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Mighty River Power’s proposal for a new wind farm at Turitea, near Palmerston North

January 2009; INFO 362
Available to download as (PDF, 497 KB)

Mighty River Power Limited is proposing to build a wind farm within the Turitea Reserve and on adjacent private properties, in the Tararua Ranges about 10 km from the Palmerston North city centre. The proposed wind farm would consist of up to 122 wind turbines, two transmission lines, two substations and it would involve some associated works and discharges. The wind farm will have an installed capacity of up to 336 MW.   

The Minister for the Environment, Hon Dr Nick Smith, has called in Mighty River Power’s resource consent applications for the Turitea Wind Farm proposal, and directed that they be heard by an independent Board of Inquiry. The Board will consider these applications, hold public hearings, and make a decision on whether or not to grant resource consent to the proposal.

Can I have a say in this process?

You can have a say by filling in the Submission form (PDF, 61 KB) and returning it to the addresses given at the back of this leaflet. The closing date for submissions is 5.00 pm Monday 23 February 2009. Please see the information in this leaflet about how to fill in the submission form.

The Minister will refer the applications and submissions to the Board of Inquiry.

Location of the proposed Turitea Wind Farm

The proposed wind farm would be located along an approximately 14 kilometre stretch of the Tararua Ranges, approximately 10 kilometres southeast of the Palmerston North city centre and approximately 11 kilometres west of Pahiatua.

The proposed wind farm site is located both within the Turitea Reserve and on adjacent private properties. The site is generally located in an area bounded by Kahuterawa Road, Greens Road, Turitea Road, Pahiatua Aokautere Road, South Range Road, Makomako Road and Hardings Park. Access to the site would be available via South Range Road and Greens Road (via a private farm driveway). 

The enclosed map (PDF, 478 KB) indicates the location of the proposed wind farm, including the turbine zones, transmission lines, substations, roading, laydown areas, spoil disposal areas, concrete batching plant locations, and works associated with the installation of a culvert. The legal descriptions of the wind farm site can be found in Appendix A of the Assessment of Environmental Effects submitted with the applications for resource consent.

Why has the Minister called in the Turitea Wind Farm proposal?

The Minister has called in Mighty River Power’s applications for the Turitea Wind Farm proposal under the Resource Management Act 1991, because the Minister considers it to be of national significance for the following reasons:

  1. The proposal affects or is likely to affect or is relevant to New Zealand’s international obligations to the global environment.
  2. The proposal affects or is likely to affect more than one region or district.
  3. The proposal will contribute to the achievement of the national target of 90% of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2025.
  4. The proposal will have national benefits deriving from the use and development of renewable energy in accordance with section 7(j) of the RMA. 

What do Mighty River Power’s applications for resource consent cover?

Mighty River Power has applied for resource consents from the Palmerston North City Council, Tararua District Council and Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons) Regional Council. These applications will now be considered by the Board of Inquiry.

Mighty River Power has applied for land-use consents from the Palmerston North City Council:

  • to establish and operate a wind farm
  • to undertake earthworks associated with tracking and roading, turbine construction and associated buildings
  • for the western side of Pahiatua Aokautere Road access requirements
  • for the storage of diesel
  • for the construction of a 220 kV electricity transmission line and substations.

Mighty River Power has applied for land-use consents from the Tararua District Council for:

  • a wind farm
  • land disturbance of more than 200m3 of soil and cleanfill material
  • upgrades to South Range Road and the construction of new site access
  • structures not meeting height requirements
  • the modification of a Significant Natural Feature (the ridgeline of the Tararua Ranges)
  • not meeting noise requirements
  • the clearance of indigenous vegetation. 

Mighty River Power has applied for land-use consents from the Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons) Regional Council:

  • for earthworks and vegetation removal associated with tracking, turbine and ancillary building construction
  •  to construct a double culvert within a waterway for access purposes.

Consents are required to undertake these works within close proximity to streams and water bodies, within a potential falcon habitat and on highly erodible land.

Mighty River Power has applied for discharge permits from the Manawatu-Wanganui (Horizons) Regional Council:

  • for the discharge of stormwater to land from substations, roads, turbine platforms and other areas
  • for the discharge of wastewater to land from maintenance and operation facilities
  • for the discharge of cleanfill to land
  • to discharge contaminants (dust) to air from a mobile crushing plant
  • to discharge contaminants (dust) to air from two concrete batching plants.

