
kilometres still saw an overall benefit of wind farms to the local region.
What drives support for or opposition to wind farms 1-2 km from place of residence?
The relationship between the level of support/opposition for wind farms 1-2 kilometres from place
of residence and a range of attitudinal, perceptual, demographic and geographic measures captured
in the study was analysed. It was found that the most important drivers of support for wind farms
were attitudinal:
• attitudes towards the economic and community benefits of wind farms;

• the perceived visual and noise impacts;
• other concerns about health, safety and heritage values; and
• perceptions of wind power relating to clean energy and its potential in NSW.
Proximity to wind farms was also found to be of some importance, while demographic
characteristics such as Precinct, gender and age had relatively low influence on level of support.
Key attitudes driving support were benefit to the local community and concerns about noise.
Segmentation of supporters and opposers
Residents in the Precincts were segmented into three groups based on their support or opposition to
wind farms (a) in NSW and (b) 1-2 kilometres from their residence.
1. Strong Supporters (60%), supporting wind farms both in NSW and at 1-2 kilometres, were
more likely than the NSW-Only Supporters to see wind power as a feasible source of energy,
and efficient/reliable. The Strong Supporters were more positive than the NSW-Only
Supporters on all impacts and benefits of wind farms asked in the survey.
2. NSW-Only Supporters (27%), supporting wind farms in NSW but not at 1-2 kilometres rated
moderately lower than the Strong Supporters on most attitude and perceptions. The
strongest difference was in potential concern about noise, and this was the only feature on
which the NSW-Only Supporters were as negative as the Opposers. There was little difference
between the segments on awareness of wind power as a clean energy source and knowledge
of wind farms.
3. Opposers (13%), not supporting wind farms either in NSW or at 1-2 kilometres, were very
much less likely to consider wind power as an acceptable energy source, doubting its
efficiency/reliability and much less accepting of the resources in NSW. The Opposers were
also very much less positive about all the potential impacts and benefits of wind farms.
The segments also differed in their age profiles, most noticeable in a decrease in the incidence of
those aged 65 years and over as support increased. About a third (32%) of Opposers were aged 65
years and over compared with less than a fifth (17%) of Strong Supporters. There was a
corresponding increase in the incidence of those aged 18-29 years as support increased.
Businesses in the Renewable Energy Precincts
Businesses in the six Renewable Energy Precincts showed high levels of awareness and familiarity,
and a positive outlook to wind power. These were very similar to the findings among residents.
Attitudes to wind power were also consistent with those seen among residents, except that
businesses were less likely to regard wind power as cheaper and less likely to believe wind farms
would boost employment in the local economy.
Among non-farming businesses, about a third (30%) anticipated positive effects on their business,
while more than half (61%) believed there would be no impact. Few (8%) considered that there
could be a negative impact or were undecided. Opinion was divided on visual impact of wind farms,
impact on property values and concerns about noise. Farming businesses were more likely to
spontaneously express concern about the location of wind farms, and were more concerned about
noise (58% having at least some concern compared with 35% of non-farming businesses).
Nevertheless, over half (57%) of farming businesses would consider wind farms on their property.
The level of support for wind farms in the state, in the local region, 10 kilometres and 1-3
Kilometres from the business was widespread, and similar to that shown by residents.
Total Support
In NSW 88
In local region 83
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents
The strongest drivers of support for wind farms 1-2 kilometres from their business were found to be
similar to those seen among residents, with noise concerns and benefit to the local community
prominent.
Conclusion
The research indicates that there was substantial support and backing for wind farms in the state, in
the local region and even up to 10 kilometres from the place of residence. Support reduced when
considering wind farms closer to home, although a majority (60%) still supported wind farms at a
distance of 1-2 kilometres from their residence.
While overall acceptability of wind power was high, a significant number of residents of the
Precincts (30-40%) had concerns about noise, negative visual impact, negative impact on property
prices, safety concerns and heritage values. In addition, proximity to a wind farm reduced the level
of support.

2.0 Introduction
2.1 Background
Global trends in wind power and Australia’s position
Wind energy technology has matured over the last 15 years with improvements in power ratings,
efficiency and reliability as well as generation costs falling significantly and moving closer to those
of conventional energy sources. This makes wind energy a viable option, especially with the growing
demand for renewable energy. Globally, wind power capacity has grown at an average rate of 30%
1
over the last ten years and global installed capacity stood at 120 GW at the end of 2008 (Figure 1) .
Figure 1. Global Cumulative installed capacity 1996-2008
Source: Global Wind Energy Council
The United States is now the largest wind power market followed by Germany, Spain, China, India,
Italy, France, UK, Denmark and Portugal who are the top ten wind energy producers in the world. In
2
the United States, wind accounted for 42% of all new power generation capacity added in 2008 .
Australia has some of the world’s best wind resources and in 2009 wind capacity increased by 31%.
3
Currently, wind power generation stands at approximately 5 GWh of electricity annually.
The installed renewable energy capacity in Australia is 16% of total energy capacity. Of this total
renewable energy capacity, wind energy accounts for 16%.
Currently there are 52 operating wind farms in Australia, with a total of 1,011 operating turbines.
South Australia has the largest installed capacity with around 45 per cent of the nation’s total
4
capacity, followed by Victoria (23%), Western Australia (12%), NSW (11%) and Tasmania (9%) .
Current state of play in NSW

As part of its emissions reduction strategy, the NSW Government has established emissions reduction
programs in a range of sectors. As outlined in the NSW State plan, it has set targets to achieve 20%
renewable energy consumption by 2020.
This is aligned with the expanded national renewable energy target (RET) of 20% by 2020 and the
NSW Government is positioning the state to take advantage of the predicted increase in investment
1
Source: Global Wind Energy Council
2
Source: American Wind Energy Association: Wind Power Outlook 2009
3
Source: Clean Energy Council – Wind Power Fact Sheet 2010
4
Source: Clean Energy Council – Clean Energy Australia 2009
that is expected to accompany this. Initially it is expected that most of the renewable energy supply
will be met by wind energy developments.
As part of the reforms introduced to attract new investment in renewable energy:
1. Projects with the capacity of 30 megawatts or more will be deemed 'critical infrastructure'
and will benefit from waived development application fees until 30 June 2011, and a
commitment to manage planning approvals within four months. Dedicated renewable energy
staff will also be put in place to help drive regional initiatives.
2. Six Renewable Energy Precincts have been established across NSW in areas with the best-
known wind resources: New England Tablelands, Upper Hunter, Central Tablelands,
NSW/ACT Border Region, South Coast and Cooma-Monaro (Figure 2).
In all, 11 wind farms with a total of 972 turbines have been approved in NSW since June 2005.
Figure 2. Renewable Energy Precincts and location of approved and planned wind farms

2.2 Research objectives

The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water commissioned AMR Interactive to
undertake a study of the attitude of communities to wind farms and renewable energy across the six
Renewable Energy Precincts.
The key objectives of the research project were to:
1. Establish a baseline on community attitudes towards wind farms and renewable energy for
purposes of evaluation; and
2. Provide results to inform the work of the Renewable Energy Precincts’ coordinators and
advisory committees, and community debates.
These in turn would be used to evaluate the impact of the Renewable Energy Precincts initiative
and inform the work of the Renewable Energy Precincts’ coordinators and advisory committees, and
community debates. In assessing community attitudes, the research set out to cover:
• perceptions and preferences towards renewable energy and wind farms;

• awareness of currently operating or proposed wind farms in the residents; area; and
• attitudes about wind power including the impacts, advantages and disadvantages.
The research also aimed at identifying the relationship between key variables and overall
acceptance of wind energy including:
• demographics (e.g., age and gender);

• proximity to proposed or currently operating wind farms, and
• type of area (e.g., township, rural residential or farming).

3.0 Method
3.1 Residential survey
Precincts and respondents
The survey covered the six Renewable Energy Precincts, along with an additional control area
covering other regional areas of NSW (other than Broken Hill, where a wind farm is currently
operating). The Local Government Areas in each Precinct are listed in Table 1. Postcodes were
assigned to each Precinct on the basis that 85+% of the population in that postcode fell into the
Precinct, based on concordance information published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics from
2006 census data.5 Households were sampled from a database of household telephone numbers.6 A
minimum sample size of 286 respondents aged 18 years and over was set for each of the Precincts
and the control area, and the final total survey sample size was 2022. Equal sample sizes were set in
the Precincts to enable the same level of precision in the analysis of each.
Table 1. Local Government Areas in the Renewable Energy Precincts

Share of Population
Precinct Local Government Areas
in the Precincts
P1 New England Armidale Liverpool Plains 24%
Tablelands Dumaresq Moree Plains
Glen Innes Severn Narrabri
Gunnedah Tamworth
Guyra Tenterfield
Gwydir Uralla
Inverell Walcha
P2 Upper Hunter Upper Hunter Warrumbungle 4%
Dungog
P3 Central Bathurst Mid-Western 22%
Tablelands Blayney Regional
Cabonne Oberon
Cowra Orange
Lithgow Wellington
P4 NSW/ACT Boorowa Palerang 15%
Border Region Cootamundra Tumut
Goulburn Upper Lachlan
Mulwaree Weddin
Gundagai Yass Valley
Harden Young
Junee
P5 South Coast Bega Valley Shoalhaven 32%
Eurobodalla Shellharbour
Kiama
P6 Cooma-Monaro Bombala Snowy River 3%
Cooma-Monaro Tumbarumba
5
2905.0.55.001 – ABS Postal Area Concordances, Aug 2006
6
The database is managed by Sample Pages (recommended by the Australian Market and Social Research
organisation (AMSRO))
Questionnaire
The questionnaire for the survey was designed to cover a range of issues on awareness, knowledge
and attitudes regarding wind power and wind farms. A draft of the questionnaire was pre-tested
with 10 participants from the Precincts. The interviews involved a researcher administering the
questionnaire individually to a participant, then probing the participant on a number of issues about
the meaning and structure of questions.
The final questionnaire covered:
• demographic profile of respondents;

• ratings of the local area;
• awareness of renewable energy and acceptability of different power sources;
• general awareness and knowledge regarding wind farms and sources of information;
• attitudes to wind power and wind farms in NSW;
• attitudes to wind farms in the local region;
• perceived positive and negative impacts of wind farms; and
• the perceived adequacy of consultation and information about wind farms, and areas
in which information would like to be received.
A copy of the questionnaire is included in Appendix A.
Implementation and analysis
The survey was administered by telephone during May-June 2010. Households in each area were
randomly selected and an adult in each household was selected systematically for surveying. During
the survey, age and gender quotas were set in each Precinct to ensure a sufficient spread of age
groups in the sample for weighting and analysis. The distribution of in town/out of town households
in each Precinct was based on the distribution of telephone numbers.
The sample in each Precinct and the control area was weighted to ABS 2006 census data by gender,
age, and level of education (degree and no degree) (see Appendix B). Each Precinct was weighted to
the overall population distribution across the Precincts, in order to report overall results.
In general, results are reported for the following groupings:
• the overall population across the six Precincts;

• the regional control area; and
• individually for the six Precincts.
In addition, the results were assessed by demographic groupings:
• gender;
• age group (18-29 years, 30-44 years, 45-64 year, 65+ years); and
• type of residence (in town, out of town: residential property or farming property).

Presentation of results
Results are shown as percentages. An example of a table of results is shown in Table 2. The table
shows the percentage of residents agreeing with the statement. Results are shown weighted across
the six Renewable Energy Precincts and for the Regional Control Area, followed by the results for
each of the six individual Precincts. As an example, New England Tablelands, 4% ‘strongly agree’
and 27% ‘agree’. The ‘total agree’ is also shown, adding the two levels of agreement. When adding
two or more percentages in this way, there may be a rounding difference of ±1%. That is, the total
may differ by 1% from the straight sum of the individual percentages. Where the full results for a
question are shown, as in the example in Figure 3, the whole set may add up to 99% or 101%.
The unweighted number of respondents (n=###) in each Precinct/area answering the question is
shown for reference. Results in charts show the percentage distribution horizontally in the bars.
Chi-squared tests of statistical significance have been used to explore differences between
Precincts, and demographic groups for each question. A statistically significant result means that
there are differences in the results between the groups being compared (e.g., between the
Precincts, between males and females), so at least one of the groups can be considered as differing
from the others. These differences are illustrated:
• in tables, by highlighting groups which have higher results and lower agreement
compared to the other groups. So in Table 2 Central Tablelands and NSW/ACT Border
Region have higher agreement, while Upper Hunter has higher disagreement; and
• in charts, using arrows to highlight groups which have higher () results and lower
() results compared to the other groups. So in Figure 3 18-29 year olds have been
highlighted as having lower knowledge, and 45-64 and 65+ year olds as having higher
knowledge.
Information about these tests, as well as other analyses conducted, are included in Appendix C.
Table 2. Example of table: Level of agreement that wind farms help increase tourism, by
Precincts and regional control area
Renewable Regional New NSW/ACT
Wind farms will Energy Control England Upper Central Border South Cooma-
help increase Precincts Area Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro
tourism (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Agree 32 32 31 24 40 37 27 32
Disagree 55 56 55 63 49 50 60 59
Don’t know 13 12 14 13 11 12 13 10
Base: All respondents

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower agreement
Q20. Please tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement

Figure 3. Amount of time lived in area, by age group
A lot Moderate amount A little Only heard term Not heard
18-29 (n=195) 6 37 45 9 3
Age Group (years)
30-44 (n=408) 14 42 38 51
45-64 (n=717) 17 46 34 21
65+ (n=409) 16 41 33 8 3
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents
Base: Respondents in Precincts
Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher=, lower= knowledge
Q11. Before this survey, how much did you know about wind farms?
3.2 Business survey

Respondents
The survey of the general community was supplemented by a survey of 300 businesses employing
staff across the six Precincts. The distribution of businesses was consistent with the population of
businesses across the Precincts.
The Agriculture industry makes up over a quarter (28%) of employing businesses across the
Precincts.7 Farming is a distinct type of business for the topic of wind farms, as the wind farms are
often placed on farming properties. Given this relationship, and the relatively large number of
farming managers covered in the general residential survey, it was decided to focus on non-farming
businesses in the supplementary survey of businesses. The results for the farming business from the
community survey were then included in the analysis. Businesses were sampled from lists of business
in the postcodes in the relevant Local Government Areas.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire for the businesses was based primarily on the questionnaire for the residential
survey. Some additional questions were included on green energy, and perceived impact of wind
farms on the business. A copy of the questionnaire is included in Appendix A.
Implementation and analysis
The survey was administered by telephone during May-June 2010. Quotas were set to ensure a
reasonable profile of businesses by industry. The final sample was weighted by industry based on
Australian Bureau of Statistics business statistics for the Precinct areas.7 (See Appendix C for details
of the weighting.) The industries were grouped for analysis purposes, building to a sample size of at
least 50 in each group (Table 3). The order of groupings presented in Table 3 appears in each table
of results for the survey. Issues about presentation of results discussed for the residential survey
also apply, including presentation of percentages, rounding of results, and tests of statistical
significance (refer to Appendix B for more details on the analysis).
7
8165.0 - Counts of Australian Businesses
Comparisons have been made between the non-farming and farming sectors; and among the industry
groupings. The same approach to highlighting differences in tables and charts as was described for
the residential survey on pages 16-17 has been used for the business survey.
Table 3. Sampling of industries and groupings for analysis

Industry Grouping Industries Survey Weighted
Sample Distribution
Total Businesses 419 100%
Non-Farming Sector 289 75%
Industrial, Manufacturing, Transport Mining 79 26%
Agriculture (non-farming)
Manufacturing
Construction
Transport and Storage
Retail, Wholesale Wholesale Trade 75 18%
Retail Trade
Business Services Communication Services 57 15%
Finance and Insurance
Property and Business Services
Community, Personal, Hospitality Accommodation Cafes and Restaurants 78 16%
Education
Health and Community Services
Cultural and Recreational Services
Personal and Other Services
Farming Sector (primarily from the residential survey) 130 25%

4.0 Results – Residential survey

4.1 Demographic profile
Residence and tenure in the local area
Residents were asked about whether they lived in or out of town, and how long they had
resided in the area
The majority of residents of each of the Precincts reported living in town (64%), with a third (36%)
living out of town (Table 4). Overall, less than a quarter (21%) lived out of town on residential
properties, and farming properties (15%). The profile of residents of the control area was very
similar. The profile for the South Coast differed most with nearly half (46%) of residents reporting
living out of town. Residents of the South Coast were the most likely to live on a residential
property (39%) and the least likely to live on a farming property (7%). A quarter of residents of
Cooma-Monaro (27%) and Upper Hunter (25%) lived on a farming property.
The majority of residents of the Precincts had lived in the local area for over 10 years (63%) (Figure
4). Residents of Cooma-Monaro were the most likely to have lived longest (74% over 10 years), while
residents of NSW/ACT Border Region and of South Coast were less likely to be longer term residents
(59% over 10 years).
Table 4. Residency, location and size, by Precincts and regional control area
Energy Control England Upper Central Border South Cooma-
Precincts Area Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro
Residence (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
In town 64 67 70 64 67 71 54 63
Out of town -
21 22 11 11 17 11 39 10
residential
Out of town -
15 10 20 25 15 17 7 27
farming

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower results
Q3. Do you live in or out of town? Q3b. Is it a residential or farming property?

