Kaiwera Downs appeal dropped

The way has been cleared for TrustPower to build its $380 million wind farm near Gore with confirmation this week that the Uplands Landscape Protection Society had withdrawn its appeal.

However, the company says the present international economic turmoil was likely to keep the Kaiwera Downs project on hold for at least 12 months.

TrustPower community relations manager Graeme Purches yesterday welcomed news of the society's withdrawal of its appeal in the Environment Court but took a swipe at the organisation for its persistent opposition to southern wind farm proposals, even in the face of criticism from the courts.

"Hopefully, changes to the RMA (Resource Management Act) will change that."

Mr Purches said it was anyone's guess when the Kaiwera Downs project would proceed "once the economics stack up".

TrustPower would want the exchange rate and price of turbines to ease before it moved, he said.

TrustPower had lodged its own objection to the Gore District Council's resource consent for Kaiwera Downs, its main bone of contention the $760,000 development levy imposed by the council's hearing panel.

Mr Purches said an agreement had been reached months ago but refused to reveal the sum agreed upon, saying it was up to the council. However, council chief executive Steve Parry said it was too early to release any details because the parties were still in the final stages of negotiation.

Society legal organiser Ewan Carr said the appeal had been dropped for several reason but largely because the society was simply overwhelmed with appeals.

After fighting three wind farm consents, the society's funds are depleted and it owes almost $90,000 in legal fees and court-awarded costs.

- © Fairfax NZ News