Wind farm on the fast track

Minister says city council shouldn't decide because it can't be impartial.

The Turitea Wind Farm will be fast- tracked through the resource consent process after the Environment Minister said the Palmerston North City Council could not be impartial.

Minister Nick Smith announced yesterday he was calling in Mighty River Power's proposed 131 turbine wind farm, sending it to a board of inquiry.

He called it in because of the national significance of the project, he said. "This is a very significant wind farm that traverses public land within the Manawatu- Wanganui region, Palmerston North city and Tararua District and has widespread public interest.

"A board of inquiry chaired by an Environment Court judge is the most transparent and fair way to decide the outcome of this significant wind farm proposal."

But the council's involvement in the project was another factor in the decision, he said.

"I also believe there were risks of the Palmerston North City Council being open to claims of bias and appeal because of it being the owner of the reserve land where the wind farm is proposed."

Mayor Jono Naylor was "disappointed" by the call-in, which the council had opposed because it would restrict the public's ability to get involved. "Our local community has asked for it to be done locally."

He believed plans to appoint independent commissioners meant the council would have been objective, and questioned whether the Government could be impartial since Mighty River Power was a State Owned Enterprise.

"They are the owner of the company that's building the wind farm."

When that was put to Mr Smith, he said it was not the same.

The council was the direct owner of the land, while there was a constitutional separation between SOEs and government.

Regardless, a board of inquiry would ensure the process was impartial from all sides.

"The mayor's concern is discounted by the fact the final decision-maker here is going to be an Environment Court judge, who is clearly independent."

The process would not be overly different to one carried out by independent commissioners, and he had avoided the Environment Court as it would have been more daunting for the public.

A "robust one-step process" was preferable to the drawn-out series of appeals that would likely occur if the project followed the usual Resource Management Act path, he said.

Mayor Naylor agreed with that: "This board of inquiry seems to be the better of the options."

Mighty River Power had applied for the call-in, and said it was "pleased" with the outcome.

"We believe the call-in process represents the most effective way forward," group strategist Neil Williams said.

But wind farm opponent Paul Stichbury was "outraged" by the decision, labelling it a "kick in the face for Palmerston North".

"It's simply leaving out the smaller person, it's catered for a rapacious SOE."

But the silver lining was that the issue would be resolved quickly.

Leigh Dome, who lives within 700m of a proposed turbine, agreed, and said at least they knew which process would be used.

She did question the timing.

"If it's got to be done, it's got to be done, but it's shocking timing in terms of us getting out to our community."

Mr Smith said legally, he could have notified the application "tomorrow", but that would be unfair. Instead, it would be notified on January 24. "I have delayed the public notification until late January so people are not disadvantaged by the holiday period in making submissions."

Submissions would be open for a month.

Mr Naylor said submissions should be open for two months to reflect the strong public opinion, but Mr Smith said a month was "ample time".

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