Wind taken out of Genesis sails

By ANNE BESTON

Giant wind turbines will not be allowed to frighten the horses on Auckland's west coast in a decision an environment group labels "bizarre".

Franklin residents and Maori objected to Genesis Energy's plans to build 90m-high wind turbines on the wind-swept Awhitu Peninsula, 7km west of the small south Auckland town of Waiuku.

In a decision released yesterday, two planning commissioners backed their concerns, turning the project down.

Wind farm opponent Lesley Cotter said: "I think this total rejection is excellent and we are ready for the Environment Court if the company decides to appeal," she said.

Neighbours near the proposed wind farm said the 19 turbines would spoil coastal and rural views on Awhitu Peninsula and Kariotahi Beach and have an adverse effect on tourism and nearby horse training and breeding facilities.

Ngaati Te Ata claimed strong historical connection with the area and said the unique west coast landscape and Maori archaeological sites would be affected by construction of the wind farm.

Of 262 public submissions on the project, 237 opposed it.

Commissioners Alan Watson and Norman Thom found adverse visual effects of the giant turbines could not be mitigated enough in order to win approval under the Resource Management Act.

The commissioners said the visual effects of the turbines at Awhitu "would be adverse and detract from the natural character of the locality".

Sudden blade movement and "shadow flicker" from turning blades with the sun behind them could frighten horses at nearby equestrian facilities.

But Environmental Defence Society chairman Gary Taylor called the decision to turn the proposed wind farm down "surprising" and bizarre.

"The decision seems to say that local landscape effects and effects on horses are more important than the national and international interest in renewable energy," he said.

The society has been prominent in the debate over protecting New Zealand's natural landscapes from residential development but Mr Taylor said it was likely the society would support Genesis if it appealed against this decision to the Environment Court.

The wind farm would have been the first for the Auckland region and would have generated enough energy to supply 8000 homes.

Genesis tested three sites on the peninsula for a possible wind farm and is considering an appeal against the decision.

The company has the Hau Nui wind farm at Martinborough in the Wairarapa, expanding to 15 turbines from seven.

Meridian Energy has the country's largest wind farm in the Tararua Ranges northeast of Wellington while Trustpower has 103 turbines on its Manawatu Gorge farm.

Blocked plan

The wind farm would have generated enough energy to supply 8000 homes.

Genesis tested three sites on the peninsula.

The company is considering an appeal against the decision.