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Natural Gas Residential Connection Terms and Conditions

Vector owns two major gas networks:

  • The Vector Auckland gas network – this is across much of the central Auckland region and some parts of Whangaporoa
  • Vector’s North Island gas network, formerly the NGC gas network – this covers Northland, some parts of Whangaporoa, Waikato, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Whakatane, Gisborne and KapitiCoast.

Please review the terms and conditions below for connecting to the gas networks in these areas.

Natural Gas Residential Connection Terms and Conditions
– Auckland Network

Natural Gas Residential Connection Terms and Conditions
– North Island Network

 

Natural Gas Residential Connection Terms and Conditions
– Auckland Network

1.0 Introduction
These terms and conditions form part of the contract with consumers (“Customers”) whose applications for new gas connections are approved by Vector and who accept Vector’s offer of gas connections as defined in Vector’s Residential Gas Connection Application form (“Application”). These terms and conditions do not relate to the supply of gas by energy retailers. Vector means Vector Limited, a gas distributor under the Gas Act 1992.

2.0 Standard Criteria
Standard criteria for a new residential gas connection is given for a connection where:

  • The gas main is directly outside the property on either side of the road;
  • The property is fronted by a standard road (refer www.wises.co.nz; white road type);
  • The service pipe is laid through soft soil conditions;
  • The property is not deemed, by Vector, to be in a “rock area” being an area where adverse ground conditions create additional costs;
  • New build connections have an open trench provided;
  • An existing property’s service pipe length including the riser is no more than 20 metres from the property’s gas main fronted  boundary to the installed meter location;
  • The meter is placed on the boundary; this should be the closest boundary to the gas main.

A connection that falls within the standard criteria may attract Vector Standard Connection Charges (Section 8).  If standard connection charges are incurred, the Customer will receive a written quotation that will require written acceptance and payment prior to construction commencing.

3.0 Right of Ways
Vector will require a consent form if any part of a gas service pipe crosses or enters a jointly held right of way or shared access way. This consent form will need to be signed by each owner (or associated party) giving Vector permission to lay a gas pipe within that area and is required prior to construction commencing. Consent forms are obtainable from Vector.

4.0 Easement
For connections requiring part of a gas service pipe to cross any third party property boundary, Vector will require a copy of the Easement, and associated site plans, granting the right to convey gas through any Easement area.  All costs associated with granting an Easement are the Customer’s responsibility.  This information is required by Vector prior to construction commencing.

5.0 Arborist Report & Resource Consent
Where trees are present inside or outside the property boundary, an Arborist Report may be required which could result in a Resource Consent application having to be submitted to the local body councils or territorial local authorities – in these circumstances, the Customer is to organise and provide a copy of the Arborist Report (and Resource Consent - if applicable) to Vector prior to construction commencing.

6.0 Provision of Open Trench
Where the Customer is required to provide trenching prior to installation, the following specifications must be adhered:

  • A trench must be at least 600mm deep from finished ground level and have a 150mm minimum clearance radius from all other services; or
  • As otherwise notified by Vector.

7.0 Trench in Established Residential Areas
In some circumstances Vector’s contractor may need to open an additional small trench on your property for installation of your service. They will make all reasonable endeavours to minimise any inconvenience and reinstate the land to its existing conditions. Vector will lay the gas connection to your house in the most direct and cost efficient route to the meter location.

8.0 Connection Charges
Connections which are considered to meet the standard criteria are at no charge, except where:

  • The existing property service pipe length within the Customer’s boundaries exceeds 20 metres, all additional metres will be charged at Vector’s standard metre rate;
  • The gas main pipe is located under/within a standard road, or located on the opposite side of the road, then Vector’s standard road crossing rate applies.
  • A new build property has no open trench provided, Vector’s standard metre rates apply.

Connection charges may apply where conditions are considered to fall outside the standard criteria, such as but not limited to:

  • Rock areas where no trench has been provided;
  • The property has adverse ground conditions or is in a known “rock area”;
  • The property is situated on or adjoining a motorway, state highway, urban route or main road (refer www.wises.co.nz - all road types highlighted red, orange and yellow);
  • Access from the road to your house is deemed difficult by Vector, for example due to retaining walls, trees and steep banks;
  • The gas main in the street is not directly outside your property (requiring a mains extension by Vector).

Vector will provide a quotation in writing for all connection charges, and will require written acceptance and payment of these charges before the gas connection and meter install can commence.

