Rolleston freight hub plans welcomed by Fairfield
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The man behind the new freight hub in Mid Canterbury says he's not concerned by plans to build another hub 58km up the road in Rolleston.
Wareing Group director Mark Wareing said a second hub would have a positive impact on the Fairton site as it would be “complimentary” and increase the traffic volume along the rail line.
“It will strengthen it over time as more local freight moves interisland,” he said.
The Fairfield Freight Hub opened in April, in an $18 million development led by the Waring Group with funding from the Government and the Ashburton District Council.
Now a similar hub could be established up the road after the Selwyn District Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KiwiRail.
KiwiRail future state freight general manager Mark Heissenbuttel said Kiwirail and the council, along with other interested parties, are in early discussions on the establishment of a freight hub in Rolleston.
Location and costs are still to be discussed, he said.
“Inter-modal hubs use both road and rail transport, enabling trucks to complete the first and last mile of collections and delivery, and for rail to do the heavy longer-distance movements.
“KiwiRail runs some 30 services a day through the Selwyn District, including the crown jewel of our tourism offerings, the TranzAlpine.
“It’s an exciting time for rail in the South Island with the imminent arrival of the brand new low-emissions locomotives will boost KiwiRail in the South Island.”
With plenty to still work out around establishing a new hub in Rolleston, it was too early to speculate on any potential impacts on the Fairfield Hub, Heissenbuttel said.
Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton said the MOU marked a significant milestone for the district.
“This partnership will help enhance the flow of freight through Selwyn, strengthening our local economy and connecting us more effectively with the wider region."
The MOU includes closer cooperation between the two organisations to align the rail network development with the objective of Waikirikiri Te Kua Future Selwyn strategy.
Broughton said the strategy was a roadmap for the district for the next 50-100 years.
"We must plan our transport systems to accommodate future generations well”.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.1% Yes
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46.9% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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.
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91.2% Yes
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8.8% No
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