POWER LINE ROUTE APPROVED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 1

POWER LINE ROUTE APPROVED

(N Z. Press Association/ WELLINGTON, August 31. The proposed route for the Manapouri power project transmission line from Monowai to South Arm. I>ake Manapouri, has been approved by the Fiordland National Park Board, the Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) said tonight.

In a prepared statement. Mr Shand said the line ran from Monowai up the South Borland river across the Hunter mountains and down the Grebe river valley to the intersection of Grebe river and Percy stream about one mile from South Arm. Surveys for the route from

this point to West Arm were still under way. They were expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Detailed surveys of the Monowai-South Arm section of the lines were also under way, said Mr Shand. These included surveys for a transmission line access road to provide a route over which materials could be hauled for use on the line. It would act as a service road for maintenance crews when built. The road was being built initially to serve heavy equipment and four-wheel drive vehicles., “This road may be upgraded for tourists later." Construction of a one mile and a half road from South Arm to the junction of the

Grebe and Percy stream began in July and was proceeding on schedule, said Mr Shand.

Tenders would be called in October for the construction of the Monowai-South Arm section of the road. Work should begin this summer, with completion scheduled for the latter part of next year. Construction of the access road for the South Arm-West Arm section of the line was scheduled to begin about the middle of next year, said Mr Shand. Final plans for public access facilities at West Arm. to be approved by the boards are for a shelter house, view house, a wharf and ' bush tracks, all of which will be completed by the opening of the tourist season. The facilities are a joint effort by the Bechtel Pacific Corporation and -the Park Board.

The work should take about two months to complete. The facilities are temporary designed to last only for the

duration of construction of the scheme after which permanent buildings will be erected.