The Environment Court has granted consents for Northport’s plans for expansion at Marsden Point, bringing to a conclusion more than a decade of design, consultation and negotiation.
This latest raft of consents enables the port to realise its vision for a dedicated container handling, storage and logistics facility to support economic growth and supply chain resilience in Northland and the Upper North Island.
Northland-based National Road Carriers Association Chairman Ian Newey says the approval for the expansion of Northport is a major breakthrough for the Northland economy. NRC appeared at the Environment Court hearing in support of the application.
The consents have a 35-year term and a 20-year lapse period, giving Northport flexibility to plan expansion around projected freight demand.
“Timing will be a matter for Northport Group Limited’s Board to consider once the business case stacks up,” said Northport Chief Executive Jon Moore.
“The court’s ruling allows us to plan for the future with a greater degree of certainty than we’ve had until now, and to focus on driving the business to the point at which we can take a firm proposal to the Board.”
The Environment Court’s decision will enable Northport to support the Upper North Island freight demand well into the future. The port has said consistently that expansion would boost the economic wellbeing of not only Northland but also Auckland, the Upper North Island and New Zealand as a whole.
Northport followed the Resource Management Act consenting pathway for the entirety of the process.
“We committed at the outset to engage fully with all groups with an interest in this project and, wherever possible, to adapt our plans to accommodate any concerns,” Mr Moore said.
“It’s a source of great pride to the company and the highly professional team who worked on this project that we were able to honour this commitment, ultimately securing the understanding and support of the parties.
“We are grateful to Judge Smith and the Environment Court for giving us the time and guidance we all needed in order to reach this point.”
Mr Moore said the ruling reflected significant community support for the port expansion. Three-quarters of the 228 submissions were in favour of the expansion.
“It’s unusual for a project like this to garner so much positive support,” he said. “Our thanks go to everyone who took the time and trouble to make their voices heard.”
The development follows Northport’s announcement in August that Mr Moore would be retiring in June next year after 19 years in the role. He said granting of the consent was the ideal end-point for a maritime and port operations career that spanned 50 years.
