A GROUP of mothers are fearing for their children's well-being as they continue their fight to stop a proposed 19 turbine windfarm near Smeaton.

Thea Elsworth, Donna Robertson and Donna Spiller believe the proposed Tuki Wind Farm at Stoney Rises will threaten the lifestyle of their families in Smeaton.

Mrs Spiller, who is a mother of five, said the reason young families lived in rural areas was because of the visual beauty, the peaceful serenity and the sense of community.

She said these factors were under threat by the proposed windfarm.

"We are told that the new turbines aren't as noisy as the old ones, but we don't want to wait and see if that's true. There are a lot of unknown factors and research is still being done into the various health and well-being concerns associated with wind farms and subsonic

noise," she said.

"I don't want my children to be guinea pigs in this scramble for alternative energy."

Mrs Spiller was also concerned about the overlay protection of volcanic cones that surround Smeaton and the social impact of the development.

"I know other communities have felt the effects of division that come with windfarms. I don't want that for communities of Hepburn Shire. At the moment I feel the Smeaton community is standing strong together in their opposition to the proposed site, which is wonderful,"

she said.

The Robertsons are among the young families living the closest to the proposed windfarm development site.

Mrs Robertson was concerned about the shadow flicker frightening her three children's ponies.

She also said her son could not cope with background noise.

"He can't handle background noise," she said.

"How will he cope with studying. It's a major issue for us."

Mrs Elsworth moved to Smeaton from Melbourne and is raising her toddler with another baby on the way.

She said she would fight the proposed windfarm all the way.

"I came here to get away," she said.

The residents believe the 140m height of the turbines will be visible from the Swiss Mountain Hotel in Blampied, Carisbrook, Lexton, Maldon, Bendigo and Newlyn.

Wind Power Pty Ltd, the company behind the proposal, said the windfarm would produce enough energy to power 16,000 homes at a cost of $48.5 million.

A company spokesman said a community consultation plan was being prepared and would be forwarded to residents at the end of this month.

"We will involve the community before we go further," he said.