REQUEST PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE WAIPARA SOLAR FARM PROPOSAL
We're asking HDC and ECAN to hold a public consultation about the FNSF Waipara solar farm proposal. Community concern about the proposal warrants full consultation.
To sign, click above or visit www.change.org/WaiparaSolar
more ABOUT THE WAIPARA SOLAR FARM PLAN & COMMUNITY CONCERNS
The Applications
The Applications
The Applications
The applications from FNSF Ltd are for an industrial-scale "solar farm" in the Waipara Valley. Developers have been in contact with Hurunui District Council since March 2023, and in March 2024 lodged the consent applications. The applications are currently 'on hold' pending peer review. While we hope HDC & ECAN will publicly notify the applications, there is no guarantee of open consultation.
View the applications in full at the link below, or watch this space for analysis & highlights.
The Site
The Applications
The Applications
The site being considered for the plant is 380 Waipara Flat Road, comprising over 200 hectares of highly-productive agricultural land (HPL), with 180.8 hectares to be covered by panels. The land runs along State Highway 7 on the Alpine-Pacific Touring Route en-route to Hanmer Springs for about 4km. It is bounded by the Weka Creek and lies between vineyards and farms.
Click below to explore our initial work on the impact the proposal would have on this unique area.
The Developers
The Applications
The Developers
The proposed Waipara "solar farm" is an industrial power plant. It is being proposed by Australian-owned company Far North Solar Farm Ltd ('FNSF'), backed by global investment fund Aquila Capital Ltd.
Visit our 'Speak Out Now' page for contact details for the developers and investors, or click below for information on the history of FNSF's directors - as covered on Fair Go, and described by MP Stuart Smith as "concerning".