Export port vital for town ‘on cusp of mining boom’
As the Grey District Council evaluates the benefits of selling prime waterfront locations, its mayor said he opposed killing off the option of re-opening an export port.
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Hawke’s Bay
As the Grey District Council evaluates the benefits of selling prime waterfront locations, its mayor said he opposed killing off the option of re-opening an export port.
If the cash-strapped council accepts current offers on the land, that land cannot be reclaimed if an exporter later opts for coal to be shipped out rather than transported using rail.
However, councillors argued the $1.5 million sale would eliminate half of current port debt. This would go a long way towards their goal of wiping all port debt in the next few years.
Mayor Tony Kokshoom said the future port option must to be saved to protect the valuable coal industry.
“All our eggs are in one basket. If something went wrong with the rail line we’d have a huge problem. At the moment we can only get coal out through Lyttleton.
“We’re on the cusp of a mining boom. China and India are screaming for what we’ve got.”
The prospective buyer for two key waterfront sites plans to use it for a large-scale tourism operation.
“Tourism investment would be a huge capitalisation. That would be nice to happen but it has to be a mix. We’ve got to keep a port,” Mr Kokshoom said. The council has invited submissions from several stakeholders including Minerals West Coast, Tourism West Coast, Solid Energy, Roa Mine and gravel exporters.
It will make a decision in mid-July.
Victoria Young
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Tue, 28 Jun 2011
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Export port vital for town ‘on cusp of mining boom’
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