By Imran Ali :The Northern Advocate 2nd March 2011
A Northland hapu is hoping to galvanise public support with a meeting in a last-ditch attempt to oppose a major power generation project in their harbour.
Te Uri O Hau Settlement Trust (click here for contact details) is organising a public meeting at the Dargaville Town Hall on Monday and among those expected to attend is mayor Neil Tiller and well-known Kaipara resident Des Subritsky.
The hapu became involved in the project, spearheaded by Crest Energy, through its environmental subsidiary Environs Holdings after concerns were raised over ecological and cultural implications. The Environment Court last month gave Crest Energy the go-ahead to set up power turbines to generate 200 megawatts of electricity - enough for 250,000 homes or all of Northland's power needs.
Crest will install up to 200 marine turbine generating units in the harbour and install two 7km power transmission cables linking the turbines at Pouto. Although the hapu is pleased that the Environment Court has placed additional restrictions on the project, there are other concerns..
The hapu is worried about effects the project would have on snapper and other marine life, such as maui dolphins.
The purpose of Monday's meeting, meanwhile, is threefold. The first is to consider whether community representatives should meet Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson in an attempt to convince her not to accept the court's recommendation. A postcard outlining concerns and addressed to Prime Minister John Key is also a possibility. The meeting hopes to gauge support for a group to engage the Northland Regional Council to ensure Crest Energy meets obligations under resource consent conditions.
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