December 10, 2014
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand Windfarms has had a win in a long-running dispute over noise from its Te Rere Hau windfarm near Palmerston North.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by the Palmerston North City Council and affirmed a High Court decision.
That decision set aside a declaration by the Environment Court which said NZ Windfarms was in breach of its resource consent for the Te Rere Hau windfarm by failing to build turbines generally in accordance with its original application for environmental effect.
The company’s chief executive, Chris Sadler, said the effect of the appeal court decision was to refocus the parties on the Environment Court process.
The parties were waiting for the Environment Court’s decision on whether the windfarm was complying with the specific noise conditions in its consent. A decision was expected early next year.
Sadler said the company remained committed to working with the council and the community to resolve the noise issues rather than engage in further litigation and would seek discussion with the council on how to resolve the issues.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/10/legal-win-for-nz-windfarms-but-not-over-yet/