Decision made on wind farms

Today, the Environment Court released its judgement on appeals made against the Hastings

District Council's decision to approve two wind farms in the district.

In making its decision, Judge Craig Thompson agreed the wind farms could compromise the visual and landscape amenity of the area, but said this was out-weighed by the capacity of the proposal to produce a reliable and affordable supply of electricity, enabling the community to provide for its future wellbeing.

He also agreed that producing energy using wind would contribute towards slowing the rate of climate change, thereby sustaining the ability of the planet's resources to meet the needs of future generations.

Applications, made to the Council by Unison Networks Ltd and Hawke's Bay Wind Farm Ltd, propose establishing wind farms totalling 90 turbines in the vicinity of the Titiokura Saddle and Maungaharuru Range. The combined wind farms will contribute 11.6% of the renewable energy target set by the Government and avoid 571,000 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere if that same energy was produced using fossil fuels.

In reaction to the decision, Chair of the Council's Hearings Committee Cr Dinah Williams, was pleased the Court had upheld the Council's approach to dealing with two very challenging resource

consent applications. "The Environment Court's decision was the right decision for the wider community", she said.

A full version of the Environment Court decision can be found on the Hastings District Council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz

ENDS

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