Underground cable path revealed

Transpower has unveiled its preferred route for the underground section of its new transmission line between Otahuhu and East Tamaki, in a built-up area of Auckland. The line's installation would cause disruption to about 500 property owners.

The 400,000-volt power cable would mostly be buried under public roads, crossing just four private properties at the southern end near Ormiston Rd. It would pass by Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara.

The last 9km section of the 200km transmission line from Whakamaru in South Waikato to Otahuhu would be buried at a cost of $90 million.

Hundreds of residents south of Ormiston Rd - with the backing of Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis - want the underground line to extend south of the Bombay Hills to avoid 50m-65m high pylons passing near Ardmore aerodrome, and to avoid spoiling the picturesque countryside of Clevedon-Whitford and land earmarked for future residential development.

Transpower has sent information packs to people living, or owning property, along the preferred underground cable route and arranged drop-in sessions at local libraries to get feedback before finalising the route by the end of October. The underground route would be subject to approval by the Electricity Commission and Resource Management Act processes.

If the necessary approvals are obtained, Transpower plans to start laying the line in two trenches of three cables each around 2008. The line would be laid in 600m-800m sections, taking six to eight weeks each. The whole job is expected to take 18 months.

The underground route includes two options between East Tamaki Rd and Stancombe Rd.

The transportation manager for Manukau City, Chris Freke, said: "Transpower have probably chosen the route that causes the least disruption."

The options

* The preferred route starts at the Otahuhu substation at Kaitawa St. It heads north along Gilbert Rd into Alexander Cres and into Franklyne Rd. It crosses the Otara Creek and into Johnstones Rd and along East Tamaki Rd for about 400m to a point opposite St Johns Church.

* Two options begin there.

* Option A: Along East Tamaki Rd and south into Accent Drive.

* Option B: Across council stormwater reserve land, Te Irirangi Drive and through additional council stormwater reserve land joining Accent Drive 100m west of Chapel Rd.

* The preferred route continues along Accent Drive, across Chapel Rd to Stancombe Rd and into Jeffs Rd. It continues through private land to Ormiston Rd to connect with the overhead section of the proposed transmission line.

* See Gridupgrade.co.nz (see link below), or phone 0800 33 88 66 for information.