Ideal site for a coastal wind farm.

The Waipipi Wind Farm project is located approximately 6km southeast of Patea and 8km southwest of Waverley, in the South Taranaki District. The site had been used for sand mining, and all the dunes were removed, leaving a flat landscape.

Boffa Miskell’s involvement began in 2008 but, by the time new owners decided to proceed, the project needed to be reconsented. Our involvement in the second consenting has been ecological assessment, primarily bird strike and bird habitats.

Client

Tilt Renewables Ltd

Location

Taranaki

Project team

Stephen Fuller
Karin Sievwright
Robert Schofield

Worked with

Ryder

Project date

2008 - 2021

Our assessment concluded that there would be some effects, but these issues were resolved with key stakeholders by way of consent conditions.

The flat coastal site was ideal; however, a large pond attracted water birds and the wind farm would put them at risk. Boffa Miskell proposed that the pond be filled in and another pond built elsewhere in the district to offset the habitat loss. Consent was granted through the Council Hearing process with no appeals. Construction started in 2019 and was completed in early 2021

Boffa Miskell remains involved in the project carrying out post-construction bird strike monitoring. Using specially-trained dogs to search for any birds that have been struck has significantly increased observer effectiveness.

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