A “vision for growth” strategy is looking at doubling the size of Marsden Point’s Northport.
Port chief executive Jon Moore says the natural deep-water facility, situated 140 kilometres from central Auckland, is set to play a key role in New Zealand’s economic development.
The vision has been published on its website with a two-and-a-half-minute video showing an expansion of close to 27 hectares.
Credit: Northport.co.nz
This would increase the total size of the port to 75 hectares with close to 700 hectares of commercially-zoned land nearby.
Expansion would extend east and west rather than northwards into the harbour.
Moore says it’s still an “early stage” and it’s “not a confirmed plan” just yet.
Creating discussion and consultations around the idea with key stakeholders is the first step, he says.
“Built specifically as a multi-purpose facility, Northport is ideally positioned to handle substantial growth in imports and exports, and flexible enough to accommodate whatever business comes our way.
“We are ready to respond to whatever role we might be required to play in the development of Northland’s economy, as well as Auckland’s,” Moore says.
Debate around the role of Northport has heated up in recent months as a result of pre-election comments made by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.
Peters says he would like the Marsden Point facility to play a bigger role and have car imports and container operations shifted there from Auckland.
Video: Click Here.
