Boffa Miskell's landscape planner and ecologists and worked with Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua in identifying the specific values of the site, the nature and scale of potential adverse effects resulting from the construction and operation of the solar farm, and how these can be appropriately managed.

The solar farm itself will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 will contain approximately 20,000 bifacial PV modules and Phase 2 will contain approximately 114,940 bifacial PV modules. In total, there will be 134,940 modules. These modules generate electricity on both sides, allowing for direct and reflected light to be captured and harnessed. There will also be perimeter security fencing, new underground lines connecting the site to the transmission network, 17 Central Inverter Skid Units, Two MV Export Switchgear and storage areas, and Internal tracks, parking and laydown area.

The proposal aligns with the New Zealand Government’s move towards decarbonisation, a decrease in the generation of greenhouses gases and improved sustainability. It will contribute towards the new domestic emissions reduction target set into law by the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act in November 2019 and the National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011, which seeks to diversify the type and location of local supplies and increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable resources.

The Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) considered the already modified nature of the Site but also the relatively insignificant direct impacts of earthworks and site clearance required to construct the solar panel arrays (the panels will be supported on pile driven posts), noting that indirect effects to vegetation (shading by the panels) will likely be the main adverse effect. The proposal also provides an opportunity to fence off and improve two wetlands within the Site. The EcIA concluded that the construction and operation of the proposed solar farm is expected to have less than minor/low adverse effects on ecological values, with a net gain in wetland areas subject to conditions that will require:

• The preparation and implementation of a lizard management plan, under authorisation from DoC, in order to minimise any risks to lizards during solar farm construction, and to undertake habitat enhancements in construction setback areas. Enhancements include:
• Supplementary planting along the edge of the central wetland and on terrace risers.
• Installing natural refugia along the edge of the central wetland area (in dry areas), including logs or rock piles to provide additional cover and suitable basking areas for lizards.
• Regular predator control along the central wetland.
• Measures to avoid construction impacts to indigenous birds, during the main bird breeding season (September 1 – 31 January).
• Measures to manage the low-likelihood scenario of bird strike with solar panels, including in the event that this affects any bird species of conservation concern.
• Monitoring of vegetation in order to manage any effects to existing indigenous plant species due to shading and other effects resulting from the presence of solar panels, including in a small number of locations of Threatened and Risk plant species.
• Regular (6 monthly) weed surveillance and control (particularly for Russell lupin, broom and wilding conifers) across the Site.

In the event that the solar farm stops operating, the Site will be cleared of all panels, buildings/structures and cabling, and the land will be returned to pastoral uses. However, the wetlands will remain fenced and monitoring and weed control will continue to be undertaken.

Whilst it is acknowledged that there will be effects on the landscape character values of Te Manahuna, due to the Site’s unobtrusive location at the foot of the Old Man Range landform, the Landscape Planning Assessment considers these will be localised and low level. The Site is also contained by a mature shelterbelt (15-20m in height) which limits views to the Site from Braemar Road, and it is not visible from main viewpoints in the district (such as Mt St John and SH8), therefore visual effects are also limited, and with the exception of views located at the site boundary, effects are low adverse to none.

Effects will be further mitigated if measures recommended by the landscape planner are adopted. These relate to the use of non-reflective building materials and colours that will blend with the landscape, avoiding visible foundations, locating fencing inside the shelterbelt and progressively rehabilitating areas of soil disturbance or immediately post‐construction to reduce views of bare soil. These recommendations are proposed to form conditions of consent.