Projects
'STOP RODNEY POWER STATION' campaign
State-owned electricity generator Genesis Energy is proposing to build a 480MW gas-burning CCGT power station in Kaukapakapa. The joint ARC/RDC hearing for Genesis Energy's resource consent, plan change and variation applications concluded on 31 October 2008. Dr Neville Miller, Bruce Cowan and Pip McAlwee gave a three and a half hour presentation to the hearing panel on 6 October. A further submission from KARRA, responding to supplementary evidence from Genesis Energy, was presented to the hearing panel on the final day of the hearing.
The Auckland Regional Council commissioners granted thirteen resource consents for the project on 11 December 2008. Genesis Energy appealed some consent conditions to the Environment Court. On 26 March 2009 the Rodney District Council commissioners approved the special zone plan change and variation to the District Plan, and two further resource consents. KARRA sought legal advice on appealing the decision to the Environment Court, and presented this advice to residents at a community meeting on 23 April 2009.
The parties involved in the appeals were Genesis Energy, Vector Limited, Auckland Regional Council, Rodney District Council, local iwi Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara - and a local couple who live in Abel Road, near the site. The latter withdrew their appeal after reaching a private agreement with Genesis Energy. Following negotiations between the remaining parties, consent orders were signed in October 2009 and this brought both Environment Court appeals to an end.
The decision to build the Rodney Power Station has not been made. In December 2009 Genesis Energy's CEO told a Parliamentary select committee that there is no construction timeline for the power station, they have no contracted gas supplies to run the plant, and that other development opportunities Genesis have in renewables may present better options than building another gas-fired plant.
At an Environment Court hearing on 21 April 2010, the CEO gave evidence that "We have not made a decision on the construction of Rodney yet" and "We have not contracted a gas supply for Rodney".
He also said the company is carrying out technical studies on the Rodney Power Station project and a recommendation will be put to their Board by the end of this calendar year. But the CEO also emphasised that this didn’t mean a decision to proceed would be made then, and it may be that they recommend further technical studies are carried out. The Court was told that he "couldn’t give any assurance when a decision will be made".
Kaukapakapa Structure Plan
Kaukapakapa is a unique rural village that is experiencing growth pressures. To assist in managing these pressures, Rodney District Council is undertaking a Structure planning exercise for Kaukapakapa to confirm the vision and develop a spatial plan to guide growth over the next 10-20 years.
The Kaukapakapa community's thoughts and feedback over the past few years has helped to shape the final draft Stucture Plan and implementation strategy.
At KARRA's AGM on 22 April 2010 Cr Grev Walker advised that the draft Structure Plan has now been prepared and will be considered at a Council workshop on 8 May. It is proposed that the draft Structure Plan will be adopted by the Rodney District Council at its Full Council meeting on 27 May 2010, and public submissions will be sought in June. Copies of the draft Structure Plan will be made available in the village and at the local RDC service centres. More information will be posted here as it comes to hand.
River Cleanup
Though it is hard to visualize the river actually has a rocky bottom in the past it was a clear flowing stream.
- We need to revitalize the river and it’s environment so all can enjoy exploring it’s banks and habitat (KARRA is having ongoing discussions with RDC regarding cleaning of the river)
- We have identified a possible all-tide boat ramp location and associated possible passive park within walking distance of the Village
- Cleaning the river is important for ongoing flood mitigation and essential to future public usage
Update 22 April 2010:
KARRA has continued to lobby Rodney District Council on clearing the Kaukapakapa River of weed and submerged obstacles. We are pleased to report that another round of weed spraying has been carried out, and logs are being removed from the river.
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