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Awhitu Wind Farm (2004-2005)
Peer Review, Landscape Assessment for Environment Court Appeal
Location: Karioitahi Beach, Awhitu Peninsula, Auckland
Client: Genesis Energy
The proposed Awhitu Wind Farm is located on the Awhitu Peninsula , the narrow band of land that contains the Manukau Harbour as it extends from Port Waikato north to Manukau Heads.
Hudson Associates were engaged by Genesis Energy after a council hearing turned down the consent application. Hudson Associates were asked to peer review the original landscape assessment and evidence presented to the hearing.
Subsequently Hudson Associates were retained to undertake detailed consultation with affected parties and, working closely with 3D simulation specialists Truescape Ltd, prepare landscape evidence for an Environment Court appeal.
As a part of this process Hudson Associates sought to address a number of detailed concerns regarding the positioning of turbines within the application site, involving detailed field work and computer modelling to minimise visual effects from neighbouring properties.
The consent application was approved by the Environment Court, being the first such case of a wind farm being tested at this level in.