10 August 2005

Wind energy group's ad complaint fails

The Advertising Standards Complaint Board has not upheld a complaint by the New Zealand Wind Energy Association (WEA) against an advertisement placed by the Quartz Hill Reserve Charitable Trust (Trust).

The Wind Energy Association complained about an April 2005 advertisement placed by the Trust which showed the potential impact of wind turbines if placed on various locations between Makara Beach and Terawhiti Hill in the Wellington Region.

The ASA Complaints Board failed to uphold WEA's complaint, noting that the advertisement fell within the bounds of robust advocacy, was not misleading and did not breach relevant code of ethics rules.

Trust chairperson Nick Jennings said he was delighted with the decision. "The Board accepted our argument that the advertisement was an impression of how the area could look if turbines are installed," he said.

Mr Jennings said it was very instructive that the Board pointed out that as the advertisement did not depict other operational structures which a turbine complex would require, there was a possibility that a completed project "may look even more intrusive on the landscape."

Mr Jennings noted that the advertisements did not attempt to depict Meridian's current West Wind complex at Makara. The advertisements ran in April, and Meridian's project was only announced in June.

ENDS