Distribution and Transport
The land transport infrastructure connecting people, goods, services and markets is critical to the realisation of all nine opportunities. If this is well planned, efficient and strategically connected to our key population centres, and freight and logistic hubs, it will allow for the smooth and timely movement of freight and people in the region. This will ultimately maximise the strategic advantage of our region in New Zealand as the comparative input costs of production are reduced.
This enabler is led by the Regional Transport Committee. This committee is chaired by Rachel Keedwell (Horizons Regional Council Chair) and consists of representatives from Horizons Regional Council, the seven territorial authorities and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The RTC is responsible for preparation and delivery of the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). The RLTP is the guiding strategic document for land transport within our region.
As noted in the Growth Study, the region has a mature transport network but with specific future requirements:
- Efficient and well-serviced hubbing. The region needs to have the capacity to efficiently collect, package and redistribute product – and in so doing, reduce costs and increase the speed associated with getting products to market, when compared to other international suppliers.
- Scalability of operations. The region needs the capacity to expedite road infrastructure investment decision-making when the contributions to the economy justify this. This includes the potential to take advantage of the interest in ‘rail tourism’ to convey an increased number of tourists to the Tongariro Whanganui area.
- Importance of the primary sector. Access to rural areas for the movement of products such as Mānuka honey, but also for the transport of the more traditional primary sector products such as forestry logs and farm products, is vital.
- Palmerston North is a major intersection requiring more investment in streamlined transport movement. Palmerston North is at the centre of rail and road networks which go toward all four points of the compass. This intersection of multi modal and large product and traffic volumes must be as well designed and efficient as possible.
- The revitalisation of the Whanganui Port Area will contribute to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of the City. The driver behind these proposals is the need to identify and secure existing and future uses of the port area – including upgrading Wharf One.
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The immediate priorities as described in the Action Plan for this enabler are:
Rail The importance of rail connections for this region is vital if we are to offer a multi-modal freight movement package to potential investors and existing business. While much of the recent effort has been around planning for a well connected roading network, the role rail plays, and could potentially play, is seen as significant. As such, there is a strong desire for central government to support and invest in rail to realise this vision. Given the strategic location of the Manawatū-Whanganui region, and the North Island Main Truck line having its cross roads in the centre of our region, we believe there is a real opportunity and significant benefits to be realised if this mode of freight movement was unlocked. |
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Work is also continuing on passenger rail as an alternative mode of transport connecting the Horizons and Greater Wellington regions. A business case has been prepared to seek a Central Government funding commitment to retain the Capital Connection. The business case sets out that retention of this service for the short term (three years) is imperative while the Roads of National Significance projects are developed. Beyond three years the business case presents a case for investment into a 40 year solution which may see additional services offered between the two regions. This work is being undertaken in conjunction with Greater Wellington Regional Council and looks to support their rail programme, which is focused on the replacement of rolling stock (passenger carriages and rail cars) and improved regional connectivity on both the western and eastern sides of the Tararua Ranges.
Te Puwaha, Whanganui Port Revitalisation Project
In February 2018, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced $6 million from government's Provincial Growth Fund would go towards the revitalisation of the Whanganui Port and an upgrade of the Whanganui rail line.
In June 2020, a new governance model was established to ensure the planned revitalisation of Whanganui’s Port takes place in a way that includes the whole community and recognises the new legal status of the Whanganui River under the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017.
Regional Freight Ring Road
In March 2018, central government announced a $10M commitment to complete a Detailed Business Case for the Regional Freight Ring Road, to unlock the hubbing and distribution potential of our region.
Other projects underway:
Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway
Construction on the replacement highway to the Manawatū Gorge is due to start in 2020, following the appropriate consenting, designations and property purchase process. Please visit https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh3-manawatu/ for project updates.
Otaki to north of Levin
A programme of works to improve the safety and resilience of the Otaki to north of Levin transport corridor. Please visit https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/wellington-northern-corridor/otaki-to-north-of-levin for project updates.
State Highway 4 Paraparas
In October 2019 a major slip destroyed a large section of State Highway 4, south of Raetihi. A reinstatement solution was announced in May 2020. Please visit https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh4-whanganui-to-raetihi-repairs for project updates.
