Contact Energy is planning to build a major wind farm near Slopedown in Eastern Southland with about 50 turbines, up to 220m high, and costing $700 million to $900 million.
Minister for the Environment David Parker has agreed the project was eligible for the fast-track consenting process.
The fast-track process was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to get projects vital for employment and infrastructure quickly consented.
If the wind farm is progressed under the fast-track consenting process, the Environmental Protection Authority would convene a panel of experts who will assess the consent application.
The new process could cut the resource consent process to six months.
Contact said last week although it had gained the fast-track consent, it might not go down that route.
The wind farm could provide power to 150,000 households, but it has met opposition with some Eastern Southland farmers.
The petition was started by West Catlins Preservation Society spokesman Dean Rabbidge, of Glenham.
The speed with which the proposed wind farm was proceeding was "worrying", he said.
The future of Southland was being decided by groups of "so-called elitists" in organisations including the Ministry for the Environment.
"They’ve decided Southland’s going to take one for the team."
If the hills behind Christchurch, Queenstown or Arrowtown were suggested as possible wind farm sites the plan "wouldn’t see the light of day".
"It’s insulting that they are considering down here on our stunning areas."
People came from throughout the world to see the Southland scenery.
"We don’t want these monstrosities built on what is an outstanding natural landscape and the gateway to the Catlins."
While those opposed to the wind farm could be accused of "nimbyism" or not wanting something that was needed on their back doorstep, it was "the start of a slippery slope".
"If we get a wind farm up here on the Catlins, where’s it going to stop?"
In his opinion, people did not understand the scale of what could happen.
"I’ve got it on very good authority that there’s already another planned, a long way down the same path as this, in the Hokonuis."
Mercury Energy is building a $115m wind farm near Mataura which is expected to be up and running by October.
