John Sexton
Episode 3: John Sexton
Roger: In addition to land access, no recent issue has galvanised the rural community so much as the plan to run 400kw power volts up the central North Island. For those who are likely to be living in the proposed pathway concerns range from the effects on property values, use of land and the health and well being of people and stock. Joining me is spokesperson for Federated Farmers, Auckland Province, John Sexton. John is currently living with six pylons on his Paparimu dairy farm. Good to see you John.
John, its fair to say TransPower NZ have really got people riled over this. What is the problem?
John: The residence and rural people were horrified when they saw the size of these lines compared with the existing lines. But when we got into the issue a lot more we found that it wasnt just the powerlines - its the old case of putting the cart before the horse.
Roger: So its not just a case of not in my backyard?
John: Probably was for some people, but as we get into it the issues are much deeper. And overall power planning for NZ was abandoned in 1989, and theres been very little done since then. And this is a panic measure to try and pretend theyre doing something. Weve got to go right back to the beginning to establish a proper strategic plan for NZ power system. And widen the powers to the Electricity Commission to examine the best option. At present, Transpower and the generators are operating independently, their main prime object is short term profits nor an efficient power system for NZ.
Roger: Youve already got six pylons on your property, how does that effect your farming operation?
John: Weve lived with them for many years but they are inconvenient, they are just in the middle of paddocks in places. Weve got to drive around them with harvestings, top dressing, shifting electric fences, they would inhabit irrigation as land use develops, they go over the hills, weve got to aerial top dress our back hills - that means the planes have got to fly higher and that means less efficient spreading. The new lines are double the height and they will interfere very considerably with those activities.
Roger: Is compensation enough? Can money make up for the inconvenience?
John: There is a number of issues weve got to sort out before we could give a definitive answer on that. Theres got to be annual rentals because these have a long, long lifetime. And just a one-off compensation is not acceptable. If, at the end of the day, they can show us this is the best option, well I guess well have to accept them but well be asking a lot of hard questions before that comes about.
Roger: Whats the best outcome for this as you see it?
John: Best outcome is to have a proper strategic power plan for NZ. The cost of transmission has got to be properly accounted for, because the system is being free loaded on the land owners because theres been no payments, no rentals for the existing lines. This line is only stage one of six stages of putting 400kv lines from Auckland to Waitaki, the length of NZ. So the rest of NZ are going to have to realise that this is going happen if they go ahead with their present plans.
Roger: Theres talk of the government changing legislation to let this happen. That must worry you?
John: Yes, that is a great concern, the changes to the RMA, that will allow the Government and Transpower to bulldoze us through if they decide go ahead. Thats why its so important that weve got to work with the ministers concerned and the Electricity Commission. We dont want to be obstinate, we know Auckland has got to get its power but we expect a fair deal under deregulation cause that has changed the whole system and the whole outlook.
Roger: You want the user to pay?
John: Thats fair enough isnt it? The generators and the Transpower are making a huge profits out of the system I think its about time the landowners got a little bit.