• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
Steven Joyce: Plan to move port north to Whangārei just doesn’t stack up

Steven Joyce: Plan to move port north to Whangārei just doesn’t stack up

November 23, 2019
These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

April 15, 2020
Antonov An-225 Mriya: world’s largest cargo plane, history, details

Antonov An-225 Mriya: world’s largest cargo plane, history, details

April 15, 2020
Copperstate Farms Launches International Cannabis Brand DNA Genetics in Arizona Market

Copperstate Farms Launches International Cannabis Brand DNA Genetics in Arizona Market

April 14, 2020
Mzee Moi’s Ksh10B Gift to Gideon

Mzee Moi’s Ksh10B Gift to Gideon

April 14, 2020
Covid Knights: Corporate social purpose in the time of COVID-19

Covid Knights: Corporate social purpose in the time of COVID-19

April 14, 2020
How Tesla And BMW Are Leading A Supply Chain Renaissance With Blockchain

How Tesla And BMW Are Leading A Supply Chain Renaissance With Blockchain

April 14, 2020
Last Mile Delivery Market Worth Observing Growth | UPS, FedEx, SF Express

Last Mile Delivery Market Worth Observing Growth | UPS, FedEx, SF Express

April 14, 2020
LATAM Cargo strengthens European cargo links

LATAM Cargo strengthens European cargo links

April 14, 2020
Ford making reusable hospital gowns from airbag materials as efforts against coronavirus expand

Ford making reusable hospital gowns from airbag materials as efforts against coronavirus expand

April 14, 2020
Don’t Sweat NBC’s Decision to Cut Back on Television Ad Inventory

Don’t Sweat NBC’s Decision to Cut Back on Television Ad Inventory

April 14, 2020
Software firms sharpen focus on AI, big data as IT spending drops

Software firms sharpen focus on AI, big data as IT spending drops

April 14, 2020
Navigating turbulent times in your supply chain (TL:DR version)

Navigating turbulent times in your supply chain (TL:DR version)

April 14, 2020
  • Supply Chain
  • Logistics
  • Warehousing
  • Procurement
  • Shipping
  • More
    • Strategic Sourcing
    • Spend Analysis
    • Inventory
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
United States International Supply Chain Commission
United States International Supply Chain Commission
Home Logistics

Steven Joyce: Plan to move port north to Whangārei just doesn’t stack up

by usiscc
November 23, 2019
in Logistics
0
Steven Joyce: Plan to move port north to Whangārei just doesn’t stack up
491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

OPINION: The case for moving the Auckland port to Whangārei is apparently compelling. So compelling in fact that none of us are yet allowed to see it.

The final report of three in what appears to be a very long softening up exercise was received by the Government around a fortnight ago – and it won’t be released until Cabinet has decided on it. In the meantime we’ve been treated to a round of name calling. The study’s lead author is reportedly calling people who disagree with him ‘idiots’ and ‘vested interests’, while chief lobbyist for the idea, Shane Jones, labels the current port CEO a cowardly renegade.

Respected economists NZIER and Castalia have provided critiques of the proposal, based on the earlier reports. While funded by the current port (cue vested interests attack), they highlight many useful questions like the vulnerability of the proposed new land transport corridors, the big increase in transport emissions caused by the shift, and the true costs involved (over $10 billion).

Northport, near Whangārei, could be set for expansion if plans to move Auckland port activity to the northern city.

SUPPLIED

Northport, near Whangārei, could be set for expansion if plans to move Auckland port activity to the northern city.

They rightly ask why Whangarei is the favoured location now when just three years ago it ranked 12th most suitable, according to the last port study that used the same set of consultants.

READ MORE:
* Northland cheers proposal to shift Auckland port to Northport: ‘We’re ready’
* Replacement for Ports of Auckland needs robust case
* Northland leaders welcome proposed transport review

More basically there is a straightforward reason why we shouldn’t attempt to shift Auckland’s port to Whangārei, and that is geography. It is simply the wrong location.

Firstly, it is too far away. The whole point of ports in port cities is to unload and load the freight close to the action, to reduce land transport costs and delays. Much of the freight that comes across the current port is utilised within 20km of it, much of that south of the Waitemata. Being close makes sense. Berthing it hours away and freighting it in by truck and train doesn’t.

