To establish and operate a 120 hectare solar farm

RC255106 - BENZ Norwood Solar Farm Limited

To establish and operate a 120 hectare solar farm

Current Status

Hearing was held online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 14th July 2026 which commenced at 9:00am. As of 14th July 2026, the Hearing has now been adjourned

Commissioners Minute 2

Commissioners minute 2 in relation to adjourning the Hearing and applicants Right of Reply

Commissioners Minute 2
Far North Solar Farm Limited Notification Decision (supporting information) 

Pre-circulated summaries before Hearing

SDC Planners Summary 

Recommended Conditions
J Farren summary statement 
SDC Planner summary statement 

Applicants/Agent's Evidence 

Legal submission for applicant
T Ensor planning summary

Hearing

The application was limited notified on Tuesday 27th January 2026 and the submissions period closed Wednesday 25th February 2026 at 5.00pm. The application is proceeding to a Hearing which will be held online on Tuesday 14th July 2026 from 9:00am.

Commissioners Minute 1

Commissioners minute 1 in relation to order of the hearing

Commissioners Minute 1

Applicants Evidence

The following evidence was received by Council on 29 June 2026 and distributed to the Commissioner, Council Planner and Submitters.

Company - B Murphy
Landscape Architecture - M Huxtable
Noise - D Humpheson
Planning - T Ensor

s42A Report

Appendix A - Submissions (refer to submissions received below)

Submissions received

Te Taumutu Runanga - Submission form
Te Taumutu Runanga - Supporting information
Omana Farms Limited (A Slater)

Limited Notification

This application was limited notified on Tuesday 27th January 2026 and the submissions period closed Wednesday 25th February 2026 at 5.00pm

Application Documents

Application & AEE
Appendix A - Form 9
Appendix B - Record of Title
Appendix C - Consent notices
Appendix D - Landscape and Visual effects
Appendix E - Noise Effects assessment
Appendix F - Glint and Glare assessment
Appendix G - Erosion and Sediment Control
Appendix H - Affected party approval
Appendix I - Site plan

S.95 Decision

Form 12 - Limited Notification

Affected Parties Notified

Request for Further Information

S.92 RFI Request
s.92 RFI Further Information Required 
RFI Response 2 July 2025 
RFI Response 5 August 2025 
RFI Response - Site Plan 5 August 2025

Other Reports and Documents

Mana Whenua Advice Report
Peer Review EMR
Peer Review Glint and Glare
Peer Review LVIA 
Peer Review Noise
Ecology Review

Information on how you can make a submission to a Limited Notified consent

Submissions may be made in writing to the Selwyn District Council by the closing date for such submissions.

All submissions must be dated and signed by the person making the submission, and must contain the following information:

  1. Full name, postal address, telephone number and email (as well as fax number if applicable).
  2. Details of the application in respect of which submission is being made (this is to include the location and application number).
  3. Whether the application is supported or opposed should be clearly indicated.
  4. Your submission should include the reasons you support or oppose the application.
  5. The decision you believe the Consent Authority should make.
  6. Whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission at any hearing which may be convened to determine the matter.

A copy of your submission must be served as soon as is reasonably practicable on the applicant.

Submission Forms

You can download a submission form 13 and post or deliver to one of our service centres or make an online submission or email your submission to submissions@selwyn.govt.nz

Further information on the resource consent process is available from the Ministry for the Environment.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact the Duty Planner, Ph 0800 SELWYN or email contactus@selwyn.govt.nz