2 May 2012

Huntly power station resource consents granted in under six months

The successful process for renewing consents for the Huntly power station clearly demonstrates that even the biggest resource use issues can be handled locally, says Waikato Regional Council’s resource use and environmental monitoring committee chair.

Cr Lois Livingston was commenting on the outcome of eight consent applications by Genesis Energy to continue running the 1448 megawatt power station.

“Genesis was happy for the applications to be considered locally and neither they nor anyone else requested that the Government call in the applications to put them through a speeded up, centralised process,” said Cr Livingston. She noted that the process was completed in six months compared with the national call-in process that allows nine months for a decision.

“The consent applications were publicly notified by the regional council and we received a range of submissions from various parties ahead of a planned public hearing in the Waikato.

“Subsequently we, Genesis and the other parties to the hearing have been able to deal with all the issues raised and the applications did not have to be considered at a public hearing.

“Everyone was spared the time, expense and uncertainty involved in such a hearing. This shows what can be achieved by all parties working together co-operatively,” said Cr Livingston.

The council’s energy programme manager Mark Brockelsby said the consents enable a further 25 years of operation of the power station, which is crucial to New Zealand’s security of electricity supply. “At the same time the consents ensure the maintenance and safeguarding of high environmental standards at the plant.”

The specific consents include discharges to air, taking and discharging water to the Waikato River for cooling purposes, and other discharges to land and water of process water and stormwater from the site.

Six submissions were received in response to public notification of the applications. They came from Department of Conservation, Mighty River Power, Fish & Game New Zealand, the Waahi Whaanui Trust, Solid Energy Ltd and Watercare Services Ltd.

Genesis undertook a process of engagement with these parties following the close of submissions and successfully resolved their concerns.

The Waikato Regional Council
The council’s area extends from the Bombay Hills in the north to Mt Ruapehu in the south, and from the mouth of the Waikato River to Mokau on the west coast, across to the Coromandel Peninsula on the east.

The region contains nationally important electricity generation facilities, an internationally significant dairy sector and iconic natural features, such as Lake Taupo, which are key tourist attractions.

The council has three key strategic goals:
• The values of land and water resources are sustained across the region
• The people of the region collaborate to achieve a shared vision of the Waikato competing globally, caring locally
• The Waikato Regional Council meets its legislative co-governance requirements by working together in good faith and a spirit of co-operation

Our wide-ranging responsibilities include:
• sustainable management of natural and physical resources, including pest control.
• planning regional growth and transport, and providing bus services.
• civil defence, emergency response, navigation safety, dam safety, flood management, erosion control and road safety.

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ENDS

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