Table A8: Proposed NES for transmission risks

plans can be more stringent than the NES
activities not covered by this proposed NES will continue to be subject to plan rules
this proposed NES will not apply to the owner of the transmission line.

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Activity	Activity type	Matters discretion applies to (for restricted discretionary activities)	Comparison with status quo
Excavation near support structures
1. Excavation of the land adjacent to any pole or stay wire of an overhead conductor:
a. to a depth greater than 300 mm within 2.2 m, or which creates an unstable batter that is likely to endanger the structural stability of the transmission line support	Prohibited	n/a	The distances and requirements are consistent with existing requirements under NZECP 34.
b. to a depth greater than 750 mm, located at a distance between 2.2 m and 5 m.	Restricted discretionary	the effect on the stability of transmission line supports the ability of the asset owner to excavate transmission line supports for maintenance and strengthening the extent that buried conductive pipes pose a safety risk to the transmission line or the public any other matters set out in a plan or proposed plan for excavations.
Exclusion: This does not apply to vertical holes not exceeding 500 mm in diameter at a distance of 1.5 m or greater from a pole or stay wire.
2. Excavation of the land adjacent to any pylon supporting an overhead line:
a. at a depth exceeding 300 mm within 6 m of the outer edge of the visible foundation of the tower, or which creates an unstable batter that is likely to endanger the structural stability of the transmission line support	Prohibited	n/a	The distances and requirements are consistent with existing requirements under NZECP 34.
b. at a depth exceeding 3 m, located between 6 m and 12 m of the outer edge of the visible foundation of the tower.	Restricted discretionary	stability of transmission line supports no effect on ability to excavate transmission line supports for maintenance and strengthening any safety risk to the transmission line or the public from buried conductive pipes any other matters set out in plans for excavations.	The distances and requirements are consistent with existing requirements under NZECP 34.
Exclusion: 1 and 2 do not apply to excavations undertaken as part of any transmission line maintenance or upgrading activities.
Deposition of material
3. The deposition of material under or adjacent to a transmission line in a way that would reduce the height to the ground to less than the safe distances in Schedule 4 (Table 4 of NZECP 34)	Prohibited	n/a	This is a straight prohibition in both NZECP 34 and the NES, and the distances are the same.
Building near support structures
4. The erection or placement of a building or structure closer to a transmission line support structure than the distances specified in Schedule 1 (Table 1 of NZECP 34) The distances are to be measured from the closest visible edge of the overhead conductor support foundation to the nearest part of the outermost part of the building or structure (See Glossary for definition of ‘building or structure’.)	Restricted discretionary	risk to the structural integrity of the transmission line effects on the ability of the transmission line owner to operate, maintain and upgrade the high-voltage transmission network proximity of buildings and structures to electrical hazards risk of electrical hazards affecting public safety, and risk of property damage risk of electrical faults causing disruption to electricity supply extent of earthworks required, and use of mobile machinery near transmission line which may put the line at risk risk of electrical hazards due to the mature height of any associated vegetation siting of building in relation to transmission lines to minimise visual effects from transmission line any other matters set out in plans for buildings.	The distances in Schedule 1 are the same as the requirements of NZECP 34.
Building near conductors
Prohibited zone around conductors
5. Building closer to an overhead conductor than the distances specified in Schedule 3 (Table ;3 of NZECP 34, electrical safe distances based on voltage and accessibility of building)	Prohibited	n/a	The distances are the same as NZECP 34 requirements. Buildings within the distances in Schedule 3 are prohibited in both the NES and NZECP 34 .
Option A: NZECP 34-based controls around conductors
6A. Buildings or structures closer to the conductors than the distances specified in Schedule 2 and further from the conductors than the distances specified in Schedule 3 An engineering study undertaken by a suitably qualified electrical engineer is required to determine that the structure is located outside the distances specified in Schedule 3.	Restricted discretionary	risk to the structural integrity of the transmission line effects on the ability of the transmission line owner to operate, maintain and upgrade the high-voltage transmission network proximity of structures to electrical hazards risk of electrical hazards affecting public safety, and risk of property damage risk of electrical faults causing disruption to electricity supply extent of earthworks required, and use of mobile machinery near the transmission line that may put the line at risk risk of electrical hazards due to the mature height of any associated vegetation siting of building in relation to transmission lines to minimise visual effects from the transmission line any other matters set out in plans for structures.	The distances are the same as NZECP 34 requirements.
Option B: Controls on activities at ground level
6B. Buildings or structures within 20 m of the centreline of the transmission line, but further from the conductors than the distances specified in Schedule 3 An engineering study undertaken by a suitably qualified electrical engineer is required to determine that the structure is located outside the distances specified in Schedule 3.	Restricted discretionary	risk to the structural integrity of the transmission line effects on the ability of the transmission line owner to operate, maintain and upgrade the high-voltage transmission network proximity of structures to electrical hazards risk of electrical hazards affecting public safety, and risk of property damage risk of electrical faults causing disruption to electricity supply extent of earthworks required, and use of mobile machinery near the transmission line that may put the line at risk risk of electrical hazard due to the mature height of any associated vegetation the siting of building in relation to transmission lines to minimise visual effects from the transmission line any other matters set out in plans for this type of activity.	This is very different from NZECP 34. In addition to the differences listed above, the distances are extended from the distances in the schedule to 20 m, and instead of being horizontal / vertical distances they extend to ground level. 15 district plans include a requirement that resource consent be obtained for buildings and structures within 20 m of a transmission line.
Subdivisions
7. Subdivision within 20 metres of the centreline of a transmission line An engineering study undertaken by a suitably qualified electrical engineer may be required to determine that no buildings are likely to be located within the distances specified in Schedule 3	Controlled	consideration of transmission lines in the subdivision design – including the ability of the line owner to operate, maintain and upgrade access lines (for routine and emergency works), and mitigating the effect of the lines through siting of buildings, roading and reserves location of building platforms in proximity to the transmission lines risk to the structural integrity of the transmission line proximity of buildings and structures to electrical hazards risk of electrical hazards affecting public safety, and risk of property damage risk of electrical faults causing disruption to the electricity supply extent of earthworks required, and use of mobile machinery near the transmission line which may put the line at risk the mature height of any associated vegetation the risk of electrical hazard due to siting buildings in relation to transmission lines to minimise visual effects from the transmission line any other matters in a plan or proposed plan for subdivision.	All district plans address subdivision, and this is treated variously as a controlled, restricted discretionary or discretionary activity. With one or two exceptions, resource consent is always required for subdivisions. 28 district plans specifically require resource consent to be obtained for subdivision within 20 m of a transmission line, and this is treated as a controlled, restricted discretionary, or discretionary activity.
Boat ramps
8. Construction of a boat ramp within 9 m in any direction of a transmission line	Non-complying	n/a	This is a requirement of NZECP 34 with ‘prior written consent required’. Boat ramps are likely to be controlled in some way in regional plans as a coastal activity (not related to transmission).
Additional proposal: damming and diverting water
Damming or diverting any surface water within 20 m of a transmission line, or in a way that could put the structural integrity of the transmission line at risk Note: Comments are invited on whether damming and diverting water should be included in the NES, or whether it is already covered adequately by other requirements.	Restricted discretionary	effect on structural stability of transmission line any other matters set out in plans for damming and diverting water.	This is not specifically covered in NZECP 34, but may be controlled in some regional plans. Further investigation will be needed to establish the degree of control in each regional plan, and whether this is covered under legislation related to dam safety.

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