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Bayleys Research
MARSDEN POINT INDUSTRIAL SPRING 2006MARSDEN POINT GROWTHThe Marsden Point/Ruakaka area has traditionally been a rural farming area with several coastal settlements. Marsden Point is approximately 140km north of the Auckland CBD on New Zealand’s east coast and at the entrance to the Whangarei Harbour. This is 1 hour 45 minutes driving time from Auckland, which will be shortened by some 10 to 15 minutes with the completion of the $359 million Alpurt B2 motorway extension in late 2008. The industrial area at Marsden Point is 30km from downtown Whangarei, approximately 25 minutes driving time. Marsden Point began its growth in 1965 with the construction of the oil refinery. The refinery was upgraded in 1985 and is conducting a $25 million expansion study to be completed in early 2007. If undertaken, the expansion is expected to result in investment valued near $500 million. Crude oil is imported from the Middle East and Taranaki fields and approximately one-third of the refinery’s output travels 170km by dedicated pipeline to Wiri in Auckland. An extension line carries aviation fuel directly to Auckland International Airport. The refinery produces 70% of New Zealand’s petrol and diesel and 80% of its road bitumen. The refinery currently employs 350 people with another 100 contract staff.
In June 2000 the Northland Port Corporation began investment adjacent to the refinery in New Zealand’s newest and deepest port: Marsden Point. The Port Company now owns 185 hectares (ha) of port zoned land and some 159ha of surrounding industrial zoned land, including more than 30ha of reclaimed land. The Port has a strategic relationship and throughput agreement with Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) to export timber via Marsden Point. With the beginning of significantharvesting of the Northland forests in 2007 this is expected to lead to forestry and timber activity at Marsden Point. In addition to the main Marsden Point Highway, a purpose built heavy-vehicle road connecting State Highway 1 to the port, the local regulatory bodies and local businesses continue to lobby the national rail organisation ONTRACK to proceed with designation and construct the Marsden Point rail spur. A preferred route for this track has been identified and passes between the North Gate development and a proposed new town centre before entering the Port. Northland Regional Council publicly pressed ONTRACK, in June 2006, to move forward with plans for the railroad. Bayleys Research believes most landowners in the area are committed to seeing this connection occur. ONTRACK is reported to be supportive of the project and determining an appropriate funding structure for the 16km link. |
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