Funding Support for New Rail Hub Welcome News

Rangitīkei District Council has received $9.1 million from the Government’s Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund for a new rail hub in Marton.

This key infrastructure development will support a debarking facility and forestry hub which makes the possibility of bio-forestry coming to our district a reality. The facility will also provide the ability to transport logs from Marton to North Island Ports.

Mayor Andy Watson said “This is a game-changer for our district – Marton was built as the rail junction in the North Island to service our agricultural sector, this now gives our district the opportunity to again grow. The idea of the rail hub has been more than three years in the making and I am thrilled the Government has recognised the opportunity this brings to us. Not only does this recognise the importance of funding key infrastructure in our small towns, but it will also provide jobs in our local community.”

Council will go through a resource consent process once the District Plan change has been completed, a decision on that change is imminent.