Media Release

Friday 27 March 2009

Genesis Decision Released

A decision on a Proposed Plan Change to introduce a new Special Zone, the Rodney District Thermal Energy Generation Rural Zone, to enable the development and operation of a Power Station, has been released to the public.

Rodney District Council delegated the hearing of submissions and the decision on the Plan Change application and associated resource consent applications by Genesis Energy to develop a power station to Independent Commissioners.

The Commissioners have decided to approve the plan change subject to a large number of modifications intended to allow the Council to better manage the effects of the development. The Commissioners have also granted associated resource consents applied for by Genesis for the discharge and intake structures in the Kaukapakapa River and for discharge of dust beyond the a site, subject to a set of rigorous conditions.

The plan change will introduce a special zone into the District Plan that will allow a power station to be built on Genesis' site between Helensville and Kaukapakapa on SH16. The Plan Change will require a further application to be made to the Council to approve the final details and design of the development.

Both submitters to the Plan Change proposal and resource consent applications and Genesis (the applicant) have the right to appeal the decisions to the Environment Court. An appeal against the decision on the Plan Change must be made within 30 working days and an appeal against the resource consent decisions lodged within 15 working days.

Resource consents have previously been granted by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) for discharges to air, discharges into the Kaukapakapa River and for earthworks, stormwater and other consents. The time period for appealing the ARC 's decisions has expired and the only appeal has been from Genesis Energy who are seeking to change some of the consent conditions.

ENDS

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