Fairfield Freight Hub on track for early 2024
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Fairfield Freight Hub will, all going to plan, be operational by April next year.
The $18m project had been scheduled to start groundworks in February but delays in processing the resource consents pushed back the timeline.
Groundworks finally began in June, and it has been steady progress since.
Wareing Group director Mark Wareing held a quick site visit on Wednesday with Ashburton District councillor Rob Mackle, Talley’s Aaron Chudleigh and Rangitata MP Jo Luxton who was instrumental in getting the project going after it was initially turned down.
Wareing is hopeful it will be on track for an early 2024 opening.
“If things go wrong, mainly the weather and Fulton Hogan can’t put the hot mix down until it warms up it will start pushing things back.
“For me, that’s a disaster.”
Luxton was pleased to see the progress.
“It’s taking a bit of time to get to this point but really pleased that we have been able to get this happening and under way.”
KiwiRail is on-site working on upgrading the existing siding and is set for a block of line work at the end of the month, where they will put the new line in, Wareing said.
If the progress falls behind by December, Wareing said they will consider staging the construction to ensure it still becomes operational in April.
“If need be, we may just seal the part next to the line just to get it going but that will add cost as it means sealing it in two stages.
“If we are behind by Christmas, we’ll have that discussion.
“At this stage, everything is on track.”
That means the historic shunting yards in central Ashburton will shift north in early 2024 to the freight hub, which is being constructed on the Talley’s-owned site of the former Fairton freezing works.
Since works began, Wareing has noticed an increase in traffic past the site due to “a lot of community interest in the project". He said the benefits to the community from it would be long term.
The project is a tri-party commercial development led by the Wareing Group (which wholly owns Fairfield Freight Hub Ltd) with KiwiRail and the Ashburton District Council.
The project received $2.5m from the Government’s NZ Upgrade fund.
The council’s $2.3m contribution ended up being part of its $4.19 million in the Three Waters 'better off' funding.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
-
72.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!
-
16.5% Hmm, maybe?
-
10.8% Yes!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Poll: Pedestrian access is being extended to the Ōtakaro Avon River - good idea?
Pedestrian access from one of Christchurch’s favourite streets is being extended all the way to the Ōtakaro Avon River. This new 12m-wide pathway will give you a direct, easy route from the street to the river promenade ... perfect for a stroll, a coffee run, or just soaking up the riverside vibes.
We want to know: In your view, what makes a city people-friendly?
What else should our urban areas be doing to support better community connections?
Curious about the full plans? You can check them out here.
-
91.1% Yes
-
8.9% No
Loading…
