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Decision Released
Wel Networks has won permission to build its controversial 28-turbine wind farm, christened Te Hauhiko o Wharauroa, at Te Uku.
The decision by a panel of commissioners released on Friday 30 May 2008, by Waikato District Council to approve resource consent for the project comes after five years of Wel investigations into wind power generation, and two years of feasibility studies on the Wharauroa Plateau in Te Uku.
Hearing Adjourned
Update 2 May 2008 In response to a question asked of the status of the WEL Networks Consent Hearing, Waikato District Council Environmental Services Manager, Nate Pritchard said today that the consent hearing remains adjourned. Mr Pritchard could give not give an indication either when the Hearing would be concluded or when a decision might be forthcoming
The resource consent hearing for Wel Networks' proposed $140 million,
28-turbine wind farm on the Wharauroa Plateau, about 3km from SH23 at Te Uku, has been adjourned
on the request of WEL Networks counsel Mr Simon Berry. In his request for adjournment Mr Berry advanced that:
"Highly technical evidence has been tendered late in the hearing which requires further consideration and possibly substantive response."
The Chairman Mr Savage gave WEL Networks Ltd until Friday 7 December 2007, to offer a summary of the evidence it proposes to give, at which time the date for resumption of hearing will be given
WEL Energy we can't TRUST
From the initial proposal of the Te Uku Wind Farm to the staged meetings, there has been a selection of un-answered questions and mischiefs presented as consultation. As a simple example the preliminary consultation CD had incorrect heights on the towers so all of the visuals effects were understated. Although not finalised WEL has indicated that the preferred generation unit is the Vestas V90
Landscape Effects
The turbines will potentially draw attention to their presence due to their significant size and the
movement of the blades. They will be highly obvious, and will change the existing rural characteristics
of the Wharauroa Plateau skyline. The turbines will be clearly visible from many surrounding rural
locations as well as the more densely populated settlements of Te Uku, Waitetuna, and parts of Raglan
and Hamilton. (ref summary of visual effects WEL documentation)
Birds
Thirty two bird species have been identified as being present within the Te Uku area, with another two
species also likely to be present but not recorded. The predominant birds found within the wind farm
itself were common grassland passerines and wetland species, comprising of hedge sparrow, house
sparrow, yellow hammer, New Zealand pipit, skylark, Australian magpie, chaffinch, swallow, spurwinged
plover and paradise duck. Most commonly observed or heard birds within the bush habitats
adjacent to the Wind Park were grey warbler, fantail, tui, kereru, shining cuckoo and morepork. The
occasional tomtit was also heard and there are recent records of New Zealand falcon being present. (ref ecology summary WEL documentation)
Noise
The noise has been predicted using the sound spectrum of the wind turbine as provided by a typical wind
turbine manufacturer. Based on this information, and a three dimensional ground contour model, a
computer model has been used. The model takes into account effects such as distance, topographical
screening, atmospheric absorption and meteorological effects (such as wind direction), to predict the
noise level at the closer houses around the proposed wind turbine farm. A cross check was made based
on information collected at existing wind farms, such as in the Tararua Ranges (near Palmerston North).
This information shows that the levels from a wind farm using the computer model is expected to be
within ±2dBA. This is within the degree of accuracy expected when predicting noise levels. (ref noise summary WEL documentation)
But here is a more telling link from a North Lincolnshire Council (UK) proposed project
It is worth noting at this stage that as part of the revisions to the scheme, the supplementary environmental information considers a new candidate turbine, the Nordex N90 2.3 MW wind turbine. This is because the original candidate turbine, a Vestas V90, has shown that noise criteria curves could not be achieved without implementation of noise control measures. (ref http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D917BA5A-D213-465D-B244-87DAD482EBF/19244/2004_0092.pdf )
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