Yes, Sydney and Melbourne shifted their ports, but nothing like as far. Sydney’s container port at Port Botany is 15 kilometres from their CBD. Melbourne’s container terminal is 8km from the CBD. If this project went ahead, Auckland’s port would be over 150km from the CBD.

The second geographic problem is the shape of Auckland city. It is built on a narrow piece of land just a few kilometres wide, hemmed in by two beautiful harbours which, as Aucklanders know, already make it hard to get to work each day.

Imagine instead of all the freight landing by sea near the middle of the city and radiating out from there – you land it out the opposite side of the city from where most people live and work and then use trucks and trains to freight it back down from the north and through the narrow isthmus across already over-worked land transport corridors to places like Onehunga, Wiri, and further south.

We would experience a whole new level of road and rail congestion in the north and west, and no reduction in the centre or south.

The third geographic issue relates to the area south of Auckland. Fully half of New Zealand’s population (roughly 2½ million) lives north of Taupō, around a million outside of Auckland. Only 180,000 of those live in Northland. Currently businesses serving the upper North Island have the choice of two ports each roughly 120km from Hamilton, and competition helps keep freight prices reasonable.

Shifting one of them 150km further away over the other side of Auckland would effectively reduce their options to one, and undoubtedly increase their costs.

It simply makes no sense to spend billions of dollars to reduce the competitiveness of Auckland and the upper North Island in this way.

Northland definitely needs infrastructure investment. It was shamefully ignored for decades. The last government started with the four-laning of State Highway 1 to Warkworth (under construction) and Wellsford (currently abandoned). There was the much-maligned replacement of one-way bridges – four of which have been or are being built, and upgrades to the highways north of Whangārei.

The infrastructure required in Northland doesn’t rely on the excuse of an ill-conceived plan to shift Auckland’s port. The most significant project, the four-laning of State Highway 1 to Whangārei needs to happen anyway, especially through the vulnerable choke points of Dome Valley and Te Hana. Building that over the next 10 years would unlock massive development opportunities for all of Northland, just as the Waikato Expressway has done for its region.

So I have a suggestion. Let’s re-start the Northland expressway project and maybe even start shifting the Navy up to Whangārei (which has far fewer ramifications for the wider economy). Let’s build the third main railway line at Wiri, sort out the Grafton interchange with the current port, and crack on with a third harbour crossing. Then come back and talk about the port again in a decade’s time. There is a lot to get on with now without this hugely expensive poorly argued diversion.

* Steven Joyce is a former Minister of Finance.

Steven Joyce is a former minister in the last National government.

STUFF

Steven Joyce is a former minister in the last National government.

Share196Tweet123Share49
usiscc

usiscc

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Antonov An-225 Mriya: world’s largest cargo plane, history, details

Antonov An-225 Mriya: world’s largest cargo plane, history, details

April 15, 2020
These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

April 15, 2020
‘Significant opportunity’ in Asia as supply chain integrates, consolidates

‘Significant opportunity’ in Asia as supply chain integrates, consolidates

January 3, 2020
These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

0
Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 2016–2024 – ZMR News Reports

Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 2016–2024 – ZMR News Reports

0
PHOTOS: Ottawa firefighters respond to warehouse fire

PHOTOS: Ottawa firefighters respond to warehouse fire

0
These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

These inventory trackers will notify you when hard-to-find items are back in stock

April 15, 2020
Antonov An-225 Mriya: world’s largest cargo plane, history, details

Antonov An-225 Mriya: world’s largest cargo plane, history, details

April 15, 2020
Copperstate Farms Launches International Cannabis Brand DNA Genetics in Arizona Market

Copperstate Farms Launches International Cannabis Brand DNA Genetics in Arizona Market

April 14, 2020
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 United States International Supply Chain Commission (usiscc.org)

No Result
View All Result
  • Supply Chain
  • Logistics
  • Warehousing
  • Procurement
  • Shipping
  • More
    • Strategic Sourcing
    • Spend Analysis
    • Inventory
    • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 United States International Supply Chain Commission (usiscc.org)

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT