Fencing prepares for power pole replacement on Ladies Mile

Fences have gone up at the Queenstown Lakes District Council's controversial 516 Ladies Miles in preparation for the removal and replacement of 23 power poles.

Aurora Energy is set to begin work on two kilometres of power lines along the stretch of highway outside the property.

"These upgrades will support the delivery of the new roundabout project on the intersection of Howards Drive and the Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway," Mark Pratt, the lines company's customer and connections general manager says.

"The majority of pole replacements will be within one metre of existing pole locations, with the exception of two poles close to the proposed Howards Drive roundabout."

These two poles will be positioned to suit the new road layout as required by the New Zealand Transport Agency, he says.

The Kā Huanui a Tāhuna alliance, with the New Zealand Transport Agency as the lead agency, is embarking on four years of upgrades to State Highways 6 and 6A to improve traffic flows and public transport infrastructure, at a cost of $250 million.

Mr Pratt says the front section of 516 Ladies Mile has been fenced off to allow access to power poles along State Highway 6 from the paddock.

"This will reduce impact to traffic flow as well as interference from the trees during works, whilst safely retaining public access to the dog exercise area at the request of the Queenstown Lakes District Council."

In addition to 23 new poles and two kilometres of lines, one air break switch will also be replaced. 

The work is scheduled to finish on April 23.

"We have written to customers who will be impacted by planned power outages that are needed to support this work and they will also have received notification from their electricity retailer, who they pay their bill to," Mr Pratt says.

The former Walker Family residence has sat empty for a year and a half and is awaiting demolition after toxic mould was identified in the building by council contractors.

Main image: Action at the condemned home at 516 Ladies Mile, as Aurora Energy makes use of the front field while replacing power poles along the highway.