Residents that live near to wind farm lights contest that they find the intensity and nature of the lighting to be overly intrusive, and not inline with aviation lighting in other countries.

The residents made their opinions known to Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey during 2008 and he promptly called for a review of wind farm lighting.

Company behind the cluster of wind farms in the Hallet area, AGL, was commissioned to assess wind farm lighting requirements with a particular emphasis on balancing the needs of the surrounding communities, and meeting aviation safety requirements.

Results of the review deemed current wind farm towers to be below the lowest permissible aviation height and so recommend that wind farm infrastructure need not be lit.

Alternate wind farm company Trust Power conducted a specific risk analysis of their own and after also deeming the lights to be unnecessary, the company has confirmed their intentions to switch off lights at their Snowtown wind farm.

Mr Ramsey said he was pleased with the result to date.

“I am pleased the red flashing lights on the wind farm turbines in the Hallet area have been switched off with the Snowtown lights due to be turned off soon,” he said.

“This is a victory for common sense and I’m pleased to have given my voice to this outcome.”

Recognising the plight of residents, AGL Generation Development manager Nigel Beam confirmed that the company had taken review recommendations into account and that a decision had been made by the company to switch off the lights of the Hallet wind farms.

Meanwhile wind farm company Pacific Hydro is reportedly assessing the information to hand in order to make an informed decision regarding

the future of lighting at the Clements Gap wind farm.