Wind farm decision released

Dunedin (Tuesday, 12 July 2016) – An application to build and operate a wind farm at Blueskin Bay in Dunedin has been declined, having failed to meet the required standards to gain consent.

The Dunedin City Council Hearings Committee released its decision today. The application was heard by Ministry for the Environment-approved independent Commissioner Colin Weatherall over four days in May.

Blueskin Energy Ltd sought resource consent to establish a community owned wind farm, with three turbines, on Porteous Hill near Warrington.

Mr Weatherall says he carefully considered all relevant reports and documents supplied with the application, submissions, staff reports and evidence produced during the hearing. He also made numerous site visits.

“My decision to decline the application was significantly influenced by the adverse effects the wind farm would have on the amenity and character of three Pryde Road properties. These effects were not able to be mitigated.”

The decision is subject to an appeal period of 15 working days.

Mr Weatherall says there has been significant community and public interest in the issue. This was evident in the 153 submissions made to the wind farm application.

The site of the proposed wind farm is zoned rural in the operative Dunedin City District Plan. The proposal included extending an access road, excavation of the tower foundations and erection and commissioning of the turbines.

For a copy of the decision and associated documents, visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/rma.

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