Figure 4. Amount of time lived in area, by Precincts and regional control area
Less than 2 years 2 to 5 years A little 11 to 20 years More than 20 years
Renewable Energy Precincts (n=1729) 6 15 17 21 42
Regional Control Area (n=293) 5 17 22 20 37
New England Tablelands (n=289) 4 17 13 19 48
Upper Hunter (n=286) 4 14 14 21 47

Precincts
Central Tablelands (n=290) 5 19 12 24 41
NSW/ACT Border Region (n=287) 7 13 21 16 43
South Coast (n=291) 8 11 22 23 36

Cooma-Monaro (n=286) 4 10 12 22 52
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Q4. How long have you lived in the area?
Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher=, lower= period

Perceptions of the local region

Residents were asked to rate how well their local region performs on a number of socio-
economic issues
Residents’ perceptions of their local region on a number of socio-economic issues are summarised in
Figure 5. The best rated issues were the overall standard of living and the local environment. These
were rated as good or excellent by the majority of residents in each Precinct (Table 5).
Access to services such as health and education, and the overall health of the local economy, were
rated good or excellent by close to half of residents of each Precinct.
Local regions were rated least favourably on employment opportunities, with less than a quarter
(22%) overall perceiving their local region as excellent or good. Residents of Central Tablelands
however, were more likely than residents of the other Precincts to see overall health of the local
economy (54%) employment opportunities (37%) and as at least good. Residents of South Coast were
the least likely to rate overall health of the local economy (31%) employment opportunities (11%) as
good.
Figure 5. Ratings of aspects of local region, in the Renewable Energy Precincts
Excellent Good Average Poor Very poor Don't know
Local environment 14 48 30 4 13
The overall standard of living 13 50 31 5 11
Access to services such as health and education 11 35 32 16 41
The overall health of the local economy 6 36 38 15 24
Employment opportunities 4 18 29 32 13 5
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Q6. How would you rate your region on these issues?

Table 5. Ratings of aspects of local region, by Precincts and regional control area
REGIONAL NSW PRECINCT
Renewable Regional NSW/ACT
Energy Control New England Upper Central Border South Cooma-
Local region (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
The overall standard of living
Excellent/Good 63 61 62 58 72 63 59 57
Average/Poor 37 38 37 41 27 38 41 42
Don’t know 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
Local environment
Excellent/Good 62 59 62 64 59 61 62 59
Average/Poor 36 40 36 33 38 37 34 40
Don’t know 3 1 2 3 3 2 4 2
Access to services such as health and education
Excellent/Good 46 45 47 41 54 50 40 41
Average/Poor 53 54 52 58 45 50 58 57
Don’t know 1 2 2 0 0 0 2 1
The overall health of the local economy
Excellent/Good 41 35 46 39 54 40 31 37
Average/Poor 55 61 51 56 43 58 65 59
Don’t know 4 4 3 6 3 2 4 5
Employment opportunities
Excellent/Good 22 21 27 19 37 22 11 20
Average/Poor 73 73 69 77 59 75 84 75
Don’t know 5 6 3 4 5 3 6 5

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower positive ratings
Q6. How would you rate your region on these issues?

4.2 Renewable energy

Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources
Residents were asked to mention, unprompted, the clean energy sources they were
aware of.
Solar power was spontaneously mentioned as a clean energy source by three quarters (74%) of
residents across the Precincts (Table 6). Wind power was the next most mentioned, by over half
(59%) of residents. Both of these forms of alternative energy were by far the most well known,
compared to other forms of alternative energy that were mentioned.
In contrast, other clean energy sources were mentioned by no more than a quarter of residents:
water/hydroelectric (18%), gas (14%), wave/tidal (12%), nuclear (10%), geothermal (8%), clean coal
(6%) and bio-energy/bio-electric (5%). Even fewer (16%) were unable to name any clean energy
sources spontaneously.
Wind power as a clean source of energy was more likely to be mentioned spontaneously by residents
of Cooma-Monaro (70%) and Central Tablelands (68%). Residents of New England Tablelands (48%)
were least likely to mention wind power (Table 6). In contrast, residents of Cooma-Monaro were the
most likely to refer to water/hydroelectric power (34% compared with 15-22% in the other
Precincts), which would be influenced by familiarity with the Snowy Mountains hydroelectric
scheme.
Spontaneous awareness of wind power was much higher among those residing on farming properties
(70%) compared with those living in town (57%) or out of town on residential properties (57%) (Table
7). Males were more likely than females to identify a number of types of clean energy, including
both solar power (81% compared with 67%) and wind power (70% compared with 48%). Spontaneous
awareness of wind power was highest among residents aged 30-44 years old (66%) and 45-64 years
(66%) and lowest among those aged 65 years and older (43%).
Table 6. Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources, by Precincts and regional control area
REGIONAL NSW PRECINCTS
Energy source (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Sun or solar 74 77 74 73 76 75 71 77
Wind 59 57 48 67 68 63 56 70
Water or
18 22 15 15 22 19 17 34
hydroelectric
Gas 14 21 17 15 14 15 12 13
Wave or tidal
12 9 8 9 9 12 19 12
power
Nuclear 10 10 10 7 14 10 8 7
Geothermal 8 8 8 8 10 9 6 12
Clean coal 6 9 5 8 9 6 6 7
Bioenergy/
5 2 3 3 4 4 6 4
bioelectric
Other 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 6
Don't know 16 12 18 13 13 13 19 8

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower responses
Q7. Which clean energy sources are you aware of (unprompted)?

Table 7. Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources in Precincts, by gender and age
GENDER AGE GROUP RESIDENCE
Out - Out-
Energy Male Female 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ In town residential farming
source (n=849) (n=880) (n=195) (n=408) (n=717) (n=409) (n=1097) (n=296) (n=336)
% % % % % % % % %
Sun or solar 81 67 70 77 79 65 72 75 81
Wind 70 48 52 66 66 43 57 57 70
Water or
23 14 27 18 17 15 18 18 19
hydroelectric
Wave or
18 7 9 12 15 11 14 16 14
tidal
Nuclear 14 6 8 8 11 11 12 13 14
Gas 13 16 14 12 14 18 9 10 12
Geothermal 11 5 6 9 11 5 7 9 14
Clean coal 8 4 4 7 7 7 6 7 7
Bioenergy/
6 4 6 4 5 3 4 6 6
bioelectric
Other 5 3 1 5 4 4 3 4 6
Don't know 9 22 22 13 12 22 17 16 10

Acceptable power sources

Residents were asked which of a given list of power sources were acceptable to them if
a new power station was to be built in their local region.
Solar power was an almost universally acceptable power source (95%) for a new power station
(Table 8). Wind power was the next most acceptable source, by over three quarters (81%) of
residents overall.
A majority of residents were also accepting of water/hydroelectric (75%) and gas (69%) as power
sources. Conventional coal and nuclear power were considered least acceptable, and no more than
a third of residents would assent to a power station in their local region based on these (33% and
24% respectively).
There was little difference in acceptability of wind power between the Precincts, and no difference
between the Precincts overall and the regional control area (Table 8). Residents of Cooma-Monaro
were the most likely to find water/hydroelectric power an acceptable source. While conventional
coal power stations were only acceptable to a third of residents, those in NSW/ACT Border Region
(22%) and Cooma-Monaro (21%) were least likely to accept this source.
Wind power was equally well accepted by males and females in the Precincts, with acceptance
tending to be lowest among residents aged 65 years and over (72%) (Table 9). Males, however, were
more likely than females to find as acceptable conventional coal (37% compared with 28%) and
nuclear power (35% compared with 12%). Acceptance of nuclear power increased with age (from 11%
of residents aged 18-29 years to 34% of residents aged 65 years and over).

Table 8. Acceptable power sources for proposed power station, by Precincts and regional control
area
Energy source (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Solar 95 96 94 96 93 96 96 94
Wind 81 81 76 79 84 87 79 81
Water or
75 79 71 71 73 76 78 89
hydroelectric
Gas 69 74 72 73 69 74 65 65
Conventional
33 27 42 41 37 22 27 21
coal
Nuclear 24 30 22 25 28 23 22 27

Q8. Which power sources would you consider to be acceptable?
Table 9. Acceptable power sources for proposed power station, by gender, age and area of
residence
GENDER AGE GROUP
Male Female 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
Energy source (n=849) (n=880) (n=195) (n=408) (n=717) (n=409)
% % % % % %
Solar 93 97 96 98 95 90
Wind 82 80 86 85 81 72
Water or
79 71 80 73 74 76
hydroelectric
Gas 73 66 66 70 68 73
Conventional
37 28 34 29 31 37
coal
Nuclear 35 12 11 19 27 34


4.3 Awareness and knowledge of wind farms

General awareness
Residents were asked about their awareness of wind turbines/farms, including whether
they had heard about them, had seen one, had been close enough to hear one operating,
or were aware of farms currently operating or planned
There was almost universal awareness (97%) of wind farms in the Precincts with residents reporting
they had heard about the use of wind farms, wind turbines or wind mills to generate electricity.
Residents of South Coast were significantly less likely to have heard about wind farms than residents
of other Precincts (Table 10).
Furthermore, over three quarters (81%) of residents reported they had seen a wind turbine or wind
mill. Residents of New England Tablelands (60%) and Upper Hunter (76%) were relatively less likely
to report having seen a wind turbine, in comparison with residents of other Precincts (85-95%).
Residents were also asked if they had been close enough to an operating wind turbine or wind farm
to hear it operating. Overall, about a third (35%) of residents of the Precincts reported they had
been close enough to hear a wind turbine (Table 10). There was considerable variation across the
six Precincts; residents of Central Tablelands (45%) and NSW/ACT Border Region (45%) were the
most likely to have been close enough to hear operation, followed by residents of South Coast (34%)
and Cooma-Monaro (38%). By contrast, residents of New England Tablelands (21%) and Upper Hunter
(32%) Precincts were least likely to have heard operation.
About two thirds (65%) of residents across the Precincts were aware of wind farms currently
operating in NSW. Residents of NSW/ACT Border Region (95%) were the most likely to be aware,
while residents of New England Tablelands (37%) were the least likely (Table 10). Awareness of
currently operating and proposed/developing wind farms in NSW was significantly higher among
residents of the six Precincts compared with residents of the regional control area, but the
difference for currently operating wind farms was driven by the very high awareness in some of the
key Precincts. Residents of Central Tablelands (22%) and South Coast (16%) were least likely to know
of any wind farms under construction (Table 10).
Table 10. General awareness of wind farms, by Precinct and regional control area
REGIONAL NSW PRECINCT
Awareness (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Heard about
97 98 96 99 99 100 95 99
wind farms
Seen a wind
81 77 60 76 89 95 85 88
farm/turbine
Been close
enough to hear 35 33 21 32 45 45 34 38
operating
Currently
operating 68 40 38 58 90 95 61 85
Planned/ under
28 12 29 54 22 47 16 53
construction
Q9. Have you heard about the use of wind farms or wind turbines or windmills to generate electricity?
Q10a. Have you seen an actual wind turbines or windmill to generate electricity?
Q28. Have you been close enough to an operating wind turbine or wind farm to hear it?
Q14a. Are you aware of any wind farms currently operating in NSW?
Q15a. Are you aware of any wind farms in NSW under construction of being proposed?

Overall knowledge
Residents were asked to self-report how much they knew about wind farms
Over half (56%) of the residents of the Precincts reported that they knew at least a moderate
amount about wind farms (Figure 6). While there was no overall difference in reported knowledge
between the Precincts and the regional control, there were some differences between the
Precincts. Around half of the residents of New England Tablelands (45%) and South Coast (52%)
reported at least a moderate level of knowledge, compared with over two thirds of residents of
Central Tablelands (68%) and Cooma-Monaro (71%).
There were a number of differences in reported knowledge of wind farms among the demographic
groups, although none were very strong (Figure 7). Males (64%) were somewhat more likely than
females (50%) to report having at least a moderate amount of knowledge about wind farms.
Residents aged 18-29 years were the least likely to report knowing at least a moderate amount (43%
compared with 56-63% for the other age groups). Residents living on farms (63%) were also the most
likely to report this level of knowledge.
Figure 6. Knowledge about wind farms, by Precincts and regional control area
Regional Control Area (n=293) 10 43 40 52
Upper Hunter (n=286) 15 40 41 4

Precincts
Central Tablelands (n=290) 17 51 30 2
NSW/ACT Border Region (n=287) 17 47 31 5
South Coast (n=291) 13 39 39 7 3
Cooma-Monaro (n=286) 21 50 25 31
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Statistically significant difference between Precincts: highlighting higher=, lower= knowledge

Figure 7. Knowledge about wind farms, by gender, age and area of residence, in the Renewable
Energy Precincts
Male (n=849) 19 45 31 42
Gender
Female (n=880) 10 40 42 7 2
18-29 (n=195) 6 37 45 9 3
30-44 (n=408) 14 42 38 51
Age
45-64 (n=717) 17 46 34 21
65+ (n=409) 16 41 33 8 3
In town (n=1097) 14 42 37 5 2
Residence Out - residential (n=296) 10 41 40 8 1
Out - farming (n=334) 21 45 32 3
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher=, lower= knowledge
Sources of information
Residents were asked to mention (unprompted) where they had heard or received
information about wind farms
Half (48%) of all residents of the Precincts mentioned they had heard or received information about
wind farms from television/radio (Table 11). Residents of New England Tablelands were more likely
than the other Precincts to use TV/Radio as a source of information (58%), while residents of
NSW/ACT Border Region were least likely to use this as a source of information (36%).
Local newspapers were quite influential in providing information about wind farms to residents of
Upper Hunter (41%), while residents of New England Tablelands (17%) and South Coast (20%) were
least likely to receive information through this source.
A quarter (25%) of NSW/ACT Border Region residents received their information about wind farms
through word of mouth, which may reflect the operation of the wind farm near Goulburn. This
result may also be related to the fact that those living in NSW/ACT Border Region are less isolated
than those in other Precincts. Very few residents reported receiving any information about wind
farms from local or state governments.

Table 11. Source of information about wind farms, by Precincts and regional control area
(unprompted – multi-response)
Source (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
News and media
Television or radio
48 59 58 46 45 36 48 47
(news/current affairs)
Local newspapers 24 19 17 41 27 34 20 36
State/national
18 20 17 16 19 15 19 17
newspapers
Other media 2 1 1 1 3 0 3 1
Word of mouth and personal experience
Word of mouth 17 12 14 18 17 25 15 18
Seen/experienced
4 1 1 2 8 4 2 3
operation
Interstate/overseas 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 2
Own research/studies 4 6 2 3 3 4 5 3
Groups
Local community
4 2 3 6 5 5 3 7
groups or social clubs
Environment groups 2 1 2 3 3 2 2 4
Landscape Guardians 1 1 0 2 2 2 1 1
Local business groups 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 2
Government and companies
Wind farm developers 5 3 2 5 5 7 5 7
Energy companies 3 2 2 6 6 4 1 4
Local government 3 1 2 5 3 6 2 4
State Government 2 1 2 3 2 3 1 1
Other
Nowhere in particular 16 12 18 13 16 14 17 15
Heard nothing 3 1 3 0 3 2 4 2

Q29. From where have you heard or received any information about wind farms?

Consultation and further information

Residents were asked about their engagement with wind power regarding awareness of
the government’s renewable energy initiative, whether they considered they had had
adequate consultation about wind farms, and whether they had adequate information
about wind farms
A third (33%) of all residents surveyed had heard about Government initiatives regarding renewable
energy (Table 12). This was consistent across the Precincts between residents residing in and out of
town. Perceptions were quite polarized in terms of adequate consultation from community groups
regarding wind farms, and this brought down the overall rating for adequate consultation (16%).
Residents living in South Coast and New England Tablelands felt the least adequately consulted of
all the Precincts (only 9% and 13% respectively felt adequately consulted). In contrast, about a third
(29-30%) of residents of Upper Hunter, NSW/ACT Border Region and Cooma-Monaro felt they were
adequately consulted by community groups.
About a third (34%) of residents felt they had adequate information regarding wind farms. Once
again South Coast (9%) and New England Tablelands (13%) were significantly less likely to feel they
had adequate information about wind farms of all Precincts.
Residents living out of town on a residential property were the least likely to feel they had
adequate information regarding wind farms (11%), compared with those living in-town (17%) or on
farming properties (20%). Among residents of farming properties, a small percentage (8%) reported
having been approached by a developer. This incidence tended to be higher in Upper Hunter (15%),
NSW/ACT Border Region (12%) and Upper Hunter (11%).
Table 12. Perception of consultation about wind farms and adequacy of information, by Precincts
and regional control area
Information/ Precincts Area Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro
consultation (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Heard of
renewable energy 33 28 33 40 35 33 29 37
initiative
Adequate
16 11 13 30 18 29 9 29
consultation
Adequate
34 27 29 35 41 41 29 39
information
(n=334) (n=31) (n=58) (n=73) (n=47) (n=60) (n=23) (n=73)
Approached by a
8 0 4 15 11 12 6 8
developer *
Base: All respondents *Residents living on farming properties only

Q30. Have you heard about the NSW government initiative for setting up Renewable Energy Precincts?
Q33. Do you feel that there is adequate consultation about wind farms available in your local community?
Q34a. Do you feel you have adequate information about wind farms?
Perceptions of adequacy of consultation and information were also assessed by overall awareness of
currently operating and planned wind farms in the local region, and proximity of residents to wind
farms (Figure 8). The small number of residents within 5 kilometres of operating/planned wind
farms were the most likely (50%) to have heard about the Government initiatives for renewable
energy, while those not aware of any operating/planned wind farms were the least likely (averaging
32%). Perception of adequate consultation was also much lower among residents who were unaware
of any wind farms (averaging 13%), and was broadly highest for residents within 50 kilometres of the
location, although still a minority. It should be noted, however, that adequacy of consultation was
much lower for the few residents up to 2 kilometres away from an existing wind farm. Similarly,
perception of adequacy of information was lower among those not aware (averaging 28%),
increasing with proximity from less than half (43%) when more than 50 kilometres away, up to close
to two thirds of those at 5 kilometres (61%) and 6-19 kilometres (58%).
Figure 8. Perception of consultation about wind farms and adequacy of information in the
Precincts, by awareness in region and distance to nearest operating/planned wind farm
AWARE OF WIND FARMS

Heard of renewable energy Adequate consultation Adequate information
OPERATING OR PLANNED
initiative
IN THE LOCAL REGION
Up to 5 km (n=42) 50 36 61
6-19 km (n=108) 39 45 55
20-49 km (n=238) 38 38 51
50+ km (n=295) 39 25 42
Distance to nearest operating/ planned wind farm
NOT AWARE OF WIND FARMS OPERATING

OR PLANNED IN THE LOCAL REGION
Aware in NSW only

(n=706)
35 16 31
Not aware in NSW

(n=340)
25 9 22
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100

% of residents % of residents % of residents

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher=, lower= response
Q34a.Do you feel you have adequate information about wind farms?

