Log yard expansion to begin in January

Log yard expansion to begin in January

Eastland Group chief executive Matt Todd announced today that construction work to expand Eastland Ports upper log yard by 1.3 hectares will begin in January 2015.

Mr Todd says the $12 million contract has been awarded to Downer and activity is already underway to prepare the port for the expected six months of construction ahead.

The multimillion dollar project will take the upper log yards footprint from 2.2 to 3.5 hectares, improving operations significantly for forestry customers, and taking the total log storage area on port to 12.2 hectares.

The changes will also improve aesthetics for nearby residents, and reduce potential issues such as noise and dust.

A four metre by six metre earth wall will be built around the perimeter of the site and planted with natives. Weve had extensive consultation with landscape architects to ensure anything planted is what Captain James Cook and Joseph Banks would have seen on Titirangi Hill when they sailed into the bay. An internal fence will be entirely screened by the thousands of trees we plant, says Mr Todd.

The upper log yard expansion project is part of Eastland Groups ten-year development plan and is one of the companys biggest investments since it bought the port. Log export volumes have grown from 350,000 tonnes in 2005 to 2.3 million tonnes in 2014.

Log export volumes have been maximised under the ports current footprint and configuration, and forestry is an industry that continues to grow, providing opportunity and employment for our whole region. Right now, we have 95,000 tonne storage capacity on site. The expansion of the upper log yard will allow for an extra 15,000 tonnes.

The flow-on effects are substantial. Forestry companies will require more workers, the port will need to increase its staff, and trucking companies will need more drivers generally speaking, for every new job in the forestry industry three other jobs are created in the local economy.

Eastland Port Manager, Andrew Gaddum, says Downer will start work as soon as possible to make the most of the summer months.

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Log yard expansion to begin in January