January 16, 2009
Editorials, New Zealand
Finally, the people spoke and a company rolled over. Well, turned on its side just a little.
News that Mighty River Power is to remove nine turbine sites on its proposed Turitea Wind Farm is great news for the opponents who were going to neighbour the project.
Five of the turbine sites being removed are close to houses and four are being removed for ecological reasons.
Mighty River Power say the decision is in response to feedback from the public. While the community was generally supportive of wind generation, some neighbours felt a few of the turbine sites were too close to permanent dwellings, the company says.
The original wind farm proposal was for 136 turbine sites, of which 131 would be built.
Now there will be 127 sites, and 122 built.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that making the project more palatable is a smart move by Mighty River Power. It gets the main objectors out of its hair and sends out the message that this is a caring company that listens to community feedback.
However, like Palmerston North mayor Jono Naylor, many cynics will view this as a token gesture. There are still houses close to the scheme and in many minds, there are still far too many sites blotting the landscape. Browns Flat has been removed for environmental reasons after feedback, though the company was aware it was an area of environmental significance when it plopped it on its project map. Why remove the turbines and Browns Flat now and not sooner in the project?
The large-scale Turitea Wind Farm has been controversial since it was first mooted. So controversial that Environment Minister Nick Smith stepped in and has decided to fast-track the proposal through its resource consent process. Palmerston North City Council is unhappy with the minister calling in the project but can’t do anything about it.
This is a big project that will have a lasting effect on the community and our landscape. Love or loathe them the wind farm needs robust debate.
Taking away one of the most contentious issues — the proximity to people’s homes — will likely dampen down those opponents, but there are still other houses affected and other issues.
Submissions close on February 23 If you’ve got an opinion voice it, else you’ve got no comeback when the turbines are whirring.
16 January 2009
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[1] Manawatu Standard: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4820644a29129.html
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