On-going friction between farmers and line companies over electricity transmission lines has arisen again, this time in the Bay of Plenty.
Farmers there are opposing a proposal by Western Bay of Plenty District Council to create buffer zones of up to 32 metres either side of transmission lines.
Federated Farmers says the proposed zones and the controls around them are excessive.
Bay of Plenty president John Scrimgeour says farmers see it as an attempt by Transpower to restrict landowners' activities through the district plan, to avoid having to negotiate easement agreements or pay compensation.
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Federated Farmers will be objecting in submissions.
The district council says the proposed buffer zone is a response to an appeal that Transpower lodged on the proposed district plan.
Customer services group manager Steve Hill says the company appealed because the plan did not make allowances for buffer zones as required by a national policy statement for electricity transmission.
He says the council has responded through a district plan change, to give landowners the chance to have their say before any final decision is made.
Submissions will be heard within a couple of months.
