KEY POINTS:
Plans to build a line of giant pylons from Waikato into Auckland have been racked with controversy.
Final approval to the project has now been granted by the Electricity Commission. The $683 million proposal could also be fast-tracked by the Government to ensure it doesn't get bogged down in the resource consent process.
Are pylons the right solution to Auckland's power needs? Here is a selection of Your Views:
Greg Giles
As an ex-underground electric cable worker in the 80s, under the old electric power boards, we were involved in replacing overhead lines and laying them underground as well as with new suburbs. Why is it that this only applies to new suburbs nowadays? Electrical companies should be made to start replacing overhead lines with the amount of line charges they are exhorting from electrical customers, not withstanding that the money the government is receiving in GST. Surely better for everyone if they are underground, as the recent storm shows.
Eagle
Build a demo 70m pylon outside every MP's house to test if they are visually acceptable. This is insanity, build generation nearer to Auckland, otherwise in 20 years there will be a need to duplicate the lines again from further a field go nuke if necessary.
G Garnett
The pylon proposal is a joke! Firstly, the new proposal is no different to the original! Secondly, we make our name as 'Clean Green NZ' on the global tourism market, are we planning to change to 'Pylon Paradise' or what? No wonder Hollywood no longer considers NZ a good place to make movies when we have lines everywhere. Lastly, I fail to understand how they are going to guarantee continuity of supply to Auckland when they can't guarantee it to the places they supply now! I live smack bang in the middle of the area that the pylons are running through and we already have more powercuts than most areas now, with the exception of the deep south!
Alex
I agree with all those who say that the pylons should not proceed. Upgrade/maintain what is there already (since the 1930's, '40s, '50s?) sure, no problem there, but no to bigger! Wouldn't be happy if I was a landowner. Some people have mentioned installing solar panels on homes throughout the Auckland region. Look at how many roofs are around one's home (including one's own roof!) Feed the electricity into the network during the day (when a lot of us are at work already in offices and factories and other businesses who need reliable electricity), get a credit for it from your retailer, then use that credit at night for lights, cooking dinner, washing, heating, etc. One other suggestion: tidal power. Place a couple of small turbines under Tamaki Drive as it crosses Hobson Bay. Alternatively, place some turbines in the Manukau Harbour near the entrance in order to maximise the tides. Just some thoughts.
Hyperborean
Living in close proximity to pylons is known [tho' not publically] to be carcinogenic, and cancer is big business too.
Plunger
Auckland, shut up. You don't generate the revenues that make New Zealand happen. The rural, tourism, fishing, logging, meat, beef, fruit, lamb, and timber sectors are what make New Zealand's revenues happen. Farmers, orchardists, fishermen, and tourism sectors butter your bread and put Marmite on your sandwiches. What does Auckland produce? Not much. Yet Aucklanders and Wellington sympathisers want to gut the scenic beauty of one of the most natural, most unsullied, most pure landscapes on the planet with huge ugly pylons that have nothing to do with New Zealand's unspoiled natural assets, and everything to do with dufous-dead-head executives who, guess what, get paid by how effectively they achieve this travesty on the patrimony, geography and beauty of New Zealand. Are you ready to stand up and really stop this? You should. We should. New Zealand should really stand up in arms about this. It's bizarre that it's happening. We can make it stop.
Rhea
You would complain if someone wanted to put power pylons on your town residential property, so why think farmers are unreasonable? Farmland is economic land. Farmers rely on it to produce milk for you to put in your lattes, and to provide income to support their families. During construction of the pylons valuable land will be inaccessible to the person who owns it, and therefore reducing the capacity for income. The government fast=tracking the process to bypass RMA legislation and timeframes is unfair, everybody else in this country has to comply with the RMA. It also reduces the ability of landowners to raise concerns. "Reek" who wrote that the selfish farmers should consider the future of Auckland is outrageous. Where would Auckland and NZ be without agriculture as an economic base? We cannot continue to abuse the people that we rely on to provide us with export dollars and produce in your supermarket.
