Access to Puketiro wind farm not required through Battle Hill park

Posted on 28 July 2009

Greater Wellington Regional Council today welcomed the announcement by Puketiro wind farm developer RES New Zealand that it did not require access from Paekakariki Hill Road to its proposed site through Greater Wellington’s Battle Hill Farm Forest Park.

 “Although the council has made land available for the development of a wind farm in its Akatarawa Forest immediately adjacent to the Battle Hill park, it has always been our preference for the developer to find an access route that did not involve Battle Hill,” Cr Chris Laidlaw, chair of Greater Wellington’s Sustainability Committee said today.

 “Today’s announcement by RES New Zealand means that the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park will remain largely unaffected by the wind farm development next door, and that is a good basis to proceed. A number of people were concerned about a possible threat to the values of the Battle Hill park by having an access road through it, even though that access would only be required during the construction phase.

 “RES New Zealand has yet to apply for the consents necessary to construct its proposed wind farm at Puketiro and there will be further community consultation under the terms of the Resource Management Act. Today’s announcement by RES New Zealand should be seen as a positive step in a process, in which the region’s renewable energy interests are balanced alongside those of the people who live in the area and who enjoy the tranquillity of Battle Hill,” Chris Laidlaw said.