Freight hub making good progress
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The $18m Fairfield Freight Hub is making steady progress towards being ready earlier than expected.
Wareing Group director Mark Wareing says that after five months of construction, things are tracking ahead of schedule thanks to a dry winter.
The completion date was October next year when construction began, based on the timing of doing the surface sealing after winter, he said.
“At this stage, we are on track to get that done before winter — so maybe April.”
That could mean the shunting yards could shift out of the centre of town early next year and out to the freight hub.
That was a pleasing progress report for the Ashburton District councillors and Rangitata MP Jo Luxton who were visiting the site.
The new rail siding, replacing and extending the old siding of the former Fairton freezing works, is nearing completion.
The only delay could be the installation of the new signals by KiwiRail, Wareing said.
Then the focus goes on preparing the 35,000sqm site for pavement sealing, which includes 1058m of kerb and channel around the outside.
The pavement is in two halves, truck only and container storage.
Contractors Fulton Hogan and Tarbotton Civil are working towards getting the truck-only side completed by the end of December.
The other half will then follow in the new year, followed by the construction of a storage shed and reefer towers.
“A reefer tower has power in it that you can keep a chilled or frozen container going.”
The hub will have the capacity for 120 containers to be kept chilled once all four reefer towers are completed.
Once operational the hub will process about 20,000 containers per year and moving the containers on rail will see a reduction of about 40,000 truck movements per year, Wareing said.
The installation of the Waka Kotahi’s weigh stations north of Rakaia could also be a boost for the hub Wareing said, with more operators looking to utilise rail.
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 council is contributing $2.3m to help fund the relocation of the rail yard from the town centre to the purpose-built facility at Fairton, which will be covered by funding from the Three Waters Reform Better Off Funding support package.
The Government is also chipping in with $2.5m from Waka Kotahi’s NZ Upgrade Programme.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
63.9% Yes
-
33.6% No
-
2.5% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Loading…