Further information
Residents were asked about what information they would like to find out about wind
farms
The most common types of information needs were about effectiveness of power generation,
personal impacts (with particular focus on noise levels) and effects on the community (Table 13).
There were minimal variations between those that supported wind farms and those that opposed
them, and more than a third (41%) of residents across the six Precincts felt that they did not require
additional information.
Table 13. Information needs, by level of support/opposition to wind farms 1-2 km from residents,
in the Precincts (unprompted - multi-response)
Total Support Oppose

Information* (n=1729) (n=1053) (n=589)
% % %
General information (e.g., brochures) 16 17 15
Personal Impact 16 16 15
Noise levels 14 14 14
Health and safety concerns 4 4 12
Other personal 5 5 5
Want information if they propose/put one here 3 3 3
Local/Community Implications 13 13 13
Location of wind farms 4 4 5
Environmental impact 4 4 5
Impact on local community 3 2 2
How many will be built 1 2 1
Effectiveness/how it works - power generation 15 16 14
Efficiency/how much energy is produced 7 8 6
Comparison with other powers source 3 3 4
Longevity/lifespan of equipment 1 1 2
No wind/what happens when there's no wind 1 1 1
Effectiveness - Logistics 9 9 8
Cost of project 4 5 4
Economics of venture/is it worth doing 4 4 4
None/nothing 41 42 43

Q34b. Are there any specific aspects of wind energy or wind farms that you would like more information on
(unprompted)?
* Categories of responses are in bold – the percentages represent the nett of residents giving a response that
falls into that category. The main sub-categories of responses are shown below each category.

4.4 Attitudes to wind power and wind farms

Attitudes to wind power
Residents were asked to rate their level of agreement with a number of statements
about wind power
Almost all residents (95%) of the Precincts agreed that wind power was a clean source of energy
(Figure 9). There was little absolute difference between the Precincts (ranging from 90 to 98%
agreement) (Table 14).
A high proportion (90%) of Precinct residents believed that wind power has lower greenhouse gases
than coal or gas emissions. Over three quarters (84%) of residents of the Precincts agreed that NSW
has great potential/resources for wind power, which was marginally higher than in the regional
control area (77%).
About two thirds (63%) of residents of the Precincts agreed that wind power was efficient and
reliable, although residents of Upper Hunter were least likely to agree (52%). Only about half (49%)
of residents agreed that wind power was the cheapest renewable energy source, and this was
influenced by a substantial incidence of uncertainty (36%).
There were no major demographic differences on these perceptions of wind power.
Figure 9. Attitudes to wind power in the Renewable Energy Precincts
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
Lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal or gas 39 51 31 7
Clean source of energy 37 58 213
NSW has great potential/resources for wind power 23 60 71 9
Efficient and reliable 11 52 14 2 21
Cheapest renewable energy source 11 38 14 1 36
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents


Table 14. Attitudes to wind power, by Precinct and regional control area
NSW REGIONAL PRECINCTS
Wind power (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Clean source of energy
Agree 95 95 90 94 97 98 95 94
Disagree 3 2 4 5 2 2 2 4
Don’t know 3 4 6 1 1 1 3 2
Lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal or gas
Agree 90 92 87 89 90 94 91 88
Disagree 3 2 2 5 5 2 3 5
Don’t know 7 6 11 7 6 4 7 7
NSW has great potential/resources for wind power
Agree 84 77 79 80 86 86 85 83
Disagree 7 7 10 9 8 4 5 11
Don’t know 9 16 11 11 6 10 10 6
Efficient and reliable
Agree 63 67 59 52 66 65 66 64
Disagree 15 15 17 27 16 14 12 19
Don’t know 21 18 24 21 18 22 22 17
Cheapest renewable energy source
Agree 49 49 50 45 50 52 47 44
Disagree 15 14 13 22 16 15 14 21
Don’t know 36 37 36 33 35 33 39 35


Attitudes to wind farms in local region

Residents were asked to rate their level of agreement with a number of statements
about wind farms in their local region
Overall, a majority of residents of the Precincts believed that their local council should encourage
wind farms (76%), that they benefit the local community (76%) and that there should be more wind
farms in their local region (71%) (Figure 10). They were more positive about wind farms benefiting
the local community and boosting employment than about the likelihood that they will contribute to
tourism. They were also more likely to agree that there were would be no health concerns
associated with wind farms compared with safety concerns, on which agreement was more
polarised.
It should be noted that the terms ‘health’ and ‘safety’ were well differentiated in the pre-survey
qualitative interviews. ‘Health’ was seen as referring particularly to the issue of emissions from
electric cables; and ‘safety’ was referring to accidents around the wind turbines. While noise was
also raised as a potential issue, it was not in the context of the question on concerns about health.
The ‘non-agree’ results for the specific questions about safety and health are best interpreted as a
combination of unfamiliarity/lack of knowledge; a perception that there could be issues (also
related to lack of specific knowledge); and for some people, a perception that there must be at
least some risk (e.g., teenagers mucking around). This is reinforced by the lack of specific concerns
about health and safety being raised by residents who opposed wind farms (see Table 20).
Residents of Upper Hunter were least positive on several of the issues rated about wind farms in
their local region, including that local councils should encourage wind farms, that wind farms would
benefit the local community, that wind farms would boost employment, and about wind farms
having a negative impact on the environment (Table 15).
Figure 10. Attitudes to wind farms in local region, in the Renewable Energy Precincts
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree Depends Don't know
Local council should encourage wind farms 21 55 12 42 5
More wind farms in local region 19 52 13 6 5 6
Benefit local community 16 61 12 33 6
No health concerns 16 53 14 22 13
Boost employment and local economy 13 54 18 43 9
No negative impact on local environment# 12 50 23 6 3 7
No safety concerns 9 43 29 22 15
Not affect on heritage values 8 43 28 6 5 10
Help increase tourism 4 28 47 9 3 10
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents
# This statement was asked as agreement with a “negative impact”. Results for agree and disagree have been
reversed to present a consistent positioning with the other statements

Table 15. Attitudes to wind farms in local region, by Precinct and regional control area
NSW REGIONAL PRECINCT
Feature of wind Precincts Area Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro
farms (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Local council should encourage wind farms
Agree 76 74 73 67 76 78 78 74
Disagree 17 18 19 25 17 15 14 20
Don’t know 8 9 8 8 7 8 7 6
More wind farms in local region
Agree 71 70 67 62 76 70 71 72
Disagree 19 20 21 30 18 21 17 19
Don’t know 10 10 12 8 7 9 13 9
Benefit local community

Agree 76 78 74 67 77 79 77 73
Disagree 15 14 15 26 16 14 12 20
Don’t know 9 8 11 7 7 7 11 7
Wind farms would boost employment/economy
Agree 66 69 65 56 65 69 68 68
Disagree 22 18 22 30 26 20 19 19
Don’t know 12 14 13 15 9 11 13 13
No negative impact on local environment#
Agree 62 62 57 52 66 68 60 61
Disagree 29 28 29 39 29 24 29 31
Don’t know 10 10 14 10 5 8 11 8
Help increase tourism
Agree 32 32 31 24 40 37 27 32
Disagree 55 56 55 63 49 50 60 59
Don’t know 13 12 14 13 11 12 13 10
No health concerns
Agree 69 68 67 58 72 68 72 67
Disagree 16 14 16 25 15 18 14 17
Don’t know 15 19 17 17 13 14 15 15
No safety concerns
Agree 53 56 47 48 54 56 55 58
Disagree 31 27 38 35 31 30 25 28
Don’t know 16 17 15 17 15 14 20 14
No effect on heritage values
Agree 51 54 53 42 53 51 49 52
Disagree 34 30 31 39 34 38 34 34
Don’t know 15 16 16 19 13 11 17 14

# This statement was asked as agreement with a “negative impact” - results for agree and disagree have been
reversed to present a consistent positioning with the other statements

Impact of wind farms on property values, visual impact and noise

Residents were asked to rate whether wind farms would have an impact on visual appeal
and property values, and about their level of concern about noise
About half of residents of the Precincts considered that wind farms would have only a positive
impact or no impact on property values (50%) and on visual impact (53%) (Table 16). Residents of
Upper Hunter (48%) were the most likely to consider that wind farms would have a negative visual
impact, while residents of NSW/ACT Border Region (34%) were the least likely.
Residents of the Precincts were also polarised in their concern about noise 1-2 kilometres from a
wind farm. Residents of Upper Hunter were again more negative (52% some/great concern), while
the least concern was expressed by residents of NSW/ACT Border Region (49% no/little concern) and
Cooma-Monaro (48%).
Table 16. Impact of wind farms on property values, visual appeal and noise, by Precinct and
regional control area
Perceived Precincts Area Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro
impact (n=1729) (n=293) (n=289) (n=286) (n=290) (n=287) (n=291) (n=286)
% % % % % % % %
Impact on property values
Positive impact 20 20 24 18 18 20 20 25
No impact 30 27 24 23 30 33 33 31
Negative impact 35 39 37 42 37 31 35 30
Other response 15 15 15 17 15 17 13 14
Visual impact
Positive impact 25 22 21 18 29 28 23 24
No impact 28 24 31 26 27 33 26 30
Negative impact 41 45 40 48 41 34 43 37
Other response 7 9 8 8 3 6 8 9
Noise a concern if built 1-2 km away
No/little concern 42 44 38 38 42 49 43 48
Some/great
concern 44 43 46 52 47 40 42 44
Depends/
Don’t know 14 12 15 9 11 12 16 9

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting more positive and more negative results
Q21. In your view, what impact would wind farms in your local region have on property values?
Q22. In your view, what impact would wind farms have on the visual appeal of the surrounding area?
Q27. In your view, to what extent would noise be a concern for you if a wind farm was 1-2 km away from your
residence?

4.5 Support for wind farms

Overview
Residents were asked whether they supported or opposed wind farms in NSW, in their
local region, 10 km from their residence and 1-2 km from their residence
The large majority of residents across the Precincts indicated they would support wind farms being
built both in NSW (85%) as well as in their local region (80%) (Figure 11). The results were very
similar to the regional control.
Residents of the Precincts were also very supportive of wind farms being built in the vicinity of their
residence. Over three quarters (79%) supported wind farms at 10 kilometres, suggesting that the
‘local region’ is seen as broadly equivalent to this distance. Support dropped substantially, although
still held by the majority of residents (60%), when considering a wind farm being built 1-2
kilometres from their residence.
Residents opposing wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres from their residence were much more
likely to raise concerns about noise and the impact on the landscape, than residents supporting wind
farms (Table 19). Those opposing were also much less likely to suggest benefits of wind farms, such
as reducing pollution and improving the community and economy (Table 18). Nevertheless, the
majority of those opposing still offered an overall benefit of wind farms in the local region.
Figure 11. Overall support for wind farms, in the Renewable Energy Precincts
Total Support
In NSW 85
In local region 80
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents
Statistically significant difference between measures: highlighting lower=
Q13. Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built in NSW?
Q17. Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built in your local region?
Q25. Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built 10 km from your residence?
Q24. Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built 1-2 km from your residence?

Support in NSW
The large majority (85%) of residents across the Precincts supported the building of wind farms in
NSW (Figure 12). The level of support among residents of the control area was identical to that of
the Precincts. Overall, only a small minority of residents opposed wind warms in NSW across the
Precincts (9%) and the regional control area (8%).
The level of total support for wind farms in NSW was consistently high across the Precincts (79-89%).
There were, however, differences in the level of strong support:
• residents of Central Tablelands (48% strongly support), NSW/Act Border Region (46%)
and South Coast (42%) showed the strongest support; and
• residents of New England Tablelands (28% strongly support) and Upper Hunter (27%)
showed the least strong support.
This pattern of differences was consistent with results on attitudes and perceptions of a number of
issues in the study.
Figure 12. Support for wind farms in NSW, by Precincts and regional control area
Strongly support Support Oppose Strongly oppose Depends/Don't know

Upper Hunter (n=286) 27 52 7 6 8
Precincts
South Coast (n=291) 42 42 5 2 8
Cooma-Monaro (n=286) 37 47 5 4 7
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Statistically significant difference between Precincts: highlighting higher=, lower= support

Support in local region

Over three quarters (80%) of residents of the Precincts supported wind farms being built in their
local region, and a third (34%) were strongly supportive (Figure 13). Residents of Upper Hunter and
New England Tablelands were again less supportive with only about a quarter (22% and 26%
respectively) strongly supporting wind farms, compared with at least a third (33%-43%) in each of
the other Precincts.
A small minority (15%) of residents overall opposed wind farms in their local region.
The overall level of support among residents of the control area (78%) was again very similar to that
in the Precincts.
Figure 13. Support for wind farms in local region, by Precincts and regional control area

Upper Hunter (n=286) 22 54 9 9 5
Precincts
South Coast (n=291) 33 43 9 7 8
Cooma-Monaro (n=286) 37 44 9 6 5
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Statistically significant difference between Precincts: highlighting higher=, lower= support

Support for wind farm 10 km from residence

Support for wind farms being built 10 kilometres from their residence was almost as high as that for
wind farms in the local region (Figure 14). Over three quarters (79%) of residents of the Precincts
overall expressed support.8 While the results suggest some increase in concern by residents when
considering the closer proximity, the overall reduction in support was minimal. Less than a quarter
(17%) of residents opposed wind farms 10 kilometres from their residence.
The level of support among residents of the control area (81%) was again very similar to that in the
Precincts.
Figure 14. Support for wind farms 10 km from the residence, by Precincts and regional control
area
Support Oppose Strongly oppose Depends/Don't Know
Renewable Energy Precincts (n=1729) 79 10 7 4
Regional Control Area (n=293) 81 8 4 7
New England Tablelands (n=289) 76 10 9 5
Upper Hunter (n=286) 74 9 11 6

Precincts
South Coast (n=291) 77 12 6 4
Cooma-Monaro (n=286) 79 10 6 5
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

8
The question on the 10 kilometres proximity was a supplementary question asked of those who did not
support a 1-2 kilometres proximity and which then produces a measure of overall support.
Support in the local area

A majority of residents (60%) in the Precincts supported wind farms 1-2 kilometres from their
residence (Figure 15), however, a third (34%) were opposed to wind farms 1-2kilometres from their
residence. In terms of the strength of support, strong support is limited to a small minority (11%),
with almost half (48%) expressing support.
Residents of Upper Hunter (47%) and New England Tablelands (54%) again tended to be less
supportive overall compared with the other Precincts (60-63% in the other Precincts).
The level of support among residents of the regional control area (63%) was similar to that in the
Precincts overall.
Figure 15. Support for wind farms 1-2 km from the residence, by Precincts and regional control
area
Strongly support Support Oppose Strongly oppose Depends/Don't know/Don't care
Upper Hunter (n=286) 8 39 22 21 10

Precincts
South Coast (n=291) 13 50 19 13 5
Cooma-Monaro (n=286) 15 45 19 15 7
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents


Demographic differences in support
Males and females were equally supportive towards wind farms at the state level, regional level and
in the vicinity of their residence (Table 17). Residents aged 65 years and over were less supportive
compared with the other age groups, with residents aged 18-29 tending to be most supportive.
There was a trend for support to be higher among more highly educated residents, holding degrees.
Support was further assessed based on awareness of wind farms operating/planned in the region and
proximity to the location (Figure 17). There was a trend for support to be lowest among residents
who were much closer to the location, specifically up to 5 kilometres. A stronger relationship with
support occurred where the location of the nearest current or planned wind farm was visible from
the residence. Among those who were aware of a current or planned wind farm in their local region,
support was lower (43%) when the location was visible compared with when it was not visible (60%)
(Table 18).
Residents living out of town were also asked if they would consider wind turbines on their property.
About half (47%) of residents on farming properties in the Precincts said that they would consider
having wind turbines on their property. By contrast, only about a quarter (23%) of residents on
residential properties out of town would consider wind turbines on their property.
Table 17. Overall support for wind farms in the Precincts, by gender, age and area of residence,
in the Renewable Energy Precincts
GENDER AGE GROUP EDUCATION
Up to Technical
Male Female 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Year 12 or Trade Diploma Degree
Support (n=849) (n=880) (n=195) (n=408) (n=717) (n=409) (n=729) (n=357) (n=206) (n=412)
% % % % % % % % % %
Wind farms in NSW
Support 83 87 89 86 86 79 85 83 87 91
Oppose 10 8 8 7 9 12 9 10 8 6
Other response 7 5 4 7 5 8 6 7 5 3
Wind farms in local region
Support 79 81 85 85 80 71 79 81 80 85
Oppose 15 15 13 10 16 21 16 16 12 11
Other response 5 5 3 4 5 8 5 3 8 4
Wind farms 10 km from the residence
Support 79 79 86 80 79 72 78 78 78 85
Oppose 18 16 10 18 17 22 18 19 16 13
Other response 3 5 3 2 5 5 4 3 6 2
Wind farms 1-2 km from the residence
Support 60 59 64 62 60 53 61 55 60 65
Oppose 34 33 31 32 32 41 32 40 31 29
Other response 6 8 4 7 8 7 7 4 9 6

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower support

Figure 16. Support for wind farms 1-2 km from residence, by awareness in region and distance to
nearest operating/planned wind farm, in the Renewable Energy Precincts
AWARE OF WIND FARMS OPERATING OR Strongly support Support

PLANNED IN THE LOCAL REGION
Up to 5 km (n=42) 9 31
6-19 km (n=108) 9 45
Distance to nearest
operating/planned
wind farm 20-49 km (n=238) 11 46
50+ km (n=295) 12 50
NOT AWARE OF WIND FARMS OPERATING OR

PLANNED IN THE LOCAL REGION
Aware in NSW (not in Region) (n=706) 12 46
Not aware in NSW (n=340) 11 49
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents
Base: Respondents in the Precincts

Table 18. Relationship between support for wind farms 1-2 km from residence and visibility of an
existing or planned wind farm from residence, across the Precincts
Current or planned wind farm
visible from property
Yes No
(n=73) (n=620)
Measure % %
Support 43 60
Total oppose 54 33
Don’t know 3 7
Base: Respondents in the Precincts reporting a wind farm operating or planned in their local region
Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower

Perceived benefits of wind farms

Residents were asked, unprompted, what benefits wind farms would bring to the region
Residents proposed a number of different types of benefits that wind farms would bring to their
local region (Table 19). The most common responses were about reducing pollution and being
environmentally friendly, reduced costs to the consumer, and increased employment opportunities
to the community. The results have been reported for those supporting and opposing wind farms
built 1-2 kilometres from their residence. This question was chosen as it represented the best split
in support/opposition for comparison.
About two thirds (68%) residents opposing wind farms 1-2 kilometres from their residence still
identified a benefit of wind farms to the region, although they were less likely than those
supporting wind farms.
Table 19. Perceived benefits of wind farms by level of support/opposition to wind farms 1-2 km
from residents, in the Renewable Energy Precincts (unprompted – multi-response
Support Oppose
Benefit* (n=1053) (n=589)
% %
Pollution 56 36
Reduces pollution/clean power/green/environmentally friendly 42 24
Alternative/renewable energy/provides a choice 10 8
Supplies power/helps maintain consistent/regular power supply 11 8
Reduces transmission from the grid 1 2
Costs 34 24
Cost effective/cheaper energy/bills 28 18
Cheaper source of power/cheaper to make 6 7
Economy/community 41 29
Increases employment opportunities 34 24
Help local community/economy 6 4
Benefits the local land owners 4 3
Encourages tourism/good for the region's image 5 2
Landscape/visual appeal 3 1
Aesthetic considerations 2 0
None/nothing 4 19
Don't know 7 13

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower benefits
Q18. What if any benefits would wind farms bring to your local region?

