The aviation fuel pipe line which burst causing a fuel crisis last month was damaged three years ago, Northland Regional Council says.
Photo: Refining NZ
The pipe broke last month disrupting fuel supplies from the Northland refinery and causing dozens of flights in and out of Auckland Airport to be cancelled, affecting thousands of travellers. Aviation fuel had to be trucked into the city.
Refining New Zealand said tests showed the pipe was damaged by a digger and the council has been trying to contact the owner of the Ruakaka lifestyle block where the pipe ruptured.
The council said it had now spoken to the landowner's wife. It said it had not been able to confirm the identity of the digger driver, but was following a strong line of inquiry.
"Evidence council has collected to date indicates a digger was on site in the area of the damaged pipeline about three years ago, this has been confirmed following separate discussions with both the landowner's wife and a neighbour," a statement released by the council today said.
It said it had checked satellite images of the area to see if it showed the digger in the area over the relevant period, but cloud cover meant the site was not visible.
The council has until March next year to lay any charges relating to the spill.
It said ground water tests had confirmed water supplies had not been contaminated by the fuel leak.