CODC witness stands by view wind farms' effects adverse

A Central Otago planning consultant yesterday reiterated his opinion that Meridian Energy's proposed 176-turbine wind farm should be denied resource consent, during an Environment Court appeal hearing for the development.

David Whitney, of Alexandra, appeared as a witness for the Central Otago District Council.

When cross-examined by appellant counsel Mike Holm, representing the Maniototo Environmental Society, Mr Whitney said his original opinion of the project had not changed since he recommended it be declined consent, at an initial hearing in Alexandra in 2007.

Mr Whitney, who was then a planning consultant for the CODC, had considerable experience advising the council and other Central Otago local authorities, he said.

Yesterday, when shown a map indicating areas within Otago from which both Project Hayes and Mahinerangi wind farm turbines could allegedly be seen, Mr Whitney said such information had been requested from Meridian during initial consent hearings, but the request was refused at the time.

Commenting on the map, which was produced by a witness last week, Mr Whitney maintained it showed significant adverse cumulative effects would result from the Mahinerangi and Project Hayes developments. He considered the adverse effect Project Hayes would have, regardless of other wind farms being built, as being at the upper end of the scale.

"The presence of energy production, i.e. turbines, will be a very prominent feature of the landscape and the effect will change depending on where it's viewed from. The effects of viewing [Project Hayes] in close proximity will be significantly adverse . . . while the cumulative effects of both wind farms [which have to be viewed at certain distances to be seen together] are not as significant," he said.

When cross-examined by appellant counsel Jan Kelly, representing the Central Otago Recreational Users Forum, Mr Whitney said it would be difficult for people to replicate recreational opportunities available within and around the proposed Project Hayes site elsewhere in the district.

Mr Whitney said the Old Dunstan Road had been mentioned in a Lonely Planet guide, which signified its value in terms of attracting people to the area and providing world-renowned recreational opportunities.

"It [Old Dunstan Rd] would be considered, along with the Otago Central Rail Trail, as providing visitors with the opportunity to mountain bike in the area. Because the road is being promoted in that publication, visitors would expect to find an environment which was attractive, as shown in the guide," he said.

During cross-examination from Meridian counsel Hugh Rennie QC, Mr Whitney said he was speaking on behalf of himself, and not the CODC, concerning the merits of the developments. He said his conclusions about the project were made from a professional standpoint, and he had not considered the application on a personal level.

 
• Day 27

Panel: Environment Court judge Jon Jackson, commissioners Alex Sutherland and Heather McConachy, and deputy commissioner Ken Fletcher.

Yesterday's witnesses: Electricity Commission director of transmission John Gleadow, of Wellington; planning consultant David Whitney, of Alexandra.

Coming up: Hearing resumes on February 9.

Quote of the day: "Why are we in this hearing concerned with this? It's pie in the sky and it's none of our business anyway." - Judge Jon Jackson to asks appellant Roch Sullivan to explain the relevance of his cross-examination of Crown witness Mr Gleadow.