Not many Rodney residents seem to know about the proposed power station to be built between Kaukapakapa and Helensville.
For
nearly two years we’ve been waiting for Genesis Energy to make their
formal plan change and consent applications to Rodney District Council
and Auckland Regional Council. That way, when submissions open, we
locals are finally able to have our say. So who noticed the following,
tucked in with other council notices at the bottom of page 40 of the
‘Rodney Times’ on Thursday 23 August?
Notice of Extraordinary Council Meeting
An
Extraordinary Council meeting will take place on Thursday, 30 August
2007 at 9.00 am. in the Council Chambers, Centreway Road, Orewa, for
the purpose of considering a Private Plan Change Application by Genesis
Energy to establish a special zone for a gas fired power station and
considering decisions made by the District Plan Committee.
Is Rodney District Council trying to pull a ‘fast one’?
This has been in the pipeline for nearly two years so I would like to
know what the urgency is that requires an extraordinary meeting to be
held, with less than a week's notice. Will the meeting be open to the
public? What decisions will be made - can they actually approve Genesis
Energy’s application(s) at that meeting? There was no press release, no
story in the paper, and our other local suburban newspaper ‘Nor-West
News’ didn’t know a thing about it when I contacted them. It makes me
wonder if the council and Genesis are trying to sneak this in as
quietly as possible!
And don’t get me started on how Genesis
have been throwing their money around Helensville ever since the power
station plans first came to light. There's the obvious attractiveness
to the council of Genesis contributing to the upgrade of the
Helensville water treatment plant and saving the ratepayers
considerable $$$. Genesis are now a "strategic partner" at the A &
P Showgrounds, as well as "Woodhill Sands", a major monetary donation
was made to Health Services in Helensville - and of course the large
signage at all three reminds everyone of Genesis Energy’s 'generosity'.
They've even visited Kaukapakapa School to talk to the children and
hand out free drink bottles with Genesis printed on them. It's just
such blatant propaganda and smacks of bribery!!