Latest news with #NetworkWaitaki
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Safety fears over lack of harbour lighting
After two years in the dark, moves are being made to address the safety concerns of boaties and people using Oamaru Harbour at night. A 2023 assessment, undertaken as part of the Holmes Wharf Refurbishment project, identified that the overhead power lines, poles and streetlights around the harbour had failed. Consequently, and in view of the public safety risk, the pre-1960 poles were removed and the power disconnected. The height of some of the poles was reduced to be repurposed as bollards along the northern side. Two years later, a report to Waitaki District Council's (WDC) harbour area sub-committee says there are now three options to restore lighting. "Network Waitaki has assessed overhead power as an option and have indicated underground power would be the preferred option moving forward. A shared trench system for multiple services would provide best value for money and flexibility of use in the future. "The current situation at Holmes Wharf is undesirable, in that commercial fishermen and boat owners operate without light when tying up or unloading. Without sufficient area lighting, there is also a greater risk to both the public using the wharf and waterborne traffic." Otago Regional Council's (ORC) Harbourmaster had already raised safety concerns regarding the lack of area lighting. Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook said, while he had no issues personally as the navigational lights at the harbour entrance were working, he had had two discussions around the high-level flood light on the end of the wharf. "It has been there a long time and, when functional, it helps show the rocks at the end of the wharf during the hours of darkness. To the best of my knowledge, it has been a good aid when entering and departing Oamaru Harbour, as the channel is all to one side at this location. "The rest of the wharf is in darkness with no current lighting. While this is not an ORC area, I have spoken with WDC to identify this issue." People exercising and jogging around the harbour area, particularly the Sumpter Wharf side, in the evenings said they had also raised safety concerns due to being in darkness. The new WDC report said a resource consent was approved last September and would remain in place for five years to allow for entrenching of the power supply for staged delivery of electrical and utility services via underground ducting, in partnership with Network Waitaki. Doing so would resolve the health and safety concerns, but the report points out replacement lighting was not part of the original refurbishment project and there is no funding set aside in the council's 2025-34 Long-term Plan for such works. Works are estimated to cost between $213,000 to just install a high-voltage power supply and street lighting and up to $428,000 to also provide reticulated power to harbour berths and install services at Holmes Wharf sheds. The harbour sub-committee will discuss the report on Tuesday.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Council looking at harbour lighting options
After two years in the dark, moves are being made to address the safety concerns of boaties and people using Oamaru Harbour at night. A 2023 assessment, undertaken as part of the Holmes Wharf Refurbishment project, identified that the overhead power lines, poles and streetlights around the harbour had failed. Consequently, and in view of the public safety risk, the pre-1960 poles were removed and the power disconnected. The height of some of the poles was reduced to be repurposed as bollards along the northern side. Two years later, a report to Waitaki District Council's (WDC)harbour area sub-committee says there are now three options to restore lighting. "Network Waitaki has assessed overhead power as an option and have indicated underground power would be the preferred option moving forward. A shared trench system for multiple services would provide best value for money and flexibility of use in the future. "The current situation at Holmes Wharf is undesirable, in that commercial fishermen and boat owners operate without light when tying up or unloading. Without sufficient area lighting, there is also a greater risk to both the public using the wharf and waterborne traffic." Otago Regional Council's (ORC) Harbourmaster had already raised safety concerns regarding the lack of area lighting. Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook said, while he had no issues personally as the navigational lights at the harbour entrance were working, he had had two discussions around the high-level flood light on the end of the wharf. "It has been there a long time and, when functional, it helps show the rocks at the end of the wharf during the hours of darkness. To the best of my knowledge, it has been a good aid when entering and departing Oamaru Harbour, as the channel is all to one side at this location. "The rest of the wharf is in darkness with no current lighting. While this is not an ORC area, I have spoken with WDC to identify this issue." People exercising and jogging around the harbour area, particularly the Sumpter Wharf side, in the evenings said they had also raised safety concerns due to being in darkness. The new WDC report said a resource consent was approved last September and would remain in place for five years to allow for entrenching of the power supply for staged delivery of electrical and utility services via underground ducting, in partnership with Network Waitaki. Doing so would resolve the health and safety concerns, but the report points out replacement lighting was not part of the original refurbishment project and there is no funding set aside in the council's 2025-34 Long-term Plan for such works. Works are estimated to cost between $213,000 to just install a high-voltage power supply and street lighting and up to $428,000 to also provide reticulated power to harbour berths and install services at Holmes Wharf sheds. The harbour sub-committee will discuss the report on Tuesday.
