THE PLAN to build a new drydock in New Zealand has advanced quickly, with its fast-track application accepted as complete by the Environmental Protection Authority.
Regional development minister Shane Jones says the application for the Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock project at Marsden Point will next be referred for consideration by an independent expert panel.
“This is another important milestone for the project. Clearing this first procedural step means an expert panel can now consider the application for this nationally and regionally significant piece of infrastructure,” Mr Jones said.
The floating drydock will be located next to the western edge of the existing Northport commercial area, within Whangārei Harbour. Modelling has indicated construction and operations could boost the economy by an additional NZ$1.05 billion over 38 years. It is also estimated an average of 1,700 jobs a year will be created during the three-year construction phase and 450 jobs during its operation.
“The Northland dry dock is an example of the concrete steps the government is taking to address New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, with Cabinet ring-fencing $100 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to see this important project progress,” Mr Jones said.
“A purpose-built facility capable of maintaining large vessels will deliver significant economic benefits for Northland and New Zealand, particularly once the new inter-island ferries we have secured are navigating our waters.”
New Zealand currently relies on access to overseas dry docks, including in Sydney and Singapore, for work on large vessels. Australia is similarly reliant, especially when Naval requirements take priority at Cockatoo Island, Sydney.
“A facility here would reduce transit costs and emissions, while improving the time vessels are available for service. It also means the money spent on servicing these large ships stays here in New Zealand and helps grow the economy,” Mr Jones said.
“The scale of this project means construction would provide a significant boost to Northland. Once operating, the dry dock is also expected to support hundreds of permanent jobs and deliver lasting economic benefits to the region.”
Progressing work on the Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock is part of the New Zealand First-National coalition agreement, the minister said.
Some have claimed the government’s support for the project is an election stunt, with the nation due to go to the polls on 7 November and early voting beginning on 26 October.
Opinion polls currently have the electorate on a knife-edge, with any major party likely to have to enter a coalition with one or more minority parties to form government.