The Vector/ local resident project to underground the power in Lawrence St has been one of the most difficult and lengthy projects ever undertaken.
A shutdown of the project for two weeks by Auckland Transport while it waited for a revised Safety Plan and major difficulties drilling through masses of concrete under houses high above the road, led to the project taking up to five months, and not completed at the time we went to Press. Initially Vector and its contractors blocked off parts of the street, but were forced to revise its Plan to allow one way vehicle access at all times.
Despite a number of complaints to Vector about minor property damage, the residents are full of praise for the Vector staff and contractors who they say worked tirelessly, often in appalling weather conditions and were forever courteous to residents. Staff on the ground say access issues like getting to the houses from the street was “a nightmare” and not really anticipated when the project timetable of two to three months was planned.
While directional drilling machines have made cable laying much easier, drilling through layers of concrete requires a different approach.
Undergrounding of power lines is a project partially paid for by Entrust who currently commit $12.5 million dollars annually to these undergrounding projects. Entrust says the fund has seen the look of streets all over Auckland change with 72.3% of its Auckland network underground as at March 2024. This includes all new residential developments since the later 1960’s that have been undergrounded at the time of construction.
Statistics provided by Entrust show that since 2013/4 four street projects had been completed in Herne Bay; Sarsfield St in two tranches between 2017 and 2019, Sentinel Rd in 2013/4, Galatea Terrace in 2022/23 and Lawrence St.
Other projects completed in earlier years have been in Masefield Ave, Marine Parade (1986), Bella Vista Rd, Upton St, Cremorne St, Wairangi St, Stack St and Hamilton Rd
It’s hard to compare whether Herne Bay has had its fair share. For example, in St Heliers between 2021 and 2022, a total of 15 streets over 6.3 kilometres were undergrounded. In Mt Albert 16 streets over 5.4 kilometres were undergrounded, making 867 customers very happy.
We believe Vector should give priority to Herne Bay Rd where overgrown trees are causing constant call-outs relating to overhead power problems and broken clay pipes. Local residents have recently regrouped to try again for neighbourhood support. A revised percentage needed to 60% of residents will give them some hope.
The underground projects are not chosen by Entrust but by its majority owned utility, Vector. Where possible Vector aims for a “dig once” approach, where residents benefit from not only underground power services, but also potentially from telecommunications and street lighting, resulting in an all-round visually enhanced street appeal at the conclusion of the project.
Vector declined to comment on the Lawrence St project, we are told on the basis that bringing attention to the Lawrence St undergrounding would force more pressure from consumers in Herne Bay to push for similar undergrounding projects in their streets
Usually, the undergrounding project has street champions who will liaise with Vector and the residents who must pay a portion of the undergrounding costs, in this instance between $5000 and $8000 for each property, depending on what services are put underground.
The Lawrence St champions were residents Nick Williams, who initiated the project, and Stefan Boisen who both canvassed residents seeking their support for the project. The goal for these liaison folk was the motivation of street beautification, improved lighting and the security of supply of services in the event of adverse weather.
A total of 80% of residents paid $8,000, he said.
The residents of Lawrence St still have one major battle in front of them; to convince Auckland Council to construct new footpaths in the street as major damage has occurred to the pedestrian ways from the laying of cables. The liaison team was making submissions to the council in late August.
www.hernebay1011.nz
#####