ODT

Central OtagoFebruary 12

Turbines image accuracy questioned

Images commissioned by Meridian Energy to depict its proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm make the turbines appear a third of their actual size, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the development heard yesterday.

Central OtagoFebruary 11

Doc's reporting stifled, court hears

A Government submission supporting Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm stunted a Department of Conservation submission opposing the proposal, an Environment Court appeal hearing on the development was told yesterday.

Central OtagoFebruary 2

CODC witness stands by view wind farms' effects adverse

A Central Otago planning consultant yesterday reiterated his opinion that Meridian Energy's proposed 176-turbine wind farm should be denied resource consent, during an Environment Court appeal hearing for the development.

Central OtagoJanuary 29

Professor denies greenhouse effect

Theories of climate change were challenged during an Environment Court appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm yesterday.

Central OtagoJanuary 29

Sediment concerns raised

Sedimentation of waterways within the proposed 92sq km Project Hayes wind farm site will likely increase due to construction of the development, an Environment Court appeal hearing was told yesterday.

QueenstownJanuary 28

Ecological value limited: witness

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.

Central OtagoJanuary 27

Quarry earmarked for use in project construction

A quarry situated off Old Dunstan Rd, between Clarks Junction and Rocklands Station, will almost certainly be used to source material for the construction of Meridian Energy's Project Hayes wind farm in Central Otago.

Central OtagoJanuary 27

Wind farm could attract tourists: witness

A 176-turbine wind farm on the Lammermoor Range in Central Otago could become a tourist attraction in its own right, allowing visitors to get "up close and personal" with the development, an Environment Court appeal hearing was told yesterday.

Central OtagoJanuary 27

Visual effects of turbines 'slight'

Combined visual effects of the Mahinerangi wind farm and the proposed Project Hayes wind farm would be slight, an Environment Court appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion Project Hayes development was told in Queenstown yesterday.

Central OtagoJanuary 26

Project Hayes traffic will have 'minimal' effects

Vehicles travelling to and from Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm will have a minimal effect on road users and residents in the surrounding Central Otago area, an Environment Court hearing heard yesterday.

Central OtagoJanuary 23

Lack of side benefits cited

The public benefits created by the development of hydro-electric power plants are not provided by wind farms, an Environment Court appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm has been told.

Central OtagoJanuary 23

Report admitted as evidence but withdrawn by appellant

The admission of further evidence on New Zealand's electricity industry was approved during the Project Hayes wind farm hearing on Thursday - and the evidence was then withdrawn.

Central OtagoAugust 14

Crown submission favours Project Hayes

Meridian Energy's proposed $1.5 billion Project Hayes wind farm in Central Otago has beneficial implications for the whole country, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the development was told yesterday.

Central OtagoAugust 14

Consumers to pay, Transpower says

Costs of a transmission upgrade necessary for new energy generation such as Meridian Energy's proposed Project Hayes wind farm would ultimately be passed on to consumers, an Environment Court appeal hearing was told yesterday.

QueenstownAugust 10

Observers dedicated to seeing wind hearing through

Jolyon and Enny Manning arrive at each day of the Environment Court appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's proposed Project Hayes wind farm armed with a flask of coffee and food to get them through to 5pm.

Central OtagoAugust 6

Ruling on new evidence on Friday

A ruling on whether new evidence will be accepted in the middle of an appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's proposed Project Hayes wind farm is expected to be released on Friday.

Central OtagoAugust 6

Effect more than minor, ecologist tells hearing

The clearance of indigenous tussock on the Lammermoor Range as a result of Meridian Energy's proposed Project Hayes wind farm development would have a more than minor effect on ecology at the site, an Environment Court appeal hearing was told yesterday.

Central OtagoAugust 5

Wind farm effects limited, appeal told

An Environment Court appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's proposed $1.5 billion Project Hayes wind farm was told yesterday the earthworks planned were considered to be at a low level of development.

Central OtagoJune 10

Third tower planned for Project Hayes

Meridian Energy has applied to build a third wind monitoring device as part of its planned $1.5 billion Project Hayes wind farm, claiming "you can never have too much data".

Central OtagoMay 28

Meridian's wind farm mock-ups 'laughable'

Meridian Energy's computer images of its proposed Project Hayes wind farm development are laughable, an appeal hearing was told yesterday.

Central OtagoMay 28

Sydney goes nuclear over wind

Artist Grahame Sydney says nuclear power in New Zealand is preferable to a huge wind farm on Central Otago's Lammermoor Range.

Central OtagoMay 27

Credibility of witness questioned

The credibility of an expert witness was questioned by Meridian Energy's counsel during an appeal hearing for the proposed Project Hayes wind farm yesterday.

Central OtagoMay 24

Central skylines not unique, hearing told

Central Otago's remarkably long, level, uncluttered skylines are not unique to the district, an Environment Court appeal hearing was told yesterday.

Central OtagoMay 22

Historic Places Trust defends withdrawal from Project Hayes

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is not a democratic organisation, chief executive Bruce Chapman told a group of Central Otago trust members in Alexandra last night.

project hayes