of the Resource Management
Act 1991
IN THE MATTER
AND
IN THE MATTER
of submissions and further
submissions
by MIGHTY
RIVER POWER LIMITED on
PROPOSED PLAN CHANGE
15A: RURAL SUBDIVISION
STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF MILES ROWE FOR MIGHTY RIVER POWER
(TABLED)
1.
My name is Miles Rowe. I am an Environmental Advisor at Mighty River Power
Limited ('Mighty River Power' or 'the Company') responsible for resource
management policy matters. I have held this role for over 9 years. I have 19 years
of resource management experience gained in both local government and private
sector. I hold a Bachelor of Science (Geology) from the University of Canterbury
and a graduate Diploma in Applied Environmental Technology from Christchurch
Polytechnic. I am a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute.
INTRODUCTION
2.
Mighty River Power does not currently operate any windfarms in New Zealand.
However, the Company holds consents for two windfarm developments - Puketoi in
Tararua District and Turitea in Palmerston North.
Both of these projects if
constructed would have a combined capacity of up to 490 MW.
3.
In addition, Mighty River Power holds all necessary land access agreement and
transmission consents for these two windfarm projects.
Both projects would be
connected to the National Grid via the Linton Substation in Palmerston North.
SPECIFIC SUBMISSIONS FOR PLAN CHANGE 15A: RURAL SUBDIVISION
4.
Mighty River Power made a number of submission and further submissions on the
provisions in Section 7 - Subdivision.
Many of these submission points are
specifically aimed at avoiding reverse sensitivity effects arising from subdivision
activities in proximity to existing or consent windfarms and are addressed in the
planner'S report for the Windfarms and Landscapes topic.
24 November 2015
Statement of Evidence of Miles Rowe for Mighty River Power
5.
The matters submitted by Mighty River Power relevant to this hearing topic relate to
the minimum lots size for the Rural Zone and the rural-residential subdivision
overlay.
Rural Zone Minimum Lot Size
6.
The section 42A report presents a number of valid reasons for increasing the
minimum lot size from 4 hectares up to 20 hectares in the Rural Zone. Mighty River
Power is supportive of this approach as a means to avoid fragmentation of rural
land and ad hoc development of rural residential activities in inappropriate localities.
7.
'Inappropriate localities' in this context can include, amongst other matters,
dwellings established in proximity to windfarms, which in turn can lead to reverse
sensitivity effects such as noise complaints.
Reverse sensitivity effects is a
significant and real issue for wlndfarm developments, as It is very difficult to avoid
the effect once dwellings are allowed to establish in close proximity to consented
windfarms.
8.
Avoiding reverse sensitivity effects on consented and on existing renewable
electricity generation activities is a matter that decision-makers are required to
manage under Policy 0 of the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity
Generation.
9.
It Is noted that increasing the minimum lot size up to 20 hectares will not in Itself
prevent dwellings from being established in close proximity to windfarms but it will
assist (along with other planning tools) in removing the expectation of property
owners or potential owners from having the ability to subdivide and develop small
lots in close proximity to windfarms.
Rural-Residential Overlav
10.
One of the key reasons given in the section 42A report for reducing the extent of
the rural-residential overlay is to manage reverse sensitivity effects on consented
windfarms.
In my view the reasons given in paragraph 6 to 9 above for the
minimum lot size remain equally or more valid for reducing the extent of the ruralresidential overlay.
11.
There may be grounds for granting additions to the rural-residential overlay but this
should only be done where It can be demonstrated (amongst other matters) that it
will not lead to reverse sensitivity effects on consented windfarms.
Plan Change 15A: Rural Subdivision
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Statement of Evidence of Miles Rowe for Mighty River Power
24 November 2015
CONCLUSIONS
12.
The section 42A report, at paragraph 4.133, states that:
"... The shift to a 20ha minimum lot size and the significant reduction in the
rural-residential overlay is in it itself a significant change which will reduce the
likelihood of further reverse sensitivity effects on existing infrastructure. "
13.
I concur with this statement and believe that the Council should not alter the 20
hectare minimum lot size or spatial extent of the rural-residential overlay set out in
Plan Change 15A, except where it has carefully considered the consequences,
including the potential for reverse sensitivity effects on consented windfarms.
Miles Rowe
24 November 2015
Plan Cllange 15A: Rural Subdivision
Page - 3-