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 Port’s 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 yard’s 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. We’ve 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 Group’s ten-year development plan and is one of the company’s 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 port’s 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.

Fertiliser storage sheds and other buildings on the site have already been removed in preparation, along with other buildings.

“This area will be levelled and a special base put down to ensure a solid footing for the tonnes of future logs to be stored there. The redevelopment of the site includes a world class storm water treatment system which is another significant benefit of the investment, says Mr Gaddum.

“The upper log yard will be closed for the duration of the construction period so there will certainly be an impact on day to day operations. The next six months will require a greater level of shipping coordination to ensure that log storage time is minimised and through-put is maximised. We’ll be working with our customers to reduce the inconvenience of having this log yard out of service, however it is likely the Matawhero log yard will need to be used for peak volumes over the period.

“This is a major construction project right in the centre of Gisborne city so there may be disruption to traffic and inconvenience to people in the area. Right now, we’re working flat out to get this project up and running, and we’ll work closely with Downer to do everything possible to minimise the impact on the city.”

“The project will require significant local resource to complete in the tight timeframe, meaning a large portion of the money spent will go back into the local economy. We look forward to working with Downer and its subcontractors to ensure the safe and successful completion of this significant regional project,” adds Mr Gaddum.

ENDS

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