Efficiency is a measure of whether the benefits of an option outweigh the costs. It is considered that the NES will deliver substantial benefits, including reduced costs to industry, local government and, ultimately, the public. The net environmental and economic benefits are considered to exceed the net environmental and social costs of the NES.
6.1 Efficiency and effectiveness
Effectiveness is an assessment of how well a given option will work. The NES is considered to be an effective method for achieving the policy objective in general compared with all the other alternatives examined. The NES would be the most effective tool for giving effect to a number of NPS policies. In particular, the NES would provide clarity and consistency as to the requirements for operation, maintenance and minor upgrade of electricity transmission lines, minimise the costs of implementing the NPS, and minimise RMA processing costs and delays.
Overall, it is considered that the proposed national NES is the most appropriate, effective and efficient means of achieving the objective of supporting the implementation of NPS policies related to transmission activities in a cost-effective and timely manner.
6.2 RMA section 44 process
The original proposal for an NES addressing transmission activities was consulted on in 2007/2008. The issues raised by submitters were complex and took time to resolve. To take account of all the issues raised, the NES has been revised and further consulted on with local authorities and Transpower (for detailed responses to submissions, see Appendix 2). As a result of this process, the NES in its revised form creates no additional consent requirements overall and will ensure effective implementation of NPS policies relating to transmission activities.
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6. Summary
December 2009
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