A plan to install 29 frost fans just a few hundred metres from Nericon has drawn significant concerns and pushback from the nearby community, who are worried about the 'offensive noise' that the fans would create for themselves and wildlife.
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A development application lodged with Griffith City Council explains the plan to install 29 fans around a new citrus orchard along West Road.
The location previously harboured a vineyard but has since been converted to a citrus orchard by the land's new owners. The citrus trees are more susceptible to frosty conditions.
The nearest fan will be just 300 metres away from Mallee Park, motivating concerns from residents about potential noise.
Roz Vardanega, who lives nearby the proposed location, said that she was concerned about the impact on sleep, as well as the nearby wildlife.
"What we're worried about is the offensive noise that these fans will create as well as the impact on health, sleep and the native wildlife," she explained.
"We're zoned as a village and the nearest fan will be just 300 metres away from our park."
"People come here for the peace and quiet. 29 fans is just too much."
The fans are currently set to overlook the village, on flat land which has harboured worries about how far the sound will travel. The fears have become especially prevalent after the recent removal of a number of trees along West Road that might have provided a barrier.
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Ms Vardanega recently started a petition against the fans, which has received widespread support from the community with around 80 signatures gathered in the first day.
"We're also questioning the accuracy and the quality of the sound report."
The sound report estimates come from a baseline recording of one fan, with the tests conducted in New Zealand, which Ms Vardanega said was not necessarily accurately predicting the noise levels of the different terrain in Nericon.
This isn't the first time that frost fans have sparked concern, with Griffith City Council electing to purchase three acoustic sound loggers after a conflict between Dinicola Almonds and nearby neighbours over potential sound impacts.
Copies of the petition against the frost fans are available across businesses in Griffith and the region including Griffith Bricks and Pavers, Griffith Feed and Grain, Top Town Newsagency, Nibbles on Kelly, Casablanca Cafe, Foodworks and Vaccari's Bakery in East Griffith.
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