Perceived concerns about wind farms

Residents were asked, unprompted, what concerns they had about wind farms
Residents also mentioned a number of different types of concerns about wind farms in their local
region (Table 20). The most common responses were about the impact on people, in particular
about noise concerns and the location of the wind farms. Other common responses were about the
impact of wind farms on the landscape. Less frequent responses were about concern over the
effectiveness of the power generation and the impact on the environment.
The large majority of residents opposing a wind farm being built 1-2 kilometres from their residence
raised a concern. In comparison, only about half of those supporting a wind farm did not identify
any concerns. Concerns about health or safety were each nominated by only 3% of those opposing.
So while a number of residents had not agreed that there were ‘no concerns’ about health (31%) and
safety (48%) (Figure 10), it appears to be mainly a lack of knowledge rather than specific concerns.
Table 20. Perceived concerns about wind farms, by level of support/opposition to wind farms 1-2
km from residents, in the Renewable Energy Precincts (unprompted – multi-response)
Support Oppose
Concern* (n=1053) (n=589)
% %
Impact on people 33 58
Noise concerns 17 40
Location concerns 17 23
Health concerns 1 3
Community relationship concerns 2 1
Concerns for landowners' rights 1 2
Potential for accidents 2 3
Impact on landscape 11 31
Aesthetics/look of it/ugly/take away from the view 9 27
Occupies large areas/spaces/limits potential of agricultural use 3 5
Concern over power generation/effectiveness 5 14
Suitability of the area for a wind farm/too hilly/little wind 2 6
Inefficient/uneconomical/not beneficial 1 6
Unreliable/dependent on weather-no wind no power 2 4
Operational problems 1 2
Impact on environment 6 11
Detrimental to wildlife 3 5
Detrimental to farm animals 1 2
Detrimental to the environment 2 5
Impact on economy/value 1 5
Limited employment opportunities/take jobs away 0 2
Concerns about property value 0 3
General attitude 4 5
Don't like/would not have it 0 2
Need more information/need to know more about it 4 3
None/nothing 44 13

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower concerns
Q19. What if any concerns would you have about wind farms in your local region?
* Categories of responses are in bold – the percentages represent the nett of residents giving a response
that falls into that category. The main sub-categories of responses are shown below each category.

Examples of concerns and benefits by those supporting wind farms
Examples of concerns and benefits expressed by residents who strongly opposed wind farms 1-2
kilometres from their residence are presented below. The profile of the person is provided in each
case.
Concern: Concern:
“I don't really have any concerns about them I know a lot of “None.”
people do they worry about the noise and that it will affect the Benefits to local region:
birds and the sheep. But I've seen birds and sheep near them
and it doesn’t bother them. It is verging on being outdated “Construction…thereby employment. Maintenance would
technology already and my concern is if they build them and bring employment in the area. Economic benefits…if we can
they become outdated whether they'll clean it and take it away produce competitively more power from wind farms it can
or just leave it there.” benefit the local economy.”
Benefits to local region: Reasons for support or opposition:
“Well to starters it'd give the farmers who's land their going on “It’s a clean form of energy. My only concern is the cost but
a bit of income they'd also have to put access roads so that'd that’s an economic issue but it’s a clean form and one we
be a benefit to the community.” need to develop overtime. As we develop it then the cost of
it will go down in the longer term. If it’s effective in the longer
Reasons for support or opposition:
term then we should do it.”
“They gotta put it somewhere. I don't like the alternative of
Male, 45-55 years old
nuclear…I certainly wouldn't want gas on my land and like I Lives out of town in the NE Tablelands Precinct.
said it would bring income to the farmer whose property it was
Supports wind farms at 1-2 km from residence.
on.”
Male, over 64 years old
Lives out of town in the NSW/ACT Border areas precinct.
Supports wind farms 1-2 km from residence.
Concern:
Concern: “Don’t agree that they're as efficient as they are made out to
be. Reason being that in comparison with solar, the solar
“No concerns no negatives except the construction” would be generating more power. I have a 2 kilowatt solar
generator and even though it is cloudy it is still generating lots
Benefits to local region:
of power. We haven’t had any wind in the area for the past
“Our power bills are through the roof. If they could reduce three days so it wouldn't be very useful in this instance.
country energy bills. And reduce greenhouse emissions.” Overall, not as efficient as solar power. And higher
maintenance.”
“Just the fact not using fossil fuel for energy. Resources not
limitless.” “Initially employment whilst under construction. Farmers would
benefit from the income of having them on their properties.”
Female, 55-65 years old
Lives out of town in the Upper Hunter precinct . Reasons for support or opposition:
“May not be my preference of energy. However if the
government is supporting wind farms then it helps with
reducing green house emissions I guess.”
Lives in town in the Cooma-Monaro precinct .

Concern:
“Where they are going to put them, that's the thing. Plenty of
Concern:
national parks out there. No other concerns.”
“That they take away the views and visibly distracting as well
would be a concern to us.”
“Cheaper power. Nothing else that I know of."
“Employment and cheaper electricity as well.”
“Cheaper power. Nothing else that I can think of.”
“It would be better if it was more isolated areas and not near
Lives in town in the South Coast precinct .
residential areas.”
Lives out of town in the Central Tableland precinct.
Examples of concerns and benefits by those opposing wind farms
Examples of concerns and benefits expressed by residents who strongly opposed wind farms 1-2
kilometres from their residence are presented below. The profile of the person is provided in each
case.
Concern: Concerns:
“Well the concern is that I think it brings about controversies in “I’ve heard they can drive people crazy with the
the country because some people benefit from it noise…the ones in Europe have. The structures… some
financially…those who have the wind turbines on their people may not like on their property.”
property. And the people that have to put up with the noise and
the light. The light would be a big thing.” Benefits to local region:
Benefits to local region: “It could be cheaper electricity for people.”
“Green power. and jobs.” Reasons for support or opposition:
Reasons for support or opposition: “Only what I hear about the noise they create.”
“Because it is green energy. I just think it's a pity that instead Male, 55-64 years old
of putting into rural areas that they don't put it along roads. This Lives out of town in New Eng. Tablelands Precinct.
area here it is a nice area here. I don't have a problem with the Strongly opposes wind farms 1-2 km from residence,
one planned, but there are families that have lived in the area also opposes 10km from residence.
for generations and the suburbs will be lost. I'm from Holland
and they have it along the roads. I wish they were on the
Pacific Highway. Doesn't matter because there is a lot of noise
there already.”
Lives in town in the NSW/ACT Border Region Precinct.
Strongly opposes wind farms 1-2 km from residence,
but supports 10 km from residence.

Concern:
“We have a beautiful natural landscape and that it will
destroy it. I also think that because wind is proving to be so
Concern: inefficient if we build large scale wind farms the government
is going to look ridiculous because it is not going to work
“Don't know enough to say.” and we have destroyed our beautiful landscape.”
Benefits to local region: Benefits to local region:
“In the five to ten years negligible, there's so many coal “None. I think the whole problem is that they think they will
mines in the area that I can't see it being a major influence benefit and everybody knows that the wind is inefficient.
in the area. In theory it's clean energy but so many people When you often drive past Bungendore’s new winds farm
around here rely on the dirty energy for the income. Too you can see that often the turbines aren't working. I think
many vested interests.” what would be interesting is that if the government would
provide the audit like in Bungendore wind farm and show us
the benefit. I would rather want to see power be generated
“1-2 km is still in town, so they're not likely to put it in town, effectively and efficiently. Wind is not efficient.”
but there's plenty of ridges out of town to put them on... Not
a problem except for the land owners…fine for me but don't
know for them.” “No coal fired electricity is going to be shut down because
of the wind farm and the strongest thing that in the rural
community is the sense of the community. The way they
Lives in town in the Upper Hunter Precinct. have come in to propose their development has torn the
community apart and I really resent that.”
but supports 10km from residence.
Lives in town in the Cooma-Monaro Precinct.
and also strongly opposes 10km from residence.
Concern:
“Major concern with migrating bird population. Ugliness of
what they look like. Noise. Change in general people don’t
like change.”
Concern:
“Employment. Growing area so would be a greater source of
electricity. Tourism area so could be a tourist attraction. “Wind farms are within 100 yards to where I live and they
Stick it up to the local coal industry" are too noisy. Don’t mind looking at them but its only the
noise which is annoying.”
“Close enough to town for people and tourists to go out
there. As well as close enough for maintenance.” “No benefits in particular.”
Male, 18-29 years old Reasons for support or opposition:
Lives out of town in the Central Tablelands Precinct.
“They are only noisy when you’re living close to them.”
Opposes wind farms 1-2 km from residence,
but strongly supports 10km from residence. Female, over 64 years old
Lives in town in the Central Tablelands precinct .
but supports 10km from residence.

4.6 Segmentation of supporters and opposers

Residents in the Precincts were divided into three groups based on the combination of their support
or opposition to wind farms (a) in NSW, and (b) 1-2 kilometres from their residence. The majority
(60%) were categorised as Strong Supporters being supportive in both NSW and at 1-2 kilometres
(Table 23). About a quarter (27%) of residents were NSW-Only Supporters, while a small minority
(13%) were categorised as Opposers, showing no support either in NSW or at 1-2 kilometres.
Table 21. Segmentation of strong supporters and opposers in the Precincts
Wind farms
Wind farms 1-2 km from
Group in NSW residence Incidence*
1. Strong Supporters Support Support 60%
2. NSW-Only Supporters Support Oppose/Don’t know 27%
3. Opposers Oppose Oppose/Don’t know 13%
* A few residents (<3%) were undecided on both ratings of support. The incidence has been calculated without
these residents.
Differences between the three segments are summarised in Figures 24 and 25. The Strong
Supporters were more positive than the NSW-Only Supporters on most of the attitudes and
perceptions, around the feasibility and efficiency of wind power and the impacts and benefits. The
strongest difference was on potential concern about noise, on which the NSW-Only Supporters were
as negative as the Opposers. Opposers were very much less positive on almost all the attitudes and
perceptions.
The segments also differed in their age profile, most noticeable in a decrease in the incidence of
those aged 65 years and over as support increased (Table 24). About a third (32%) of Opposers were
aged 65 years and over compared with less than a fifth (17%) of Strong Supporters. There was a
corresponding increase in the incidence of those aged 18-29 years as support increased.
Table 22. Age profile of segments in the Precincts
Strong NSW-Only
Supporters Supporters Opposers
(n=978) (n=479) (n=202)
Age group % % %
18-29 20 13 9
30-44 26 24 29
45-64 37 37 30
65+ 17 26 32
Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting age groups with specific higher and lower
incidence

Figure 17. Positive ratings of questions on wind power, by segments across the Precincts
Strong Supporters (n=978)

NSW-Only Supporters (n=479)
Opposers (n=202)
Wind power acceptable as a 95
power source [Acceptable] 79
25 The Strong Supporters
were more likely than the
NSW-Only Supporters to
Wind power is efficient and 75 see wind power as a feasible
reliable [Agree] 59 source of energy, and
26 efficient/reliable.
Wind power is the cheapest 57 The Opposers were very

renewable energy source 44 significantly less likely to
[Agree] 28 consider wind power as an
acceptable energy source,
doubting its
NSW has great potential and 93 efficiency/reliability and much
abundant resources for wind 84 less accepting of the
power [Agree] 47 resources in NSW.
Wind power has lower 94

greenhouse gas emission than 90
coal or gas [Agree] 78
98
Wind power is a clean source of 96
energy [Agree] 83
There was little difference
between the segments on
58 awareness of wind power as
Knowledge of wind farms 57 a clean energy source and
[A lot/moderate amount] 55 knowledge of wind farms.
60
Aware of wind power as a clean 59
energy source [Unprompted] 58
20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

Figure 18. Positive ratings of attitudes to wind farms, by segments across the Precincts
Strong Supporters (n=978)

NSW-Only Supporters (n=479)
Opposers (n=202)
Noise a concern 1-2 km away 60 The Strong Supporters

[No/little concern] 20 were more positive than
14 the NSW-Only
Supporters on all
There should be more wind 92 impacts and benefits of
farms built in your local region 59 wind farms asked in the
[Agree] survey. The strongest
2
difference was in potential
concern about noise. This
Impact of wind farms on visual 67 was the only feature on
appeal which the NSW-Only
40
[Positive/No impact] Supporters were as
11
negative as the
Local council should be more Opposers.
active encouraging wind farms 94
[Strongly agree] 70 The Opposers were
10 significantly less positive
about all the potential
Impact of wind farms on impacts and benefits of
64
property values wind farms.
[Positive/No impact]
40
11
Wind farms would not affect 65

heritage values in your local 41
region [Agree] 10
Wind farms in your local region 44

would help increase tourism 21
[Agree] 6
There would no health

82
concerns associated with wind
60
farms [Agree]
34
Wind farms would benefit your

local community [Agree] 92
71
16 Compared to their other
ratings, Opposers held
Wind farms would boost slightly more positive
employment and bring money 78
61 attitudes about health and
into the local economy [Agree] safety concerns, and
25
impact on the local
environment.
73
Wind farms would have a
56
negative impact on the local
24
environment [Disagree]
There would be no safety 62

concerns associated with wind 48
farms [Agree] 22
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of residents

4.7 What is driving support for wind farms? – Residents

Modelling support for wind farms
The aim of the modelling was to understand what influences support or opposition to wind farms.
The modelling identified issues that can be addressed to increase support. The modelling assessed
how a range of attitudes and perceptions, as well as demographic and geographic features,
influenced the level of support for wind farms at 1-2 kilometres.
The range of attitudes and perceptions collected in the study reduced to three key dimensions 9
(Table 21). These dimensions encompassed:
• benefits and impacts of wind farms

• perceptions of wind power; and
• concerns about wind farms.
Table 23. Attitudinal dimensions for residents in the Precincts
Dimension Components
Benefits/Impacts of wind Effect on property values
farms Effect on visual appeal
Benefit your local community
Boost employment and bring money into the local economy
Concern about noise
Negative impact on the local environment
Perceptions of wind power A clean source of energy
Lower greenhouse gas emission than coal or gas
NSW has great potential and resources for wind power
Cheapest renewable energy source
Concerns about wind farms No safety concerns
No health concerns
No effect on heritage values in your local region
The importance of each measure in driving support is shown in the model in Figure 17. The
dimension about benefits/impacts of wind farms had by far the strongest influence on support. The
other dimensions about perceptions of wind power and concerns about wind farms also had strong
influences.
In addition to the dimensions, proximity to existing or planned wind farms was also of moderate
importance driving support. Precinct, age, education, knowledge and gender had much weaker
influence.
9
The reduction to three dimensions was conducted using principal component analysis (see Appendix C)
Figure 19. Attitudinal and demographic drivers of support for wind farms across the six Precincts,
showing the strength of relationship*
Benefits/Impacts of wind farms [dimension]

9.3
Concerns about wind farms [dimension]
3.4
Perceptions of wind power [dimension]
3.4
Wind farm visible from residence
S tatis tic ally
2.4
signifi can t dr iver s
Precincts 1.5
Age group 1.5
Education 1.5
Knowledge of wind farms 1.4
Gender 1.3
Driver strength*
* The strength of each measure in the model is expressed as an odds ratio10, and the figure represents
the greatest change in support moving between two levels of the variable
10
The strength is expressed as an odds ratio, measuring how agreement/nomination of the attitude changes
moving from opposition to support for wind farms. See Appendix C for description of an odds ratio.
4.8 What is driving support in each Precinct?

