Public Notice of direction to call in Transpower’s Upper North Island Grid Upgrade proposal

In accordance with section 144 of the Resource Management Act 1991, I, Hon Pete Hodgson acting for the Minister for the Environment give notice of my direction to call in the notices of requirement and applications for resource consent involved in the proposal by Transpower New Zealand Limited (Transpower) to develop a new national grid electricity transmission line from Whakamaru to Otahuhu and Pakuranga. Details of the notices of requirement and applications for resource consents, and where they can be inspected, are set out below.

I consider that these matters are a proposal of national significance and I have therefore made a direction that they be called in and referred to a Board of Inquiry in accordance with sections 140 to 150 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

My reasons for calling in the matters involved in the proposal are as follows:

• It has aroused widespread public concern and interest regarding its actual or likely effect on the environment
• It involves significant use of natural and physical resources
• It affects more than one region or district
• It involves technology, processes, or methods which are new to New Zealand and which may affect the environment
• It is likely to result in or contribute to significant or irreversible changes to the environment.

How to make a submission

Any person can make a submission on any of these notices of requirement and applications for resource consents. The submission must be in writing, dated, signed by you and include the following information:

1. Your name and address for service, including a phone number, fax number and email address (if applicable);

2. Details of the notice(s) of requirement or application(s) for resource consent in respect of which you are making the submission;

3. Whether you support or oppose the relevant notice(s) of requirement or application(s) for resource consent or whether you are neutral regarding the notice(s) or application(s);

4. The reasons for your views;

5. The decision you wish the Board of Inquiry to make, including the general nature of any conditions sought;

6. Whether or not you wish to be heard in respect of this submission.

Submission forms will be available at the locations listed, on the Ministry for the Environment website (www.mfe.govt.nz) or by phoning 0800 876 447.

You must send your submission to the following freepost address:

Minister for the Environment
FreePost Grid Upgrade Submissions
PO Box 4405
Hamilton East
HAMILTON 3247

or email tpcallin@mfe.govt.nz or fax to (04) 439 7700. Please make this attention of “Transpower Grid Upgrade Submission”.

Submissions must be received no later than 5pm on 5 October 2007.

You MUST ALSO send a copy of your submission to Transpower at the following freepost address:

North Island Grid Upgrade Project
Transpower FreePost 182915
PO Box 1021
WELLINGTON

or email submissions@transpower.co.nz or fax (04) 819 7624.

Copies of the notices of requirement and applications for resource consents and accompanying information can be viewed at the following locations:

Ministry for the Environment

Auckland Office, Level 6, Tower Centre, 45 Queen Street, Auckland
Head Office, Environment House, 23 Kate Sheppard Place, Wellington
Christchurch Office, Level 5, 96 Hereford Street, Christchurch

Auckland Regional Council

21 Pitt Street, Auckland

Environment Waikato

Hamilton Office, 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East
Taupo Office, Paora Hapi Street, Taupo
Paeroa Office, 13 Opatito Road, Paeroa

Taupo District Council

Taupo Office, Rifle Range Road, Taupo
Taupo Library, 29 Totara Street, Taupo
Mangakino Service Centre, Rangatira Drive, Mangakino

South Waikato District Council

Tokoroa Office, Torphin Crescent, Tokoroa
Tokoroa Library, Mannering Street, Tokoroa
Putaruru Office, Overdale Street, Putaruru
Putaruru Library, Overdale Street, Putaruru
Tirau Information Centre, State Highway 1, Tirau
Tirau Library, Station Street, Tirau

Waipa District Council

Te Awamutu Office 101 Bank Street, Te Awamutu
Cambridge Office, 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge
Cambridge Library, 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge

Waikato District Council

Hamilton Office, Hamilton City Council Building, Garden Place, Hamilton
Ngaruawahia Office, 15 Galileo Street, Ngaruawahia
Ngaruawahia Library, 4 Jesmond Street, Ngaruawahia
Huntly Office/Library, 142 Main Street, Huntly
Te Kauwhata Library, 5A Main Street, Te Kauwhata

Franklin District Council

Pukekohe Office, 82 Manukau Road, Pukekohe
Pukekohe Library, Roulston Street, Pukekohe
Tuakau Office, George Street, Tuakau
Hunua Help Site, Hunua Motors 2320 Hunua Road, RD 3, Papakura

