KiwiRail and Fonterra are celebrating a full return of rail volume in Northland, after the North Auckland Line was closed for 20 months by weather damage. The rail line reopened in September after $130 million in repairs. Since then, Fonterra has gradually increased its rail volume and is now loading 16 wagons a day from its factory in Kauri, just north of Whangārei. Each tonne of freight moved by rail results in a 70% reduction in carbon emissions compared to road transport, said Fonterra director Santiago Aon.
Auto Centre opens
The AA has opened a new Auto Centre on Dent St, Whangārei, after the city went more than a year without one. Chief mobility officer Jonathan Sergel says the community can now access the AA’s motoring service without driving a significant distance south towards Auckland.
Grant boost
Two Northland Māori economic development projects have received funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Te Kao will receive a $3 million grant to build a solar- and wind-powered microgrid connected to a community battery. Waimamaku will receive $1.3m to install solar power and batteries to multiple businesses and community facilities. Both projects will provide consistent and reliable power, and come after Waitangi Treaty Grounds received $10.2m from the same fund last year.
