Residents Demand Public Notification for Solar Farm Proposal

Residents of the Waipara Valley have called for the public notification of a significant land use consent application from Far North Solar Farm Ltd. This proposal seeks to establish a solar farm covering 180 hectares near Waipara, located north of Amberley. The call for transparency comes nearly two months after the Hurunui District Council had already notified the initial consent application for the project.

On August 27, 2023, the Waipara Valley Community Collective presented a petition with 700 signatures to Environment Canterbury (ECan) during a council meeting. The petition urges ECan to publicly notify the consent application submitted by Far North Solar Farm Ltd., emphasizing the importance of public engagement in the decision-making process.

Concerns over Consenting Process

ECan chairperson Craig Pauling expressed concerns regarding the current regional council consenting model, which can lead to inefficiencies. He highlighted that overlapping consent processes between local and regional councils often result in a lack of public awareness. Pauling noted, “A waste management plant can be consented from a land use perspective without making it public, and then the first the regional council knows about it might be when they come to the regional council for an air discharge consent.”

The Hurunui District Council has received a total of 158 submissions regarding the proposed solar farm, with a significant majority—125 submissions—opposing the project.

Community member Kelsey voiced her support for the petition, stating, “I am aware ECan is seeking national guidance and that is important, but in the absence of that guidance, notification is really important.” She further explained that public notification would allow ECan to gain insights that may not be reflected in the application documents.

Historical Significance and Ecological Concerns

Kelsey highlighted the historical significance of the area, noting that it has been part of a pounamu greenstone trail and possesses considerable ecological and geological values. The discovery of moa bones in the vicinity adds to the area’s importance. “No-one I have spoken to is against solar power… but just because it is renewable doesn’t mean it is a good thing,” she remarked.

Far North Solar Farm Ltd. has applied to ECan for consents related to earthworks and discharges to land and water. If approved, the solar farm, featuring around 250,000 panels, is projected to generate up to 144 megawatts of energy, sufficient to power approximately 30,000 homes.

A report from the Hurunui District Council indicated that the visual and landscape impacts of the proposed solar farm could be more than minor, raising concerns among local residents and stakeholders.

The construction of the solar farm is anticipated to take around two years. The Hurunui District Council has appointed independent commissioners Dean Chrystal and Shannon Bray to hear and make decisions regarding the resource consent application.

As the local community seeks to ensure their voices are heard, the outcome of this proposal could significantly impact both the environment and the socio-cultural landscape of the Waipara Valley.