Transpower Must Pay Fair Compensation

Transpower Must Pay Fair Compensation

Transpower must pay full and fair compensation to all 297 landowners affected by the placement of power pylons through Waikato and South Auckland, said Peter Buckley, President of Waikato Federated Farmers.

His comments follow Transpower announcing today the final route of 430 towers carrying new high voltage lines.

"Today's announcement is good news in one respect because it provides certainty for landowners. They will now know whether the lines are on their land and where the towers will be placed on their land. Other landowners who were worried they might have been affected can breathe a sigh of relief."

"Transpower must now get on with negotiating easements (or rights to occupy) with affected landowners. Transpower must negotiate in good faith with landowners to compensate them fully for the loss of their property rights.

"The towers result in significant and ongoing losses for landowners. These losses stem from the removal of land from production due to the towers and access to the towers, restrictions on land management decisions, lower property values, and reduced opportunity to change land use," Mr Buckley said.

"Transpower said in a newsletter delivered today to landowners that it would "pay fair compensation in accordance with the Public Works Act". We welcome the fact that Transpower is prepared to pay fair compensation, and will be reminding the SOE of all the losses which must be compensated.

"Federated Farmers believes a model easement agreement should include:

* A reviewable arrangement for payment for the property right, including an indexed annual rental if that is the landowners chosen method, securing access to and use of land;

* A one off compensation payment for the injurious effect caused by the presence of upgraded and new transmission lines;

* Compensation for the disturbance during construction of the line."

In the meantime, Federated Farmers will be looking to ensure that the Electricity Commission has a good look at other options for securing Auckland's long-term electricity supply.

ENDS

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