30 June 2005

Minister delegates role on wind farm

Environment Minister and Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs has delegated any ministerial role she may have over the proposed wind farm at Makara to the Associate Minister for the Environment, David Benson-Pope.

"Makara is in the electorate I represent in Parliament and the delegation will allow me to represent my constituents and avoid any conflict of interest," Marian Hobbs said.

Under the Resource Management Act the Minister for the Environment can be asked to 'call in' a resource consent application. No such request has been made but is a possibility once Meridian Energy lodges resource consent applications under the RMA to develop Project West Wind at Makara.

"I need to remain impartial in my ministerial role but, as Wellington Central MP, I have a duty to represent the Makara residents," Marian Hobbs said.

"Delegating my ministerial role to the Associate Minister for the Environment will ensure that proper ministerial decision-making occurs and that I'm able to represent the people of Wellington Central."

Marian Hobbs said she supports the wind farm as long as there is a robust public process in which the views of the affected residents are heard and their issues dealt with.

"There are issues about noise and visual effects that have to be thrashed out at council level," Marian Hobbs said. "My job as MP is to support the process and advocate for my constituents where they feel they're not getting a fair go."

ENDS

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