Renewable Energy vs Ridgeline Vistas

[Brent George]

Wind farms could surround a Tararua community
Stuff - Tararua: 22-Nov-2023

Residents on the Tararua side of the Pahīatua Track are facing the prospect of living between two wind farms.

To the west, their properties are overshadowed by Mercury’s Turitea North turbines standing up to 125 metres tall above the Tararua ridgeline about 2km away.

And now, Yinson Renewables and project managers Aurecon are proposing putting up 11 even taller turbines closer to their homes.

Nothing like wind turbines to polarise a community - some like 'em ; others don't!

[Brent George]

Wind farm communities struggle to be heard
Stuff - Manawatu: 18-March-2024

Communities already struggling to have their views on wind farm proposals heard are alarmed the National-led Government is planning to offer infrastructure developers an even-faster track, one-stop consent process.

The tiny community of Hastwell near Eketahuna, spanning the boundary between Masterton and Tararua, is fighting Meridian’s proposal for a 20-turbine wind farm on the ridge of Mt Munro.

The consent applications have been lodged, submissions have closed, and they are waiting for Meridian to confirm whether the applications will bypass local councils and go straight to the Environment Court for a decision.