A potential rail hub in Dannevirke could take 200,000 tonnes of logs off the region’s roads, KiwiRail deputy chief executive Todd Moyle says.
Parliamentary under-secretary for regional economic development Fletcher Tabuteau announced on Monday a $400,000 Provincial Growth Fund investment for government officials to evaluate the potential of a new rail hub near Dannevirke.
If successful, up to $4 million will go to KiwiRail to build the facility.
Moyle says KiwiRail has been considering a hub near Dannevirke for a while and it would take a lot of pressure off the regions’ roads as forestry harvests increased.
“We applaud the Government’s interest in a potential rail hub near Dannevirke and the staged approach is a sensible one. There is a strong case for a rail hub in that area and we will be working closely to support agencies with their evaluation.
“Dannevirke is only 37 kilometres from Titoki Forest, which is already transporting more than 50,000 tonnes of logs a year to Napier Port by road. With harvests expected to hit 200,000 tonnes in the coming years it makes sense to get as much of that volume on rail as possible.
“Not only does rail have 66% fewer emissions per tonne than road transport, it would also reduce the number of logging trucks on the roads, improving road safety and saving in road maintenance costs which burden the local councils and NZTA.
“This opportunity is a great example of how different transport modes, road and rail, could work together for economic and social outcomes.
“KiwiRail is currently developing a forestry hub in Wairoa, as part of reopening the Napier to Wairoa rail line. A second hub at Dannevirke could be of huge benefit to the Hawke’s Bay,” Moyle says.
