should it be easier to build wind farms in the Tararua District.

Richard — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:07:36 GMT

Hi all. I found this blog entry http://ruahineramblings.blogspot.com/2008/09/storm-clouds-gathering.html (thanks to a point from the Tounge and Meats Forum). Exerpt below. Basically power companies are pushing for the Tararua District Council to make it easier to erect windfarms in their territory. Its open for public submissions.

PS I think some of the comments on the blog have gone a bit haywire - the District Plan change alone can't allow turbines on the parts of the Tararuas and Ruahines that are in the forest park. Nonetheless, some of you might feel strongly about the views of those ranges that aren't in the park. Or you might be excited by the potential for clean renewable energy.

Excerpt from the Manawatu Evening Standard, 5 September, 2008

Article entitled: Push to end protection of ranges.

" Energy companies are pushing the Tararua District Council to loosen the rules on wind farm consents, making it easier to build on the ranges.

Genesis Energy, Trustpower, Meridian Energy, and Might River Power have all made separate submissions to the Tararua council, currently up for review. They are campaigning for new policies to make wind farms a priority in the district, and pushing for a slackening of the present guidelines. In the current policy on environmental heritage, the skyline of the ranges in the district is considered a protected natural feature. Trustpower wants this wording cut, with references to the protection of the "skyline of Tararua Ranges, Ruahine Ranges, Puketoi Ranges, and the Manawatu Gorge", deleted from the plan entirely. Genesis wants the council to recognize the importance of developing the wind resource in the district. It also wants a new policy allowing for coastal wind farms. And the Energy Efficient and Conservation Authority, an independent government advisory body, is lobbying for council to accept the necessity of wind farms in rural areas". "Tararua mayor Maureen Reynolds said wind energy has become a big issue in the Tararua since the last district plan review, 10 years ago. The district plan, a blue print for the district's future, is reviewed only once every 10 years. Summaries of the plan submissions can be viewed online at http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/. Objections to any submissions can be made until 3 October".

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should it be easier to build wind farms in the Tararua District.