Further analysis was conducted to look at how residents’ attitudes and perceptions about wind
power and wind farms in each Precinct drives support for wind farms at 1-2 kilometres. The
importance of each attitude/perception is based on the gap between supporters and opposers on
how favourably each attitude/perception was rated. The greater the gap, the greater the
importance of the measure. Table 22 summaries the attitudes and perceptions in each Precinct
which are of greater importance in driving support and which are less favourably rated in the
Precinct.
Table 24. Summary of the attitudes/perceptions in each precinct of greater importance in driving
support and which are less favourably rated
PRECINCT
New NSW/ACT
Attitudes/Perceptions England Upper Central Border South Cooma-
Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro
Noise concern
Effect on heritage values
Impact on visual appeal
Boost local economy
Cheapest renewable energy
Benefit to local community
Impact on local environment
Safety concerns
= target measure = distinctly high importance
Concern about noise was one of the more important drivers in all Precincts, and was of distinctly
high importance in three of the Precincts: Upper Hunter, NSW/ACT Border Region, and Cooma-
Monaro.
Individual figures for each Precinct are presented in Section 5.2 Precinct Snapshots (Figures 18-23).
Each figure shows the importance of each attitude and perception in driving support, and how
favourably each one was rated by residents in the Precinct.

5.0 Precinct summaries

5.1 Precinct overview
A summary of the six Renewable Energy Precincts is presented. The first summary below includes
some general information about wind farm projects, demographics and overall support.
NEW ENGLAND TABLELANDS

UPPER HUNTER
WIND PROJECTS: Approved - 1 (Glen Innes with 27 turbines),
WIND PROJECTS: Approved - 1
Under Assessment - 2 (Ben Lomond and Sapphire with approx.
(Kyoto Energy Park with up to 34 x
250 turbines in total)
3MW wind turbines)
POPULATION: Approx 172,000 adults, accounting for 24% of
POPULATION: Approx 30,000
adult population across the Renewable Energy Precincts
adults, accounting for 4% of adult
population across the Renewable Survey: 70% in town, 30% out-of-town
Energy Precincts
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for wind farms
Survey: 64% in town, 36% out-of- within 10 km and 1-2 km
town
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS:
Lower than average support for
wind farms within 10 km (-5%) and
1-2 km (-10%)
CENTRAL TABLELANDS
NSW/ACT BORDER REGION WIND PROJECTS: Installed or
WIND PROJECTS: Installed – 1 Constructed – 2 (Hampton
(Crookwell I with 8 turbines), Wind Farm and Blayney with a
Approved - 7 (Conroys Gap, total of 17 turbines)
Capital, Taralga, Crookwell II, Approved - 1 (Black Springs
Cullerin Range, Gunning and with 9 turbines)
Gullen Range with a total of
approximately 300 turbines), Under Assessment – 1 (Flyers
Under Assessment or proposed – 3 Creek with 40 turbines)
(Yass Valley, Gurrundah and POPULATION: Approx
Bannister with a total of over 200 157,000 adults, accounting
turbines) for 22% of adult population
POPULATION: Approx 101,000 across the Renewable Energy
adults, accounting for 15% of Precincts
adult population across the Survey: 67% in town, 33% out-
Renewable Energy Precincts of-town
Survey: 71% in town, 29% out-of- SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS:
town Higher than average support
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: for wind farms within 1-2 km
Average support for wind farms (+6% each), average for 10 km
within 1-2 km, above average for
10 km (+5%)
COOMA-MONARO
SOUTH COAST
WIND PROJECTS: Approved - 1 (Snowy Plains/
Berridale with 16 turbines), Under Assessment – WIND PROJECTS: None
1 (Boco Rock with 125 turbines)
POPULATION: Approx 234,000 adults, accounting
POPULATION: Approx 23,000 adults, accounting for 32% of adult population across the Renewable
for 3% of adult population across the Renewable Energy Precincts
Energy Precincts
Survey: 54% in town, 45% out-of-town
Survey: 63% in town, 37% out-of-town
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for wind farms within 10 km and 1-2 km
wind farms within 10 km and 1-2 km

5.2 Precinct snapshots

Overview
More detailed summaries of the six Precincts are presented below. These highlight issues where the
Precinct differs from the average of the six Precincts (by at least ±5%).
A figure is also presented for each Precinct showing the importance of attitudes and perceptions in
driving support and how favourably each one was rated by residents in the Precinct (Figures 19-24).
Each figure is shown as a quadrant formed in the following way:
• Vertical axis: This shows the importance of each attitude/perception in driving

support. The importance is based on the gap between supporters and opposers on
how favourably each attitude/perception was rated. The greater the gap, the
greater the importance of the measure. A line has been drawn to split the measures
into higher and lower importance.
• Horizontal axis: This shows how favourably each attitude/perception was rated, as
a percentage of residents in the Precinct. The specific rating differs by the type of
question. A line has been drawn at 60% (about the average across all measures) to
split the attitudes/perceptions into being more or less favourably rated.
The attitudes and perceptions in the top left quadrant represent those which are of higher
importance and which are less favourably rated by residents in the Precinct, as illustrated below.
The top right quadrant in each figure represents attitudes and perceptions which are of higher
importance in driving support and are being rated more favourably by residents.
Increasing importance
Higher importance – Higher importance –

less favourably rated more favourably rated
More favourably rated

New England Tablelands
WIND PROJECTS: Approved - 1 (Glen Innes with 27 turbines). Under Assessment - 2 (Ben Lomond and
Sapphire with approx. 250 turbines in total)
POPULATION: Approx 172,000 adults, accounting for 24% of adult population across the Renewable Energy
Precincts; 70% in town and 30% out-of-town
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for wind farms within 10 km and 1-2 km; ‘strong support’.
Lower for wind farms at state level (-10%) and local region (-7%).
AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Less likely to have seen a wind turbine (-22%)
• Less likely to have been within earshot (-15%)
• Less likely to feel knowledgeable about wind farms (-14%)
• Lower awareness of currently operating wind farms in NSW (-33%)
• Lower awareness of wind farms in local region (-22%)
• Lower awareness of wind farms being planned in NSW (-7%)
ATTITUDES AND CONCERNS

• Wind power is regarded as less acceptable (-5%); conventional coal plants more acceptable (+10%)
• Conventional coal fired power plants more acceptable (+9%)
• More likely to have safety concerns (+7%)
CONSULTATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION

• Less likely to believe there has been adequate consultation (-8%)
• Less likely to want further information (-7%)
Figure 20. Driving support for wind farms in New England Tablelands: showing strength of
importance of attitudes/perceptions and how favourably they were rated
Increasing
importance

Noise concerns
Boost local economy
Acceptable for power plant
Help increase tourism Impact on visual appeal

Safety concerns Health concerns
Great potential & resources
Knowledge

Lower greenhouse emission
Awareness of wind power
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

More favourable rating

Upper Hunter
WIND PROJECTS: Approved - 1 (Kyoto Energy Park with up to 34 x 3MW wind turbines)
Precincts; 64% in town and 36% out-of-town
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Lower support for wind farms within 10 km (-5%) and 1-2 km (-10%).
‘Strong support’ lower for wind farms at state level (-11%) and at local regional level (-11%)

• Less likely to have seen a wind turbine (-6%)
• Lower awareness of currently operating wind farms in NSW (-13%)
• Higher awareness of wind farms being planned in NSW (+17%)
• More likely to report location of current/planned wind farm visible (+9%)

• Conventional coal fired power plants more acceptable (+9%)
• Less likely to believe wind energy is efficient and reliable (-10%)
• Less strong agreement wind has lower emissions or is clean (-9% each), or with potential in NSW (-6%)
• Less positive about economic benefits to local economy (-10%), or benefitting community (-8%)
• Less positive about safety (-5%)
• More negative about impacts on environment (-9%), heritage values (-8%), property values (-7%), visual
appeal (-7%) and noise concerns (-7%)

• More likely to have heard about the initiative for setting up renewable energy precincts (+6%)
• More likely to feel there has been adequate consultation (+10%)
Figure 21. Driving support for wind farms in Upper Hunter: showing strength of importance of
attitudes/perceptions and how favourably they were rated
Increasing Noise concerns

importance
Boost local economy

Health concerns
Safety concerns Impact on local environment
Cheapest renewable energy Great potential & resources

Knowledge Awareness of wind power
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Central Tablelands
s
WIND PROJECTS: Installed or Constructed – 2 (Hampton Wind Farm and Blayney with a total of 17
turbines). Approved - 1 (Black Springs with 9 turbines); Under Assessment – 1 (Flyers Creek with 40
turbines).
Precincts; 67% in town and 33% out-of-town.
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Higher than average support for wind farms 1-2 km (+6%). Higher support at
local regional level (+6%), and above average ‘strong support’ at state level (+10%).

• More likely to have seen a wind turbine (+7%)
• More likely to have been within earshot (+10%)
• More likely to feel knowledgeable about wind farms (+9%)
• Higher awareness of currently operating wind farms in NSW (+19%)
• Higher awareness of wind farms in local region (23%)

• Interestingly conventional coal fired power plants are more acceptable than average (+6%)
• More likely to see no negative impact on environment (+5%)
• More likely to see benefits from tourism (+8%)

• More likely to want further information (+6%)
Figure 22. Driving support for wind farms in Central Tablelands: showing strength of importance
of attitudes/perceptions and how favourably they were rated
Increasing
importance

Noise concerns
Impact on visual appeal Efficient and reliable Acceptable for power plant
Health concerns

Safety concerns
Boost local economy

Knowledge
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


NSW/ACT Border Region
WIND PROJECTS: Installed – 1 (Crookwell I with 8 turbines); Approved - 7 (Conroys Gap, Capital, Taralga,
Crookwell II, Cullerin Range, Gunning and Gullen Range with a total of approximately 300 turbines). Under
Assessment or proposed – 3 (Yass Valley, Gurrundah and Bannister with a total of over 200 turbines).
Precincts; 71% in town and 29% out-of-town.
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for wind farms within 1-2 km, above average support at 10
km (+5%). Above average ‘strong support' at state level (+8%) and local regional level (+10%).

• More likely to have been within earshot (+9%)
• Higher awareness of wind farms in local region (+22%)
ATTITUDES AND CONCERNS:

• Wind power is regarded as more acceptable (+6%)
• More likely to strongly consider having lower greenhouse gas emission than coal (+11%)
• More negative about visual impacts (-9%)
• Less likely to be concerned about noise (+6%)
• More likely to see benefits from tourism (+6%)

• More likely to want further information (+5%)
Figure 23. Driving support for wind farms in NSW/ACT Border Region: showing strength of
importance of attitudes/perceptions and how favourably they were rated
Increasing
importance Noise concerns

Cheapest renewable energy Impact on local environment
Health concerns
Safety concerns Boost local economy
Knowledge Clean source of energy

20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


South Coast
WIND PROJECTS: None
Precincts, 54% in town, 45% out-of-town.
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for wind farms within 10 km and 1-2 km. Average support at
state level and local regional level.

• Less likely to feel knowledgeable about wind farms (-7%)
• Lower awareness of wind farms currently in operation in NSW (-11%)
• Lower awareness of wind farms in local region (-26%)

• Less likely to see benefits from tourism (-5%)

• Less likely to feel there has been adequate consultation (-13%)
• Less likely to want further information (-6%)
Figure 24. Driving support for wind farms in South Coast: showing strength of importance of
Increasing
importance

Noise concerns
Health concerns
Boost local economy

Safety concerns
Cheapest renewable energy Clean source of energy

Knowledge
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Cooma-Monaro
WIND PROJECTS: Approved - 1 (Snowy Plains/ Berridale with 16 turbines). Under Assessment – 1 (Boco Rock
with 125 turbines)
Precincts; 63% in town, 37% out-of-town.
SUPPORT FOR WIND FARMS: Average support for wind farms within 10 km and 1-2 km. Average support at
state level and local regional level.

• More likely to feel knowledgeable about wind farms (+11%)

• Water/hydroelectric power is regarded as more acceptable (+12%), conventional coal-fired as less
acceptable (-11%)
• Less likely to believe property values will be negatively affected (+5%)

Figure 25. Driving support for wind farms in Cooma-Monaro: showing strength of importance of
Increasing Noise concerns

importance
Impact on visual appeal Benefit local community

Effect on heritage values Acceptable for power plant

Health concerns
Safety concerns Impact on local environment

Help increase tourism Great potential & resources

Boost local economy
Awareness of wind power Knowledge
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


6.0 Results – Business survey

6.1 Perceptions of local region
Businesses were asked to rate how well their local region performs on a number of
socio-economic issues
Almost three quarters of businesses rated the local region as excellent/good the overall standard of
living (63%) and the local environment (62%) (Figure 26). This rating reduced to less than half for
health of the local economy (42%) and investment by business (36%). Employment opportunities
(26%) and level of investment (16%) by government were rated least well.
Ratings of the local region were similar for both farming and non-farming businesses. The largest
difference was in rating of employment opportunities (63% and 56% respectively for ratings of
average or above) (Table 25).
There was little difference between the industry sub-groups, with Business Services rating the level
of investment by business the highest (48% as excellent/good compared with 26-40%).
Figure 26. Perceptions of local region as a business manager, by businesses
Excellent/Good Average Poor Very poor Don't know
The overall standard of living 63 30 61
Local environment 62 23 8 34
The overall health of the local economy 42 32 22 32
The level of investment by business* 36 36 20 2 7
Employment opportunities 27 30 32 8 3
The level of Investment by government* 17 25 39 15 4
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of businesses
Base: All businesses * Not asked of farmers
Q6. How would you rate your local region on these issues?

Table 25. Ratings of local region as a business manager, by business groupings

TOTAL NON-FARMING FARMING
Non- Industrial, Community,
Total Farming Manufacture, Retail, Business, Personal,
Businesses Businesses Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality Farming
Feature (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
The overall standard of living
Excellent/Good 63 65 71 64 61 59 59
Average 36 35 29 35 38 41 40
Total 1 1 0 1 2 0 0
Local environment
Excellent/Good 62 62 64 69 63 50 63
Average 34 34 30 28 35 48 34
Total 4 4 6 3 2 3 4
The overall health of the local economy
Excellent/Good 42 42 45 41 42 37 42
Average 56 57 53 57 56 62 56
Total 2 2 2 2 2 1 3
The level of investment by business
Excellent/Good - 36 40 26 48 31 -
Average - 57 50 72 52 56 -
Total - 7 10 1 0 13 -
Employment opportunities
Excellent/Good 27 25 29 23 27 19 31
Average 70 73 69 75 72 78 63
Total 3 2 2 2 2 3 5
The level of investment by government
Excellent/Good - 17 21 10 15 19 -
Average - 79 75 85 85 72 -
Total - 4 4 5 0 8 -
Base: All businesses

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower ratings
Q6. How would you rate your local region on these issues?

6.2 Renewable energy

Businesses were asked to mention, unprompted, the clean energy sources they were
aware of. Businesses were asked which of a given list of power sources were
acceptable to them if a new power station was to be built in their local region.
Solar power was the most recognised clean energy source by over three quarters (84%) of businesses
(Table 26). Wind power was named by over two thirds (72%) of businesses, with farming businesses
(85%) having the highest awareness.
When asked about the acceptability of different power sources for an electricity plant, solar power
(95%) and wind power (83%) were again the most identified as acceptable (Table 27). Conventional
coal power was only rated as acceptable by about a third of businesses. Wind power is well
established among business managers as a clean energy source at top of mind, and as acceptable for
new power stations.
Table 26. Spontaneous awareness of clean energy sources, by business groupings
Industrial, Community,
Total Non- Manufacture, Retail, Business Personal,
Businesses Farming Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality Farming
Energy source (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
Sun or solar 84 80 80 83 90 67 97
Wind 72 68 68 64 71 67 85
Water/hydroelectric 23 22 21 24 23 21 24
Gas 16 17 17 19 16 17 11
Geothermal 13 11 11 4 15 14 20
Wave or tidal 13 10 5 9 17 13 22
Nuclear 11 9 12 8 2 11 17
Clean coal 9 9 7 9 7 14 8
Bioenergy/electric 5 3 3 6 0 3 10
Other 3 3 3 5 2 2 5
Don't know 7 9 11 5 3 16 1

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower awareness
Table 27. Perception of power sources as acceptable, by business groupings

Power source (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
Solar 95 95 95 94 98 95 94
Wind 83 84 80 82 93 84 82
Water/hydroelectric 78 78 74 84 80 78 77
Gas 70 73 73 67 80 74 62
Coal 36 35 39 35 27 35 40
Nuclear 32 35 30 42 42 28 25


6.3 Awareness and knowledge about wind farms

General awareness and knowledge
Businesses were asked about their awareness of wind turbines/farms, including whether
they had heard about them, had seen one, had been close enough to hear one operating,
and how much they knew about wind farms
Almost every business indicated awareness of wind farms for producing electricity (Table 28). A
large majority (89%) had seen a wind farm or turbine. Close to half (43%) of businesses reported
having been close enough to a wind farm to hear it operating, although this was lower among
farming businesses (32%) than non-farming businesses (47%).
About three quarters (78%) of businesses were aware of operating wind farms and almost half (44%)
were aware of a wind farm being planned or under construction. Farming businesses (66%) were the
most likely to be aware of wind farms being planned or under construction, and the retail/wholesale
sector (39%) was least likely.
Over two thirds (71%) of businesses reported having a ‘lot’ or ‘moderate’ amount of knowledge
about wind farms.
Table 28. General awareness of wind farms, by business groupings

Awareness (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
Heard about
100 100 99 100 100 100 100
wind farms
Seen a wind
89 90 90 87 90 92 85
farm
Heard wind
43 47 47 53 49 37 32
farm operating
Knowledge of wind farms
A lot 19 19 16 22 21 17 19
A moderate
52 51 50 50 50 57 55
amount
A little 27 30 27 23 25 23 27
Only heard
3 4 1 5 1 3 3
name

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower awareness
Q9. Have you heard about the use of wind farms or wind turbines or windmills to generate electricity?
Q10a. Have you seen an actual wind turbines or windmill to generate electricity?
Q28. Have you been close enough to an operating wind turbine or wind farm to hear it?
Q15a. Are you aware of any wind farms in NSW under construction or being proposed?

