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Te Mihi Geothermal Power Station

1.0 Introduction

Contact Energy Ltd proposes to build a new geothermal power station in the Wairakei -Tauhara Geothermal Field in an area known as Te Mihi near Taupo.  The proposal involves a number of associated activities including a new transmission line, a new switchyard, air discharges and discharges to land and groundwater.

The Minister for the Environment, the Hon Trevor Mallard, called in the Contact Energy Ltd (Contact) proposal in February 2008 and appointed an independent Board of Inquiry to consider the applications by Contact Energy and the submissions received on these, to hold public hearings and to make a final decision on the proposal.

The Ministry for the Environment appointed me --Dorothy Wakeling-- as the independent facilitator for a pre-hearing meeting that had already been scheduled.  In preparation for the meeting, I read the application and the submissions then spoke with the applicant’s representatives and the submitters over the telephone in order to both evaluate the most pressing concerns that remained to be discussed and to prepare agendas for each of the three sessions.  The notes for the meetings were taken by Julia Fox and David Burton of Maunsell Ltd.  These notes have been used to compile this report.

The pre-hearing meeting was held on Wednesday the 21st of May in Taupo and this report provides a summary of the outcomes of this meeting.

2.0 Attendance

The pre-hearing meeting was held in three sessions:

• Session one considered the issues raised regarding a consented (but not developed) power station in the same geothermal field;
• Session two considered the concerns of iwi; and
• Session three was attended by the neighbouring residents of the site and Transit NZ representatives.  It considered a wide range of concerns including water supply, visual and noise effects and traffic safety.

The following table outlines the names of the persons who attended that pre-hearing meeting, whom they were representing and which session they attended.

3.0 Outcomes

3.1 Session One

The main issues considered in this session were the effects of reinjection into the geothermal field on the Geotherm Group Ltd consent for a power station nearby. The cumulative implication of the effects were also discussed including noise, discharges to air and capacity of the proposed transmission network. From this meeting the following was agreed:

• A meeting will be held between modelling experts for Contact and Geotherm to discuss the implications of reinjection on the geothermal field and the energy resource it comprises. Mark Brockelsby of Environment Waikato indicated that it may be desirable for their expert (Arnold Watson) to attend and he later confirmed that Arnold Watson would be able to attend.  This meeting will take place on either the 5th or 6th of June at a time and place convenient to each party, depending on the availability of Dr Burnel, reservoir modelling expert for Geotherm Group Ltd.

3.2 Session Two

The purpose of this session was to discuss the concerns held by local iwi, in particular Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, Te Kapa o Te Rangiita ki Oruanui and Tauhara North 3B Trust. The following outcomes were agreed in this session:

• Due to the short notice of the pre-hearing meeting, there were several hapu members who were unable to attend. Te Kapa o Te Rangiita ki Oruanui are holding a hui on the 30th of May, so the concerns of the hapu will be better understood after this. It was decided that a further meeting between Contact and representatives from Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, Te Kapa o Te Rangiita ki Oruanui and Tauhara North 3B Trust, would be held on the 6th of June as a continuation of this pre-hearing. It was agreed that an independent facilitator would be required and Kim Morgan would organise another facilitator (I’ll not be available), and the venue. Representatives from Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council will also attend this meeting.

• Tina Porou emphasised that there are aspects of the Te Mihi proposal that need more explanation for iwi. Tina Porou co-ordinates a monthly newsletter. It was suggested that Contact Energy could provide information to be included in this newsletter to answer concerns about the project. Craig Stephenson outlined that he had a pamphlet that was sent to neighbouring residents that would be appropriate. It was agreed that 250 copies of this pamphlet would be provided by Craig Stephenson to Tina Porou to be included in the next newsletter.  This would provide the base for further questions to be asked and Craig Stephenson would be able to coordinate replies.

• A condition is included in the existing Wairakei consent which requires the establishment of a review panel. This panel consists of 3 technical specialists and 1 iwi representative. This consent was discussed and the potential for a similar condition to be included as part of the Te Mihi application. It was considered that this mechanism would be a good method for hapu involvement, but would require further consideration by the parties as there are several hapu affected by the proposal.

3.3 Session Three

The purpose of this session was to discuss the points of concern held by the local residents who have made submissions relating to this proposal. Stephen Daysh and Craig Stephenson provided an overview of the proposal, including details of the proposed landscaping. The meeting was also attended by representatives from Transit NZ, who have concerns regarding the intersection of Pohipi Road and State Highway One. The following outlines the outcomes of this session as well as summarising the questions and answers of the meeting:

Buffer Zone

• In response to earlier consultation, Craig Stephenson stated that Contact intend to include a 100 metre buffer zone around the southern boundary of Price property and Ellery property which are directly north of the subject site. This buffer zone will not be used as a laydown area for the storage of equipment and construction material. Craig Stephenson also confirmed that Contact intends to shift the access road to the power station to the centre of the site, instead of on the northern boundary adjacent to the neighbours. These changes are intended to be offered as consent conditions in Contact’s evidence and are intended to address some of the concerns of the Prices and the Ellerys, in particular those relating to noise.  The Prices and Ellerys indicated that this may not be sufficient to mitigate the anticipated noise during construction; it was hoped that some other solutions could be found.

