Power scheme changes 'minimal'

Mighty River Power has been accused of causing emotional and financial stress by being unwilling to compromise on its plans to build more than 100 turbines on the Tararua Range near Palmerston North.

Greens Rd resident John Adams told the Turitea Wind Farm board of inquiry yesterday that the power company's "minimalist" redesign was a tactic to exhaust opponents of the project.

Residents affected by the proposal had to make sacrifices such as getting time off work to participate in the decision-making process, he said.

The power company has argued its redesign was in response to concerns expressed by the board and submitters, and the adjusted proposal would be more sympathetic to the landscape. A board of inquiry resumed this week to consider whether the revised proposal to build the Turitea Wind Farm should be accepted. Mighty River Power has scaled back its application from a maximum of 121 turbines to 104.

Mr Adams said the power company had failed to engage meaningfully with affected communities. The redesign was a minor tweak, he said.

His wife, Rosemary Adams, told the board there was insufficient research on health effects associated with turbine noise.

As part of a group connected with Huatau Marae, Peter Te Rangi, said there had been lack of consultation on the redesign.

"We have a mandate to protect our beautiful landscape," he said.

"I believe it's important to make a stand for things you believe in."

Huatau Marae chairman Paul Jones accused Mighty River Power of breaching the Treaty of Waitangi.

Whanau were entitled to undisturbed possession of their land, but the wind farm would interfere with the normal functioning of the marae, interrupt sleep and cause whanau anxiety about having "a huge industrial wind farm placed virtually on the doorstep".

Mighty River Power has a memorandum of understanding with Rangitaane through Tanenuiarangi Manawatu Incorporated, but the agreement is confidential.

Mr Jones said the core of the marae's existence was under threat.

Evidence continued yesterday on the wind farm's visual impact.

Landscape witness for Palmerston North City Council, Clive Anstey, conceded that the power company had deleted turbines that would have been the most dominant in its previous proposal.

The redesigned proposal would have significantly reduced visual effects at Bryant Hill, he said.

Mr Anstey said he had felt initially that additional turbines south of the Pahiatua Track would "add insult to injury".

However, as there were turbines at high points between the Manawatu Gorge and Pahiatua Track, he believed turbines south of the track could bring some balance to the landscape.

- © Fairfax NZ News