Wind Farm - Environment Court decision in favour of landscape values
There has been an encouraging result out of the Environment Court, recognising the unique scenic wonders of Central Otago's block mountains. The Court was sitting to decide on the suitability of a huge wind-farm on the Lammermoor Range, and they've ruled against such development.
I was always amazed at the audacity of such a development on such a special landscape - two aspects really: the obvious visual impact, but also the glossed over infrastructure of roads to be built and how to maintain same.
The Otago daily Times has published a few articles recently:
Project Hayes: Gone with the wind
'Silent majority' not acquiescent on wind farm
To give you an idea of the landscape I've published a series of landscape photography efforts I've made over a few years of 4wd wanderings on these mountains. Taken in summer I might add - winter would be a whole 'nuther ball-game!
It's really a fine weather road I've used...
Two Land Cruisers in expedition mode about to head over the southern end of the Lammerlaw / Lammermoor range...
Descending, and now to where there is some green grass, we're now well down of the Lammerlaw range. Note the rocks for gate posts..
On the Paerau - Patearoa road we stopped to let a mob of sheep by on the hottest of hot summer days, and because we had a fridge full of beer we gave the astonished farmer walking with them a bottle of ice-cold Speights...
We deviated and came out to Ranfurly on this trip for a coffee and minor supplies. Ever since the advent of the hugely successful Central Otago Rail Trail, it's been pretty sophisticated in Ranfurly...
Ranfurly lady...
The historic Styx Hotel and Styx Jail/ Gaol ["Styx" is also known as Paerau] lies nestled beside the Taieri River at the foot of the Dunstan Trail. There used to be a hotel on both sides of the river because of its importance as a stopping place, and in case there was a flood...
This chain in the historic Styx Jail was possibly more of a lock-up for protecting gold bullion during overnight coach stops than it was for prisoners...
Here a local artist at Styx paints beside the meandering Taieri River, actually in this area home of the extensive Taieri River wetlands...
The altitude is deceptive but does add to a "big sky" feel...
At a welcome creek of really pure water filtered by mosses etc. we re-filled our vehicle water bottles...
Rocks used as fence posts abound in this area...
I'm sure perceptions will now be altered by planners such as those hatching plans for dams on the Clutha River! However there are people out there with different agendas: "Wind farm group laments decision"... more>>
I was always amazed at the audacity of such a development on such a special landscape - two aspects really: the obvious visual impact, but also the glossed over infrastructure of roads to be built and how to maintain same.
The Otago daily Times has published a few articles recently:
Project Hayes: Gone with the wind
'Silent majority' not acquiescent on wind farm
To give you an idea of the landscape I've published a series of landscape photography efforts I've made over a few years of 4wd wanderings on these mountains. Taken in summer I might add - winter would be a whole 'nuther ball-game!
It's really a fine weather road I've used...
Two Land Cruisers in expedition mode about to head over the southern end of the Lammerlaw / Lammermoor range...
Descending, and now to where there is some green grass, we're now well down of the Lammerlaw range. Note the rocks for gate posts..
On the Paerau - Patearoa road we stopped to let a mob of sheep by on the hottest of hot summer days, and because we had a fridge full of beer we gave the astonished farmer walking with them a bottle of ice-cold Speights...
We deviated and came out to Ranfurly on this trip for a coffee and minor supplies. Ever since the advent of the hugely successful Central Otago Rail Trail, it's been pretty sophisticated in Ranfurly...
Ranfurly lady...
The historic Styx Hotel and Styx Jail/ Gaol ["Styx" is also known as Paerau] lies nestled beside the Taieri River at the foot of the Dunstan Trail. There used to be a hotel on both sides of the river because of its importance as a stopping place, and in case there was a flood...
This chain in the historic Styx Jail was possibly more of a lock-up for protecting gold bullion during overnight coach stops than it was for prisoners...
Here a local artist at Styx paints beside the meandering Taieri River, actually in this area home of the extensive Taieri River wetlands...
The altitude is deceptive but does add to a "big sky" feel...
At a welcome creek of really pure water filtered by mosses etc. we re-filled our vehicle water bottles...
Rocks used as fence posts abound in this area...
I'm sure perceptions will now be altered by planners such as those hatching plans for dams on the Clutha River! However there are people out there with different agendas: "Wind farm group laments decision"... more>>
Labels: Central Otago, Central Otago Rail Trail, Clutha River, Lammerlaw range, Lammermoor Range, Paerau, Patearoa, Project Hayes, Ranfurly, Styx, Styx Jail / Gaol, Taieri, Taieri River
posted by Donald at
3:39 PM
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