Sue (Hauraki)
The more given the more they will want. Just like the roading systems. The more roads the more cars appear. Auckland does not need more power, its citizens and particularly its retail and industrial sectors need to learn to conserve the power available to them. The other alternative is to decentralise industry and business to regional centres where power and infrastructure is available. Only 1/4 of NZ's population live in Auckland, so why should the rest of the country of 3m or so be held to economic and environmental ransom to enable the wastage that prevails in Auckland? Educate, enforce and conserve energy. Aucklanders learn to do without your 'toys' 24/7.
Big Bully Boys
If these people at Transpower have so much money to chuck around, why are they not offering all Aucklanders an interestfree loan to have solar power installed. It should be built into the building consent the all new dwellings have solar panels. Industry should be able to maybe only partly but they should have solar to. We have a clean green resource shining down out of the sky most days of the year but some Big bully boys want what they want and to bad about the visual and environmental impact. Rise up all you farmers and lifestyle block owners and challenge them to spend even half the amount of money they plan to spend on this granddaddy of a plan to offer that to us, the citizens of Auckland and North Auckland.
Pam (Auckland)
I am angry with the Government of this country who seem to be railroading a lot of their policies even though the public view is against a lot of them. What ever happened to due process in this country. Stop introducing bills and policies when your people say they are not in favour. What happened when this government had a referendum on harsher penalties for crime, what happened when the referendum was voted in and then - nothing? Now, with the Transpower suggestion of 400 monster pylons across our beautiful countryside, it is not just the look that will change. There has been 85 per cent opposition to this idea. What is wrong with the underground suggestion more costly so what the government is always saying it has a huge surplus? Let's get back to government for the people by the people. Stop this railroading of policy and fasttracking what just the government and Transpower want.
Barry
Everyone knows that there is currently no large new source of electricity south of Whakamaru (where these new lines are to start). So what's going to run down these lines that isn't already running on the current lines? The obvious conclusion there will be new generating plants built, and they will use almost certainly coal. So why not build it near Auckland and stop the cost of the lines and the up to 10 per cent transmission losses? It seems to be the absolutely wrong thing to do.
Ffred
Within the last few days the federal government (USA) ruled that a high energy power line could be built in upper New York state overriding the wishes of the community and their representatives who opposed the line. The USA and NZ are closer that we like think.
BH (Auckland)
Our modern society has evolved on the basis of protection of personal property. We know there is a 'greater good' factor in changing the rights of the farmers involved but there is a better way. This current illegal regime (which swept to power on unfulfilled promises) is intent on removing rights and income so that it may decide how we may exist. Labour is a compulsion freak with its biggest aim to stay in power, not protect NZers, but to use NZers for their own aims. Judges discretion is removed by law change; all manner of schemes are created which require vast amounts of party input, when personal assistance can be created cheaply and by choice. There are good opportunities to generate electricity north of Auckland and remove the need to increase the existing vulnerable eyesore.
Dave Smith
These new 70m power lines to be stretched across the centre of the north island to feed Auckland is ridiculous. At one stage before privatisation we had a unified power grid from one supplier namely a government department feeding the entire country that worked admirably. I would be the first to advocate forward planning but Auckland's infrastructure demands are out of control. Meanwhile people are being forced to migrate there in ever increasing numbers for work while the entire rural areas are being devastated. The government should be concentrating on decentralisation revitalising and encouraging new industries in rural areas. Auckland is like topsy and is growing at unsustainable levels. If the so called bean counters looked at the real cost to government of Auckland's growth in terms of pollution, inflation, destruction of the social fabric of other communities unemployment payments etc they might think twice. Auckland's voracious appetite for facilities needs to be moderated to make it sustainable and creating ever bigger power grids is simply feeding the monster not solving the problem.
Steve C
Cut the power to those who want to fight to the bitter end. Let them then find out what a national grid means. I wouldn't blink about jailing these economic terrorists either. Because if the power isn't there where the switch is turned on at home, I'm not worried the slightest if they spend a few months in jail.