Transmission Tower Height

• Grant Ellery queried the height of the transmission towers, and it was confirmed that they will have a maximum height of 45 metres

Visual Impacts/Screening

• Grant Ellery outlined that the trees on his property that at present provide screening of the subject site are near the end of their life and may soon be harvested. As result he was concerned that there would be no screening of the site. Craig Stevenson indicated that some screen planting could be included on the Contact site to provide such a screen.

• The landscape plan prepared by Contact’s Landscape Architect (in discussion with Taupo District Council) was explained by Stephen Daysh and Craig Stephenson. In particular the plan features block planting which partially screens the power station. Concerns were raised by the neighbours regarding the time frame for planting and the lack of a solid line of planting to completely block the view to the power station.

• A brief discussion regarding a potential landscape management plan condition followed, and clarification was provided by Craig Stephenson, Stephen Daysh and TDC staff that such a condition would mean that the specific landscaping details such as species to be planted would be decided at a later date.

• It was noted by the neighbours that it was important to them that they knew what type of planting would be done before consent was granted. It was decided that a further meeting is to be held between Contact’s landscape architect, the Prices, Ellerys and Birdsalls to discuss the landscaping in greater detail. This meeting would be held in the evening and a representative from Taupo District Council would also attend. A specific date and venue will be decided between the parties.

Access to Site

• Francis Ellery asked if the site could be accessed from the south of the site, instead of via its frontage to Oruanui Road. Craig Stephenson outlined that as the site has no frontage to a road along the southern boundary this was not practical as they have no access rights over the land to the south.

Noise

• Concerns were raised over the noise generated by the power station and during the construction period. Craig Stephenson outlined that Contact intend to comply with the relevant noise standards of the Taupo District Plan at all times. The night time noise maximum is 40dBA, and Linda Koster asked what this noise level sounds like. Trevor Robinson outlined that the noise expert has a table which provides example of what might create different noise levels that could be supplied to provide some clarity. Craig Stephenson agreed to provide this information.

• It was also agreed that further questions could be asked of Contact Energy’s noise experts via email especially if these could lead to resolution of the anticipated noise nuisance during the construction period.  These questions could be relayed through Craig Stephenson.

• Clarification was given by David Greaves of Taupo District Council regarding how noise monitoring is undertaken by Council after a query by Grant Ellery. Mr Greaves explained that the noise standards are fixed as the District Plan is operative. Noise complaints should be made to the Council’s monitoring officers who will investigate these. Enforcement action will be taken if noise levels are not being complied with.

Geothermal Pipelines

• It was reported that Brett and Heather Vanner (who were not able to attend the meeting) are concerned about the appearance of the pipes. Further discussion of this issue will be had between them and Contact.

Odour/Air Pollution

• Many of the residents were concerned about odour and air pollution. Stephen Daysh explained that the experts report outlined that sulphur levels will be reduced as a result of this proposal as the Wairakei station is phased out. This is due to the better elevation of the Te Mihi site. Generally it was agreed that the air pollution information is very technical and difficult to understand and therefore it was decided that the neighbours would be provided with an opportunity to email questions to Contact’s expert so that they could be clarified. This was to be facilitated by Craig Stephenson.

Potable Water Supplies

• Concerns over the existing bore water supplies of the neighbours were raised. Contact’s expert Chris Bromley illustrated that geothermal liquid is held in separate aquifers from fresh groundwater and therefore no contamination would occur and reinjection would not have any effect.

• Anthony Birdsall wanted reassurance that his water supply would not be contaminated. It was agreed that testing could be undertaken by Contact and would include a benchmark test prior to the operation of Te Mihi and then regular testing to ensure that water was not affected. Stephen Daysh highlighted that this could not be included as a consent condition as it would not be mitigating a true effect, however Craig Stephenson agreed to send Anthony Birdsall and Linda Koster a letter confirming that Contact would undertake such testing.

Roading – State Highway One/Poihipi Road Intersection

• Prior to the beginning of session three, a meeting was held between Transit NZ and Contact to discuss options for improvements of the intersection between Poihipi Road and State Highway One. At an earlier stage, a roundabout had been discussed and also a left turn slip lane.  There seemed to be no dispute about the left turn slip lane. Contact Energy did not consider the roundabout a fair solution for resolving safety concerns for the right hand turn from Poihipi Road into S.H.1.  It was reported to the meeting that installing a seagull intersection may be a more acceptable, lower cost solution. A further meeting is to be held between these parties at a time that is mutually suitable to discuss this in more detail. The results of such a meeting can be included in the evidence of either Transit NZ or of Taupo District Council.

Withdrawal of submission

• At the end of the meeting, Jim McGrath advised that he wished to withdraw the part of his submission that objected to the reinjection into the geothermal field.  He also wished to relinquish his right to be heard.

Dorothy Wakeling
29 May 2008

Last updated: 16 January 2009