Port Consent

19 December 2011

RESOURCE CONSENT LODGED FOR UPPER YARD LOG

The multi-million dollar upper log yard development at Eastland Port is another step closer with the lodging of the project's resource consent with Gisborne District Council.

It has been two years in the preparation stage, with a particular focus on design and consultation, and port general manager Andrew Gaddum says he's pleased to see it take the next big step.

“We have worked hard and tried to be completely upfront and transparent with the residents to ensure their concerns are met,” he says.

Part of the process has also been a cultural assessment of the impact the project is likely to have on the historic area.

The upper log yard development will give Eastland Port another 1.5 hectares of general storage, meaning capacity for another 15,000 tonnes of logs at any one time – all up, that could mean an extra 150,000 tonnes a year.

Mr Gaddum says the expansion is critical to the on-going success of the port.

“It's definitely an essential part of our 10-year development programme,” he says. The project includes the removal of the fertiliser storage sheds, the levelling of the 2.9 hectare site , the laying of a special pavement for logs, a new storm water system and the addition of a native tree and landscaped 4-metre high by 6-metre wide earth wall.

A hearing is expected in February.