Residents along Riverbank Rd in Wanaka are upset about plans by Aurora to install nine new large steel power poles to serve its new substation.
Aurora Energy plans to replace 16 poles carrying 33kV power lines with nine larger steel 66kV poles on the western side of Riverbank Rd, as part of its upgrade of the Wanaka power network.
Overhead distribution and service lines on the road will be converted to underground cables. The project also includes a new substation on the corner of River Bank and Ballantyne Rd and the installation of an underground cable to connect the new substation with the existing one.
Long-time Riverbank Rd resident John Young says the new lines would block his view of the Alpha Range and affect the value of his property.
Aurora has sent affected residents information about the upgrades and will meet them in the next few weeks.
While the new lines would be visible from his lounge window, it was Mr Young’s neighbours who were the worst affected.
"They are going to have one of these great big steel poles outside their front gate which I can’t imagine they are very pleased about."
He wants all the lines to be installed underground or to have the steel poles run along the back of his and his neighbours’ properties. Aurora Energy spokesman Gary Johnson said several options were explored, including installing them along the river or underground but both had issues. Due to the type of soil in Riverbank Rd, a high-voltage underground cable could not be adequately protected against a lightning strike.
The river route was not practical for various reasons, including accessibility, Mr Johnson said.
Poles carrying high voltage lines needed to be taller.
The lines are expected to be installed by the end of the year.