Sources of information
Businesses were asked to mention, unprompted, where they had heard or received
information about wind farms
The key source of information about wind farms was news and current affairs on television and radio
(43%) (Table 29). Local newspapers (28%) and state/national newspapers (24%) were also commonly
reported. A further common source was through word of mouth or experience of wind farms locally
(21%). A range of other less frequent sources were suggested, including the business manager’s own
research, as well as from wind farm developers, energy companies and community groups.
Table 29. Source of information about wind farms, by business groupings

(unprompted – multi-response)
All Non-
Businesses Farming Farming
Source* (n=419) (n=289) (n=130)
% % %
News and media
Television or radio stations 43 40 51

Local newspapers 28 24 29
State/national newspapers 25 22 31
Other media 5 5 4
Personal Exposure, word of mouth, own research
Word of mouth / Seen operating locally 21 21 21

Own research/internet 11 13 4
Seen interstate/overseas 5 6 1
Government / Companies
Wind farm developers 8 8 9
Energy companies 3 4 2
Local Government 2 2 2
State Government 1 1 1
Local community and groups
Local community groups or social clubs 3 2 5

Environment groups 3 3 5
Landscape Guardians 3 2 4
Local business groups 1 1 2
Other
Nowhere in particular 7 5 12
Heard nothing 6 8 0

Q29. From where have you heard or received any information about wind farms? (unpompted)

Consultation and further information

Businesses were asked about their engagement with wind power regarding awareness of
the government’s renewable energy initiative, whether they considered they had had
adequate consultation about wind farms, and whether they had adequate information
about wind farms
Over a third (39%) of businesses reported having heard about the NSW Government’s initiative for
setting up Renewable Energy Precincts (Table 30), higher than the result among residents of the
Precincts. Less than a quarter (21%) of businesses, however, felt that they had received adequate
consultation about wind farms, and more than a third (37%) considered that they had adequate
information. These results set good baselines for measuring improvements in knowledge and
consultation as more wind farms are built and promoted.
Table 30. Consultation about potential wind farms and further information, by business
groupings
Perception of activities Businesses Farming Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality Farming
and information (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
Heard about initiative for
Renewable Energy 39 37 41 33 38 33 45
Precincts
Adequate consultation
21 20 18 26 21 16 24
about wind farms
Adequate information
37 35 32 34 45 31 42
about wind farms

Q34a. Do you feel you have adequate information about wind farms?

The most common types of information needs mentioned by businesses were around the
effectiveness of wind farms for power generation, the impacts on the community, including personal
health, and personal impact including price of electricity (Table 31). Another common remark from
businesses was about receiving general information about wind farms such as in a brochure.
Almost half (43%) of the businesses did not consider that they required any specific information on
wind farms. There was little difference between farming and non-farming businesses.
Table 31. Information needs, by non-farming and farming industry groups (unprompted – multi-
response)
Total Non-
Businesses Farming Farming
Information* (n=419) (n=289) (n=130)
% % %
General information (e.g., brochures) 17 19 12
Effectiveness/how it works - Power generation 17 15 23
Efficiency/how much energy is produced 7 5 12
Comparison with other powers source 3 3 5
Effectiveness – Logistics 9 9 12
Economics of venture/is is it worth doing 6 6 6
Cost of project 4 4 7
Local/community implications 15 15 17
Environmental impact 6 7 5
Location of wind farms 4 3 5
Impact on local community 3 3 4
Health impact 15 14 18
Noise levels 14 13 17
Health and safety concerns 5 5 5
Other personal impact 7 7 8
Want information if proposed nearby 2 2 1
Personal domestic installation/can I get my own 3 2 6
Price of electricity produced 1 2 1

Q34b. Are there any specific aspects of wind energy or wind farms that you would like more information on?
(unprompted)

6.4 Attitudes to wind power and wind farms

Attitudes to wind power
Businesses were asked to rate their level of agreement with a number of statements
about wind power
A large majority of businesses agreed that wind power was a clean energy source (96% in total), had
lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal or gas (90%), and that NSW has great potential for wind
power (87%) (Figure 27). Agreement was lower for wind power being efficient and reliable (61%) and
much lower for wind power being the cheapest renewable energy source (39%). The incidence of
‘don’t know’ responses for the latter was close to half (44%).
There was very little difference in these ratings between the industry groupings (Table 32). It would
be expected that agreement with issues could be increased through promotional and educational
activity about wind power. In addition, experience with wind farms in operation, information about
the actual energy output of the farms, and real measures of savings in cost and pollution should also
impact on these perceptions and understanding of wind power.
Figure 27. Attitudes to wind power, by businesses
Strongly agree Agree Disagre Strongly diasgree Don't know
Lower greenhouse emission than coal or gas 34 56 21 7
Is a clean source of energy 29 67 202
NSW has great potential & resources 24 63 61 7
Is efficient and reliable 9 52 17 1 21
Is the cheapest renewable energy source 5 33 16 2 44
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of businesses

Table 32. Attitudes to wind power, by business groupings

Feature (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
A clean source of energy
Agree 96 96 93 98 98 95 98
Disagree 2 2 2 2 0 4 2
Don’t know 2 2 5 0 2 1 0
Lower greenhouse gas emission than coal or gas
Agree 90 89 85 91 91 93 92
Disagree 3 3 4 4 3 1 3
Don’t know 7 7 11 5 5 6 5
NSW has great potential and resources for wind power
Agree 87 87 84 89 91 87 85
Disagree 6 6 7 4 3 8 7
Don’t know 7 7 8 6 5 5 8

Agree 61 62 56 63 73 63 56
Disagree 19 18 22 15 13 18 21
Don’t know 21 20 22 22 15 20 23
The cheapest renewable energy source
Agree 38 39 33 47 30 49 34
Disagree 18 19 23 16 20 14 15
Don’t know 44 42 44 37 50 37 52


Attitudes towards wind farms in the local region

Businesses were asked to rate their level of agreement with a number of statements
about wind farms in their local region
About three quarters of businesses were supportive of more wind farms being built (73%) and that
local council should be more active in encouraging wind farms (72%) (Figure 28).
A majority of businesses agreed that wind farms would benefit the local community (72%) and boost
employment and money within the economy (58%) (Figure 29). Businesses were not so positive about
an increase in tourism, with only about a quarter (24%) agreeing. The overall attitude that wind
farms would help boost tourism was higher among residents (40%).
A majority of businesses did not have a concern about wind farms impacting on health (71%), the
local environment (61% disagreeing with a negative impact), safety (58%) nor heritage values (51%).
There was little difference between the different business groupings (Table 33). While the results
were relatively positive, there is clearly scope to reduce perceptions of concern and negative
impact.
Figure 28. Attitudes to wind farms in local region, by businesses
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly diasgree Don't know
Local council should encourage wind farms 21 52 17 3 6
Benefit your local community 15 57 16 3 9
More wind farms in local region 19 54 15 5 8
No health concerns associated 13 58 15 1 13
No negative impact on the local environment 10 52 25 4 10
No safety concerns associated 9 49 26 3 13
Boost employment and local economy 11 47 24 4 15
Not affect heritage values in your local region 10 41 34 2 13
Help increase tourism 3 21 55 8 13
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of businesses

Q20. Extent to which you agree or disagree with statements about wind farms in your local region

Table 33. Attitudes to wind farms in the region, by business groupings

TOTAL NON FARMING FARMING
Wind farms in Businesses Farming Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality Farming
the local region (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
Local council should take a more active role in encouraging wind farms
Agree 73 74 67 74 76 83 71
Disagree 20 19 26 21 12 12 24
Don’t know 6 7 7 5 12 5 5
Should be more wind farms built
Agree 72 74 65 77 81 81 66
Disagree 19 18 25 20 12 13 23
Don’t know 8 7 11 3 7 7 11

Agree 72 72 64 70 81 81 72
Disagree 19 19 26 21 12 9 19
Don’t know 9 9 10 9 7 9 9
Boost employment and bring money into the local economy
Agree 58 57 53 53 60 64 61
Disagree 28 28 31 36 20 23 26
Don’t know 15 15 16 11 20 13 13
Agree 24 26 16 32 25 36 19
Disagree 63 62 69 61 56 56 67
Don’t know 13 12 14 7 19 8 14
No health concerns
Agree 71 74 71 78 74 74 64
Disagree 16 14 14 16 14 11 24
Don’t know 13 13 15 7 12 15 13
No negative impact on the local environment
Agree 61 63 52 71 70 67 56
Disagree 28 28 33 24 21 27 30
Don’t know 10 9 15 4 9 5 14
No safety concerns
Agree 58 58 57 63 50 62 58
Disagree 29 28 29 26 38 20 30
Don’t know 13 14 15 11 11 18 12
No effect on heritage values
Agree 51 54 50 58 56 54 42
Disagree 36 34 38 35 31 28 45
Don’t know 13 12 12 7 14 18 13

Q20. Extent to which you agree or disagree with statements about wind farms in your local region

Impact of wind farms on businesses, local region and surrounding areas

Businesses were asked to rate whether wind farms would impact on their business, on
property values, and on visual appeal, and asked their level of concern about noise
The large majority (90%) of non-farming businesses did not consider that wind farms would have a
negative impact on their business (Table 34). About a third (30%) considered the impact would be
positive, although this was lower in the industrial/manufacturing/transport industry group (24%
compared with 30-39%).
Perceptions of the impact on property values and visual appeal were not so strong, with only about
half (52%) overall considering there would be only a positive or neutral impact. Farming businesses
(65%), however, were more likely than non-farming businesses (48%) to take this position.
About half (51%) of businesses overall considered that noise would be of little concern, and this was
greater among the non-farming businesses (54%) than the farming businesses (34%: asked in
reference to where they lived). Over half (58%) of the farming businesses considered that noise
would be of some or great concern.
Table 34. Impact of wind farms on business, property value visual appeal and noise, by business
groupings
Impact of Businesses Farming Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality Farming
wind farms (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % % %
Impact on your business*
A positive impact - 30 30 22 30 34 -
No impact - 61 61 68 60 59 -
Negative impact 5 5 5 8 3
Other response - 1 1 2 0 0 -
A positive impact 16 14 15 9 14 19 21
No impact 36 34 35 36 33 30 43
Negative impact 36 40 41 44 38 37 24
Other response 12 12 10 11 15 14 12
Visual impact
A positive impact 17 17 10 12 20 30 19
No impact 35 33 40 34 32 24 40
Negative impact 40 42 43 48 35 41 34
Other response 8 8 7 6 13 6 7
Noise a concern if 1-2 km away
Total no/little concern 49 55 55 64 55 43 34
Some/great concern 41 35 35 27 35 42 58
Depends/Don’t know 10 11 10 8 10 15 7
Base: All businesses *Not asked of farming businesses

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting more positive and more negative results
Q17a. In your view, what impact would wind farms have on your business?
Q21. In your view, what impact would wind farms in your local region have on property values?
Q22. In your view, what impact would wind farms have on the visual appeal of the surrounding area?
Q27. In your view, to what extent would noise be a concern for you if a wind farm was 1-2 kilometres away
from your business/property?

6.5 Support and investment

Support for wind farms
Businesses were asked whether they supported or opposed wind farms in NSW, in their
local region, 10 km from their residence and 1-2 km from their residence
The total support by businesses for wind farms in NSW was marginally higher than by residents (88%
compared to 79%) (Figure 29). In contrast, businesses in the industrial/manufacturing sector were
the least positive with only about a quarter (27%) supporting.
Support for wind farms in the local region was only marginally lower (83%), and at a very similar
level for 10 kilometres from the business (82%) (Table 35). Support, however, dropped significantly
when considering wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres of the business, although it was still a
majority position (60%).
There was little difference in support between the industry groupings (Table 34).
Figure 29. Overall support for wind farms, by businesses
Wind farms in NSW 40 49 5 24
Wwind farms in local region 33 51 8 4 5
Wwind farms 1-2 kilometres from business 14 46 20 13 7
0 20 40 60 80 100
% of businesses

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower support
Q13. As a business manager, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built in NSW?
Q17. As a business manager, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built in your local
region?
Q24. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 1-2 kilometres from your business?

Table 35. Overall support for wind farms, by business groupings

Community
Industrial, ,
Non- Manufacture, Retail, Business Personal,
Support for Total Farming Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality Farming
wind farms (n=419) (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78) (n=130)
% % % % % %
In NSW
Support 88 89 87 89 93 90 86
Oppose 7 6 5 9 5 7 10
In the local region
Support 83 83 77 86 86 86 84
Oppose 12 12 13 13 9 10 14
10 km from business
Support 82 84 78 84 90 87 77
Oppose 14 12 15 13 7 13 18
1-2 km from business
Support 60 61 54 62 69 64 56
Oppose 33 32 36 33 24 32 35

Q13. As a business manager, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built in NSW?
Q17. As a business manager, to what extent do you support or oppose wind farms being built in your local
region?
Q24. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 1-2 kilometres from your business?
Q25. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 10 kilometres from your business?

Consideration of investment in wind farms and green energy

Non-farming businesses were asked whether they would consider investing in wind farms
and about their use of green energy; and farming businesses were asked if they would
consider having wind turbines on their property
A third (30%) of non-farming businesses reported that they would consider investing in wind farms
(Table 36). A small minority (16%) reported currently using renewable energy, while more than a
third (38%) of the businesses expressed interest in buying renewable energy.
Over half (57%) of farming businesses reported that they would consider putting turbines on their
property (Table 37), giving a substantial base for development of wind farms in these regional
areas. The sample sizes in each Precinct were too small for detailed assessment (although the
incidence of farms is much lower on the South Coast).
Only a small minority (11%) of farming businesses reported having been approached by a wind farm
developer.
Table 36. Consideration of investment in wind farms and use of green energy, by non-farming
businesses
NON-FARMING
Non- Manufacture, Retail, Business Personal,
Farming Transport Wholesale Services Hospitality
Statement (n=289) (n=79) (n=75) (n=57) (n=78)
% % % % %
Business would consider investing in
30 32 31 30 27
wind farms
Renewable energy
Use renewable energy 16 15 15 16 18

IF NOT USED (based on all)
38 35 30 47 44
Interest in buying green energy
Base: Non-farming businesses

Q37a. Would your business consider investing in wind farms in your local region?
Q37b. Does your business use any renewable energy such as solar panels, or solar hot water; or does your
business buy green power?
Q37c. Would your business be interested in buying green energy?
Table 37. Approach or consideration on property, by farming businesses

Farming
Involvement (n=130)
%
Approached by a wind farm developer 11
Consider putting turbines on property 57
Base: Farming businesses

Q35. Have you been approached by a wind farm developer at all?
Q36. Would you consider having wind turbines on your property?

Perceived benefits of wind farms to the business

Businesses were asked, unprompted, what benefits wind farms would bring to the region
Recognition of benefits that wind farms would bring to the business was assessed by overall
support/opposition of wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres from the business (Table 38). The main
categories of benefits were around reduction in pollution, cost of electricity, and benefits to the
economy/community.
Businesses that supported wind farms were more likely to identify all of these categories of
benefits, compared with those opposing, and much more likely to mention a benefit overall.
Table 38. Benefits of wind farms to business, by support/opposition to wind farms being built 1-2
km from the business (unprompted – multi-response)
Total
Businesses Support Oppose
Benefit*
(n=419) (n=244) (n=145)
% % %
Pollution 29 36 18
Reduces pollution/clean power/environmentally
22 28 12
friendly
Alternative/renewable energy/provides a choice 5 5 4
Supplies power/helps maintain regular power supply 7 7 7
Reduces transmission from the grid 2 2 2
Cost 24 28 19
Cost effective/cheaper energy/bills 17 19 14

Cheaper source of power/cheaper to make 8 10 5
Economy/Community 23 28 15
Increases employment opportunities 14 17 11

Help local community/economy 8 11 3
Benefits the local land owners/owners of land 4 6 2
Encourages tourism/good for the region's image 2 2 3

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower benefits
Q18. What if any benefits would wind farms bring to your business/property (unprompted)

Perceived concerns about wind farms to the business

Businesses were asked, unprompted, what concerns they had about wind farms in the
region
The suggestion of concerns about wind farms in regard to the business was assessed by overall
support/opposition to wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres from the business (Table 39). About two
thirds of businesses that opposed wind farms raised a concern. In comparison, only about a quarter
of businesses that supported wind farms raise a concern. The main categories of concerns were
around the impact on people (including location and noise), impact on the landscape, and impact on
the economy (particularly property values).
The suggestion of benefits of wind farms to the business were assessed by overall
support/opposition to wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres from the business. The main categories
of benefits were around reduction in pollution, cost of electricity and benefits to the
economy/community.
Businesses that opposed wind farms were more likely to mention all of these categories of concerns,
and much more likely to identify a concern overall.
Table 39. Concerns about wind farms to businesses, by support/opposition to a wind farm being
built 1-2 km from business (unprompted – multi-response)
Total
Businesses Support Oppose
Concern*
(n=419) (n=244) (n=145)
% % %
Impact on people 26 17 39
Location concerns 13 9 20
Noise concerns 14 8 22
Health concerns 2 0 5
Impact on landscape 10 5 19
Aesthetics/look of it/ugly//take away view 8 4 15
Occupies large areas/spaces/limits potential of agricultural use 2 1 2
Impact on economy/value 5 2 11
Concerns about property value 3 0 9
Concern over power generation/effectiveness 6 4 8
Inefficient/uneconomical/not beneficial 2 1 4
Unreliable/dependent on weather 3 3 2
Concerns with maintenance/ decommissioning/removal 1 0 2
Impact on environment/ecosystem 4 1 5
Detrimental to the environment 2 1 3

Statistically significant difference between groups: highlighting higher and lower concerns
Q19. What if any concerns would have about wind farms in regards to your business (unprompted)

6.6 What is driving support for wind farms? – Businesses

Further analysis was conducted to look at how businesses’ attitudes and perceptions about wind
power and wind farms drives support for wind farms at 1-2 kilometres. The importance of each
attitude/perception is based on the gap between supporters and opposers on how favourably each
attitude/perception was rated. The greater the gap, the greater the importance of the measure.
The results are shown in Figure 30, in the form of a quadrant:
• Vertical axis: This shows the importance of each attitude/perception in driving

support. The importance is based on the gap between supporters and opposers on
how favourably each attitude/perception was rated. The greater the gap, the
greater the importance of the measure. A line has been drawn to split the measures
into higher and lower importance.
• Horizontal axis: This shows how favourably each attitude/perception was rated, as
a percentage of businesses. The specific rating differs by the type of question. A line
has been drawn at 60% (about the average across all measures) to split the
attitudes/perceptions into being more or less favourably rated.
The attitudes and perceptions in the top left quadrant represent those which are of higher
importance and which are less favourably rated by businesses:
• concern about noise;

• impact on visual appeal;
• boosting employment and money in the local economy;
• impact on property values; and
• safety concerns.
The top right quadrant in each figure represents attitudes and perceptions that are of higher
importance as drivers and are rated more favourably. The two measures in this position are:
• benefit to the local community; and

• acceptability of wind power for a power plant.

