A 24-turbine wind farm – some with blades up to 207m high – has been proposed for the northern end of the Kaimai Ranges, near Paeroa.

Kaimai Wind Farm Limited has lodged resource consent applications with Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council for the wind farm, which will cover 1304 hectares bordering Rotokohu Rd, Paeroa, and State Highway 26 at Tirohia.  

Applications will be processed jointly by the two councils. Resource consent applications lodged with HDC are for the proposed construction of 24 large-scale wind turbines. Seven of the turbines would be 180m high – to the blade tip standing upright – and 17 would be 207m high.

Other proposed structures include a substation, two lattice transmission towers, two overhead powerlines, and 18.9km of on-site roading.

Earthworks will include 900,000m3 of cut material and 113,500m3 of engineered fill. It is estimated 53,000m3 of finishing aggregate will be needed for on-site roads. Some will be obtained from off-site, however two on-site quarries are also proposed to supply roading material.

The main site access is proposed to be from the south – from Wright Rd, which comes off Rawhiti Rd – and turbine parts are proposed to be transported from Tauranga, through Matamata-Piako District, to the site. Rotokohu Rd may also be used for other materials.

Meanwhile resource consent applications to WRC are to authorise specific aspects of land use; removal of vegetation, earthworks, to permit the discharge of surplus soil and surface water associated with the construction phase of the project and culvert upgrades.

The company has requested the resource consent applications are publicly notified, which means there will be an opportunity for community feedback via written submissions. 

Notification will occur once all further information requested from the applicant has been received, according to HDC.

Once notified, hard copies will be available for inspection - in HDC offices and libraries in Ngatea, Paeroa and Waihi. Those considered directly affected by the proposal will be notified of the applications by post.

Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga says it’s still very early days and his council needs to ensure the information received from the company is complete and technically robust before notifying the community and asking for feedback.   

“We understand there is a high level of interest in this project and we’ll make sure people have every opportunity to give us feedback on this proposal when the time comes.

“Details of how and when you can do this will be advertised in the newspapers, on our Facebook page, and also posted on our website,” says John. 

“We’ll also provide regular updates on the applications’ progress and details in relation to the hearing as they come to hand.”

It is likely independent commissioners will be appointed to decide on whether or not the application is approved, says John.

To find out more, see: www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz/services/resource-consents/kaimai-wind-farm-project/