New Zealand needs wind farm rules, say opponents

Opponents of a proposed wind farm that would be seen across much of Hawke's Bay say their Environment Court bid to stop the development is filling a national policy void on where wind farms can be located. The Environment Court finished four days of hearings yesterday with a site visit to Te Waka Range, 40 kilometres west of Napier, where Hawke's Bay lines company Unison plans to build a 37-turbine wind farm. The Outstanding Landscape Preservation Society, a group made up of local landowners living hear the development, local iwi in Hawke's Bay, and Hawke's Bay Windfarms, which has a resource consent for a 75-turbine development near Te Waka, have all made submissions to halt the $260 million development, which was approved by Hastings District Council last year. Outside the court, Ben Crosse, a Patoka farmer and representative of the Outstanding Landscape Preservation Society, said the construction of 90-metre turbines on Te Waka Range would be "sacrificing the Hawke's Bay landscape for power generation". "Because of its elevation, Te Waka Range is more visible to the wider region than Hawke's Bay landscape icons like Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers. "We're not opposed to wind farms but there's no national policy in place for where they should go. It's a piecemeal approach, and by taking court action we are in effect putting our hands in our own pockets to form national policy on this.

more..

March 15, 2007 • New Zealand

Turbine noise issues

Wind turbines can have distressing noise effects that can degrade health and lifestyles, a resource consent hearing was told yesterday.

Tararua Aokautere Guardians called a number of witnesses to support its submission against the proposed 127 turbine Motorimu Wind Farm planned for the Tararua Ranges behind Linton and Tokomaru.

Sound energy expert David Bennett said there is "extensive evidence, both internationally and within New Zealand," that wind turbines can have distressing noise effects which can degrade health and lifestyles, and hence property values".

If Motorimu proceeded as planned, Kahuterawa Valley would be particularly affected, while Linton-Tokomaru area residents would also be affected, particularly in easterly winds and conditions of temperature inversion.

Dr Bennett and noise expert Richard Thorne both criticised the recognised noise Standard for wind farms, NZS6808.

Dr Bennett said the standard's deficiencies contributed to division between developers who say they meet the standards and residents who feel noise distress.

Mr Thorne said noise research showed 10 percent of exposed people were "highly annoyed" by traffic noise at 60dBA, while the same degree of annoyance occurred at 36dBA for wind turbine noise.

By Helen Harvey
Manawatu Standard

stuff.co.nz

15 March 2007

March 15, 2007 • New Zealand

Turbines 'intrusive'

A Massey University survey shows that 80 percent of people in Manawatu who live within 3km of wind turbines find them intrusive.

And 73 percent think the turbines are unattractive.

This finding is at odds with the national support for wind energy expressed in other published studies, building technology senior lecturer Robyn Phipps, who led the survey said in a report.

Dr Phipps was due to give evidence and present the report last night at the resource consent hearing into Motorimu Wind Farm Ltd's application to build a 127- turbine wind farm on the Tararua Ranges.

"(the survey results) could reflect the reality of living with wind turbines as opposed to the ideology of renewable energy."

The survey was on the visual and noise effects experienced by residents living within a notional 3km ring of the existing wind farms in the Tararua and Ruahine ranges.

A total of 1100 survey forms were delivered, 614 were returned, giving a response rate of 56 percent, Dr Phipps said.

"This is considered very high for a self-reporting, self-returning survey and suggests a high level of interest."

Turbine noise is heard by 75 percent of households - 45 percent of households living within 2km of the wind farm and 20 percent of households living up to 8km away reported hearing turbine noise.

By Helen Harvey
Manawatu Standard

stuff.co.nz

15 March 2007

Quota, carbon charge seen as way to boost wind energy

New Zealand
13 Mar 2007

Quota, carbon charge seen as way to boost wind energy

Wind energy promoters are suggesting charges on the carbon produced by thermal power plants and a renewable energy quota system as ways to support wind power in New Zealand. New Zealand Wind Energy Association chief executive Fraser Clark told his organisation's conference in Wellington on Tuesday that a consistent policy was needed from the Government. The provision ... Complete story »

Wind farm effects debate

New Zealand
13 Mar 2007

Wind farm effects debate
When looking at the visual effects of hundreds of turbines on the Tararua Ranges, should a wind farm that doesn’t exist be taken into account? This question is starting to loom large over Motorimu Wind Farm Ltd’s application to build a 127-turbine wind farm on the Tararua Ranges behind Linton and Tokomaru. Yesterday was the third ... Complete story »