The new regional Waingawa log hub in the Wairarapa was officially opened by transport minister Simon Bridges yesterday to support the fast growing and valuable forestry sector.
Log volumes through the region have grown by nearly 100% in the last five years, with further increases forecast as a large volume of trees in the region reach maturity. This is big local and export business, necessitating the establishment of this reliable and cost-effective transport connection.
The project is the result of a successful partnership between Wellington’s port company CentrePort, Forest Enterprises and Farman Turkington Forestry with the support of KiwiRail. KiwiRail freight trains are set to daily connect the Wairarapa region to CentrePort and the world.
KiwiRail’s Group general manager for sales and commercial Alan Piper points out that using Waingawa as a staging point for logs means that they can then be moved efficiently through to CentrePort on rail. “I am certain the regular users of the Rimutaka Hill Rd will appreciate the benefits that avoiding over 16,000 more truck trips on this stretch of road will have,” he says, not to mention the reduction in emissions.
Managing director of Forest Enterprises, Steve Wilton, explains that Forestry Enterprises has taken a long-term lease of approximately 50% of the footprint at Waingawa in line with its intention to store logs at CentrePort.
In 2015 CentrePort contributed $2.5 billion to New Zealand’s GDP, 39% higher than in 2009. This contribution is increasing each year. Since 2009 CentrePort’s cargo volume has increased by 25%.
Government is intent on doubling the value of primary industry exports by 2025.
