Wind Farm Opinion Equally Divided

Opinions seem equally divided on the merits of locating a wind farm in the Tararua district southeast of Dannevirke, nearly 400 submitters have indicated.

Contact Energy has made a joint application to Tararua District and Horizons Regional Councils for a 65 turbine wind farm on the Waitahora Valley Rd.

Submissions closed at the end of October and with previous wind farm proposals in the district attracting only 60 – 70 submissions the level of interest in the Waitahora proposal was ‘unexpected’, the council’s manager environmental services Mike Brown said.

The submissions are far flung – many in support are from the British Isles whilst the opposition is closer to home from local families and members of a ‘ginger group’ the “Waitahora – Puketoi Guardians”.

Local concerns relate to visual pollution and noise effects.

The hearing will be held in Dannevirke in mid February and is expected to take two weeks with about 100 respondents wishing to present their submissions. A date is yet to be set.
Three commissioners - one from each council and one from outside will preside and expert advisors are sought for landscape and noise issues.

The Tararua district is already home to the Tararua and Te Apiti Wind Farms established by Trust Power and Meridian Energy respectively and both in the Manawatu Gorge area.