Transpower gets approval for Waikato line

A board of inquiry has approved Transpower's proposal to build a new transmission line between South Waikato and Auckland in a draft decision.

The decision will be subject to comment from interested parties for 20 days before the board makes a final decision later this year.

The proposed upgrade has been controversial, and attracted numerous objections during protracted hearings by the board of inquiry set up by the Government under the Resource Management Act.

The $683 million plan involves 200km of 70 metre-high pylons running a 400kv line from Whakamaru in South Waikato to Auckland.

Farmers along the intended route have loudly voiced their opposition, but the board said today the benefits of the proposal outweighed the disadvantages.

Transpower welcomed the draft decision, with chief executive Patrick Strange saying the project was of vital importance to the economy.

The North Island Grid Upgrade Project would provide essential security of supply into the upper North Island, he said.

"The upper North Island has experienced several issues with electricity supply in recent years, illustrating the need for the increased capacity that this project will provide, long into the future," he said.

"We will work hard to establish effective partnerships with communities and respectful and fair relationships with affected landowners."

- NZPA