News
Build it ... just not near me
The public response follows a pattern of general acceptance of a wind farm being developed in an area, and even tolerance of a second one nearby.
"But when subsequent wind farms are proposed in the same geographic area, public support is often replaced by strident opposition," Wellington landscape architect Boyden Evans told the Ngaruawahia hearing.
In the case of Wel Network's Te Uku proposal, it is following on the heels of Ventus' 22-turbine Taumatatotara project and the 42-turbine Taharoa C project (subject to Environment Court appeal) slightly to the south. ..."It is not surprising that landscape and especially visual issues are at the forefront on the siting of wind farms because people typically describe their feelings and experiences about places in terms of landscape, and, in particular, in terms of what they see." ..."Experience elsewhere in the country shows that opposition groups are becoming increasingly well networked and feed off each other's information."
December 4, 2007
by Bruce Holloway
in Waikato Times
The "not in my backyard" view rules in a district where many residents don't mind wind farms just not any where near them, writes Bruce Holloway.
One of the most telling interchanges at the Te Uku wind farm hearing occurred late last week between freelance researcher Ben Dunbar-Smith and commissioner chairman Michael Savage.
Hamilton resident Dunbar-Smith had just completed a rigorous academic overview of the importance of such wind farms in a global and national context, examining New Zealand's need to enhance our diversity and security of energy supply.
Energy is a "master resource", wind is a key source of renewable energy, and... [continue via Web link]
| < prev | next > |
Note: this article may be subject to the Fair Use Notice.