Society likely to appeal

Public interest group facing nearly $50,000 in court costs from its opposition to the Mahinerangi wind farm is expected to confirm today it will challenge that ruling and appeal the High Court's decision to impose the costs.

Upland Landscape Protection Society spokesman Ewen Carr said yesterday members would put in a concerted fundraising effort if final costs were imposed on it.

The worst case scenario would be having to wind up the society, but he believed the mood among members was strong enough to avoid that move.

Having the constitution framed in a way individual members were not liable for any financial costs was the only way it could continue to tackle high-profile developments like wind farms.

"If the members were exposed all the time, there would be no way we could continue."

The society was ordered, just before Christmas, to pay $49,788.13 to five parties after a failed appeal against the TrustPower development near the Clutha-Dunedin boundary.

Mr Carr said yesterday the society was finalising its legal advice on where to from here, but repeated hints he made last week by suggesting an appeal was almost certain.

The High Court ruled on December 23 the society must pay the money to five parties - $14,473 to the Central Otago District Council, $11,340.73 to TrustPower, $10,160 to the Otago Regional Council, $7954.58 to the Clutha District Council and $5859.82 to Meridian Energy.

The society's 2007-08 financial report shows a deficit of $40,718.

TrustPower, the Clutha council and Otago Regional Council have also filed applications for costs of $33,000 against the society relating to its unsuccessful Environment Court appeal.