Figure 30. Drivers of support for wind farms, showing strength of importance and favourable
rating of each measure*, by businesses
Increasing
importance
Noise concerns

Boost local economy
Safety concerns Acceptable for power plant

Health concerns

Impact on own business
Cean source of energy

Knowledge
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

* The vertical axis is the strength of importance: based on the gap in the favourable rating of the
measure between those supporting wind farms 1-2 km away and those opposing
The horizontal axis is the overall favourable rating on the measure: agreement with attitudinal
statements, positive/no impact on issues, no/little concern about noise, a lot/moderate knowledge

7.0 Key findings and conclusions

7.1 Familiarity with wind power
• Wind power was well established top-of-mind, with more than half (59%) of residents of
the Precincts mentioning it spontaneously as a clean energy source, second only to solar
power. Residents were far less likely to be familiar with other clean energy sources such
as water, gas and bioenergy, mentioned by less than a quarter (18%) of residents.
• Wind power was also widely regarded as acceptable for power generation, by over three
quarters (81%) of the population, when residents were asked specifically. This was
second only to solar power which was almost universally accepted.
• The high level of familiarity was also demonstrated by the fact that almost everyone
(97%) in the Precincts, and the rest of regional NSW, had heard about wind farms or wind
turbines to generate electricity, and over three quarters (81%) had seen a wind farm
(which could be in person or in the media). A majority (68%) of residents of the Precincts
reported they knew about wind farms currently operating in NSW. Awareness was much
higher in NSW/ACT Border Region (95%), Central Tablelands (90%) and Cooma-Monaro
(85%). By contrast, residents of New England Tablelands (387%) were the least likely to
report awareness.
• While awareness of wind farms being planned or under construction was limited to less
than a third (28%) of residents of the Precincts overall, residents of Upper Hunter (54%),
Cooma-Monaro (53%) and NSW/ACT Border Region (47%) were relatively more likely to be
aware of planned wind farms.
• It is worth noting that a majority of residents considered that they did not have
adequate information about wind farms, even in areas where awareness of operation of
wind farms was higher. A majority of residents expressed interest in finding out more
about specific aspects of wind farms, including issues around noise, location of wind
farms, impact on the environment and community, and effectiveness of power
generation.
• A third (33%) of residents of the Precincts were aware of the NSW Government’s
initiative for setting up Renewable Energy Precincts, although few overall (16%)
considered that there had been adequate consultation. Awareness of the Government’s
initiative was higher among residents who were aware of wind farm operating or planned
in their local region, especially if the location was 5 kilometres (50%) away. A perception
of adequate consultation also increased with greater awareness and closer proximity. A
majority (60%) of residents aware of a wind farm operating or planned within 20
kilometres said that there had been adequate engagement.
7.2 Perceptions about wind power and its benefits and impacts
• Residents widely acknowledged that wind power has lower greenhouse gas emissions
than coal or gas and that NSW is well positioned with resources. There was, however,
less understanding or greater uncertainty about efficiency and reliability of wind power,
and about whether wind power was the cheapest renewable energy source.
• There was also broad acknowledgement that wind farms would benefit the local
community and can boost employment and the economy. Consistent with this, there is
broad endorsement of more wind farms being built in the local region and more active
involvement of the local councils to encourage wind farms. Only about a third (32%) of
residents, however, believed that wind farms would contribute to an increase in tourism.

• The majority (69%) of residents also did not perceive any health concerns, while on the
issue of safety concerns, opinion was more polarised. Residents were also divided on
their views on impacts of wind farms on both property values and visual appeal of the
area, and on concern about noise. The majority (62%) of residents did not perceive a
negative impact on the environment, while opinion was divided on the issue of heritage
values.
7.3 Level of support for wind farms

• The large majority of residents across the Precincts indicated they would support wind
farms being built both in NSW as well as in their local region. The majority of residents
of the Precincts were supportive of wind farms being built in the vicinity of their
residence. Over three quarters (79%) supported wind farms being built 10 kilometres
from their residence, and more than half (60%) supported them 1-2 kilometres from their
residence. Overall support at 1-2 kilometres tended to be lower in two of the Precincts:
New England Tablelands (54%) and Upper Hunter (44%).
• Residents opposing wind farms being built 1-2 kilometres from their residence were much
more likely than supporters to identify concerns about noise and the impact on the
landscape, and much less likely to identify benefits of wind farms such as reducing
pollution and improving the community and economy. Notably, over two thirds (68%) of
residents opposing wind farms at 1-2 kilometres still saw an overall benefit of wind farms
to the local region.
7.4 Driving support for wind farms

• The relationship between the level of support/opposition for wind farms 1-2 kilometres
from place of residence, and a range of attitudinal, perceptual, demographic and
geographic measures captured in the study was analysed. It was found that the most
important drivers of support for wind farms were attitudinal:
• attitudes towards the economic and community benefits of wind farms;

• the perceived visual and noise impacts;
• concerns about health, safety and heritage values; and
• perception of wind power relating to clean energy source and its potential in NSW.
Proximity to wind farms was also found to be of some importance, while demographic
characteristics such as Precinct, gender and age had relatively low influence on level of support.
7.5 Segments
Residents in the Precincts were divided into three groups based on the combination of their support
or opposition to wind farms (a) in NSW, and (b) 1-2 kilometres from their residence. Those residents
who supported wind farms across locations held much more positive attitudes and perceptions.
Those residents who only supported wind farms in NSW were less likely to see wind power as a
feasible source of energy, and efficient and reliable; less likely to consider there would be a
positive or neutral impact on a range of issues. The greatest difference, however, was potential
concern about noise.
Those residents who did not support wind farms in either context were very much less likely to
consider wind power as an acceptable energy source, doubting its efficiency/reliability and much
less accepting of the resources in NSW. They were also very much more negative about all the
impacts and benefits that might be associated with wind farms.

7.6 Precincts
Support for wind farms did not differ greatly between the Precincts. However, overall support in the
region was marginally lower in New England Tablelands and Upper Hunter and marginally higher in
Central Tablelands and NSW/ACT Border.
7.7 Businesses in the Renewable Energy Precincts

• Businesses in the six Renewable Energy Precincts showed high levels of awareness and
familiarity, and a positive outlook to wind power. These were very similar to the findings
among residents.
• Attitudes to wind power were also consistent with those seen among residents, except
that businesses were less likely to regard wind power as cheaper and less likely to
believe wind farms would boost employment in the local economy.
• Among non-farming businesses, about a third (30%) anticipated positive effects on their
business, while more than half (61%) believed there would be no impact. Few (8%)
considered that there could be a negative impact or were undecided. Opinion was
divided on visual impact of wind farms, impact on property values and concerns about
noise. Farming businesses were more likely to spontaneously express concern about the
location of wind farms, and were more concerned about noise (58% having at least some
concern compared with 35% of non-farming businesses). Nevertheless, over half (57%) of
farming businesses would consider wind farms on their property.
• Opinion was equally divided on visual impact of wind farms, impact on property values
and concerns about noise. Notably, farming related businesses were more concerned
about noise.
• The level of support for wind farms in the state, in the local region, 10 kilometres from
the business and 1-2 kilometres was widespread, and similar to that shown by residents.
• The strongest drivers of support for wind farms 1-2 kilometres from their business were
found to be similar to those seen among residents, with noise concerns and benefit to
the local community prominent.
7.8 General conclusion

• The research indicates there was strong support and backing for wind farms in NSW, in
the local region, and at 10 kilometres from the place of residence. Closer to home,
support reduced significantly, although a majority (60%) still supported wind farms at a
distance of 1-2 kilometres.
• While overall acceptability of wind power was high, a significant number of residents of
the Precincts, in the range of 30-40%, had some concern about noise, negative visual
impact, negative impact on property prices, safety and heritage values. In addition,
proximity to a wind farm reduced level of support.
• Even among supporters of wind farms, some groups were more concerned about the
possibility of health and safety factors.

8.0 Appendices
8.1 Appendix A: Questionnaires
Residential survey
Section A – Initial Demographics
Q1. RECORD GENDER
1 Female
2 Male
Q2. Firstly, which of the following age groups do you fall into?
READ OUT – SINGLE RESPONSE

1 18-29
2 30-44
3 45-54
4 54-64
5 65+
97 DO NOT READ OUT: Refused
Q3. (a) Do you live…
READ OUT - SINGLE RESPONSE

1 In town
2 or out of town
IF IN TOWN GO TO Q4
(b) Is that a residential or farming property?

Would that be…
1 Small residential property
2 Medium to large residential property
3 Small farming property
4 Medium to large farming property
Q4. And how long have you lived in the area? Would it be…

1 Less than 2 years
2 2 to 5 years
3 6 to 10 years
4 11 to 20 years
5 More than 20 years

Section B – Perceptions of Local Region
Q6. Next, I would like you to rate your local region on a number of issues. Please use a scale of Very Poor,
Poor, Average, Good or Excellent.
FIRST: Firstly, how would you rate your local region on…
OTHER: And how would you rate your local region on…
RANDOMISE
1 The overall standard of living
2 Employment opportunities
3 The level of Investment by government
4 The overall health of the local economy
5 Access to services such as health and education
6 Local environment
7 The level of investment by business
SCALE – SINGLE RESPONSE GRID

1 Excellent
2 Good
3 Average
4 Poor
5 Very Poor
9 DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
Section C – Renewable Energy
Q7. The next few questions are about power generation and electricity. The demand for electricity is
increasing. A number of clean energy sources are being discussed. Which clean energy sources are you
aware of?
PROBE: Any others?
DO NOT READ – MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1 Sun or solar power
2 Wind power
3 Water or hydroelectric power
4 Wave or tidal power
5 Nuclear power
6 Clean coal where the pollutants are buried
7 Gas
8 Bioenergy/Bioelectric
9 Geothermal
98 Other (specify)
99 Don’t know
Q8. Say a new power station was going to be built in your local region to provide power to the area. Which,
if any, of the following power sources would you consider to be acceptable for this power station?
Firstly, would you find ….. acceptable or not? READ OUT

And would you…
RANDOMISE
1 Solar power
2 Wind power
3 Nuclear power
5 conventional coal fired electricity plant
6 Gas
7 Water or Hydro Electric Power

1 Acceptable
2 Not acceptable
99 Unsure

Section D – General Awareness and Knowledge about Wind Farms
Q9. I would like you now to think about wind power. Have you heard about the use of wind farms or wind
turbines or windmills to generate electricity?
DO NOT READ OUT

1 Yes
2 No GO TO Q11
Q10. a) Have you seen an actual wind turbine or wind mill used to generate electricity?
1 Yes GO TO Q11
2 No
9 Don’t know
Q11. Wind farms are a group of wind turbines usually situated on ridges and hills in rural areas. They are
placed where wind flow is the greatest. The wind farm is connected to the power grid to supply
electricity to homes and businesses. Before this survey, how much did you know about wind farms?
Would you say you knew…

1 A lot about wind farms
2 A moderate amount about wind farms
3 A little about wind farms
4 Only heard the name
5 Have not heard of it before now
99 DO NOT READ OUT: Can’t say/Don’t know
Q12. I’m now going to talk about electricity generated by wind power. I’ll read out a few statements. Please
tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement. Please use a scale of Strongly Agree,
Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree.
RANDOMISE
1 Wind power is efficient and reliable
2 Wind power has lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal or gas
3 Wind power is the cheapest renewable energy source
4 Wind power is a clean source of energy
5 NSW has great potential and resources for wind power

1 Strongly agree
2 Agree
3 Disagree
4 Strongly disagree
Section E – Wind Farms in NSW

Q13. I would now like you to think about wind farms in NSW. Overall, to what extent do you support or
oppose wind farms being built in NSW. Would you…
1 Strongly support wind farms in NSW
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
4 Strongly oppose
5 DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t care either way
6 DO NOT READ OUT: Depends
Q14. (a) Are you aware of any wind farms currently operating in NSW?
1 Yes
2 No

Q15. (a) Are you aware of any wind farms in NSW under construction or being proposed?
1 Yes
2 No
Section F – Wind Farms in the Local Area

Q17. Now I’d like you to think about your local region. Overall, to what extent do you support or oppose wind
farms being built in your local region. Would you say you…
NOTE: IF RESPONDENTS ASKS WHAT LOCAL REGION MEANS, TELL THEM IT’S THE AREA IN WHICH THEY
LIVE, GO TO SCHOOL, DO THEIR WEEKLY SHOPPING, SOCIALISE

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
ALTERNATE ORDER – ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES
Q18. What if any benefits would wind farms bring to your local region?
PROBE: Any other benefits?
RECORD VERBATIM RESPONSE
Q19. What if any concerns would you have about wind farms in your local region?
PROBE: Any other concerns?
Q20. Now we’re going to talk about wind farms and your local region. I am going to read out some
statements. Please tell me the extent to which you agree or disagree with each. Please use a scale of
Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree.
NOTE: IF RESPONDENT THINKS STATEMENTS ARE BEING REPEATED, EXPLAIN THIS IS ABOUT LOCAL REGION
AS OPPOSED TO NSW IN GENERAL
READ OUT
1 Your local council should take a more active role in encouraging wind farms
2 There should be more wind farms built in your local region
3 Wind farms would boost employment and bring money into the local economy
5 Wind farms would have a negative impact on the local environment
6 Wind farms would benefit your local community
7 Wind farms in your local region would help increase tourism
8 Wind farms would not affect heritage values in your local region
9 There would be no safety concerns associated with wind farms
10 There would no health concerns associated with wind farms

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
Q21. In your view, what impact would wind farms in your local region have on property values? Would they
have…
1 A positive impact
2 A negative impact
3 or No impact
4 DO NOT READ OUT: Both

Q22. In your view, what impact would wind farms have on the visual appeal of the surrounding area? Would it
be…
1 A positive impact
2 A negative impact
3 or No impact
IF Q14=1 OR Q15=1 (AWARE OF WIND FARMS) ASK
Q23. (a) You previously mentioned that you were aware of wind farms operating in NSW or being planned. Are
any of these in your local region?
1 Yes
2 No GO TO Q24
(b) What is the name or location of the nearest wind farm, or planned wind farm, in your local region?
RECORD NAME________________________________________
(c) Is this wind farm…
1 Currently operating
2 under construction
3 or being planned
(d) How close is this wind farm to your residence? Would it be…
SINGLE RESPONSE - TRY TO GET AS KILOMETRES, OTHERWISE TIME

(e) IF (c)= 1: Is the wind farm visible from where you live?
IF (c)=2/3: Will the wind farm be visible from where you live?
ASK ALL
Q24. Wind farms are usually sited on ridges and hills in rural and coastal areas where wind flow is the
greatest. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 1 to 2 kilometres from your residence?
Would you…

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose

IF OPPOSE OR DEPENDS/DON’T KNOW IN Q24 ASK Q25
Q25. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 10 kilometres from your residence? Would you…

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
Q26. IF SUPPORT: What are your main reasons behind your support?
IF OTHER: What are your main reasons for not supporting?
Q27. In your view, to what extent would noise be a concern for you if you were living 1-2 kilometres away
from wind farms? Would it be:
READ OUT
1 No concern
2 Of little concern
3 Of some concern
4 Of great concern
IF ANSWERED YES AT Q9, ASK Q28
Q28. And have you been close enough to an operating wind turbine or wind farm to hear it?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
Q29. From where have you heard or received any information about wind farms? Any others?
DO NOT READ OUT – MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1 Television or radio stations (news/current affairs)
2 Local newspapers
3 State/national newspapers
3 Local government
4 Local community groups or social clubs (e.g. Church, Rotary)
5 Local environment groups / Environment groups
5 Local business groups
6 Wind farm developers
7 Family/friends/word of mouth
8 State Government
9 Landscape Guardians
10 Energy companies
11 Nowhere in particular
96 Heard nothing
98 Other (specify)
Q30. Have you heard about the NSW government initiative for setting up renewable energy precincts?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know

1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
Q34. (a) Do you feel you have adequate information about wind farms?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
(b) Are there any specific aspects of wind energy or wind farms that you would like more information
on?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
IF OUT OF TOWN AT Q3a, ASK Q36
1 Yes
2 No
3 Unsure
9 Don’t know
Section G – Demographic Profile
Q38. And are you currently…

1 Renting or leasing the home you live in
2 Have a mortgage which you are paying off for your home,
3 or fully own your home
Q40. Which of the following best describes the highest education level you have reached?

