March 1, 2007
New Zealand
New Zealand
The Friends of the Turitea Reserve Society have struck the first blow in their fight with Palmerston North City Council over the proposed wind farm in the Turitea Reserve.
The society is taking the council to court over over the council’s decision to allow renewable electricity generation in the reserve – it wants a judge to have a look at the decision, which it believes is illegal.
The hearing will be held in the High Court in Wellington on April 30.
The council tried to get a court to order the society to pay security for costs, which it would have to make available in a trust fund, society chairman Adrian Cookson said. But last week, Judge David Gendall found in favour of the society and also granted it costs, Mr Cookson said.
The judge also ordered the council to make available to the society reports such as ecological and visual impact assessment reports, water-quality reports and details of the agreement with Mighty River Power, he said. “We were interested in gaining discovery. We don’t have all the information . . .”
Mr Cookson said the society was pleased with the way the case was going and was increasing its fundraising. “It’s a voyage of discovery”.
The society has 140-plus members. Fewer than half live in the Turitea/Kahuterawa area, he said.
By Helen Harvey
Manawatu Standard
1 March 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/01/win-for-society/