Designer backs Whakatū lobby's opposition to inland port

Whakatū designer David Trubridge says he's against the inland port plan for the settlement. Photo / File

International designer David Trubridge says plans to develop a 12ha inland port at Whakatū shows "disregard" to the settlement's residents - "this would never happen in Havelock North".

In July the Government announced that it is set to spend $20 million to build the

inland port on port-owned land on Anderson Rd which is part of Napier Port's 30-Year Master Plan.

Trubridge, whose acclaimed design company is based in the suburb, said if the community believed the port plan was a threat to their quality of life, "then I am all behind them.

"The situation right now, with the existing truck traffic, outrageously disregards the people who live here," Trubridge said.

The red outline on the photograph indicates the area where the Whakatū inland port will be at Whakatū between Napier and Hastings. Photo / File

"Any increase in traffic whatsoever would be unacceptable. Whakatū village is a residential zone and all trucks should be routed away from it onto the motorway. Why otherwise was it built?"

He said there should be no through heavy traffic along Railway Rd and Station Rd.

"Access to SH2 should be closed to all but local light traffic. Why was Groome Place not connected to the new motorway so that all the T&G trucks don't have to go through all their gears right next to rows of houses where families live?

"This would never happen in Havelock North so why are the people of Whakatū treated with such disregard?"

Members of the Whakatū community opposed to the developments have established E Tu Whakatū Committee, to help in what it claims is a "David and Goliath" battle.

Committee chairwoman Karen Mata said the community was waiting on plans from the port and was looking at what consents needed so the committee could oppose it.

She said the primary concerns were potential noise pollution, light pollution, air pollution, an increase of road use affecting the roads and safety, and having "a 24/7 operation" in the area.

"They say they will create jobs, that's good, but at what cost to our community, our children and grandchildren?

"Placing another large industrial business into this area would be catastrophic to the residents and the environment. Industrial overkill has adversely affected the residential growth of our community already."

The committee was in the process of creating a petition against the port but did not feel it was in a position to take legal action. It said it was waiting on plans from the port and is looking at what consents they need so the committee can oppose this.

A Napier Port spokesperson said it has "a strong track record" of working with stakeholders to "protect community interests" and "both mitigating against and managing for different areas of concern such as noise, light, water and traffic."

The Whakatū community have a range of concerns about the inland port and have elected a committee to advocate their concerns. Photo / Supplied

The port preferred the site as it is the heart of the regional pip fruit industry, has direct rail and road connections to the port and the lower North Island and is located in the Whakatū industrial zone.

A Hawke's Bay Regional Council spokesperson said the concerns of the group "are all valid" and will be worked through in turn by the port and district council as well as the regional council to resolve any issues relate to land and water use.

Yet council chairman James Palmer said the council rejected suggestions it had failed residents, and claimed while there was room for improvement in stormwater management, it had worked with Hastings District Council to create "much stronger policies and rules."

Council manager consents, Malcolm Miller, said while no consents have been lodged for the proposal, council had discussions with the port on what is required.

"The only consent identified as needed from us is a consent for the stormwater discharge from the site. There is in fact a consent already issued for the part of the site and for adjacent sites but we see the need to replace this and set it up for the area and purpose that is proposed."

The committee will be chaired by Karen Mata. Photo / Supplied

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said: "Regional leaders have agreed to undertake a regional spatial plan to manage transport and rail movements across the region to the port, and identify areas of future growth and development – and most importantly protect our fertile plains."

Mata said there was no consultation and the community was "shocked" when they found out.

A Napier Port spokesperson said it was always planning to undertake consultation with stakeholders including the community, but the fast-tracked government funding initiatives which the port applied for, meant project timelines have been brought forward.

The port said the Government funding announcement came unexpectedly and it had since apologised to the community for any shock and frustration it caused.

Separate lobby group, Save Our Plains, had earlier raised concerns about the plan, claiming the port should not be built on productive and fertile soil.