1 Primary school only
2 Completed equivalent of Year 10, school certificate
3 Completed equivalent of Year 12, higher school certificate
4 Trade or technical qualification
5 Diploma
6 University degree
7 Post graduate
Q41. Are you…
READ OUT – MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1 Working full time
2 Working part time
96 DO NOT READ OUT: None of these
Q42. Do you own or manage a business in your local region?

1 Yes
2 No
97 Refused

IF WORKING OR OWN/MANAGE A BUSINESS ASK Q43
Q43. IF OWN/MANAGE BUSINESS: What is the main industry of the business you manage. Is it…
IF WORKING: What is the main industry of the business you work for. Is it…

1 Farming or agriculture
2 Mining or resources
3 Building and construction
4 Professional or business services
5 Retail, from a shop front
6 Other retail
7 Wholesale
8 Government
98 or some other industry

Business questionnaire
Section A – Initial Demographics
Q3. Do you operate your business…
READ OUT - SINGLE RESPONSE

1 Mainly from your home
2 An office or shop front
3 A farming property
4 or some other premise (specify)
Q4. And how long has your business been operating in this area? Would it be…

1 Less than 2 years
2 2 to 5 years
3 6 to 10 years
4 11 to 20 years
5 More than 20 years
Section B – Perceptions of Local Region

Q6. Next, thinking of yourself as a business manager, I would like you to rate your local region on a number
of issues. Please use a scale of Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good or Excellent.
FIRST: Firstly, as a business manager, how would you rate your local region on…
OTHER: And how would you rate your local region on…
RANDOMISE
1 The overall standard of living
2 Employments opportunities
3 The level of Investment by government
4 The overall health of the local economy
6 Local environment
7 The level of investment by business

1 Excellent
2 Good
3 Average
4 Poor
5 Very Poor

Section C – Renewable Energy
Q7. The next few questions are about power generation and electricity. The demand for electricity is
increasing. A number of clean energy sources are being discussed. Which clean energy sources are you
aware of?
PROBE: Any others?
DO NOT READ – MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1 Sun or solar power
2 Wind power
3 Water or hydroelectric power
4 Wave or tidal power
5 Nuclear power
7 Gas
8 Bioenergy/Bioelectric
9 Geothermal
98 Other (specify) _____________
99 Don’t know
Q8. Say a new power station was going to be built in your local region to provide power to the area. Which,
if any, of the following power sources would you consider to be acceptable for this power station?
READ OUT LIST – GET RESPONSE BEFORE MOVING TO THE NEXT
Firstly, would you find ….. acceptable or not?
And would you…
–
RANDOMISE
1 Solar power
2 Wind power
3 Nuclear power
5 conventional coal fired electricity plant
6 Gas
7 Water or Hydro Electric Power

1 Acceptable
2 Not acceptable
99 Unsure
Section D – General Awareness and Knowledge about Wind Farms
Q9. I would like you now to think about wind power. Have you heard about the use of wind farms or wind
turbines or windmills to generate electricity?
DO NOT READ OUT

1 Yes
2 No GO TO Q11
Q10. a) Have you seen an actual wind turbine or wind mill used to generate electricity?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know

Q11. Wind farms are a group of wind turbines usually situated on ridges and hills in rural areas. They are
placed where wind flow is the greatest. The wind farm is connected to the power grid to supply
electricity to homes and businesses.
Before this survey, how much did you know about wind farms? Would you say you knew…

1 A lot about wind farms
2 A moderate amount about wind farms
3 A little about wind farms
4 Only heard the name
5 Have not heard of it before now
99 DO NOT READ OUT: Can’t say/Don’t know
Q12 I’m now going to talk about electricity generated by wind power. I’ll read out a few statements. Please
tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with each statement.
Please use a scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree.
RANDOMISE
1 Wind power is efficient and reliable
2 Wind power has lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal or gas
3 Wind power is the cheapest renewable energy source
4 Wind power is a clean source of energy
5 NSW has great potential and resources for wind power

1 Strongly agree
2 Agree
3 Disagree
4 Strongly disagree
Section E – Wind Farms in NSW
Q13. I would now like you to think about wind farms in NSW. As a business manager, to what extent do you
support or oppose wind farms being built in NSW. Would you…

1 Strongly support wind farms in NSW
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
4 Strongly oppose
Q14. (a) Are you aware of any wind farms currently operating in NSW?
1 Yes
2 No
Q15. (a) Are you aware of any wind farms in NSW under construction or being proposed?
1 Yes
2 No

Section F – Wind Farms in the Local Area
Q17. Now I’d like you to think about your local region. As a business manager, to what extent do you support
or oppose wind farms being built in your local region. Would you say you…
NOTE: IF RESPONDENT ASKS WHAT LOCAL REGION MEANS, SAY IT’S THE AREA THAT THEIR BUSINESS
OPERATES IN AND INTERACTS WITH THE COMMUNITY

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
Q17a In your view, what impact would wind farms in your local region have on your business? Would they
have…
1 A positive impact
2 A negative impact
3 or No impact
ALTERNATE ORDER – ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES
Q18. What if any benefits would wind farms bring to your business?
PROBE: Any other benefits?
Q19. What if any concerns would you have about wind farms in regards to your business?
PROBE: Any other concerns?
Q20. Now we’re going to talk about wind farms and your local region. I am going to read out some
statements. Please tell me the extent to which you agree or disagree with each. Please use a scale of
Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree.
NOTE: IF RESPONDENT THINKS STATEMENTS ARE BEING REPEATED, EXPLAIN THIS IS ABOUT LOCAL REGION
AS OPPOSED TO NSW IN GENERAL
READ OUT
1 Your local council should take a more active role in encouraging wind farms
2 There should be more wind farms built in your local region
3 Wind farms would boost employment and bring money into the local economy
5 Wind farms would have a negative impact on the local environment
6 Wind farms would benefit your local community
7 Wind farms in your local region would help increase tourism
8 Wind farms would not affect heritage values in your local region
9 There would be no safety concerns associated with wind farms
10 There would no health concerns associated with wind farms

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose

Q21. In your view, what impact would wind farms in your local region have on property values? Would they
have…
1 A positive impact
2 A negative impact
3 or No impact
Q24. Wind farms are usually sited on ridges and hills in rural and coastal areas where wind flow is the
greatest. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 1 to 2 kilometres from your business?
Would you…

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
IF OPPOSE OR DEPENDS/DON’T KNOW IN Q24 ASK Q25
Q25. Would you support or oppose a wind farm being built 10 kilometres from your business? Would you…

1 Strongly support
2 Support
3 Oppose
4 Strongly oppose
Q26. IF SUPPORT: What are your main reasons behind your support?
IF OTHER: What are your main reasons for not supporting?

Q27. In your view, to what extent would noise be a concern for you if a wind farm was 1-2 kilometres away
from your business? Would it be:
READ OUT
1 No concern
2 Of little concern
3 Of some concern
4 Of great concern

IF ANSWERED YES AT Q9, ASK Q28
Q28. And have you been close enough to an operating wind turbine or wind farm to hear it?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
Q29. From where have you heard or received any information about wind farms? Any others?
DO NOT READ OUT – MULTIPLE RESPONSE

1 Television or radio stations (news/current affairs)
2 Local newspapers
3 State/national newspapers
3 Local government
4 Local community groups or social clubs (e.g. Church, Rotary)
5 Local environment groups / Environment groups
5 Local business groups
6 Wind farm developers
7 Family/friends/word of mouth
8 State Government
9 Landscape Guardians
10 Energy companies
11 Nowhere in particular
96 Heard nothing
98 Other (specify)
Q30. Have you heard about the NSW government initiative for setting up renewable energy precincts?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
Q34. (a) Do you feel you have adequate information about wind farms?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
(b) Are there any specific aspects of wind energy or wind farms that you would like more information
on?
IF A PROPERTY ASK Q35

1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
IF A PROPERTY ASK Q36

1 Yes
2 No
3 Unsure
9 Don’t know
Q37. (a) Would your business consider investing in wind farms in your local region?
1 Yes
2 No
9 Don’t know
(b) Does your business use any renewable energy such as solar panels, or solar hot water; or does your
business buy green power?
INTERVIEWER: IF ANY OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED OR AGREED TO, CODE AS YES. IF BIOENERGY,
THERMAL ENERGY OR HEAT PUMPS, OR WIND TURBINES MENTIONED, CODE AS YES
1 Yes
2 No
3 Don’t know
IF NO/DON’T KNOW AT (B)
(c) Would your business be interested in buying green energy?
1 Yes
2 No
3 Not sure
9 Don’t know
Section G – Demographic Profile
Q39. How many people does your business employ in your local region?
Could you please give as the number of full time equivalents.
RECORD NUMBER – ALLOW 0, AND ONE DECIMAL ______________________
Q43. What is the main product, service or activity that your business provides?

8.2 Appendix B: Weighting

Residential survey
The residential survey was weighted in two stages:
• firstly using two sets of variables within each Precinct/Area — age/gender (Table
40), and gender/education (Table 40); and
• secondly by population within the Precincts (Table 41), to give total results across
the Precincts.
The final average weights by age and gender, within each Precinct, are shown in Table 42. (The
weighting also took into account education).
Table 40. Population distributions of residential survey by gender and age within Precinct
New NSW/ACT
England Upper Central Border South Cooma- Control
Gender Age Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro Area
% % % % % % %
Males 18-29 9.03 8.03 9.43 8.26 7.50 8.91 8.78
30-34 12.41 12.13 12.89 13.18 11.36 13.86 12.22
45-64 17.85 19.28 17.77 18.99 18.07 19.75 17.46
65+ 9.46 10.47 9.15 9.52 11.53 9.34 10.08
Females 18-29 9.05 7.42 8.99 7.49 7.27 7.21 8.60
30-34 13.16 12.92 13.34 13.31 12.46 13.41 13.05
45-64 17.58 18.07 17.32 18.26 18.80 17.46 17.67
65+ 11.45 11.66 11.10 10.99 13.01 10.07 12.14
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Table 41. Population distributions of residential survey by gender and education within Precinct
New NSW/ACT
Gender Education Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro Area
% % % % % % %
Males Non-Degree 91.37 93.52 91.38 90.30 91.12 90.40 91.64
Degree 8.63 6.48 8.62 9.70 8.88 9.60 8.36
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
% % % % % % %
Females Non-Degree 88.08 89.47 87.79 86.93 89.48 86.78 89.25
Degree 11.92 10.53 12.21 13.07 10.52 13.22 10.75
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Table 42. Weighting of residential survey within the six Precincts

New NSW/ACT
England Upper Central Border South Cooma-
Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro Total
Survey 16.8% 16.5% 16.8% 16.6% 16.8% 16.5% 100%

Population 23.5% 4.3% 21.4% 14.9% 32.7% 3.2% 100%
Weight 1.40 0.26 1.28 0.90 1.94 0.20 -

Table 43. Survey weights applied in the residential survey shown by gender and age within
Precinct (before weighting by area)
New NSW/ACT
Gender Age Tablelands Hunter Tablelands Region Coast Monaro Area
% % % % % % %
Males 18-29 1.74 1.09 1.52 1.48 1.46 2.83 1.43
30-34 1.05 1.33 1.21 1.08 1.14 0.94 1.02
45-64 0.85 0.89 0.89 0.92 0.94 0.90 0.87
65+ 0.94 0.88 0.78 0.88 0.84 0.86 0.82
Females 18-29 1.45 1.52 1.13 1.34 1.51 1.29 1.33
30-34 1.00 1.06 1.14 1.09 0.98 1.20 1.27
45-64 0.88 0.91 0.93 0.89 0.77 0.85 0.84
65+ 0.92 0.90 0.85 0.88 1.31 0.85 1.05
Business survey
The sampling for the business survey was conducted across the Precincts. The results were weighted
by industry to the approximate population of employing businesses in the area, based on ABS
statistics (Table 44). In this case, the farming businesses from the residential survey were weighted
to the large majority of the agriculture/forestry (25.0% out of the 28.3%).
No weights for the 300 businesses in this survey were greater than 1.8.
Table 44. Weighting of business survey by industry to approximate distribution across the
Precincts
Industry Survey Population Weight
% %
A Agriculture Forestry and Fishing 34.1 28.3 0.83
B Mining .2 0.3 1.26
C Manufacturing 5.3 4.3 0.82
E Construction 7.4 13.3 1.80
F Wholesale Trade 2.4 3.6 1.51
G Retail Trade 15.5 14.5 0.93
H Accommodation Cafes and Restaurants 7.6 6.4 0.84
I Transport and Storage 2.9 5.1 1.78
J Communication Services .7 1.1 1.54
K Finance and Insurance 1.7 1.7 1.02
L Property and Business Services 11.2 11.7 1.04
N Education 1.9 0.8 0.42
O Health and Community Services 4.1 4.6 1.13
P Cultural and Recreational Services 2.1 1.4 0.65
Q Personal and other Services 2.9 2.7 0.94

8.3 Appendix C: Analysis

Analysis techniques
A range of analyses were conducted, including tests of statistical significance. Results were assessed
as statistically significant with a p value <.05. The analysis techniques included:
• Pearson Chi-squared tests were conducted to assess overall differences between

sub-groups within different population groupings. These groups included the six
Precincts, gender, age, residence and Business groupings. Where a significant overall
difference was measured on a question, the standardised adjusted residuals were
examined to identify which groups were contributing to the statistically significant
result.
• Principal component analysis to reduce the attitudinal questions to underlying

dimensions. The analysis was run with the survey weighted to the final population
across the Precincts.
• Binomial logistic regression was used to build the model of support for wind farms,
measuring the change in moving from not supporting to supporting wind farms. The
regression was run with the survey weighted within each Precinct, to maintain the
power of the analysis, and the Precinct variable included in the analysis. The
attitudinal dimensions, other attitudes, and demographic variables were included in
the regression analysis. Several variables associated with proximity of residents to
existing/planned wind farms were assessed, with the variable associated with
visibility included in the final model. The final index reported for each variable is the
maximum change in odds across the different levels of the variable. The indexes for
the attitudinal dimensions were estimated from running the regression with a key
variable from each dimension, and assessing the maximum change.
The key output measure in binomial logistic regression is the odds ratio, or change in
the odds. The odds of a result occurring is the probability of it occurring divided by
the probability of it not occurring. So a result of 80% would have an odds of 80/(100-
80)=4. This is the ratio of the odds of a result in one situation or condition (e.g.,
among males) compared to another (e.g., females). An odds ratio of 1 indicates that
the result is equally likely in both situations. The index was the change in odds when
moving from one level of a question or measure to another level. The greater the
change in odds, the greater the impact.
• Drivers of support. The importance of attitudes and perceptions influencing support

in each Precinct was based on a descriptive analysis of the gap between the ratings
of those supporting wind farms and those opposing. The ranking of importance was
based on the size of the gap.
Adjustment to sample sizes

Adjustments were made to the sample sizes based on the weighting, for conducting statistical tests:
• for comparisons between the six Precincts in the residential survey, 86% of the
sample size; and
• for comparisons between the Precincts and the regional control in the residential
survey, 60% of the sample size across the Precincts, and 86% of the regional control;
and
• for the additional sample of businesses in the business survey, 91% of the sample
size.

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Community Attitudes to

Wind Farms in NSW

AMR Interactive Contacts

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW

© 2010 AMR Interactive

© 2010 AMR Interactive

© 2010 AMR Interactive

© 2010 AMR Interactive

© 2010 AMR Interactive

1.0 Executive summary

The key objectives of the research were to:

© 2010 AMR Interactive 7

Perceptions about wind power and its benefits and impacts

Level of support for wind farms

1-2 km from residence 60

• attitudes towards the economic and community benefits of wind farms;

Segmentation of supporters and opposers

Businesses in the Renewable Energy Precincts

1-2 km from residence 60

© 2010 AMR Interactive 10

Figure 1. Global Cumulative installed capacity 1996-2008

Source: Global Wind Energy Council

Current state of play in NSW

As part of the reforms introduced to attract new investment in renewable energy:

© 2010 AMR Interactive 12

2.2 Research objectives

The key objectives of the research project were to:

• perceptions and preferences towards renewable energy and wind farms;

• demographics (e.g., age and gender);

© 2010 AMR Interactive 13

Table 1. Local Government Areas in the Renewable Energy Precincts

The final questionnaire covered:

• demographic profile of respondents;

A copy of the questionnaire is included in Appendix A.

Implementation and analysis

In general, results are reported for the following groupings:

• the overall population across the six Precincts;

© 2010 AMR Interactive 15

Base: All respondents

© 2010 AMR Interactive 16

Figure 3. Amount of time lived in area, by age group

A lot Moderate amount A little Only heard term Not heard

3.2 Business survey

Implementation and analysis

Table 3. Sampling of industries and groupings for analysis

© 2010 AMR Interactive 18

4.0 Results – Residential survey

Base: All respondents

© 2010 AMR Interactive 19

Less than 2 years 2 to 5 years A little 11 to 20 years More than 20 years

Renewable Energy Precincts (n=1729) 6 15 17 21 42

Regional Control Area (n=293) 5 17 22 20 37

New England Tablelands (n=289) 4 17 13 19 48

Upper Hunter (n=286) 4 14 14 21 47

Central Tablelands (n=290) 5 19 12 24 41

NSW/ACT Border Region (n=287) 7 13 21 16 43

South Coast (n=291) 8 11 22 23 36

Base: All respondents

© 2010 AMR Interactive 20

Perceptions of the local region

Figure 5. Ratings of aspects of local region, in the Renewable Energy Precincts

Excellent Good Average Poor Very poor Don't know