A decision on whether to go ahead with the project will be made next year.
An opponent of the project, which is proposed for near Wyndham in eastern Southland, said yesterday it was still against the project but did not have the money to launch an appeal
The wind farm had been part of a fast-track process and was approved by a panel at the start of last month. Parties had 20 working days to appeal.
Contact Energy confirmed earlier in the week it would not be lodging an appeal to the High Court. Under fast-track legislation any appeals are only on points of law.
West Catlins Preservation Society had opposed the proposal right from the start of the process.
Society spokeswoman Natalie McRae said the society was disappointed it could not appeal the decision as the group still believed it was wrong.
It came down to cost. They had an estimate it would cost $40,000 to $50,000 at a minimum and the society could not afford it.
The society had contacted the Environmental Defence Society about funding the appeal, but had not received a reply. She said it was disappointing as that was what the society was funded for.
‘‘We’re probably just disappointed with how the Southland District Council and Environment Southland and the Waihopai Toi Toi's community board have rolled over on this, and that they think $200,000 going to a very large area of the community is sufficient.
‘‘But also, it has brought some parts of the community closer together with a shared goal. So, it hasn't been all bad.
‘‘The outcome definitely isn't great. It was never a level playing field.’’
A Contact Energy spokesperson said yesterday the
proposed wind farm would power the equivalent of 150,000 Kiwi homes and would also bring more than $400million into the New Zealand economy, much of which would stay in Southland.
The project was still subject to final investment decision, which was expected next year.