Matamata-Piako District Council

Te Aroha Office, 35 Kenrick Street, Te Aroha Morrinsville Office, Canada Street, Morrinsville
Matamata Office, Tui Street, Matamata
Te Aroha Library, Rewi Street, Te Aroha
Morrinsville Library, Canada Street, Morrinsville
Matamata Library, Tui Street, Matamata
Te Aroha Information Centre, 102 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha
Morrinsville Information Centre, Thames Street, Morrinsville
Matamata Information Centre, 45 Broadway, Matamata

Manukau City Council

Manukau Office, Ground Floor, Kotuku House, 4 Osterley Way, Manukau City
Botany Library, Sunset Terrace, Botany
Clevedon Library, Main Road, Clevedon

A copy of the application can also be found on Transpower’s website, www.gridnewzealand.co.nz/nigu-nor

Further Information

Further information can be found on the Ministry for the Environment website (www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/call-in-transpower) or by emailing tpcallin@mfe.govt.nz or phoning 0800 876 447

Dated this 8th day of September 2007.
MINISTER Pete Hodgson

for Minister for the Environment

Description of the called in notices of requirement and applications for resource consents in relation to Transpower’s Upper North Island Grid Upgrade proposal

Notices of requirement

Manukau City Council

Pakuranga Substation Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 27619

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

The existing Pakuranga Substation site located to the south and west of Golfland Drive and to the east of Kenwick and Medvale Place, Pakuranga. The legal description of the site is Pt Lot 1 DP 143331, Lot 2 167430, Lot 146 DP 168165, Lot 77 DP 168324, Lot 81 DP 168324 and Lot 82 DP 168324.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the replacement, operation and maintenance of the existing Pakuranga Substation including the construction of a new 220kV substation, installation of 220kV underground cable circuits and associated works as part of the North Island Grid Upgrade Project, works associated with other upgrade projects and ancillary activities.

Otahuhu Substation Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 27619

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

The existing Otahuhu Substation located to the east of State Highway one on Bairds Road, Substation Road and Hellabys Road, Otahuhu. The legal description of the site is Lot 1 DP 201385 and Lot 1 DP 204791.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the operation, maintenance and upgrade of the existing Otahuhu 220kV Substation including the construction of a new 220kV substation, installation of 220kV underground cable circuits and associated works as part of the North Island Grid Upgrade Project, works associated with other upgrade projects and ancillary activities.

Brownhill Substation Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 27619

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

149 Brown Hill Road, Whitford, plus a small sliver of land on an adjacent property. The legal description of the site is Lot 3 DP 325254 and Lot 1 DP 209513.

The nature of the proposed work is the construction, operation and maintenance of a transition station to connect underground cable and overhead lines of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project, including Tower 5 of the overhead line and additional support structures and parts of the underground cables connecting with the Pakuranga and Otahuhu Substations. Projects or works also included in the notice of requirement on a staged basis include a 220kV switching station and a 400kV substation and associated works as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project, works associated with other upgrade projects and ancillary activities.

Underground Cable – Pakuranga to Brownhill Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 27619

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

Roads as follows: For Option 1, the route follows legal road from 386 Ti Rakau Drive to its intersection with Te Koha Road and Te Irirangi Drive, Te Irirangi Drive to its junction with Aclare Place, Aclare Place to Armony Drive to its intersection with, Maghera Drive then to Mulroy Place, the route then crosses private land to Moyrus Crescent, from Moyrus Crescent to Dunvegan Rise and across private land to Point View Drive and then turns into Caldwells Road to its junction with Ormiston Road and to Brownhill Road to its termination at 149 Brownhill Road.

For Option 2, the addresses are for Option 1, but from 640 Ormiston Road the route follows Sandstone Road to its junction with Whitford Park Road to its junction with Brownhill Road and Brownhill Road to its termination at 149 Brownhill Road.

Note that part of the area in the designation provides for optional routes over a short section of the total cable length. Only one of these options will be proceeded with.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of a double-circuit underground 220kV cable as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project, to convey electricity between the Pakuranga Substation and the substation at Brownhill road and ancillary activities.