A copy of the applications can also be found on Mighty River Power’s website: www.mightyriverpower.co.nz.

About the Board of Inquiry

The Minister has appointed the Board of Inquiry. The Board will be chaired by Judge Craig Thompson (an Environment Judge). The other Board members are Richard Heerdegen, John Hudson, Chris Shenton and Vivian Kloosterman.

The Board will consider Mighty River Power’s consent applications for the Turitea Wind Farm proposal. It will decide whether to commission any reports and it will also establish the process for hearing public submissions. The duration of the hearing will depend upon the number and nature of submissions.

What happens next?

On 24 January 2009, the Minister placed a public notice in national and local newspapers about the direction to call in Mighty River Power’s proposal and calling for submissions. The next steps in the process are:

  1. Submissions close at 5.00 pm Monday 23 February 2009. 
  2. The Board receives all the submissions from the Minister.
  3. The Board holds a public hearing. The timing of this is dependant on the Board’s processes. All submitters who wish to be heard by the Board will be advised.
  4. The Board releases a draft report. This is sent to all submitters, Mighty River Power, relevant councils and the Minister for comment.
  5. The Board releases its decision on Mighty River Power’s resource consent applications. 
  6. The Board’s decision can only be appealed to the High Court on points of law.

What is the role of councils in the process?

Councils can make submissions and attend hearings.

If the Board of Inquiry grants the resource consents for the wind farm, the Palmerston North City Council, Tararua District Council and Horizons Regional Council would administer those consents.

What is the role of the Ministry for the Environment?

The Ministry for the Environment will service the Board of Inquiry for administration of its functions. In doing so, the Ministry will use the support and processing systems previously established by the councils where appropriate.

Has the Minister intervened to make sure the wind farm proposal is approved?

No. Mighty River Power’s applications will be judged on their merits by the Board of Inquiry in accordance with the provisions of the Resource Management Act. The Board of Inquiry – not the Minister – will make the decision. This decision is only appealable on points of law to the High Court.

Where can I view the proposal?

Mighty River Power’s resource consent applications are available for viewing at the locations below.

Ministry for the Environment

  • Auckland Office, Level 6, Tower Centre, 45 Queen Street, Auckland
  • Head Office, Environment House, 23 Kate Sheppard Place, Wellington

Horizons Regional Council

  • Horizons Regional Council Offices, 11-15 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North

Palmerston North City Council

  • Palmerston North City Council Offices, 32 The Square, Palmerston North

Tararua District Council

  • Dannevirke Service Centre, 26 Gordon Street, Dannevirke
  • Woodville Service Centre, 45 Vogel Street, Woodville
  • Pahiatua Service Centre, 136 Main Street, Pahiatua

A copy of the applications can also be found at: www.mightyriverpower.co.nz. You can also request a CD-ROM from the Ministry for the Environment (phone 0800 836 444).

How can I obtain a submission form?

A submission form should be enclosed. If not, please download it from the Ministry for the Environment’s website www.mfe.govt.nz, or use the contact details provided to request one.

How to make a submission

Your submission must be in writing, dated, signed by you and include the following information:

  1. Your name and address, including a phone number, fax number and email address (if applicable).
  2. Details of the application(s) for resource consent in respect of which you are making the submission.
  3. Whether you support or oppose the relevant application(s) for resource consent, or whether you are neutral about the application(s).
  4. The reasons for your views.
  5. The decision you wish the Board of Inquiry to make, including the general nature of any conditions sought.
  6. Whether or not you wish to be heard in respect of your submission.

Please send your submission by 5.00 pm Monday 23 February 2009 to the Minister for the Environment c/o the Ministry for the Environment:

FreePost Call In
Ministry for the Environment
PO Box 10362
The Terrace
Wellington 6143

or email turiteacallin@mfe.govt.nz or fax (04) 439 7705

If you are emailing or faxing your submission, please mark in the subject line: ‘Turitea Call In’.

You must also send a copy of your submission to Mighty River Power Limited at the following address:

Freepost - MRP
Mighty River Power Limited
PO Box 445
Hamilton 3240
Attention: Stephanie Froggatt 
or email: turitea@mightyriver.co.nz or fax (07) 857 0192

More information

Further information can be found on the Ministry for the Environment’s website www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/call-in-turitea or by emailing turiteacallin@mfe.govt.nz or calling 0800 836 444.

Last updated: 20 January 2009