Application information
Re-notification
Hurunui District Council gives public notice of re-notification of this resource consent application. The application is being re-notifiied in full as an incomplete record of documents relating to the application was originally notified. This is to ensure submitters are able to have a full understanding of the application when preparing and making their submission.
Please note that all submissions already lodged with Council and the applicant (Far North Solar Farm Limited) will be kept and fully considered as part of the hearing process. These submissions do not need to be relodged. However, if any person wishes to amend their submission, or file a new submission, they may.
The submission period closed 5pm Thursday 14 August 2025.
Application
Hurunui District Council has received a land use consent application from Far North Solar Farm Limited (the applicant) to install and operate a solar farm across 181 hectares at 380 Waipara Flat Road.
The proposal provides for the following:
- Solar panels across 181 hectares. The panels would have a maximum height of 2.8 metres when at full tilt and a resting height of 2 metres. The maximum height of the panels was reduced by the applicant during processing.
- 30 inverters located in pairs at 15 location across the site.
- Medium voltage switchgear room (identified as ‘MV room’ on site plans).
- Boundary screening and mitigation planting within the site. Boundary planting would be maintained to a maximum height of 5 metres once mature.
- Internal gravel road network.
- Earthworks of approximately 36,858.09 m3.
- Construction of the solar farm over 24 months.
Rule breaches
The proposal is a discretionary activity under the Hurunui District Plan in relation to the following rules:
Rule 7.4.5.2 as an energy activity that is not otherwise specified as a permitted, restricted discretionary or non-complying activity.
Rule 3.4.6 as the proposal would exceed the permitted activity standards for:
- Earthworks in excess of 1000 m3 in a 12 month period;
- Earthworks within 50 metres of a wetland; and
- Location of inverters within 25 metres of the State Highway 7 (Waipara Flat Road).
Reason for public notification
In accordance with section 95A of the Resource Management Act 1991, officers determined the adverse effects of the application were more than minor with regard to landscape and visual effects.
Officers section 95 report(added 4 July 2025)