Underground Cable – Otahuhu to Brownhill Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 27619

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

Roads, reserves and private land as follows. The legal road of Kaitawa Street, Gilbert Road numbers 31 to 91, Alexandra Crescent numbers 1 to 19, Franklyne Road numbers 1 to 42, across Council owner reserve (Otara Reserve) between Franklyne and Johnstones Road, the legal road of Johnstones Road to Springs Road, the intersection of Springs Road East Tamaki Road, East Tamaki Road numbers 341 to 357, the traversing an unnamed paper road before crossing private land and Council reserve between East Tamaki and Stancombe Roads, Stancombe Road east of Te Irirangi Road, and along Jeffs Road before crossing private land at number 568, 571 and 595 Ormiston Road, and crossing private land, the legal road of Redoubt Road, and further land all to the south-east of Ormiston Road.

The nature of the proposed work is the construction, operation and maintenance of a double circuit underground 220kV cable as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project, to convey electricity between the Otahuhu Substation and the substation site at Brownhill Road and ancillary activities.

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 27619

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre wide corridor running from the proposed substation at 149 Brownhill Road in a generally south-easterly direction crossing Ara Kotinga, Twilight, West, Tourist, Monument and Highridge Roads to the boundary with Franklin District.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

Franklin District Council

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: L07089

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre corridor running from the boundary of the district at Highbridge Road in a generally south-easterly direction crossing Gowan, Gelling, Nairn, Ararimu, Mangatangi and Lyons Roads to the boundary with the Waikato District.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

Waikato District Council

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: DES0011/07

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre wide corridor running from the boundary of the district at Lyons Road in a generally south-easterly direction crossing State Highway 2 at Maxwell, Kopuku, Waerenga, Taniwha, Riddell, Matahuru, Mangapiko, Tahuna, Proctor, Flaxmill, Tainui, and Tauhei Roads to the boundary with Matamata-Piako District.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

Matamata-Piako District Council

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: RMR200621

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre corridor running from the boundary of the district at Tauhei Road in a generally south-easterly direction crossing Hangawera Road, State Highway 26, and Kuranui, Tahuroa, Starky and Chepmell Roads to the boundary with Waipa District.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

Waipa District Council

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: DN/0006/07

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre wide corridor running from the boundary of the district at Chepmell Road in a generally south-easterly direction crossing Gray, Te Miro, Brunskill, Buckland, Taotaoroa and Kentucky Roads, State Highway One, Maungatautari, Oreipunga, Roberts, Makgill and Oreipunga Roads to the boundary with South Waikato District.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

South Waikato District Council

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: 240/021

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre wide corridor running from the boundary of the district at Oreipunga Road in a generally south-easterly direction crossing Arapuni, Lake Arapuni, Huihuitaha, Wiltsdown, Maraetai, Duncan and Peach Roads and State Highway 32 to the boundary with Taupo District.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

Taupo District Council

Overhead Line Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: RM070209

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

A minimum 65 metre wide corridor running between the Waikato River and State Highway 30, between approximately 2 kilometres and 800 metres west of its junction with State Highway 32 at Whakamaru, to the boundary with the proposed designation for the new Whakamaru North Substation.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of that part of a 400kV-capable transmission line which is within the district, to convey electricity between a proposed new substation site at 149 Brownhill Road in Manukau City and the proposed Whakamaru and Whakamaru North substation in Taupo District, as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project and ancillary activities.

Whakamaru and Whakamaru North Substation Notice of Requirement. Reference Number: RM070209

The site to which the requirement is applied is as follows:

Land between State Highway 30 and the Waikato River, north, east and west of the junction with State Highway 32 at Whakamaru. The legal description of the site is Pt Sec 81 Blk X Whakamaru SD, Lot 3 DP 42222, Sec 96 Blk X Whakamaru SD, Lot 2 DP 42222, Lot 1 DP 42222, Sec 83 Blk X Whakamaru SD and Pt Pouakani Blk.

The nature of the proposed project or work is the construction, operation and maintenance of new 220kV and other components at the existing Whakamaru Substation and a new 400 kV substation on a staged basis as part of the proposed North Island Grid Upgrade Project, including Tower 429 of the overhead line and additional support structures, works associated with other upgrade projects, and overhead line connections within the designated area and ancillary activities. The designation also includes the operation, maintenance and upgrade of the existing 200kV lines which traverse the site and the existing substation infrastructure at the existing site.

