March 26, 2008
New Zealand
New Zealand
Plans by an Australian company to build a $300 million seaside windfarm at Waverley will be under scrutiny for up to five days of at a resource consent hearing in May.
Ninety-four of 127 objections oppose the Allco Wind Energy project for 45 turbines at the former Waipipi ironsands mining site.
South Taranaki District Council senior planner Blair Sutherland says five days have been set aside for the hearing, starting in Hawera on May 5.
This is when submitters wanting to be heard get a chance to speak directly to Allco directors and engineers, and the South Taranaki District Council’s environment and hearings committee.
Most of the anti submissions cite height, noise, vibration and landscape effects among their objections. Supporters say it will be a welcome long-term investment for the area.
The Allco turbines measuring 150m from base to blade tip will be built in two clusters on the farms of Warwick Lupton and David Alexander.
The most vocal opponent is adjoining landowner Roger Dickie, who says it will devalue his coastal lifestyle subdivision which has partial consent.
The hearing will be held either in the council chambers or in the community centre across the street, depending on the number of submitters wanting to address it.
By Richard Wood
Taranaki Daily News
27 March 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/26/five-days-set-aside-for-windfarm-hearing/