Only 20 per cent support for wind farm

The submissions are in, and people are speaking out against the proposed Turitea Wind Farm.

The Ministry for the Environment has received 655 submissions about Mighty River Power's proposal, which Minister Nick Smith called-in to a board of inquiry late last year.

Of those, 66 per cent opposed the wind farm, while only 20 per cent supported it.

The proposal is for up to 122 wind turbines, standing a maximum of 125m at blade tip, in and around the Turitea Reserve.

Among those opposing the wind farm were six Palmerston North city councillors, despite the council lodging a neutral submission.

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor was not surprised some councillors had opposed the project, and said it was their right to do so.

"Any councillor is still an individual. I believe it's most appropriate for them to express their opinion as an individual."

The council's neutral submission was to allow time for thorough analysis of the application and its possible impacts, he said.

"It was important for the council to take an approach that was based on well-researched evidence, rather than being caught up in emotion."

He was pleased so many people in the community took time to submit.

"This is probably the biggest resource management issue in our city in the past 50 years."

The cumulative effect of wind farms on the Tararua Ranges was a common issue among opposers.

Philip Hann wrote: "The actual visual effects of the proposed farm in combination with the cumulative visual effects of the existing wind farms are unacceptable and contrary to a sustainable approach to resource management."

But the project's environmental benefits influenced those in support.

Michele Theobold only used two words "climate change".

The submissions will now be sent to members of the Board of Inquiry, chaired by Judge Craig Thompson.

Board project manager Kim Morgan said members would decide the way forward, and set a hearing date.

A further 45 submissions that did not comply due to late arrival or not being supplied to both the ministry and Mighty River Power would also be assessed under the Resource Management Act.

- © Fairfax NZ News