'State guidelines needed'

All wind-farm proposals could be called in under Environment Minister Nick Smith's justification.

And Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor says it proves the need for national guidelines.

An assessment of the Turitea Wind Farm's national significance, prepared for Dr Smith by Environment Ministry staff, referred directly to New Zealand's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in 2002, which committed the country to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"The [wind-farm] proposal will assist New Zealand in meeting its international obligations to the global environment by avoiding an increase in carbon dioxide emissions associated with electricity generation.

"This is true of all proposals for the use and development of wind farms."

It then quoted the Resource Management Act, and New Zealand's Energy strategy, which aim to have 90 per cent renewable energy by 2025.

The report stated: "We consider that the national target of 90 per cent of electricity generation from renewable sources ... is a relevant factor for you to consider when assessing the national significance for this proposal.

"The timely consenting of new renewable electricity generation proposals is critical if New Zealand is to achieve this target."

Mr Naylor said that justification proved the need for national guidelines, because under that reasoning, every wind-farm application could be called in. "If they're proposing to keep calling these sort of proposals in, that reinforces the idea of there needing to be some national guidelines."

At the moment he seriously questioned the call-in process. "The minister has the ability to act unilaterally. They're only bound by their own judgement, and that of their staff." Palmerston North woman Jan Dixon is preparing a petition for national guidelines and intends to present it to Parliament on April 30. So far more than 2000 people have signed it.

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