Hearing Decision 20100204 FINAL

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Hearing Decision 20100204 FINAL IN THE MATTER OF The Resource Management Act 1991 AND Application for resource consent made pursuant to Section 88 of the Act – TO Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council (MWRC) Application Numbers: 104949, 104950, 104951, 104952 AND Tararua District Council (TDC) File Number: 12003.030 BY New Zealand Windfarms Limited IN RELATION TO To the development of an extension to the Te Rere Hau wind farm on the eastern side of the Tararua Ranges. The proposed Te Rere Hau Eastern Extension consists of 56 wind turbines located across approximately 300 hectares. Each turbine tower is 29 metres in height and reaches a maximum height of 47 metres with the tower and blade combined. Access to the proposed site will be off the Pahiatua Track via North Range Road. Decision of Joint Hearings Commissioners HEARING DATES: 6 – 14 October; 28-29 October; 11 November 2009 HEARING PANEL: David McMahon (Independent Commissioner and Chair) Cr Annette Main (MWRC Councillor) Cr Warren Davidson (TDC Councillor) DATE OF DECISION: 31 January 2010 Notice of Decision 1 1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................5 2. THE PROPOSAL...........................................................................................................5 3. SITE LOCALITY AND DESCRIPTION.....................................................................6 Application Site..............................................................................................................................................6 Surrounding Area..........................................................................................................................................7 Wind farms in the wider area.......................................................................................................................7 Relevant Resource Consents........................................................................................................................7 4. NOTIFICATION, CONSULTATION AND THE HEARING................................10 Notification..................................................................................................................................................10 Submissions..................................................................................................................................................10 Further Information....................................................................................................................................12 The Hearing.................................................................................................................................................13 Request for Postponement of Hearing....................................................................................................16 Hearing Minute re: Adjournment for Caucusing and Site Visits..........................................................18 Hearing Minute for Proposed Tararua District Plan (with decisions).................................................18 Hearing Closure...........................................................................................................................................19 Hearing Note...............................................................................................................................................19 5. STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR DECISION.......................................................19 Preliminary Matter.......................................................................................................................................19 Legislation.....................................................................................................................................................20 Permitted Activity Baseline........................................................................................................................22 Statutory Instruments (Section 104(1)(b) Assessment).........................................................................23 Overall Activity Status................................................................................................................................25 Weighting of Statutory Instruments.........................................................................................................25 Non - Statutory Instruments (Section 104(1)(c)) “Other Matters”......................................................26 6. ISSUES OF CONTENTION......................................................................................26 Context..........................................................................................................................................................26 Overview of Issues......................................................................................................................................27 Preliminary Notes on the basis of this decision......................................................................................27 7. CONSTRUCTION EFFECTS....................................................................................33 Evidence heard............................................................................................................................................33 Issues Arising...............................................................................................................................................34 Traffic/Roading Effects.............................................................................................................................35 Construction Noise.....................................................................................................................................37 Archaeological & cultural effects associated with construction...........................................................38 Ecological effects of construction (and operation) of the Wind Farm...............................................40 Other Construction issues..........................................................................................................................45 Conclusion on Construction Effects........................................................................................................45 8. LANDSCAPE/VISUAL AMENITY EFFECTS.........................................................46 AEE, Submissions, Evidence and Issues.................................................................................................46 Evaluation.....................................................................................................................................................52 Conclusion on Landscape/Visual Amenity Effects...............................................................................58 9. OPERATIONAL NOISE EFFECTS..........................................................................59 AEE, Submissions, Evidence and Issues.................................................................................................59 Evaluation.....................................................................................................................................................66 Conclusion....................................................................................................................................................70 10. OTHER EFFECTS......................................................................................................71 Shadow Flicker and Blade Glint................................................................................................................71 Recreational..................................................................................................................................................71 Notice of Decision 2 Effects on Subdivision Potential...............................................................................................................72 Decommissioning Issues............................................................................................................................72 Other Inconsequential Matters..................................................................................................................73 11. POSITIVE EFFECTS..................................................................................................73 Positive effects to National interests........................................................................................................73 Positive effects to local interests...............................................................................................................74 Evaluation.....................................................................................................................................................75 12. OVERALL EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL....................................................75 Summary of Effects Assessment...............................................................................................................75 Evaluation of Statutory Instruments and Other Matters......................................................................76 Evaluation of Part II Matters.....................................................................................................................76 13. DECISION...................................................................................................................79 Notice of Decision 3 NOTICE OF DECISION MWRC: 104950,
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