Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

PGF investment to fast track regional freight hub

Hon Shane Jones

Minister for Regional Economic Development

15 November 2018
MEDIA STATEMENT

A $40 million investment from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will enable KiwiRail to build a new regional freight hub near Palmerston North, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today.

This investment will be used by KiwiRail to complete site master-planning and concept design for the hub and secure land required for the project.

“This is a major investment for Palmerston North, which will unlock new economic opportunities for people and businesses across the wider Manawatū-Whanganui region,” Shane Jones said.

Palmerston North is KiwiRail’s key staging point for domestic, imported and exported freight in the Lower North Island, with rail freight coming and going from the North, South, East and West. In the last year 2.4 million tonnes moved through the current Palmerston North rail facility, and there is a real opportunity to grow that amount.

“Palmerston North has long been identified as a strategic location for New Zealand’s freight network. It is centrally located, close to transport links and is therefore well placed to transport goods to market. The location of a regional freight Hub around Palmerston North is possible, precisely because of its accessibility by road and rail.

“Freight and distribution hubs are a key part of a well-functioning and efficient freight network. They are positioned strategically alongside transport infrastructure, and are particularly efficient because private enterprise can base themselves at these hubs, or nearby.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Regional freight hubs of this type also make more efficient and sustainable use of our transport network and means that the contributions of all transport modes are optimised, consistent with the Government’s vision for a mode neutral transport system.

“This project leverages the region’s strengths and will be fully integrated into the other large investments being made in the regional transport system, including the new Manawatu Gorge road.

“This is a future-focused investment that will help ensure that as a country we are making the investment required to meet our growing freight demands in the coming decades, which are expected to increase by 60 per cent over the next two decades,” Shane Jones said.

The new regional freight hub will ensure rail remains relevant in central New Zealand by providing a modern, fit-for-purpose hub to meet predicted freight demand.

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.