Concerned mouse
Power should be generated close to where it is needed as transmission losses are huge, more so on 400Kv lines. A good start would be subsidising of solar hot water for the whole Auckland region. Destroying the landscape and beautiful New Zealand by a huge series of towers is a crazy idea, and decisions like this are obviously made by people who don't care about what our countryside looks like.
pCb (Auckland)
It's the continuation of the moaning (from both sides) that is getting to me. Something needs to be done. It's a fact of life that big cities need large amounts of electricity and using less is just like telling someone to breath less. Yes we can economise but that is just a short term gesture, solar panels may be a good idea (but who knows) and wind power seemed like a great panacea but who want those over the fence (or on their neighbours roof)? Even then wind power seems to be good only for a percentage of their maximum power - sooner or later we are going to need extra capacity and the price is only going to go up. To those who want the line to be at Auckland's cost I ask do you want your roads, your power lines etc etc to be at your cost? New Zealand is a small country (with boundless self interest) where successive governments have put infrastructure improvement in the too hard basket and now we are paying the price. I would even suggest with various countries re examining their use of nuclear power isn't it time we readjust our green tinted anti nuclear blinkers? Surely it isn't too hard to see what the best practice is and work towards that?
Steve (Orewa)
Is it ever been considered of using the Waikato River as an option for putting the cables in? Plenty of cooling if necessary. Any expert advice available?
John l
As a rabid anti-nuclear energy protester in the 80s I have watched the progress of nuclear power generation sector over the years and now believe that as an energy source it is efficient safe and practical in as much as it can be conveniently located close to energy users. The clean green image promoted so heavily is compromised by the imposition of transmission lines switching yards and towers across the landscape. Place the power generation alongside the users, minimise power losses & maintenance costs, eliminate health problems arising from radiated energy, reduce the possibility of major national outages through single feeder line distribution. Wake up people, stringing up power lines to carry energy from decrepit out dated and if the "global warming" fraternity are to be believed soon to be inoperable power stations. I sympathise with Aucklanders but civic leaders should have been considering these infrastructure issues when letting the city develop in the manner that has taken place.
Forget the installation of larger towers & higher voltage transmission, research alternatives like strategicall placed nuclear energy so us the users of energy don't get saddled with another financially & environmentally crippling white elephant foisted on us by short sighted MP's and questionably competent energy executives that don't give a tinkers damn for the average Kiwi or their impact on our quality of life.
Solar Mike (Wellington)
Huge pylons, not a great idea but what other practical solutions are there? To generate power closer to Auckland means using gas or nuclear generation. Gas is not a good long term option as we will be running out of it. Nuclear no one wants, wind generation may be practicable but are there any reasonable sites and if there are, the turbines will be bigger than the proposed pylon towers. A blot on the landscape unless they are placed off shore in the sea. Running cables in underground tunnels is very costly. If it is made mandatory for every new dwelling in the Auckland area have solar water heating and further whenever an existing hot water cylinder is replaced, solar hot water panels be installed, then over time the need for generation growth will reduce with more capacity available to businesses.
Our lacklustre government is only playing lip service to energy efficiency measures that would cut down the need for extra power. But as they own most of the generators then nothing will happen.
Reek
The farmers should look beyond their selfish needs and consider the future of Auckland and the wider community. Surely if Auckland is going to experience some power cuts or some rationing then it is most likely that those outside the greater Auckland will also be affected including the farmers for their power will be rationed so as to meet the Auckland's demands. It is in the best interest of everyone to support such a noble project which ensures developments for the future and also ensures that our first world status is sustained.
Wayne (Auckland)
Nuclear power, people moan. New generators, people moan. Wind turbines, people moan. Pylons, people moan. No matter what option is chosen, people will moan. When the blackout comes, people will definitely moan.
