LPC finalises purchase OF Rolleston inland hub site
LPC FINALISES purchase OF Rolleston inland HUB SITE
Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) has today (19 December) finalised purchase of a 27-hectare site in Jones Road, Rolleston, for the development of an inland hub.
“This will significantly strengthen LPC’s
position as the main freight gateway in the South Island,”
said LPC Chief Executive Peter Davie.
The Company’s new inland hub will be able to receive and deliver import and export containers, provide container storage and repairs and transfer containers between trucks and trains.
“Rolleston is an ideal location for our inland hub, with excellent road and rail connections providing a direct link to the 14 shipping lines and nine shipping services that call at Lyttelton. It is strategically located adjacent to the main south rail line that connects to the Lyttelton Container Terminal and CityDepot.
“The Rolleston
inland hub will provide significantly improved supply chain
efficiency, particularly for Central Canterbury importers
and exporters, and reduce the number of container trucks
moving through Christchurch City to Lyttelton.
“This is
a step change in container service for importers and
exporters in our region and for LPC’s business operations.
The inland hub will also support and strengthen Lyttelton
Port’s role as a vital link in international trade routes
and in the global transport network.”
The area purchased by LPC received Land Use Recovery Plan (LURP) approval by the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery on 18 November. This was followed by Selwyn District Council rezoning on 13 December which allows the area to be occupied by businesses. It also allows the use of a rail siding which will support the direct rail connection between Rolleston and Lyttelton Port.
LPC’s Rolleston site is adjacent to a large land block that has also been rezoned for business use. Warehouses and businesses along the shared boundary will be able to avoid taking containers on road by having a direct container exchange with the inland hub.
LPC’s Rolleston site will begin development
in the New Year and be fully operational with a rail service
early in 2016. Work is underway on commencing a non-rail
based service by mid 2015.
ends