Children join hands to protest against giant pylon

Hunua School 7 year-olds including (from right) Caitlin Crawford, Courtney Crane and Paige Considine link hands to show their opposition to the planned pylon. Picture / Paul Estcourt

"We don't want any power lines because they are too big and might fall over and hurt someone," says 7-year-old Caitlin Crawford.

"And they are scary looking and can make us ill," agrees classmate Paige Considine.

The two girls were among 100 primary children from Hunua School who set out yesterday to lodge their own protest against Transpower's plans to build a giant pylon on the boundary of the 124-pupil school south of Auckland.

A 25m pylon already stands close to the school, but the community fears the new tower will be twice as high, and closer.

The pylon is on the preferred route for Transpower's 400kV transmission line stretching from Whakamaru to Otahuhu.

The company says the $500 million project, which it wants built by 2010, is crucial to meeting growing demand in the Auckland region.

The public has another chance to have its say over the next few days before a final decision on the route is made next month.

Hundreds of landowners have started campaigns to block the plan.

But Marleen Verhoeven, chairwoman of the Hunua School board of trustees, said hers was the only school so closely affected.

The pylon would be within 600m of the school - "the supposed safe distance to prevent higher incidences of cancers" - said Ms Verhoeven.

She referred to a British study which showed children born in homes close to high-voltage pylons had a higher chance of developing leukaemia. The Oxford University study showed children living between 200m and 600m from the lines were 23 per cent more likely to develop the cancer.

"Transpower's plan is touching the school's boundary fence and that is just too close for our children and our future," Ms Verhoeven said.

It is an issue which has angered the small village. A homemade billboard reads: "Dear Helen, please don't fry our kids."

School principal Heather Frost said Transpower had shifted the transmission line "corridor" after realising it crossed school grounds - but it was still not far enough away.

"The alternative is the Hunua Ranges, which would get rid of all the problems. There's really strong feeling in this community."

Transpower spokesman Chris Roberts said the company was aware of the concerns of Hunua and had given assurances that the line would not cross school property.

He dismissed concerns about the British study, which he said "did not in any way suggest 600m was the safe distance".

Transpower had always listened and was hearing oral submissions yesterday and today, Mr Roberts said.

While pressing ahead with the plans, Transpower has submitted the proposal to the Electricity Commission, which has until the middle of next year to make a decision. Commissioner Roy Hemmingway will assess the plan and the alternatives.

Have your say

* The public has just a few more days to make submissions on Transpower's preferred route. For more information go to www.gridupgrade.co.nz (link below)

* Electricity Commissioner Roy Hemmingway will make the final decision on the route by the middle of next year.

* He can consider alternatives such as new power stations closer to Auckland, cutting electricity demand at peak times or putting more of the line underground.