More solar farms proposed in North Canterbury
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury could soon be lit up with solar farms.
The Waimakariri District Council has received resource consent applications from three companies looking to build solar farms in the district, while the Hurunui District Council has also received a solar farm application.
MainPower, North Canterbury’s energy network, has applied for resource consent to construct a solar farm on a 10-hectare site at Thongcaster Road at Eyrewell Forest, to the north of Waimakariri River.
The site is expected to produce enough energy to power 1250 local homes via MainPower’s distribution network, a Mainpower spokesperson said.
‘‘MainPower has been encouraged by the support of the neighbours surrounding the proposed solar farm.’’
There is no confirmed timeframe at this stage for the construction.
A Waimakariri District Council spokesperson said Mainpower ‘‘obtained affected party approval’’ from all 11 affected parties, so notification was not required.
Auckland-based Lightyears Solar Ltd has applied for a resource consent to build an eight hectare solar farm at Swannanoa, near Rangiora, with 9077 solar panels.
A council spokesperson said the application is on hold while more information is sought from the applicant.
No decision has been made on whether the application will be notified.
Lightyears Solar Ltd co-founder and development manager Matt Shanks said his company proposed building ‘‘a mid-sized, dual use solar farm’’.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with commissioning early next year.
‘‘The solar panel rows will be spaced about 5m apart and the landowner will graze animals under the solar farm array.’’
He said the farm would generate six megawatts of renewable energy, which would mostly be consumed locally ‘‘providing for some of Rangiora’s daytime energy needs’’.
Shanks said Lightyears Solar had contacted the immediate neighbours to the farm, as part of the consent process.
‘‘We keep it low impact by keeping the panels fairly low to the ground, installing planting strips around the farm, and ensuring there is plenty of space between the rows for grazing and continued pasture growth.’’
A resource consent was received last month from Australian company Energy Bay Ltd to construct and operate a utility scale solar energy farm on 80ha on the corner of Upper Sefton Rd and Beatties Rd, Sefton, north of Rangiora. The Hurunui District Council also received an application last month from Far North Solar Farm Ltd for a 180.8ha solar farm at Waipara.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Officials discuss ways to protect flood-prone beach settlement
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
‘‘Pragmatic’’ solutions have been suggested for a flood prone North Canterbury beach settlement.
Gore Bay, near Cheviot, is a popular coastal holiday spot, but faces threats from flooding and sea level rise.
The Hurunui District Council is creating a coastal adaptation plan for Gore Bay and is working with Environment Canterbury to plan for flood protection for the Jed River and Buxton Creek.
Deputy mayor Vince Daly said the creek and river were prone to flooding in heavy rain events, leaving the Buxton Campground and the coastal road vulnerable to flooding.
‘‘The creek builds up when it is in flood, and the shingle builds up, preventing it from flowing out to sea.’’
Daly said Environment Canterbury presented some ‘‘pragmatic’’ solutions at a recent meeting with Gore Bay / Port Robinson Reserve Advisory Group.
A Hurunui District Council report presented to the Cheviot Community Committee in February said the flood hazard was increasing due to the formation of a lagoon between the river and the creek mouths.
The intensity of recent rain events was increasing the erosion threat to the campground’s banks and to land around the bridge abutments.
Environment Canterbury regional lead river operations, Cliff Thomas, said options presented to the community had exceeded the budget set for the project.
An engineering consultant is now assessing the options and will provide a design for Environment Canterbury staff to consider.
‘‘A channel could be cut to allow the river to let water flows out to the ocean when certain conditions are met, such as flood risk due to high rainfall,’’ Thomas said.
‘‘However, a consent would be required to do this.’’
Longer term sea level rise posed a threat to the access road and to the Buxton and Gore Bay Camping Grounds, Daly said.
‘‘The elevation of the houses means slips are probably a bigger issue for residents than sea level rise, but it does pose a risk to the road.
‘‘This is one of the best Canterbury beaches and it is a very popular spot.’’
The Hurunui District Council began its ‘‘Coastal Conversations’’ project alongside five beach communities in 2020.
Three coastal adaptation plans have been completed for Amberley Beach, Leithfield Beach and Motunau, while the council is also working with the Gore Bay and Conway Flat/Claverley beach communities.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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