11 Feb 2022
In the next couple of weeks, Transpower and Kāpiti Coast District Council (KCDC) will start a 4-year project to remove trees growing too close to Transpower’s transmission lines within Waikanae Park, and replace them with more suitable species that won’t be a hazard to the network and park users.
The two high voltage 220 kV (220,000 Volt) transmission lines connect between Bunnythorpe and Haywards and help transfer bulk electricity. They also connect to the Paraparaumu substation and supply the Kāpiti region with power.
Transpower has been trimming the trees in the park for a long time now. However, the current approach has created a dangerous hedged corridor of topped and unattractive trees through the park requiring constant maintenance.
“Having to regularly come along and trim the trees in the park is not ideal. There are ongoing risks that need to be managed to keep our crews and the public safe while we do that work. When this opportunity came up to work with Council to remove and replace the problem trees with more suitable and lower growing species we jumped at it”, says Transpower’s Dylan Crighton, Service Delivery Manager for the area.
While initially, the work might involve leaving some bare patches in the park, through the progressive planting programme undertaken by the Council and the Kapiti Coast’s excellent climate the new portfolio of vegetation is expected to be a vast improvement on what is there now.
“We know that the park is a big part of the community and that’s why we’re working with Transpower to replant the area. Transpower is supporting our planting programme with $10,000 a year for four years”, says Tony Martin, Operations Manager at Kāpiti Coast District Council.
To find out more about Transpower’s full programme of work over the four years, visit their project page.
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Four-year plan for tree removal and replanting starts at Waikanae Park