KEY POINTS:
We'll soon know whether Transpower's controversial plan to put giant electricity pylons through Waikato will get the go-ahead or not.
An inquiry into the scheme, expected to last up to five months, begins in Hamilton tomorrow.
More than 1000 submissions are expected to be placed before a Resource Management Act board of inquiry into the plan for 200km of 70m-high pylons to run a 400kv line from Whakamaru to Auckland.
Transpower's plan, estimated to cost $683 million, has been vehemently opposed by farmers along the route.
Former Electricity Commission chairman Roy Hemmingway caused a stir last year when he refused to approve the project.
But the Government later refused to renew his contract, and last year the commission approved a plan similar to the original.
The Government in August "called in" the plan, meaning it could appoint the board of inquiry to head submissions and make the final decision on the power line, cutting out months of council hearings and the Environment Court process.
It has been estimated Transpower has spent $50 million on getting the plan approved and another $150 million buying properties it needs to do the work, the Waikato Times reports.
About 50 witnesses will argue the case in favour of the transmission line for the first eight to 10 weeks of the hearing, after which several opponents will put their views before the board.
Bob McQueen, vice chairman of the main opposition group New Era Energy, said the plan made little sense.
"The billion-dollar cost of Transpower's bloated proposal will not bring one new kilowatt of generation into Auckland," he said.
"Instead, it will actually reduce Auckland's security of supply, and will add $100 million a year to the power bills of all New Zealanders."
New Era Energy has also sought a judicial review of the Electricity Commission decision last year, claiming it was biased.
The board of inquiry begins the hearing at 11am tomorrow at the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton. Most sessions will be in Hamilton but some will be held in Takanini, south Auckland.
Former principal environment judge David Sheppard chairs the board, which also includes environment commissioner Kevin Prime, Environmental Risk Management Authority member Dr Deborah Read and electrical engineer John Rutherford.
The hearing is due to continue until at least August 15.
- NZPA
