Report finds more support for wind farms

There is stronger community support for wind farms across Australia than suggested by the media coverage, a CSIRO report has found.

The science organisation looked at nine wind farms across South Australia, NSW and Victoria and analysed 49 articles from 19 newspapers in the second half of 2010.

It found that more reasons for wind farm opposition were reported than reasons for support, and that rural residents often backed the developments but did not seek media attention or political engagement to express their views.

"If popular media articles were to provide the only evidence for or against wind farms, opposition in the media would dominate," the report said.

The CSIRO said there was also an emerging notion of a social licence to operate which could provide a useful framework for wind farm developers to engage and win over local communities.

"This approach could provide a structured and cooperative framework for exploring strategies for reducing potential adverse impacts, sharing financial benefits equitably and building local trust and understanding through a clear communication process," it said.

South Australia produces more than half of all Australia's wind power. SA Attorney-General John Rau says he believes there is considerable support in the state's rural communities for wind farm developments.

"You hear a lot from the people who are not happy with them but there are a lot of people who have them on their property who are very grateful for the income that they receive," he said on Tuesday.

Mr Rau said many country people hold no views on wind farms, for or against.

"They're not offended by them, they don't love them, they just live with them," he said.

"I think it would be misleading to believe that everybody in country South Australia is opposed to wind farms."

South Australia has recently introduced new draft rules for wind farms which allow turbines to be located as close as one kilometre from a home, or closer if the home owner agrees.

The government is taking public submissions on the new arrangements until February 2 and will consider amending the rules if necessary.

Recently, the Victorian and NSW governments announced new regulations that would force turbines to be located at least two kilometres from homes.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth said a survey conducted by wind farm developer Pacific Hydro had also revealed strong support from rural communities for wind farms.

Pacific Hydro said it quizzed residents in 10 wind farm communities across SA, Victoria and NSW with 83 per cent backing wind farm development.

"We have an obligation to our children's future to create less pollution and the community recognises that wind energy is a great way to shift from polluting energy sources to clean, green, renewable energy," Pacific Hydro general manager Lane Crockett said.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Ben Courtice said the survey was another blow to the credibility of anti-wind groups.

"Study after study has found no adverse health effects caused by wind farms, despite anti-wind campaigners' assertions," Mr Courtice said.

"They also have failed to convince much of the communities they target."