National Party Snub Of Northland Rail Upgrade Beggars Belief

"National's Transport spokesperson, Paul Goldsmith's negativity regarding a proposed upgrade of the long neglected Northland rail infrastructure beggars belief,” offers Albie Barr, spokesperson for the Grow Northland Rail community group.

Barr continues: “National electorate MP's, Whangarei's Shane Reti, and Northland's Matt King must be shaking at the knees and cursing Mr Goldsmith for talking down real economic development opportunities an upgraded North Auckland line will bring to Northland.”

Wayne Brown, Chair of the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy working group, was right to point out that in order for Northport to grow, connecting it by rail is essential. His view was reinforced by 28 industry stakeholders, all of whom submitted that they wanted a rail system operating from the ports.

Says Barr: “The people of Northland have long memories and don't forget the pork-barrel politics offered by National during their failed 2015 Northland by-election campaign. Fortunately, the current government has come to the party and has delivered on National's 'broken promises' by turbo-charging action for a region National neglected for 9 years while in power.”

Barr said: "Indeed, Goldsmith has behaved predictably. The Northland people are used to the National party 'hand sitting'. We saw this with all the talk of a 4-lane highway to Ruakaka. What happened? Nothing, it was all talk and no action.”

The final say ultimately lies with the voters of Northland, so National needs to be prepared to be judged by its actions and in actions on General Election polling day, in 2020.

Ends.

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