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