Push to end protection of ranges; Energy companies want wind farm restrictions lifted
Energy companies are pushing the Tararua District Council to loosen the rules on wind farm consents, making it easier to build on the ranges.
Genesis Energy, Trustpower, Meridian Energy and Mighty River Power have all made separate submissions to the Tararua district plan, currently up for review.
They are campaigning for new policies to make wind farms a priority in the district, and pushing for a slackening of present guidelines.
In the current policy on environmental heritage, the skyline of the ranges in the district is considered a protected natural feature.
Trustpower wants this wording cut, with references to the protection of the “skyline of Tararua Ranges, Ruahine Ranges, Puketoi Ranges, and Manawatu Gorge”, deleted from the plan entirely.
Genesis wants the council to recognise the importance of developing the wind resource in the district.
It also wants a new policy, allowing for coastal wind farms.
And the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, an independent government advisory body, is lobbying for council to accept the necessity of wind farms in rural areas.
But a Tararua wind farm opposition group says the proposed changes are “shocking”, setting a scary standard for the country.
Group spokesman Kim Phelps said energy companies are trying to change district plans so they can put wind farms wherever they please.
“What do you think happens when you give a large company ‘full steam ahead guys, you can do whatever you want’? The public should be aware that this is on their agenda.”
The group is preparing a set of cross-submissions to council, Mr Phelps said.
“We can start locking horns with these guys, but the important thing is the population has to realise how it is going to affect the region they live in.”
Tararua Mayor Maureen Reynolds said wind energy has become a big issue in the Tararua since the last district plan review, 10 years ago.
“It has always been, up until this point, an area we have been able to manage — but of course there are more and more wind farms.”
The future of wind farms will be considered carefully during the review, but it wasn’t something council had given serious thought to yet, she said.
“Up to this point, Tararua has had an open mind about wind farms. Until we hear submissions, we have to decide whether we will still have this view, or whether we are going to change it.”
The district plan, a blueprint for the district’s future, is reviewed only once every 10 years.
Summaries of the plan submissions can be viewed online at tararuadc.govt.nz, or by picking up a copy from any Tararua council service centre.
Objections to any submissions can be made until October 3.
By Michelle Duff
5 September 2008
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