Call to withdraw ministerial call-in
Mighty River Power has received a letter from the Palmerston North City Council asking it to withdraw an application for a ministerial call-in on the proposed Turitea Wind Farm.
The letter was sent following an extraordinary council meeting last Wednesday, when the council unanimously agreed to oppose a call-in.
Last month, the council was informed Mighty River Power (MRP) asked Environment Minister Trevor Mallard to “call-in” the project.
That means the resource consent process would be taken out of council’s hands, and would be referred directly to either a board of inquiry or the Environment Court.
A project can be called in if it is deemed to be of national significance.
Mr Mallard had requested feedback on the request, and council voted to oppose it, but to also approach MRP and ask them to withdraw the request.
MRP group strategist Neil Williams said the company received the request from Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor on Friday.
They would be considering it carefully, he said.
But, he also pointed out that MRP had put a lot of thought into the call-in request before making it.
He said last month that MRP viewed it as a more efficient way of processing the consent application.
“The one-step consideration offered by the call-in process is an efficient way for the matters to be heard, both in time and cost, for the community, the councils and Mighty River Power.” The difference of opinion should not affect the relationship between council and MRP, he said.
“We remain committed to maintaining our positive and constructive relationship with the Palmerston North City Council.”
As well as Palmerston North City Council, Tararua District Council and Horizons Regional Council have also responded to Mr Mallard’s request for feedback.
Last week Mr Mallard said the decision would be made “as soon as possible” and the process would not be affected by the election.
By Katie Chapman
16 September 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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