KEY POINTS:
Farmers have vowed to fight the Electricity Commission's approval of Transpower's plan to build a giant new power line to Auckland - even though they could find themselves in court.
John Sexton of Auckland Federated Farmers said the new line was a huge and unnecessary disruption to affected
communities.
It was the second blow for Waikato farmers battling Transpower as those denying access to existing lines have been threatened with legal action.
"Auckland and Waikato members of Federated Farmers have been blocking access because we have made no progress after two years of negotiating with the state-owned grid operator.
"Transpower has not conceded one inch in a long-running dispute," he said. "Meanwhile, we are asking landowners to continue to block access to Transpower workers, until a negotiated settlement can be achieved.
"The message to landowners remains the same: Do not agree or sign any documents with Transpower or its agents until Federated Farmers and the Forest Owners Association have a comprehensive agreement with Transpower."
His comments came as the Electricity Commission gave initial backing to Transpower's revised plan to upgrade transmission lines from Waikato to Auckland but has moved to distance itself from consideration of landowners' and residents' concerns.
The commission has given "notice of intention to approve" the plan, which like Transpower's initial proposal, will see 426 pylons with an average height of 59m built to carry power 185km between Whakamaru in South Waikato to a substation near the South Auckland urban boundary. However, the plan differs in that the line, capable of carrying 440 kilovolts (kV), will initially carry 220kV. An upgrade to 440kV is not likely to be required for about 30 years.
The revised proposal also features underground cables between South Auckland and Pakuranga.
A second underground cable section to Otahuhu substation will be added as demand increases.
Commission deputy chairman Peter Harris said the plan was a substantial improvement on the proposal the commission declined last year on the grounds it was too expensive.
The new plan was more reliable, flexible and offered benefits at lower comparable cost.
At $820 million, according to the commission, or $680 million, according to Transpower, it was also about $11 million cheaper than the next best alternative.
Unlike former commission chairman Roy Hemmingway, who last year said he was forced out of his job by Government ministers for opposing Transpower's original plan, Mr Harris said the decision-making process had been free of political pressure. "The Minister of Energy at all stages has made it clear that it's our call."
Under industry rules any "significantly affected party" can request a public conference on the proposal, which the commission clearly expects to happen. Subject to public consultation and further deliberation the commission may or may not confirm its decision but can also amend Transpower's plan.
After publishing detailed information on its initial decision, the commission will accept submissions and intends to hold public conferences in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington in May.
It expects to make its final call at the end of May or early June.
The commission had no authority to intervene in any compensation issues which were a matter for Transpower and landowners.
