Wellington wind farm approved

The Dominion Post

WIND POWER: Meridian Energy has gained consent to construct 29 of its proposed 31 turbines at Ohariu Valley.

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Meridian Energy has been given permission for a 29-turbine wind farm in Ohariu Valley, which one local says will see a rural road to nowhere become a "super highway".

Planning commissioners granted consent for the Mill Creek Wind Farm near Wellington yesterday but with 29 turbines instead of the 31 proposed by Meridian.

It will also see a private road built connecting the wind farm site with Spicer Valley in Porirua to transport turbines and construction traffic.

Commissioners rejected two of the 111-metre-tall turbines which each have a rotor diameter of 82.4 metres because they would have been too prominent and noisy for neighbours.

A raft of other conditions were imposed by the commissioners, including measures to minimise the impact of more than 800,000 cubic metres of earthworks on waterways, such as Ohariu Stream and the Makara Estuary.

The decision also acknowledged the northern part of the valley would be "adversely affected by roading upgrades".

However, commissioners said the proposal would improve the traffic environment, bringing long-term benefits to the community.

However, local farmer Mark Best said "it was tragic" that consent for the wind farm had been granted. "What they say about the traffic issues is absolute bullshit because it's a dead end road. Why do we need a super highway?

"This is going to cause devastation to my farm and to people at my end of the valley, and they couldn't give a stuff. There is no compensation. Nothing."

Mr Best said Meridian had "the audacity" to say it would specify times of the day when he could move stock.

"Farming doesn't work on allocated times. It works on nature. There is no way they will stop me moving my stock when I want to. They can put me in jail if they bloody have to."

The wind farm is on land where a group of farmers formed a company more than 10 years ago to develop a wind farm.

Mr Best said the move had split the community and he expected about 45 locals to appeal the decision to the Environment Court.

Meridian chief executive Tim Lusk was delighted with the consent but said time would be taken to review the 203-page decision.

- © Fairfax NZ News