Rangitikei Guardians Society Inc v Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council

COURT OR TRIBUNAL

Environment Court of New Zealand

DATE FILED (OR FIRST HEARING DATE)

08/09/2009

LITIGATION TYPE

Project Approval - Mitigation

SUBJECT MATTER

Wind farm

REVIEW TYPE

Merits review

SUMMARY

The proposal for a wind farm was opposed by an incorporated society formed for that purpose. The issues in dispute were the effects of the proposed wind farm on landscape and amenity values.

At [27]: The underlying premise of Meridian's case was that there would be real local and regional benefits, as well as national benefits, from the wind farm proposal. Meridian contended that the project would assist in meeting New Zealand's growing electricity demand via an environmentally sound process.
[28] Mr Adam Muldoon (Meridian's Wind Development Manager) identified the national benefits of the project as suppression of electricity prices, diversification to improve security of supply and reduced carbon emissions.
[29] Mr Stuart Calman (Director, Climate and Risk, Ministry for the Environment) testified that the two most likely sources of energy to supply New Zealand's future electricity needs are wind and geothermal. He emphasised the benefits of wind as a low emission energy option which would increase generation capacity while displacing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-fuelled alternatives. Those benefits included helping New Zealand meet its international climate change obligations (such as the Kyoto Protocol) and avoiding the economic consequences of not doing so. He referred to the need for resilience in the system to help maintain the supply of electricity and strengthening supply through diversification. In addition, he said that siting wind farms in various places across NZ would reduce the existing reliance on one area (the Manawatu) for the majority of wind generated electricity.

At [264]: When we undertake a broad, overall evaluation, we find that approval of Project Central Wind promotes sustainable management of natural and physical resources. It would meet the wider community's need for electricity which is essential to its health and wellbeing. It is in accordance with national imperatives for the development of renewable energy resources. It would provide local employment and economic benefits. The outstanding natural landscapes of the Volcanic Plateau would remain for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The development of the proposed wind farm would assist in safeguarding the life supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems, all of which might potentially be affected by climate change. Adverse effects would be avoided, remedied or mitigated to the greatest extent possible.

CASE DOCUMENTS

Rangitikei Guardians Society Inc v Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council [2010] NZEnvC 14