Motorimu Wind Farm Decision Released
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
From PNCC Press Release:
A decision has been reached by a panel of three independent commissioners appointed by Palmerston North City Council, Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council to hear submissions on applications from Motorimu Wind Farm Limited to develop, construct, install, operate, maintain and decommission 127 wind turbines in the Tararua Ranges adjacent to Linton and Tokomaru. Commissioners Dinah Williams, Richard Heerdegen and David McMahon have granted consent for 75 of the proposed turbines to be constructed and have declined consent for the remaining 52 turbines. The grant of consent for the 75 turbines is subject to a number of detailed conditions imposed by the commissioners in appendices to their decision.
The applications were submitted to the three local authorities towards the end of last year and were followed by ten and a half days of public hearings held in Palmerston North in March this year.
After considering a wide range of issues, the commissioners concluded that for this wind farm proposal, the benefits derived in terms of renewable energy and climate change were not of sufficient national importance, national value and benefit to justify the significant adverse
effects associated with landscape, amenity and cultural issues and thus claim sufficient sustainable management of natural and physical resources, such that the consent could be granted in its entirety.
The 52 turbines for which consent was declined were those located on the front ridge line of the central Tararua Ranges known as the Te Mata ridgeline and Kaihinu Peak. The commissioners considered that deletion of those particular turbines would assist in mitigating adverse effects in terms of amenity, visual and cumulative effects, along with potential noise effects.
The remaining 75 turbines were considered by the commissioners to be located in positions that will achieve the principal purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991 to promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources and in this location can be integrated into the local environment in an environmentally responsible manner.
All parties who made submissions have been sent the full text of the decision and anyone can obtain a copy by telephoning the Governance & Support division of the City Corporate unit of Palmerston North City Council, calling in to the Customer Service Centre or visiting the City Council website www.pncc.govt.nz
