KEY POINTS:
A senior Auckland local body politician says the power station proposed for Rodney should be denied planning consents because it would harm rural South Kaipara.
The gas-burning station would be the largest industrial building in Rodney and would dominate a lovely rural valley, despite landscaping works proposed by Genesis Energy, says Auckland Regional Council transport chairwoman Christine Rose.
"It's like trying to hide an elephant in a strawberry field by painting its toenails red."
Mrs Rose told a planning consent hearing she was moved to speak in a personal capacity because the project was of profound significance to the people of South Kaipara.
"I think features of the site have been belittled, when they are of national importance. We must not overlook the value of a wilderness area."
The site was in an area of outstanding natural landscape where there was an important scientific reserve, a meandering river and an estuary that would be threatened by site earthworks, discharges to air and water, a bulky building and night lighting.
Mrs Rose said the Kaukapakapa River would be treated like a sewer, with a cocktail of contaminants going into it. The river fed into the Kaipara Harbour, one of the most pristine environs in the region.
Genesis said the site was appropriate because it was near transmission lines and water.
But Mrs Rose said other places had those qualifications and also had land zoned for industrial uses.
She said Federated Farmers supported the project in the belief the generation boost and northern location would give a secure electricity supply.
"But in South Kaipara we have old power lines, trees on the side of the road and strong coastal winds; a tree or a branch or a possum on the line can disrupt supply.
"You can have a power station in your driveway but it's not going to make any difference in your cowshed or house."
Commissioners are hearing residents' views after Genesis Energy put its case for resource consents and planning instruments for the station.
