Transpower were accused today of misleading the public on its proposed upgrade of a 220kV line through Onehunga.

“Transpower claim that the appeal lodged with the Environment Court on its proposal to “hot up” an existing line will somehow put security of supply at risk is blatantly misleading,” says Jim Jackson, chairman of the Onehunga Enhancement Society.

The Onehunga Enhancement Society is not opposed to the extension of the existing emergency consent granted to Transpower by Auckland City some 2 years ago to ensure the supply to Northland is maintained. However, the planning of a permanent solution is where the differences in approach are apparent.

To date Transpower have refused to join into planning processes with Transit, Manukau City, Auckland City and the Auckland Regional Council regarding the install of cable ducts alongside SH20 during the construction phase, so that the existing overhead lines could eventually be removed. Instead, Transpower is aggressively trying to pump more energy through their lines,  that are between 40 and 60 -years old, to meet the increasing electricity demand of central Auckland and Northland.
 
“Today Transpower still has a corporate culture of the 1950’s Public Works Act when confrontation and arrogance existed by riding rough shod over private property rights and public health issues and ignoring the requirements of local councils,” says Mr. Jackson

“Auckland City Council’s resource consent process could have been completely avoided if Transpower had used Transit’s SH20 utility corridor and commenced installing ducts alongside the motorway.”

Transpower are now claiming that the power supply to Waitakere, North Shore and Northland is at risk.

Due to Transpower’s attitude over the past 40 years of “do nothing” in this very high density urban area of Auckland they have failed the people of North Shore and Northland by not  providing any new capacity through Auckland’s central isthmus to ensure security of supply.

“If the timetable to supply to the north is as critical as claimed by Transpower, why are they waiting until 2013 before installing their cables in the underground duct system which is an integral part of the North Shore Busway due for completion in 2009 and will eventually form part of the cross harbour link between Pakuranga and Albany?” Asks Mr. Jackson.

“If Transpower were to install its cables in 2009 it would also solve power capacity issues that exist around the Wairau Rd substation in North Shore City and they would not have to “hot up” their lines through Onehunga on a permanent basis”

In another area of Auckland Transpower has again stuck with its cross harbour proposal between Pakuranga and Albany. In its announcement of $521 million cross harbour upgrade proposal, Transpower does not include the use of Vector’s Penrose to Hobson street tunnel that was purpose built to accommodate such cables through Auckland’s Central isthmus.

Rather than use Vector’s tunnel, Transpower is proposing to place their underground cables alongside the southern motorway in a separate system.

The Onehunga Enhancement Society Chairman believes that having two organisations operating in this manner and the associated waste of public money is unacceptable.  Mr Jackson is calling for intervention by the government including Mr David Parker Minister of Energy to ensure that a long term solution is found and that Transpower start working with the people of Auckland and the Electricity Commission to ensure a positive outcome for the future prosperity of Auckland and Northland.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Jim Jackson
Chairman
The Onehunga Enhancement Society
phone 09-6343376
cell     0274730226
email     jim@jackson.co.nz [1]