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Negotiations with property owners in lower Northland are under way to buy land for a proposed $100 million-plus railway line to Marsden Pt.
A four-member team engaged by the Northland Regional Council is negotiating with about 20 Bream Bay property owners whose land is required for a new 16km rail link to run between Oakleigh, south of Whangarei, and the deep-water port at Marsden Point.
The land involved is currently a mix of farm and commercial property.
The regional council is working with national rail operator Ontrack.
Council chief executive Ken Paterson says an estimate of how much it is likely to cost to buy the land and properties needed for the line will not be made public yet so as not to prejudice future negotiations.
In some cases, only a small part of a larger property is needed.
The negotiating team is led by Northland farm accountant Peter Byers and includes Whangarei lawyer Andrew Golightly and two valuers.
The council believes a rail link to Marsden Point is vital because of the contribution the fast-growing Bream Bay area makes to the regional economy through its port and other businesses.
An $800,000 feasibility study on the proposed link, undertaken four years ago, found its development would help reduce forestry-related log traffic and congestion problems on Northland roads.