Trevor Mallard2 September,
2008 - The Crown has made a submission on
Meridian Energy’s wind farm proposal in
the Central North Island, Environment Minister
Trevor Mallard said today.
Since changes were made
to the Resource Management Act in 2005,
the Crown has been able to make a submission
on an application for a resource consent
that the minister considers to be of national
significance. This allows the government
to have input into local decision-making
processes, while leaving the decision and
hearings to be made locally.
"It is important
that those making decisions under the Resource
Management Act on renewable energy projects
such as Meridian Energy’s ‘Central Wind’
have information on the national energy
implications and effects of the proposal,"
Trevor Mallard said.
"The submission
recognises the importance of renewable,
low-carbon, energy generation and security
of supply, and covers wind energy potential.
"It also recognises
the contribution of the proposal to the
government’s energy and climate change policy
objectives.
"Additionally,
the submission includes conditions that
the Crown considers necessary to address
the local environmental effects of the proposal
on Crown conservation land," Trevor
Mallard said.
This is the third time
the Crown has made a submission on an application
for resource consent since the 2005 amendments.
The other submissions were on Meridian’s
Project Hayes and Trustpower’s Mahinerangi
wind farms in Central Otago.
"I have every faith
that ordinary Resource Management Act processes
and local decision makers can deal with
the environmental effects and any community
concerns raised by the ‘Central Wind’ proposal,"
Trevor Mallard said.
The cabinet paper and minute and submission
is available at www.mfe.govt.nz A Crown
submission under section 141A or the RMA
is a single statement on a matter for the
Crown.
Its purpose is to set out an integrated
and collective view for all relevant Ministers
and Government agencies, combining their
various experiences, expertise and resources.
For more information about ministerial interventions
for proposals of national significance under
the RMA go to Q and A at
www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/central/minister/national-significance.html
