Environment Court says yes to Te Pohue turbines

LAWRENCE GULLERY
Hawke's Bay people will soon be using electricity harnessed by wind turbines after the Environment Court approved two wind farms for the Titiokura Saddle and Maungaharuru Range yesterday.
Power companies Unison Networks and Hawke's Bay Windfarm were told the Hastings District Council's decision to approve their respective wind farms had been upheld by the Environment Court.
The council approved the competing projects last year but they were appealed to the Environment Court.
Ninety turbines will be constructed around the Titiokura Saddle and Maungaharuru Range, near Te Pohue contributing to the renewable energy target set by the Government.
Te Pohue resident, Judy Pledger, said she was "extremely disappointed" to hear the wind farms had been approved.
"If you look at places like Queenstown there's no way they would put a wind farm there because they know what the tourist dollar is worth," she said.
Mrs Pledger and her husband, Des, have lived in Te Pohue for 12 years and she said the turbines would change the dynamics of their village.
"It's very upsetting because it was a nice quiet place and we love it. If we ever want to sell our house we will have 20 to 30 windmills over us what's that going to do for the sale of our home?" she said.
Hawke's Bay Windfarm director Alistair Wilson said it was too early to say when the company's wind farm would be operational but it would mean more jobs for local people during its construction. A number of contractors had expressed interest.
"The next step is to consider the turbine selection for the project. Over the next month we will set a time frame," he said.
The council's hearings committee chairman, Dinah Williams, said Hawke's Bay would have a secure source of energy.
"We need energy and we need it now."
A third wind farm, Unison's Stage 2 project, was approved by the council in June but again was appealed and will have its fate determined by the Environment Court later this year.
If upheld by the court it will mean an extra 37 turbines will be built in the vicinity of the 90 given the tick of approval yesterday.