NZIER report on compensation for transmission infrastructure

system (such as hard-hose or travelling irrigators) or to not irrigate at all (we had
examples of both). Each of these options imposes costs on the landowner.
Irrigation operational costs in Table 2 are based on:
An additional half hour per day of labour to irrigate fields with structures, at $23
per hour for an average of 150 days per year for crops and dairy ($1,725 per
structure per annum)
Higher cost for power / nutrients / equipment breakages ($1,000 per structure per
annum)
Less productivity due to more drying out of crops and pasture ($1,000 per
structure per annum).
Pest and weed control and fertilisation
The presence of pylons makes weed and pest control more difficult through several
channels. Some weeds are best controlled through repeated cultivation and close
grazing of the exposed roots which can be difficult under pylons. The area of land
under transmission towers is often not controlled through usual spray regimes
making it more susceptible to weeds and pests, which can establish and spread out
from the area under the pylons. A further concern is that Transpower staff vehicles at
times can carry unwanted seeds onto land. Forestry easements, particularly, are
potentially home to a range of weeds or noxious plants that would not otherwise grow
on forestry land.
Applying fertilisers and sprays with top dressing for example, takes longer and as a
consequence costs more. Helicopters are unable to be used to the same extent, in
part because transmission lines place the pilot in danger and partly because the
coverage is inadequate close to towers. There are many other in themselves small
impositions caused by towers. For example stock congregate and rub on
transmission structures, spreading disease, damaging grass and increasing soil
compaction around tower bases.
Pest / weed and fertiliser costs in Table 2 are based on:
An additional 1 hour of labour per month to control pest and weeds around
structures at $23 per hour ($276 per structure per annum)
An additional 1 hour of labour per month to apply fertiliser around structures at
$23 per hour ($276 per structure per annum)
An additional 1 hour of labour per week to control noxious and other weeds in
forestry easements at $23 per hour ($1,196 per structure per annum).
Working around structures
The requirement to work around towers puts more pressure on equipment and soil
structure (due to tight turns) but primarily increases the time needed to perform many
basic farming operations. Whenever the ground is being prepared or crops harvested
the area around the pylon is worked from all four sides requiring the operator to re-
<strong>NZIER</strong> – Compensation for transmission infrastructure 33