The Waubra Foundation is a national organisation formed to facilitate properly reviewed, independent research into the health problems which have been identified by residents living near wind turbines and other industrial sites which may have common cause.

The Foundation was set up by Peter Mitchell AM. After meeting and speaking with people living adjacent to the Waubra Wind Farm who were clearly suffering debilitating physical and mental health symptoms and who were universally unable to secure help or relief from the obvious sources, Peter, who had led the Stroke Foundation for many years, concluded that there was a clear need for an organisation with access to medical and acoustical expertise to assess the situation in the field and advocate suitable research and other programmes that would, as quickly as possible, address this health problem.

A South Australian former rural GP, Dr. Sarah Laurie, became interested in the subject in July 2010 after a wind development was proposed for the hills adjacent to her house and concerned neighbours began to ask questions about possible adverse health effects should the development proceed. After reviewing the available literature, Dr. Laurie decided there was evidence of a health problem and accordingly accepted an invitation to initially become the Medical Director of the Foundation; which title has since changed to Chief Executive Officer to better reflect the nature of her involvement.

Research by other rural medical practitioners - Drs. Amanda Harry (UK), David Iser (Victoria) and Nina Pierpont (USA) had revealed serious health problems emerging in the proximity of various wind energy projects.  Further urgent investigation is required in order to assist in the development of safe planning guidelines regarding the siting of industrial wind developments in rural areas.

The Foundation maintains close links to international researchers and other organisations investigating the same cluster of symptoms.  

NHMRC Wind Committee Inquiry Update

We are pleased to advise that the Waubra Foundation’s chairman, Mr Peter Mitchell, was asked to be an observer at the current National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Wind Committee Inquiry. 

Prior to his first meeting, Mr Mitchell wrote to the Inquiry Chair, Professor Bruce Armstrong as a courtesy to ensure Professor Armstrong understood Mr. Mitchell’s position on the matters to be examined. Mr Mitchell hoped this would allow the Inquiry’s chairman, when and if necessary, to place any observations made by Mr Mitchell as an observer in the most useful perspective for the committee.

As there seems to be some interest in the contents of Mr Mitchell’s letter by Friends of the Earth, and no doubt others intent on discrediting the Waubra Foundation, we have decided to make the letter available for the general public to read.

 Read Mr Mitchell’s letter to Professor Bruce Armstrong

Wind Turbine Acoustic Pollution Assessment Requirements

Download the Wind Turbine Acoustic Pollution Assessment Requirements document, prepared by the Waubra Foundation

Waubra Foundation Video

Visit the Waubra Foundation Youtube Channel to view our video titled Wind Turbines & Public Health.

Video Citations

For further information about the quoted material in the video, please download our Video Citations Document.