Waingawa hub will boost economy and environment

Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Chris Laidlaw has welcomed the opening of Centreport's new Waingawa log hub, saying it will deliver benefits for the regional economy, motorists, and the environment.

The hub, near Masterton, will provide a reliable, cost-effective transport connection from the Wairarapa to Centreport and beyond, with a rail connection served daily by KiwiRail freight trains.

"The new road-rail hub is a real regional win-win. It will take logging trucks off the Rimutaka hill road, and that will be a huge relief to motorists", Mr Laidlaw said. "It will also mean a significant reduction in emissions in this region, with a big decrease in the number of log trucks.

"The road will much be less congested and safer to drive, and the hub will provide a fast, secure, direct link to the port, helping our exporters remain internationally competitive," Mr Laidlaw said.

"This new hub is a vote of confidence in the lower North Island's log trade -- Centreport has seen an almost 100% increase in log volumes in the last five years. It's also a great step forward in creating a network of sustainable, low-emission transport options for people and freight across Greater Wellington," Mr Laidlaw said.

The Waingawa hub is a partnership between Forest Enterprises Limited, Farman Turkington Forestry, and Wellington's port company Centreport, which is majority-owned by the regional council.

ENDS

Media contact: 021 914 266 or comms@gw.govt.nz