Council calls for Ministerial intervention on power station proposal

The Rodney District Council is asking the Minister for the Environment to 'call in' Genesis Energy's private plan change request for a proposed gas turbine power station near Helensville.

'Calling in' the application means the planning decision will be referred to a Board of Inquiry or directly to the Environment Court, rather than being heard by the local council.

The Rodney council believes the station's wider implications and possible effects. -– and the possibility of the council entering a commercial agreement with Genesis Energy Ltd to supply water and wastewater treatment to the proposed station - are reasons for the Minister to call in the application.

An extraordinary meeting of the council today (Thurs 30th Aug) decided to ask the Minister for the Environment to use his power to call in the plan change request. Councillors noted that aspects of the proposals meet the criteria under the Resource Management Act (RMA) for the case to considered by the Minister as a matter of national significance.

These grounds for such an intervention set out in the RMA include whether the proposal:

* Has aroused widespread public concern regarding its effect on the environment, (including the global environment)

* affects more than one region, or

* affects New Zealand's international environmental obligations;

Several councillors queried whether or not the issue of national importance was relevant to the council deciding whether to accept the application by Genesis Energy Ltd to create a special zone on the site of the proposed power station between Helensville and Kaukapakapa. After some debate they decided the matter should be put before the Minister.

Mayor, John Law - who voted against the motion to request a call-in - raised concerns about the likely delays to decision-making on the matter as a result of the upcoming election.

The formal request to the Minister will be made with urgency.

ENDS

© Scoop Media