Federated Farmers take a positive step forward with Transpower

Federated Farmers and Transpower this week got one step closer to overcoming the traditionally entrenched position around land access and upgrades to Transpower’s infrastructure.

“The Lower South Island landowners that participated in the Federated Farmers sponsored meeting have unanimously agreed, in principle, to a schedule which will see Lower South Island landowners paid for disruptions caused by a major upgrade of transmission lines on their land, during Transpower’s ‘Facilitating Renewables’ project,” says Ken Gillespie, Landowners Group spokesperson.

“Federated Farmers and Transpower have been holding sensitive talks for some time now, focused on issues such as land access, development of easement agreements, annual/reviewable payments and payments for upgrades to the transmission lines when construction causes disruption to farming operations.

“This has been a very lengthy process and members from both organisations have put literally hundreds of hours into the process to get to the point we’re at now.

“Earlier differences between the two organisations have been widely reported in the media, so this agreement is a significant and positive step forward for on-going negotiations between the two parties.

“We will continue to hold talks on transmission issues impacting landowners, including the opportunity for the landowner to receive future annual/reviewable payments and issues around injurious affect. The one-off payment for the disruption caused by the upgrade will not preclude a compensation payment for any actual physical damage caused during the upgrade.

“Recently Transpower and landowners have been in a major deadlock, both in Auckland and in South Canterbury and this is unhelpful for both parties. So I’m very pleased to see we are finally moving forward.

“This payment schedule will give Transpower the confidence that they can carry out work on transmission lines, when necessary and will let landowners know that they are being recognised for providing access for these upgrades.

“Under the agreement, our Landowners Group will assist those undertaking the transmission upgrades, where this is appropriate. We are glad to see this because it lends goodwill on both sides.

“Federated Farmers and the Landowners Group are pleased with the developments so far and look forward to working with Transpower to hold discussions in other areas,” Mr Gillespie concluded.

ENDS

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