The information below is sourced from the most recent collection of regional economic indicators: BERL 2009. It should be noted that facts within the commentary were correct at the time of publication.
Since publication:
- Meridian Energy has received its resource consent.>more
- Hydro Developments Ltd. have received consent for the Stockton Hydro Project. >more
This section looks at some infrastructure indicators including electricity consumption, state highway volumes and port volumes. Table 7.1 presents a summary of changes of infrastructure indicators over last two periods.
Table 7.1 summary infrastructure indicators
| Infrastructure | Latest | Previous | West Coast % Change |
New Zealand % Change |
| Electricity Consumption (gigawatt hours) | 317 | 289 | 9.7% | -2.5% |
| State Highway Volumes (daily average) | 3,945 | 3,485 | 13.2% | na |
| Port Volumes (thousand tonnes) | 474 | 464 | 2.1% | na |
Growth in electricity consumption figures in the latest year were in contrast to declines in the other indicators.
Electricity supply
According to data[1] from Westpower and Buller Electricity, 317 million kilowatt hours of electricity were supplied to retailers on the West Coast over the March 2009 year, an increase of 9.7 percent. This compared with a 2.5 percent fall at a national level. Over the same period, the number of consumers subscribing to Westpower and Buller Electricity services rose by 1.7 percent.
The change in gigawatt hours supplied and number of consumers over the last few years is shown graphically in Figure 7.1.
[1] The data is taken from annual information for disclosure, which these companies are required to submit each year to the New Zealand Gazette under section 57t of the Commerce Act 1986.
Figure 7.1 total consumers and electricity conveyed 2
![Figure 7.1 total consumers and electricity conveyed [1]
[1] Note that the scales on the y axes do not start from zero and changes may appear more pronounced than they really are.
© berl](/content/images/790/400x400normal/BERL7.1.png)
There was a sharp increase in gigawatt hours consumed in 2003, followed by a fall in 2004. Since then, electricity generation has risen strongly for five consecutive years, with 2009 continuing the trend with a big jump in consumption.
The number of consumers ranged between 16,100 and 16,300 between 2001 and 2006, but increased significantly in 2007 (up 200 new consumers), in 2008 (up 300 consumers) and yet again in 2009 (up 300 customers). Energy consumption per consumer has continued to increase, from 14.5 MWh in the March 2004 year to 17.2 MWh in the March 2009 year.
Generation in the region may increase if either of two major hydro schemes currently seeking resource consents goes ahead. Currently both of these schemes are still in the consultation phase or seeking final approval.
Trustpower Limited has applied for resource consents to develop a 46 MW hydro power scheme in the Arnold Valley on the West Coast. The scheme was granted Resource Consents by the Grey District and Westland Regional Councils in November 2008. These Resource Consents have been appealed to the Environment Court by TrustPower (seeking clarification of conditions), one commercial tourism operator, and two landowners, with the appeals still to be resolved. Trustpower would like to build a hydro scheme on the Arnold River to better meet demand on the West Coast, and to free up power to supply other parts of New Zealand. This scheme will provide enough power for 27,000 homes.
Meridian Energy is seeking resource consents to build an 85 MW hydro scheme on the Mokihinui River, near Seddonville. The proposed scheme would generate enough electricity for 45,000 homes. Opposition to the proposal has been expressed by a number of recreational, environmental and fishing organisations. On 3 November 2009, the Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee reportedly said that the dam will not go ahead, however the official decision has not yet been released.
Roading
Traffic volumes into and out of the West Coast increased in 2008, following falls in the previous two years.
West Coast traffic data was collated for four points that covered the main entry and exit points into the West Coast region:
- Haast just south of the Haast river
- Inangahua north of township
- Otira just south of the Otira River
- Lewis Pass west of region 12/11 boundary.
These daily traffic numbers were combined to provide an index of traffic volumes in the region. In 2008, there was a solid net increase, with increasing volumes for three of the four measurement points. Figure 7.2 shows the changes for the combined areas since 1999.
Figure 7.2 West Coast combined traffic volumes
The biggest change in the latest year was a 38 percent increase in traffic through the Otira measurement point. This follows a 27 percent fall in the previous year. Inangahua showed growth in traffic volumes for the second year running, up 18 percent in 2008. The one measurement point to show a fall in traffic in 2008 was Lewis Pass, which was down by just 3.6 percent.
The new Arahura Bridge opened ahead of schedule at the end of 2009. The new structure included separate road and rail bridge spans and a combined cycle / footpath. The work was undertaken by Transit New Zealand and Kiwirail.
According to the latest Regional Land Transport Programme for the West Coast, for the 2009-2012 period, a projected $25 million will be spent on the renewal of state highways, and $18 million on the renewal of local roads in the Region.
Port volumes
There are two ports on the West Coast – Westport and Greymouth. In the year ended June 2009, Westport transported around 468,000 tonnes of goods, while Port of Greymouth transported around 5,900 tonnes. Tonnage out of the two ports is presented in Figure 7.3.
Figure 7.3 West Coast port tonnage
Westport is the main port in the West Coast region, and can accommodate vessels up to 131 metres in length. Cement exports accounted for 97 percent of all volume through the port, with far smaller amounts of used oil and fish imported.
Tonnage through Westport increased slightly, up 2.5 percent in 2009. This volume is similar to the averages historically through 2001 to 2004.
The Port of Greymouth can accommodate vessels up to 109 metres in length, at draughts of 4.8 to 5.5 metres. In 2009, 82 percent of the tonnage through the port was fish caught, while the remainder was aggregate exports.
Airport volumes
Hokitika and Westport are the main air routes into and out of the West Coast region. We have been unable to collect volume and value data for air traffic into and out of the region. However, we have identified flight schedules.
On weekdays, Air New Zealand runs five to six flights daily between Hokitika and Christchurch. On Sundays there are between two and three return flights and there are one to two return flights on a Saturday. For a 9.20am weekday flight returning the same day at 5.10pm, lowest available prices are $179 return. [1]
Air New Zealand also runs one to two flights each weekday between Westport and Wellington, and one flight a day on weekends. For a 9.25am weekday flight returning the same day at 4.35pm, lowest available prices are $348 return.
[1] All prices were according to the airlines’ website booking service quotations taken on 21 January 2010. Prices were for the lowest fares available.
1 The data is taken from annual information for disclosure, which these companies are required to submit each year to the New Zealand Gazette under section 57t of the Commerce Act 1986
2 Note that the scales on the y axes do not start from zero and changes may appear more pronounced than they really are
3 All prices were according to the airlines’ website booking service quotations taken on 21 January 2010. Prices were for the lowest fares available
Source: BERL 2009
