The district plan provides nothing to control the development of wind farms because it was written before they were an issue. Porirua City Council are giving us the opportunity to introduce policy through this plan change which will allow limited but essential change to the district plan by which we have a mechanism to shape the future.

We should all be making submissions on this proposed plan, as well as plan change 8, recreation and open spaces.

If you're keen but don't know the process, let people know. We can all work together on this.

John

Thanks John, keen to be involved - I imagine there are a couple of worrying issues -

1. It is likely that people who will either be directly (visual, noise etc) or indirectly (roading changes, access-ways being opened up to the ridge-line, road closures) impacted do not yet understand the likelihood of this impact and;
2. How to make a district plan change submission

Is there any opportunity to share the impact with the wider community and to provide a 'hints and tips' sheet for completing a submission to the Council?

Porirua City Council is also currently consulting on the Porirua Development Framework which also has a closing date at the council of 14 December. This is longer term planning but could also be important for the Pauatahanui Community to be aware of. Not as imminent as Plan Change 7 in terms of impact but certainly going to maybe help shape the future of our community.
As well as the policy changes underway with Porirua City Council there will also be opportunities for the community to have a say through the Greater Wellington Regional Council as they will be re-consulting on the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park Management Plan which also has direct implications for the wind farm. The Regional Concil also has its draft on Energy out which is part of the Regional Policy Statement.
Lots for us all to think about ....... but the wind farm proposal needs a serious combined effort.

I aggree Diane, we all need to get behind the wind farm proposal, and ensure that it actually gets built. In a way thats completely balanced and well thought out. Theres not much point in thinking that windfarms are going to go away, so you might as well get them built in a way that is a best case for all concerned.

I do not think that wind farms are going to go away and I agree that they need to be developed in a way that is best for all concerned. However how do you weigh up impacts on individuals against national good when the development of wind farms in this country is so ad hoc. Maybe this is the reason for responding to the Plan Changes but it would be good to see some national guidelines - other than the current policy that just says we need more of them.

National guidelines ( and legislation ) are coming next year, according the the New Zealand Energy Strategy recently published by the governemtn..

Suggest everyone reads it.