Media Release
31 January 2007

Transpower grid upgrade plan unacceptable

Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis is disappointed at the decision by the Electricity Commission to approve Transpower’s North Island grid upgrade proposal.

He says it is unacceptable because the plan does not provide for undergrounding in the Manukau region, which he believes is necessary to prevent harmful effects on existing and potential future communities in areas where the transmission towers will be located.

Manukau City Council has long recommended that any upgrade of the grid must include undergrounding to a point south of Brookby, which is expected to be urbanised sometime in the future.

Sir Barry says, “I also believe the proposal is underfunded, and that’s another weakness. The approved budget for the project is inadequate to meet the costs of mitigation. Another $100 million is needed to underground the lines, and the proposal released today gives Transpower the excuse to not carry out the undergrounding because they don’t have the funding to do so.

“This funding will be necessary in any case when Manukau City Council contests the plan, if necessary by appeal within the consent processes.

“I believe we will prevail, and the Commission’s decision shows the inadequacy of the whole regime for transmission planning.”

ENDS

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