Firm may fast-track wind farm

Developers of a major wind farm in Southland are considering trying to fast-track the $390 million project by asking Environment Minister Nick Smith to call in the proposal, which may mean the application is only heard once.

Wind Prospect CWP (NZ) Ltd has also confirmed it hopes to lodge a resource consent application for the 50-turbine project by the end of this month.

If approved, the wind farm, 15km east of Wyndham, could generate enough electricity annually to supply about 74,000 homes.

The Wanaka-based company held a public meeting in Wyndham on Monday night, and in its latest community newsletter, outlined how it might involve Dr Smith to speed up the planning process.

Company representatives could not be reached, but the company's March newsletter said it was giving "careful consideration" to the prospects of "calling in" the project.

Up to four separate local authorities could be involved in a joint hearing to consider the wind farm bid, but a call-in would significantly reduce the red tape.

"Our main reason . . . is that it allows the project to be heard once, rather than potentially being heard twice [once by local council then at Environment Court level if there is an appeal].

A call-in process could potentially save time, money and effort for all parties involved, particularly those submitting on the proposal."

The company has yet to confirm if it will make that move but if it did, the minister would be approached at the same time it lodges its application.

Dr Smith would then take about two months to consider whether he should formally call the project in and streamline the resource consent process.

If the project is not called in, the application would go through the normal hearing processes.

Meanwhile, the company has also revealed it has not chosen a specific turbine to be used in the development, preferring to be flexible and wait until the project is approved.

It has also confirmed the turbines could be as high as 132m, slightly higher than its original plans for a blade tip height of 125m.

Its adjusted timeline for the project suggests it hopes to have a final resource consent decision through by the end of this year.

Construction could start by the end of 2010 and finish by mid-2012, when the wind farm would start generating electricity.

A "Call In"

• A company, such as Wind Prospect CWP (NZ) Ltd, can ask the environment minister to call in its application.

• If the minister decides, he or she can refer the matter to a board of inquiry to make a decision on the application, or immediately refer it to the Environment Court for a decision.

• The decision from either process can only be appealed on a point of law to the High Court.

• If the matter is formally called in, the minister is obliged to publicly notify the application, stating why he or she has taken this approach and then invite public submissions.

• This process takes 20 working days.