Resource consents

Auckland Regional Council

Pakuranga to Brownhill Underground Cable Resource Consents

Transpower New Zealand has applied for the following resource consents for work associated with the construction and installation, use, operation and maintenance of a new 220kV underground transmission cable between the Pakuranga Substation and Brownhill Road.

• Application 34102: Land Use Consent for earthworks (including but not limited to trenching, excavation test pits, geotech drilling, backfilling or clean filling) to enable the installation and maintenance of a 220kV underground transmission cable inside and outside any sediment control protection area.
• Application 34370: Discharge of Contaminants to land from ancillary activities that produce wastewater or washwater, such as:
  • the use of chemical cracking rock breaking techniques
  • dewatering sediment laden water from the trenches
  • the washing of vehicles, plant or machinery
  • geotechnical drilling activities
  • dust suppression
  • concrete or asphalt laying or reworking, associated with the installation and maintenance of the 220kV underground cable.
• Application 34372: Works in the Bed of a Watercourse for the following activities:
  • To trench through a watercourse for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable structure under the bed of the unnamed watercourse immediately north of Ti Rakau Drive adjacent to a Manukau City Council Stormwater Management Area.
  • Placement of a bridge over the bed of theTuranga Creek, Brownhill Road, Whitford for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable, including the placement of abutments and a reno matress on the streambanks.
  • Placement of two culverts in the bed of the Maungemaungeroa Stream, Caldwells Road, East Tamaki, including the placement of fill above those culverts for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable.
  • Placement of a bridge over the Maungemaungeroa Stream, Caldwells Road, East Tamaki for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable.
  • Placement of a culvert and fill over an unnamed stream directly above Dunvegan Rise (and below Point View Drive) East Tamaki, including the associated disturbance of the streambed for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable.
  • Landuse consent for the placement of a bridge over an unnamed stream directly above Dunvegan Rise (and below Point View Drive) East Tamaki, including the associated disturbance of the streambed for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable.
• Application 34373: Diversion of Surface Water for the following activities:
  • Diversion of stream flow associated with the placement of two culverts in the bed of the Maungemaungeroa Stream, Caldwells Road, East Tamaki for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable.
  • Diversion of stream flow associated with the placement of a bridge over the Maungemaungeroa Stream, Caldwells Road, East Tamaki for the installation and maintenance of a 220kV transmission cable.

Overhead Line and Brownhill Substation Resource Consents

Transpower New Zealand has applied for the following resource consents for works that are proposed to be located within the area of the notice of requirement for the overhead line section of the North Island Grid Upgrade Project. The application also intrudes into the area of the Notice of Requirement for Designation for the Brownhill Substation

• Application 34711: Land Use Consent for earthworks (including but not limited to benching, foundation excavation, topographic modifications, geotech drilling, backfilling or clean filling) to enable the construction of tower foundations inside and outside any sediment protection control area. Earthworks for roading and tracking to enable access to the tower construction sites inside and outside any sediment protection control area.
• Application 34712: Discharge of Contaminants to land from ancillary activities that produce wastewater or washwater, such as:
  • the use of chemical cracking rock breaking techniques
  • dewatering sediment laden water from the trenches
  • the washing of vehicles, plant or machinery
  • geotechnical drilling activities
  • dust suppression
  • concrete laying or reworking, associated with the installation of the tower foundations.

Environment Waikato

Overhead Line and Whakamaru North Substation Resource Consents

Transpower New Zealand has applied for the following resource consents for works that are proposed to be located within the area of the notices of requirement for the overhead line section of the North Island Grid Upgrade Project. The application also intrudes into the area of the Notice of Requirement for Designation for the Whakamaru North part of the North Island Grid Upgrade Project.

• Application 116902: Land Use Consent for vegetation clearance and earthworks associated with tower site preparation and access tracks within the Designated Area in High Risk Erosion Areas.
• Application 116903: Discharge Permit for the composting of vegetation (>20m3 per site) for composting/mulching of vegetation generated through vegetation trimming and clearance.
• Application 116904: Land Use Consent for the drilling of tower foundation below the water table
• Application 116905: Discharge Permit for the discharge of site water and drilling fluids from drilling activities into surface water.

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