Family moving on despite good result

The family that lives opposite the wind farm site is celebrating but is moving away, saying the battle has been "too stressful" and divided the district.

• Communities divided by plan [2]

Ian and Sarah Manson and their three children live on a 2023ha property at Paerau that has been owned by the Manson family for 80 years.

Mr Manson started the Maniototo Environmental Society three years ago when the wind farm was mooted, and the Mansons were among the appellants to the Environment Court.

"It was always going to be a David and Goliath battle, but I must say, today has been one of the better ones I've had. It just shows, if you do persist, you can change things," Mr Manson said.

The battle has taken its toll. The family has sold its property and plans to shift to a small block of land near Dunedin.

"To be honest, it's all been too much for us - the community has been divided over this issue, so it's been pretty stressful. A lot of our friends have already gone, moving out of the district, and it's been hard on us, mentally."

He always believed it was wrong to build a wind farm on the Lammermoor Range.

"When the decision [from the Environment Court] took so long to come through, I was hoping it meant good news for us. It's been tough waiting, and we've felt like we were in limbo as we waited."

He still loves Paerau and will always call it home.

"The wind farm decision isn't really a bittersweet one for us. I think we're leaving on a high note and it's good to know we're leaving this place in good shape and it'll stay in good shape for the future."

- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz [3]