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Ontrack applications are confidence-booster, says Mayor

Friday 27 March 2009, 2:32PM

By Whangarei District Council

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WHANGAREI

The link, needed to bring a rail service to the deepwater port at Marsden Point, requires consents from both Northland Regional Council and Whangarei District Council.

Ontrack, a division of New Zealand Railways Corporation, has applied to the two councils for permits for coastal work and earthworks, discharge and water permits and landuse consents for the railway and for sidings and yards.

Mr Semenoff said the lodging of the applications was proof of Ontrack’s commitment to the project.

"There have been some who have doubted the project, and also those who have feared the current recession would see it drop off the radar.

"A great deal of work has been necessary to advance the rail link to the application stage, and Ontrack has clearly contributed the resources to have got this done quickly.

"Northport is one of Northland’s strategic assets, and it will not reach its potential without modern rail and road access to the Auckland market, so this tangible progress toward achieving this rail link is a real confidence-booster at this time," Mr Semenoff said.

He said it was important the land be designated for the rail link for the future operations of the port.

The various resource consent applications are to be advertised early next week, with submissions on them closing on May 12.

The applications will be heard by independent commissioners and judged against the criteria in the Whangarei District Plan.