Peter and Robyn Askey's 30-year-old trees, including kahikatea, totara and rimu, will be axed to provide Genesis Energy with a route to the Edgecumbe substation. Photo: LDR / Diane McCarthy
Whakatāne District Council has thrown its support behind residents of a country lane distressed about Genesis Energy's plans to axe their trees.
However, Genesis says removing the trees is the only viable option to make room for 33kV power lines to tie its planned solar farm to the national grid connection point in Edgecumbe.
Putiki Road resident Peter Askey sought the council's support last week, in asking Genesis to run the lines along the eastern side of the road where there is only open farmland, one house and a drain.
"The west side has a lot of trees; that's where the houses are and that's where people live. So what side do Genesis want to use? The west side, of course," Askey said.
Among the trees that will have to be removed is a 75-year-old phoenix palm, which has stood sentinel on that land since about 1950.
Askey said his wife Robyn's father, Laurie McLaren, planted it when he was settled there as a returned serviceman after World War II.
About 30 years ago, the Askey's planted a host of natives, including kahikatea, totara and rimu in front of their house. Another property has a farm cottage very close to the road and a 60-year-old oak tree, complete with treehouse, that was planted by acorns brought home by children from Awakeri School.
Robyn Askey with a photograph of her father, returned serviceman Laurie McLaren, who planted the phoenix palm in the background in 1950 when he was settled on the Putiki Road farm. Photo: LDR / Diane McCarthy
Several other properties have clusters of both native and exotic trees of around 30 metres in height, which are treasured by the landowners.
Askey said none of the residents wanted the above-ground lines along the road, but after a year of engaging with the electricity generator around other options, including a shorter route across farmland and undergrounding the lines, Genesis had settled on its preferred route along the 1.7 kilometre stretch of road.
Askey pointed out that the artwork developed for Genesis Energy's sustainability framework was inspired by traditional Māori design with a tree at the heart of it.
"It's a bit ironic when we're here talking about all the trees that they want to chop down."
He quoted words from the Genesis Energy website.
"'We care, we're courageous and we're connected'. Well, perhaps not down Putiki Road," he said.
He said he wanted to "throw the challenge out, publicly to Genesis".
"We saw your framework and your wonderful Gen35 and how you were going to be caring, connected and putting people before profit. Now is the time to back up your statements."
Mayor Nandor Tanczos said he had a "great deal of sympathy" with the residents.
"I can see why you would be very upset about it."
However, the council had only "very constrained ability" to have a say on electricity infrastructure on roading corridors.
He proposed a statement of support for the residents, which all councillors agreed to.
Putiki Road resident Joanna Spod will be sad to lose this 60-year-old oak tree, complete with treehouse, should Genesis Energy's plans go ahead. Photo: Troy Baker
The statement acknowledged Genesis Energy's rights of access to place the electricity lines within the road corridor.
"We encourage the utility operator to configure the grid tie so as to minimise where possible the impact upon existing residents and in particular to give serious consideration to moving the transition lines to the eastern side of Putiki Road," the statement continued.
Genesis Energy chief operating officer Tracey Hickman told Local Democracy Reporting this week the company had invested significant time and resources to develop concept designs, commission professional easement valuations, and engage with landowners regarding access options for alternative routes.
"We believe that after exploring alternative options in good faith, the route along the western side of Putiki Road remains the only viable option within the given constraints.
"Encroachments that clash with either pole locations or road safety barriers (required by Whakatāne District Council) would need removing, however Genesis would seek to mitigate these clashes where practical throughout the design process.
"It's important to understand these proposed powerlines are being installed along a public road reserve, which is where this kind of infrastructure is built all around New Zealand.
"While this route has been carefully selected based on technical, environmental, and planning considerations, we're committed to working with landowners to minimise disruption wherever possible"
She said Putiki Road had insufficient legal boundary width on the eastern side after about the first 230 metres to contain the poles, foundations and conductors.
Askey said he had offered the energy company an easement to run the lines along his own land on the eastern side of the road for no charge.
"We're willing to work with them. We're willing to put ourselves to the cost to get a solution that works for everybody."
Genesis responded that there would be "additional design, risk and installation implications with the 33kV line crossing Putiki Road multiple times".
"However, in response to this option being raised again recently by residents and the council, we will provide feedback of our assessment."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
