Dunedin Takes Steps To Encourage Rail, Sea Freight
March 12th, 2009
Dunedin City Council staff may set up a freight group to look at ways of encouraging companies in and around the city to carry more freight by rail and sea. The report from council transportation planning manager, Don Hill, recommends additions be made to the council’s 2006 transportation strategy to bring it more into line with the latest national transport strategy. This seeks to encourage greater use of transport modes other than road.
Log transport decision catalyst. The latest initiative comes after forestry company Wenita’s decision in 2007 to transport logs from Mt Allan, north of Mosgiel, by road because of factors including lack of critical infrastructure (sidings and loading areas) and the higher cost of using rail. This has boosted truck movements through Dunedin. Hill says, “The DCC are keen to be proactive and ensure that this situation is not repeated, if at all possible.”
Govt policy uncertain. However, Dr Jane Turnbull from Otago Regional Council is unsure if crown funding will be forthcoming. The land transport funding manual issued by the previous Govt “potentially” enabled companies and others to apply for funding to meet the extra costs of freighting goods by rail instead of by road. However, she is unsure whether the new Govt will include such measures in its revised land transport policy statement.
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