9.0 Variation in Connection Charges
Vector reserves the right to cease construction in the event that additional charges are incurred. These costs will be on-charged to the Customer. For example any additional costs incurred by Vector due to:

  • Incorrect information being received by Vector;
  • Any extra contractor site visits to undertake the gas connection installation due to the site not being ready for connection on the specified connection date;
  • Open trenching for the laying of gas piping has not been undertaken by the Customer or does not meet Vector’s requirements set out in section 6; or
  • Significant site obstacles are not specified (or incorrectly specified) that increase the cost of installation.

This is not an exhaustive list, any unforeseen obstacles that are not identifiable to Vector and for which Vector incurs additional costs, will be on-charged to the Customer. Any additional connection charges required to complete construction must be paid on receipt of invoice.  Construction will recommence upon receipt of payment.

10.0 Cancellations
In the event of a Customer requesting the cancellation of a connection, a cancellation fee will be charged at Vector’s current rate. If additional costs have been incurred by Vector, these will also be on-charged to the Customer.

11.0 Gas Meter Location
Your gas meter can only be located in certain positions. Vector requires your meter to be located no more than 3 metres from the front side of your house, along the front of the house or on the property boundary. Vector may vary this to maintain the following clearances:

  • 1m from any opening vent, window or door; and
  • 0.5m from any permanently connected electrical appliance, switchboard or metering board and/or from any permanent gas appliance or flue.

You can nominate the preferred location for your gas meter. Vector will endeavour to locate the meter in your nominated position, however, where we are unable to meet these clearances, Vector reserves the right to install the meter as it shall decide.

12.0 Appliances and Safety
As with any form of energy, gas must be treated with respect to prevent accidents. It is your responsibility as a gas consumer to ensure that your appliances are approved for use with natural gas and are installed or converted by a registered Craftsman Gasfitter, certified and kept in a safe condition. We suggest that you discuss the appliances you intend to install with your Craftsman Gasfitter and/or Gas Appliance retailer before making a purchase. We require you to include on the Application form the number and type of appliances you intend to install. These details will be confirmed on your gas certificate of compliance.

13.0 Ownership
Vector will own all equipment associated with your service up to the inlet of your meter. The meter is owned by a meter service provider. You must take all reasonable care that the on-property network pipe (connection) and meter are not damaged. You must not interfere with the service and gas meter and must not permit others to interfere with it. Any damage by any party to the connection or gas piping and metering will be at the risk and for the account of the Customer. Vector is not liable for any indirect, consequential or economic loss or damage to any party. Vector retains the right, on reasonable notice, to enter the property for the purpose of maintenance and checking of connection and gas piping.

14.0 Privacy
Information provided to Vector will be held and made available to the Customer in accordance with the Privacy Act 1993.

15.0 General
15.1      In the event of default on any of your obligations under these Terms and Conditions, you shall pay all costs incurred by Vector (including costs on a solicitor/ client basis and debt collectors’ costs) in the recovery of outstanding moneys and the enforcement of these Terms and Conditions.
15.2      These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement of the parties in respect of all matters covered by it and supersedes all previous agreements in respect of those matters.
15.3      No amendments to these Terms and Conditions are effective unless it is in writing and signed by all parties.
15.4      Vector may subcontract the performance of any obligations under these Terms and Conditions.
15.5      Vector reserves the right (at its sole discretion) to terminate this Agreement before installation occurs. In the event of any such termination, Vector shall refund all moneys paid to it by the Customer for any work not executed.
15.6      The Customer must advise Vector of any material changes to the property as soon as possible.

 

Natural Gas Residential Connection Terms and Conditions
– North Island Network

Natural Gas Residential Connection Terms and Conditions - Network Connection Process

Standard Criteria for Residential Gas Connections

  • Residential properties fronted by a Vector pipeline qualify for a free service connection of up to 25m in length.  This service including pipe and fittings will remain the property of Vector.
  • Vector will charge any additional length over 25m at $20 per meter inclusive of GST.
  • Additional charges may apply to service connections where soil conditions do not allow standard construction techniques to be applied.  In these instances standard terms and conditions do not apply.
  • Consent is required for Right of Ways and cross leased sections.  Relevant documentation is required to be provided by the applicant in these instances.

For full terms and conditions please contact 0800 22 22 60.

The supply of gas is through your chosen Energy Retailer.