'Underground debate' on pylons

It was a sweltering night in Whitford last night but more than 100 local residents, angry at Transpower plans to put power pylons across their land, kept their cool.

The Whitford locals squeezed into their local hall as security guards patrolled outside. A police patrol also put in an appearance.

Project manager Mike Tucker told the meeting the security guards were present because of protests at similar meetings in Matamata and Tirau last week.

He said Transpower was working to address the Whitford residents' concerns but several times during the meeting there was applause as residents made points against Transpower. At one stage about 30 people held up signs urging Transpower to underground its power lines through the area.

"This is an underground debate" one person said to applause from the meeting.

The majority of people appeared to resent the fact that Transpower was not involved in choosing where power generation should take place. One speaker said new power generation should be where the demand was, making a power line redundant.

"Your point is correct," said development manager Guy Waipara. But asked if other options such as solar and wind power generation or other conservation measures could be introduced, he said: "New Zealanders don't do it, day in, day out."

The meeting got an update by Transpower officials on the project which involves a 220km transmission line upgrade from Whakamaru to Otahuhu. The line will be required by 2010 to meet growing power demand.