Protesters lose battle to stop 30km gas pipeline

Planning commissioners have approved the route of a high-pressure gas pipeline through Auckland farms but say they doubt whether it will be needed.

In June, commissioners Harry Bhana and Les Simmons heard network operator Vector's case for a designation for building and operating a 30km pipeline to feed a future Rodney Power Station.

But their favourable recommendation to Rodney District Council this week notes the protest of the Kaukapakapa Area Residents' Association.

Resident Pip McAlwee questioned whether the station would be built because public information showed that by 2013 New Zealand would not have enough gas to meet demand.

Lawyers for Vector argued that was no business of commissioners, whose job was to decide environmental effects. The commissioners decided they had no authority to question the validity of Vector's objective, but only "reluctantly and with some disquiet".

They noted that Vector implied that information was only not available in the public domain to support optimism about gas supply and need for a pipeline.

"We find that the evidence produced by Ms McAlwee was not effectively disputed by any of the requiring authority [Vector's] witnesses.

"We consider there is reasonable doubt as to whether a supply of gas would be available and in that case doubt as to whether a pipeline would be required."

Commissioners noted that routes for motorways were designated well ahead of certainty that funds would be available to build them.

They said designating the route now would avoid the possibility of new buildings getting in the way.

Advantages in protecting the route outweighed adverse effects on property owners affected by the designation.

Vector should have 10 years to negotiate land access and complete the works.

Yesterday, Vector said it was a pipeline builder and securing adequate gas supply was a matter for Genesis.

ROUTE APPROVED

What: 30km of high-pressure pipeline.
Why: to feed proposed Genesis Rodney Power Station.
Where: Henderson - Taupaki - Waimauku - Waitoki - Punganui.
Environmental impact: crosses 54 properties, 19 streams, 12 roads, SH16 and railway lines.
Safety: buried at least 1.5m deep.