The Government doesn't think there's any need to
build extra backup for gas provision despite a leak which has cost
businesses plenty.
Around 2500 commercial gas users north of
Taranaki were told to stop using gas at some stage this week since the
discovery of a leak in the Maui pipeline.
Frugal use by residents
has allowed essential services and small business users such as cafes
and some restaurants to start using gas again, but heavy users are
still set to wait until next week.
Businesses from burger bars to
crematoriums have lost money, and the New Zealand Institute of Economic
Research estimated the loss at $175 million per day.
But Prime Minister John Key doesn't think the country can afford a full backup line to be built.
Mr
Key said there was backup with the smaller Vector line, but a full
backup would be very expensive, noting that a new line being built from
Huntly to the Kaipara Harbour will cost about $400 million.
"It's worth remembering the Maui pipeline's been in for 30 years and it's worked extremely well," he said.
"For
the most part, while everybody regrets the inconvenience to business
and consumers, sometimes that's the nature of critical infrastructure
if it goes down."
More than 1000 smaller commercial gas users, such as downtown shops and cafes, were set to get their gas back from Thursday.
Simon
Mackenzie, chief executive of pipeline operator Vector, said the 800mm
section of pipeline where the leak was had been purged and excavated by
Thursday morning.
"The timeline for finalising repair ... is still in the vicinity of two and a half to three days."
Mr
Mackenzie said any discussions on compensating businesses should be
between retailers and customer, while Mr Key said it was a matter for
the private sector.
"That pipeline is owned by Shell, 87 per cent
of it, and if there are any issues around compensation I think the
first port of call is certainly the private sector, those who are the
owners and who service the line."
NZN