Business seeks assurances City won't black out

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

20 June 2007

Business seeks assurances that Auckland City won't black out

After two major regional power cuts within 24 hours and after a year since the costly Auckland power black-out, the commerical district that was worst affected last year wants assurances from the Government's Energy Minister David Parker that all has been been done to prevent a repeat this winter.

Auckland's leading shopping precinct and second CBD, Newmarket, lost its power for eight hours on Monday 12 June 2006. At the time it was estimated that the black-out cost Auckland $50 million-plus in lost trade and lost productivity.

"Last year the Energy Minister admitted that the 12 June black-out was preventable. That was also the conclusion of two reports - one from Transpower and the other commissioned by the Government. We now need to know what has been done since to prevent the preventable from happening again," says head of the Newmarket Business Association, Cameron Brewer.

"Poor maintenance was to blame last year but so too was Auckland's complete reliance on the Otahuhu substation. The Auckland business community and the public need to be assured that there has been plenty of action over the past 12 months. Security of electricity supply is paramount to business and Auckland’s reputation as a world-class city.

"We need to hear that Transpower's maintenance programme has been overhauled and that real progress has been made to improve the diversity of electricity supply into Auckland," said Mr Brewer.

ENDS

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