Marsden Point rail line designation will follow land negotiations

9 August 2007

ONTRACK confirmed today that it will designate a corridor for a rail link to Marsden Point once negotiations for land purchase being conducted by Northland Regional Council (NRC) have been completed.

This follows confirmation by the Council of its intention to begin negotiations with property owners along the proposed route of the 16 kilometre line from Oakleigh to Marsden Point.

“We welcome the action taken by the Council,” said ONTRACK Chairman Cam Moore. “It recognises the potential benefit that the rail link can have in moving freight from road to rail.”

Mr Moore said that while NRC is negotiating with property owners, ONTRACK will prepare the Notice of Requirements for the Designation.

“The Council has told us they hope to have made sufficient progress for us to begin the designation process before the end of the year.

“These are important first steps, but it’s also important to emphasise that there is still a long way to go before a line is built. Funding has yet to be committed and a time-frame for construction determined.

“We consider the development of the line will benefit the Northland region as export volumes grow, rising fuel prices influence transport modes and developments in the port sector increase the value of deep water ports.”

Mr Moore says ONTRACK welcomes the joint approach to regional projects and will work with other regions to see if the model can be used elsewhere.

Ends

Issued by ONTRACK

Media contact: Kevin Ramshaw, Communications adviser

Phone 04 495 9042 / 0274 507 420