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 Land Transport Committee. This committee is chaired by Bruce Gordon (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. This document is being reviewed and the Distribution and Transport Enabler of economic growth and productivity will be a key theme and focus of the new Plan.
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:
Whanganui River Marine Precinct and Port Area 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. 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. |
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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.
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.
Manawatū Gorge
In March 2018, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced that Option 3 was decided upon as the Manawatū Gorge alternative route. Since then, work has been progressing on the Detailed Business Case and implementation phase. This is expected to be completed midway through this year. Construction is due to get underway in 2020, following the appropriate consenting, designations and property purchase process.
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.
Key projects the group are currently involved in are:
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.
Maps of the projects the 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.
For an update on Action Plan Progress check out the latest Accelerate25 dashboard.
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.
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.
Manawatū Gorge
In March 2018, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced that Option 3 was decided upon as the Manawatū Gorge alternative route. Since then, work has been progressing on the Detailed Business Case and implementation phase. This is expected to be completed midway through this year. Construction is due to get underway in 2020, following the appropriate consenting, designations and property purchase process.
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.
Key projects the group are currently involved in are:
- Taupō to Waiouru (SH 1) Business Case
- Manawatū Gorge alternative
- Manawatū to Hawkes Bay (SH 2 connection)
- Otamaroho passing lane extension (SH 2)
- Whakaruatapu bridge replacement (SH 2)
- Manawatū Hill (SH 2)
- Regional Freight Ring Road Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road and Ashhurst Road)
- Accessing Central NZ Business Case (Levin, Bulls and Ashhurst)
- Whanganui Port improvements
- Sanson bypass
- SH 57 improvements
- Whirokino Trestle and Manawatū River Bridge replacement (SH 1)
- Waitarere Curves
- Ōtaki to North of Levin Road of National Significance (RoNS)
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.
Maps of the projects the 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.
For an update on Action Plan Progress check out the latest Accelerate25 dashboard.
