Eastland Port looking to expand to handle more logs
A PROJECTED JUMP IN THE NUMBER OF LOGS THAT WILL FLOW across the wharf at Eastland Port has prompted it to look at plans to expand.
Port General Manager, Andrew Gaddum, says it can handle the current 2.9 million tonnes of wood per year “but with a predicted 5 million tonnes of wood coming by 2024, we need to make some changes”.
Mr Gaddum says the biggest issues facing the port are a lack of wharf length and space for logs and other cargo. The only way to move more wood off the port faster is to load two large ships at once.
“We need to make the wharves stronger and longer so two 200m long ships can be loaded at the same time,” he says.
“Finding space is a real challenge. We’ve looked at many options and we’ve become more efficient by doing things like doubling our ship loading rates and stacking wood more efficiently.
“But it’s not enough. We think the only reasonable answer is a small amount of land reclamation. At this stage, we believe that might be around 1.5ha in behind wharf 8 and the seawall.
“Once two ships can berth at wharf 8 simultaneously, we will need extra area to load from, and more space to store the logs ready for export.
Eastland Port plans to make its first application for resource consent to rebuild wharf 6, strengthen a portion of the river training wall, and reshape the slipway, in July. The second application, next year will be to extend wharf 8, required reclamation, breakwater repairs and dredging.
A number of Eastland Port structures involved in the redevelopment require refurbishment regardless of the second berth development.
“The port is a regionally significant transport asset for this district and so to do nothing is not an option,” says Mr Gaddum.
“We need to make capital improvements to ensure the port continues to provide the services we all need now and into the future.
“Forestry production injects $262 million into the area and that’s only going to increase. The port has a duty to ensure it is fit-forpurpose.
“More than one in four households in this region has a person whose job is dependent on forestry. Be it a faller, truck driver, diesel mechanic, shop owner, contractor, accountant – thousands benefit from forestry and everyone else benefits from the money that they spend.”
The port anticipates that there will be some in the community who will not be happy with the planned expansion, even though it is aiming to make it as environmentally friendly as possible.
Mr Gaddum says the challenge will be to balance the responsibility the port has helping ensure regional economic growth, alongside concerns other people may have. It will be consulting with Mãori and neighbouring residents and businesses over the plans and explain how it will mitigate the development.
Among proposals by the port is how it can enhance the marine habitat available to species such as rock lobster.
“There is opportunity to create further artificial habitat as part of our developments,” says Mr Gaddum.
The port is also looking for ways to reduce its environmental footprint with the recent addition of the upper log yard rain garden helping remove sediment and slow down storm water before it flows into the port’s filter plant and then into Kopuawhakapata Stream.
NZL