Accessing Central NZ
As part of the Accelerate25 initiative, the Accessing Central NZ (ACNZ) Governance Group was developed to focus on ensuring a connected, safe, resilient and cohesive transport network to, from and within the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. Group members include Mayors, councillors and council staff from across our region plus key stakeholders such as Spearhead and NZTA.
The project was spawned out of initial discussion about whether the Joint Transport Study, which was developed in 2009, is still fit for purpose. After consideration of this piece of work, it was quickly realised that strategic connections within the Manawatū-Whanganui region are not just about the Manawatū Plains, but rather the whole of journey from outside of the region to key destinations.
The Manawatū-Whanganui region is uniquely placed in the centre of the lower North Island and has strategic connections north, south, east and west. It therefore lends itself to being a prime location to locate freight and logistics land use for efficient and low cost distribution in all of those locations. As such, the Accessing Central New Zealand focus area was widened to cover the whole region, including those key transport corridors immediately outside of the region.
The aim of the Governance Group is to manage and align all land transport projects within the region which lend themselves to realising strategic advantage. Success will look like a land use transport system that is well connected, integrated with other transport modes and ultimately creates a journey feel that is removed from crossing district and regional boundaries.
Te Puwaha, Whanganui Port Revitalisation Project
In February 2018, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced $6 million from government's Provincial Growth Fund would go towards the revitalisation of the Whanganui Port and an upgrade of the Whanganui rail line.
In June 2020, a new governance model was established to ensure the planned revitalisation of Whanganui’s Port takes place in a way that includes the whole community and recognises the new legal status of the Whanganui River under the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017.
Regional Freight Ring Road
In March 2018, central government announced a $10M commitment to complete a Detailed Business Case for the Regional Freight Ring Road, to unlock the hubbing and distribution potential of our region.
Other projects underway:
Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway
Construction on the replacement highway to the Manawatū Gorge is due to start in 2020, following the appropriate consenting, designations and property purchase process. Please visit https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh3-manawatu/ for project updates.
Otaki to north of Levin
A programme of works to improve the safety and resilience of the Otaki to north of Levin transport corridor. Please visit https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/wellington-northern-corridor/otaki-to-north-of-levin for project updates.
State Highway 4 Paraparas
In October 2019 a major slip destroyed a large section of State Highway 4, south of Raetihi. A reinstatement solution was announced in May 2020. Please visit https://nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh4-whanganui-to-raetihi-repairs for project updates.
Accessing Central NZ
As part of the Accelerate25 initiative, the Accessing Central NZ (ACNZ) Governance Group was developed to focus on ensuring a connected, safe, resilient and cohesive transport network to, from and within the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. Group members include Mayors, councillors and council staff from across our region plus key stakeholders such as Spearhead and NZTA.
The project was spawned out of initial discussion about whether the Joint Transport Study, which was developed in 2009, is still fit for purpose. After consideration of this piece of work, it was quickly realised that strategic connections within the Manawatū-Whanganui region are not just about the Manawatū Plains, but rather the whole of journey from outside of the region to key destinations.
The Manawatū-Whanganui region is uniquely placed in the centre of the lower North Island and has strategic connections north, south, east and west. It therefore lends itself to being a prime location to locate freight and logistics land use for efficient and low cost distribution in all of those locations. As such, the Accessing Central New Zealand focus area was widened to cover the whole region, including those key transport corridors immediately outside of the region.
The aim of the Governance Group is to manage and align all land transport projects within the region which lend themselves to realising strategic advantage. Success will look like a land use transport system that is well connected, integrated with other transport modes and ultimately creates a journey feel that is removed from crossing district and regional boundaries.
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Key projects the group are currently involved in are:
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Involvement in projects of this nature enables ACNZ to achieve their objective of ensuring a well connected transport network to, from and within the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. The ACNZ group therefore plays a key role in leading the Distribution and Transport enabler and subsequently the nine objectives of the Accelerate25 Economic Action Plan realised.
A map of transport initiatives in our region can be found here. Maps of the projects the ACNZ group are involved in can be found here and here.
For detailed information on all priorities for Distribution and Transport please visit the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan.
A map of transport initiatives in our region can be found here. Maps of the projects the ACNZ group are involved in can be found here and here.
For detailed information on all priorities for Distribution and Transport please visit the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan.