Plunger
New Zealand is a global tourist destination. The entire country should be a World Heritage site. Tourism is the major revenue generator after farm products (meat, fish, trees, fruit, wool, etc.). How do you enhance that? Well, you don't build pylons that destroy the rural heritage which is what people from all over the world pay to see. If you don't believe me, try taking a picture of Ruapehu from the Desert Road without bloody pylons or wires getting in the way. Basically, you can't do it. There is only about a half-mile stretch where you can actually click the camera. Then it's too late. Imagine that dumb-dopey-dufous-negligent-tin-headed strategy applied in the Waikato, especially in one of the world's greatest natural exposed river valleys - the Hinuera Valley. It's absolutely unique, a lesson in the geographic history of the country. Yet the Electric Commission is about to plunder it. And everyone else is ready to make it happen. This is insanity. I can't believe that we are still talking about doing this. If Auckland wants power, let them build a nuke.
Ray E. (Whangarei)
What a laugh. Cockies don't want power pylons in their yards. Well I'd like to see how the whiners would get on without power (500 cows to milk by hand twice a day). Power is a fact of modern life. Mr Sam Farmer won't make this year rich list because he has pylons (could be painful). Yes it all comes down to the mighty dollar or in this case the loss of a quick buck by the cockies. Radiation from power pylons is a cop out statement. There is more radiation from the TV set and the computer monitor, I'm sure the whiners are throwing their TVs and computers out. People being people means that there will always be some idiots that will try and hold out for a decent sized ransom. Visual pollution? The answer to that cop out is simple (Don't look to the skies).
Selwyn Chambers
I trust that Christina Baldwin and her friends who are going to 'wage war with actions' have started by disconnecting themselves from the national grid, and set an example by installing totally renewable energy sources to run their farms, and do not use any hydrocarbon fuels in their machinery. They are after all, claiming "clean and green."
Moheka (Hamilton)
I fail to see how these power pylons are the currents Govt's fault, that's a long stretch to blame them for this. The buck stops with the Electricity Commission, this same commission that could not organise this countries power reserve in the time that National was in Govt when the lake levels in the South Island were low. Back to the pylon issue, not only farmers will be affected by this, and all the talk where I'm from, is that Transpower are in for a heck of a fight, all of our councils are against this. What Transpower and the Electricity Commission fail to recognise is, that people in the Waikato are very parochial and passionate, stamp on our mana, you should expect a reaction. This is not right, as for Chippie from Wellington, just worry what is in your backyard mate, and not worry what is in ours.
Mainlander now living in Auckland
I know that due to the excessive cost power supplies cannot go underground, but surely when going through urban areas, and some rural areas of beauty this should be the way to go. When you see pylons marring the gorgeous, wild landscape of the Waikati catchment area down south, you realise that it is not progress that springs to mind, rather a terrible blot on the landscape.
MDC (Auckland)
Anyone who suggests nuclear sub stations as an alternative, must have had their brain damaged by radiation! These pylons are visual pollution and a health hazard for the poor souls who are forced to live close to them. For pity's sake, why can't they go well underground along the route that is already there? Failing that, Aucklanders' and others need to get real about the amount of power they are using and take some personal responsibility for it.
Isaac Broome (Onehunga)
More generation supply should be built in Auckland rather than building more pylons. The Olivine proposal for Meremere power station a few years back seemed a good idea. Burn Auckland's rubbish and send the power back to Auckland. A modern rubbish fired power station could perhaps be built at Wiri in South Auckland. If the pylons have to go ahead, they should really put them in alongside the Main Trunk Railway as far south as Te Awamutu and then go inland to Whakamaru from there. Where the railway runs through towns, the pylons could go underground through the town. This is done in Britain.
Richard
Pylons, well I don't live in the affected area and understand the need for electricity. Many countries have large populations yet keep all electrical wires underground. Hong Kong is an example. This is a long term project that means these pylons will be there for visitors to see, your children to see, your grandchildren to see and you to see. It is about time Auckland planners paid attention to the longer term. This is another example of a short term focus to save a few pennies at the expense of the longer term needs of the country. Im certain rate payers would pay for the lines to go underground, after all the whole country hasnt minded paying overseas banks hundreds of thousands in interest to buy each others homes the net result of which hasnt improved anyones lives here in NZ. With lines underground everyone wins, no-one will see the mess and Auckland gets their much needed electricity security.
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