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
New solar farm idea sparks Network Waitaki's interest
PHOTO: ODT FILES A new solar farm in Waitaki could help Network Waitaki combat "capacity constraints" in the region. In a statement to the Oamaru Mail this week Network Waitaki chief executive Dylan Andrews said North Otago faced "a capacity constraint in our region, with decreasing headroom each year". "As a summer-peaking network, there is a significant risk of disruptions to our customers during dry, hot summers if we do not take action." He said the line company was working closely with Transpower to explore future options for strengthening supply in the area. "This includes potential development of a new GXP [grid exit point] near the planned Black Point Solar Farm. "Working together provides an opportunity to ensure that any future investment is appropriately sized, designed and timed to meet the needs of all parties." As nothing is confirmed, there are no strict timelines for the grid exit point, Mr Andrews said. "We are committed to ensuring best value for our customers by meeting their needs at the lowest cost options. We look forward to further discussions with Black Point Solar in the future." Black Point Solar Farm is one of 149 projects included in the government's Fast-track Approvals Act passed into law in December. The company behind it, Black Point Solar, is aiming to build the solar farm in Black Point, about 35km inland from Oamaru. It said in its project application, if built, the solar farm would consist of about 380,000 solar panels across 240ha and would generate enough energy to power roughly 38,000 homes. The solar farm will connect to the national grid by way of the new grid exit point Network Waitaki is planning. The goal is to construct the project in its entirety once the necessary consent approvals and project finance is in place. This is expected to take about two years once approvals have been granted. Black Point Solar has a lease agreement with the landowners which allows for a three-year period to obtain resource consents, project financing and complete the development process. The site is presently a deer and sheep farm. "As part of the project, sheep or other compatible farming will continue under and around the solar panels, maintaining the productive potential of the site," the application reads. It also said the applicants have undertaken initial discussions with Network Waitaki, Transpower and the Waitaki District Council, Waitaki MP Miles Anderson and the owners of properties adjoining and opposite the site. Mr Andrews confirmed Network Waitaki has had "high-level discussions" with Black Point Solar. However, an Environment Protection Authority Fast-track spokesperson said last week Black Point Solar Farm had not lodged a substantive Fast-track application. At present the project is not proposed to be staged.
Otago Daily Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
After-tax profit of $5.1m for Network Waitaki
Consumer-owned lines company Network Waitaki has posted a positive result for the financial year. The Oamaru-based electricity distribution company's 2025 annual report shows it made a $5.1million after-tax profit. Network Waitaki, which is wholly-owned by the Waitaki Power Trust (WPT), also paid a discount and returned $1.15m to consumers through energy retailers. "This is the benefit of your network being owned 100% by the Waitaki Power Trust," the WPT latest annual report states. "This financial result has been achieved following a focus on tight cost-control measures to counteract the inflationary environment experienced over the year. "Sustained profitability is essential so that Network Waitaki can support the reinvestment that is needed in the network over the coming decade. "Trustees understand affordability is a real issue for power users, especially in the current economic climate. "While the network requires investment, there is a concerted effort to spread the cost over a long period, so costs don't only fall on today's users where upgrades have longer term benefit for the next generation of customers." For the year ending March 31, 2025, Network Waitaki recorded a total revenue of $35.5m, down $1m on 2024. The $5.1m after-tax profit was $0.96m up from the 2024 financial year. The profit has been invested back into the company. Company assets grew 7.7% to $162m, putting the year-end debt position at $17.65m, with a debt-to-total assets ratio of 10.8%. Network Waitaki chief executive Dylan Andrews presented highlights of the report to the annual meeting on Tuesday and said the company had successfully delivered on its core business objectives and met its targets outlined in its Statement of Intent around safety, financial performance and reliability. "I'm particularly proud to report that there were no lost time injuries in any critical risk areas. Safety remains our top priority in both the planning and operation of our business," he told the Oamaru Mail. "NWL has made payments of $17.5m to local suppliers and staff during the financial year. Additionally, our $155,000 sponsorship programme further demonstrates our commitment to supporting our region. "We continue to maintain the electricity network with a dedicated workforce of 100 employees, ensuring high levels of reliability. "However, our greatest challenge is addressing the constraints in certain parts of our network, which could lead to disruptions during a hot and dry summer if demand exceeds capacity. We have precious little headroom therefore need to address this over the coming years. "To tackle this issue, the company is exploring various solutions, including the development of a new Grid Exit Point [GXP] that supports renewable energy sources such as solar and battery storage. It is crucial that any investment in a new GXP is carefully planned, timed and co-ordinated with all parties to ensure the fair distribution of costs, as we are mindful of the pricing impact on both current and future electricity customers." Network Waitaki sets distribution (lines) charges, which is the amount it charged electricity retailers to transport electricity to homes. It makes up about 27% of a total household power bill. Lines charges recently rose about 19%, effective from April 1,which is start of the company's 2026 financial year.
Otago Daily Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Network Waitaki gives $121,476 to 52 groups
Network Waitaki chief executive officer Dylan Andrews was on deck to present more than $120,000 in donations to community groups in the district at their annual sponsorship awards night on Monday. PHOTO: NIC DUFF Network Waitaki has dished out more than $120,000 to community groups in the district. The Oamaru-based lines company held its annual sponsorship awards night at the Oamaru Opera House on Monday, giving away a total of $121,476 to 52 groups. Network Waitaki chief executive Dylan Andrews said the selection process was as difficult as ever due to "so many worthy initiatives". "More often than not, our sponsorship grant is a significant contribution towards the cost to buy new equipment, help pay for a tournament or improve the wellbeing of people in the community. "Every bit helps make Waitaki a better place to live and play." In addition to the sponsorship awards, Network Waitaki is also a continued sponsor of the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter and the new Network Waitaki Events Centre. Applications for Network Waitaki's Individual Sporting Programme are open until September 30 and can be made through its website. Individuals can apply for financial support for personal participation, either locally or at representative level, or for skills development in a chosen field such as music, arts or sport. — APL
