Aug 07 - Dominion Post

Meridian Energy has been asked to deal with concerns about the environmental impact of a 31-turbine wind farm planned for Ohariu Valley.

The power company has applied to Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington regional council for consent to develop Mill Creek wind farm in the valley, west of Wellington. The project requires earthworks to provide extra roads to the turbine sites and upgrade existing public roads.

The regional council has asked the company to address concerns about sediment discharges and stream works associated with building a 19.4-kilometre roading network.

The council's report concludes that Meridian has not given enough information about how it would remedy the harmful effects of sediment discharges, piping sections of Ohariu Stream and Mill Creek, as well as 21 smaller streams.

Council environmental regulation manager Alistair Cross said officials could not recommend that consent be granted for these works unless Meridian explained how these concerns could be mitigated.

Meridian will have the chance to respond at a hearing starting on Monday.

Spokeswoman Claire Shaw said the company was studying the council's report and would address the concerns at that hearing.

The city council has recommended that the project be scaled down to 25 turbines.

Nearly 700 submissions were received on the wind farm proposal, which includes 111-metre-high turbines projected to generate enough power for 35,000 homes.

Farmer Mark Best, whose family has farmed in the valley for four generations, said the roadworks would destroy the tranquil rural ambience and piping streams would increase the risk of flooding.

"They do not realise how many people's lives they are wrecking."

The Preservation of Ohariu Valley lobby group strongly opposed Meridian's plans to have trucks working from 7am to 7pm five days a week and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays, Mr Best said. "They will be able to work all night off-road -- it will be a continuous blast, blast, blast."

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