Although some threatened flora and fauna species exist within the proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm site, the majority of land is of moderate or low ecological significance, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the project was told yesterday.
Meridian Energy witness Dr Ruth Bartlett, an ecologist from Auckland, said small numbers of certain plants or animals deemed to be threatened had been found within the proposed 92sq km site, but any adverse effects on those arising from the construction and operation of a wind farm could be mitigated.
Cross-examined by appellant John Douglas, Dr Bartlett admitted some studies on which her evidence had been based were "brief".
"You would need to put in a great deal more effort to provide a very full ecological survey of such a large area, but . . . it's not necessarily helpful at this early stage.
"I agree the more information one has the better, although the preliminary studies undertaken [in regard to Project Hayes] are sensible at this stage," she said.
Deputy commissioner Ken Fletcher asked Dr Bartlett how much of a concern pre-construction investigation trips would be.
"Presumably, before the roads are put in, someone will have to go and travel the proposed roads, before turbine sites are defined, someone will have to drive to those areas to inspect them, and before the soil disposal sites are formed, someone will have to inspect them," Mr Fletcher said.
Dr Bartlett said she did not expect "loads of vehicles driving willy-nilly through the tussock", although travel should be limited to avoid any unnecessary damage.
Commissioner Alex Sutherland asked Dr Bartlett whether colonies of flora and fauna would re-establish themselves once construction of the wind farm was complete and it was in operation.
"We have been led to believe that the construction phase may in some way damage, in a very general sense, existing plant and animal communities.
Once the construction activity ceases and we go into the operational phase, will those colonies re-establish unaided?" Dr Sutherland asked.
Dr Bartlett said, given the vegetation type and restriction of activities to a "very fine area", she did not expect there would be adverse effects outside the project footprint, even during construction.
In response to a question from Judge Jon Jackson, Dr Bartlett said it was highly likely weeds such as Hieracium pilosella (mouse-ear hawkweed), would establish in areas of tussock which had been disturbed by construction.
Hieracium was the dominant ground cover in many areas of the project site, due to grazing.
Pastoral farming had been the principal land use of the site since the 1850s, and continued farming practices would have a greater adverse effect on ecology than Project Hayes, she said.
"The site has been extensively modified by a history of pastoral improvement, over-sowing, burning, grazing, and invasion of exotic species.
"Ongoing grazing pressure will continue to erode the natural values present . . . arguably, the wind farm site is under greater threat from grazing and management activities than from the proposed Project Hayes development," she said.
Day 25
Panel: Environment Court judge Jon Jackson, commissioner Alex Sutherland, commissioner Heather McConachy and deputy commissioner Ken Fletcher.
Project: In October 2007, Meridian Energy was granted resource consent, by the Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council, to construct, use, and maintain a 176-turbine wind farm on the Lammermoor Range in Central Otago.
Project Hayes is the largest proposed wind farm development in the southern hemisphere, encompassing 92sq km.
Players: Appellants are the Upland Landscape Protection Society, John, Sue, and Andrew Douglas, the Maniototo Environmental Society, Eric and Cate Laurenson and the Eric and Cate Laurenson Family Trust, Ian and Sarah Manson and the Riverview Settlement Trust, Gaelle dit-Piquard, Ewan Carr, and Roch Sullivan.
Other Parties are the Central Otago District Council and Meridian Energy. The New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Contact Energy, and Brian Miller withdrew appeals for Project Hayes. Ewan Carr withdrew Brookside Properties and Danseys Pass Coach Inn from his own appeal.
Mr Carr continues to represent himself as well as the Upland Landscape Protection Society and Gaelle dit-Piquard.
Yesterday's witnesses: Ecologist Dr Ruth Bartlett, of Auckland; planner John Kyle, of Dunedin; planner Don Anderson, of Dunedin.
Scheduled for today: The Otago Regional Council will call water resource scientist Matthew Dale to give evidence.
Quote of the day: "The site has been extensively modified by a history of pastoral improvement, over-sowing, burning, grazing, and invasion of exotic species.
"Ongoing grazing pressure will continue to erode the natural values present . . . arguably, the wind farm site is under greater threat from grazing and management activities than from the proposed Project Hayes development."
- Ruth Bartlett
