Plan to build wind farm near ‘Kupe’s canoes’
Martinborough residents are vowing to shut down Meridian Energy’s plan to develop a wind farm near a protected ridge of hills.
Meridian’s proposal, which the company says is still in the exploratory stage, has been criticised by some Martinborough business leaders as underhanded and has raised concern among local iwi.
The state-owned power company is looking at putting up to 50 turbines near a ridge known as Nga Waka O Kupe, a listed heritage site under the local district plan, about eight kilometres southeast of the town.
The three hills, which lie side by side like upturned canoes, form the backdrop to Martinborough. Legend has it that the hills were formed by the three canoes of explorer Kupe, which were carried inland by a huge earthquake and came to rest in the valley behind Martinborough.
Palliser Estate vineyard managing director Richard Riddiford said that though there was a wind farm at the back of Martinborough owned by Genesis Energy, turbines in the “face of locals” was not welcome.
Meridian’s approach to the project was questionable, he said.
“They have obviously been operating in secrecy and I object to their approach. I would have thought they would have informed the community by now so they could make an informed choice.
“They may think they can railroad us here but most in the village will fight this. People come here for the peace and quiet and that is what we want to keep.”
However, as part of the wind farm scheme, five electricity line routes involving 18-metre poles carrying 110,000-volt lines, have already been considered.
Residents of the town plan to meet in the next few weeks to discuss Meridian’s plan.
Roger Parkinson, of Nga Waka Vineyard, said a wind farm so close to Martinborough could not only threaten tourism but could also have an impact on the area’s wine industry.
Iwi spokesman Haami Te Whaiti said Meridian had not consulted Maori about its plans for the wind farm.
“We do have concerns because this is a site of our heritage. We are asking for more information and we can’t say what our final stance will be till we know more.
“We want Meridian to look at every other alternative site outside of the centre of the township before they give any serious thought to chasing this option.”
Meridian has not sought resource consent for the wind farm at this stage.
Spokesman Alan Seay said four years of monitoring had shown the site was an excellent wind resource but community consultation and more research was needed.
“The wind-farm concept is still being explored on several other levels,” he said.
“Research is being conducted into possible transmission routes to connect it into the national grid, economic viability, engineering feasibility and potential ecological and archaeological impacts, as well as the potential impact on the local community.”
Consultation with the community would begin this month.
By TANYA KATTERNS – The Dominion Post
9 October 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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