A new regional rail freight hub opens in Masterton in March 2016 with two local forestry companies as the anchor tenants.
The development is the result of a partnership between CentrePort, forestry exporters and KiwiRail, offering daily rail services from Masterton to the Wellington port to support the forestry sector.
CentrePort recently commenced the 2.5 hectare Masterton development with two local companies, Forest Enterprises, and Farman Tarkington Forestry.
The development follows growth for the log trade in the Lower North Island. Log volumes through Wellington have grown by 100% in the last five years, with further increases forecasted as a large volume of trees in the region reach harvesting maturity.
“The expected increase in harvesting over the next ten years requires investment in core infrastructure,” says CentrePort chief executive Blair O’Keefe.
“The use of rail will have the significant side benefit of reducing the need for increasing numbers of logging trucks on the Rimutaka Hill road,” he says.
“The port’s commitment to the forestry industry in the lower North Island gives us the confidence to expand our operations and increase our exports,” says Farman Turkington Forestry partner John Turkington.
Forestry is a significant industry in New Zealand. It contributes a gross annual income of around $5 billion, 3% of New Zealand’s GDP, and directly employs around 20,000 people.
The 2.5 ha hub, located on Norfolk Road, Waingawa, Masterton will be operational by March 2016.
