Transpower pylon plan ‘a march of folly’

11 July 2007

Auckland Regional Council chairman Michael Lee today gave his support to the campaign being led by Sir Barry Curtis in opposition to Transpower’s North Island grid upgrade plans.

Last week the Electricity Commission gave Transpower’s controversial North Island grid upgrade the go ahead.

The project includes more than 190km of aboveground 70 metre high pylons, electricity supply lines and underground cables and runs from south Waikato to Manukau.

Mr Lee is concerned about the impact the project will have on the region’s rural land including some of the region’s park land.

The planned route passes within one to two kilometres of the Hunua Ranges Regional Park and the pylons are likely to be visible from a number of vantage points.

“The security of Auckland’s future electricity supply is vital but it should not be at the expense of the region’s environment nor should we place all our eggs in one basket when it comes to power sources.”

No new power is being generated and Transpower needs to rethink its approach and place much greater emphasis on local power generation sources, says Mr Lee.

“I think Transpower would be very foolish to override the strongly expressed views of the public. This is a march of folly,” Mr Lee says.

ARC would be working closely with Sir Barry Curtis and the Manukau City Council to make sure both councils’ concerns were heard, Mr Lee says.

ENDS

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