northland chamber

Northland Chamber Submission re - Marsden Rail Link

Submission to:

The Northland Regional Council.

Submission regarding:

Proposed Amendment in the Draft Annual Plan to the Northland Community Plan regarding the Marsden Rail link

NRC Application Number

Nil

Submission by:

The Northland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.

General Nature of Submission

In support of immediate action to designate and acquire land for the proposed Marsden Rail Link to the Deep Water Port

Decision sought from Regional Council

Looking for Regional Council to amend the LTCCP to release $3.34m to $10m funds to designate & acquire immediately the land required for the rail link in the first instance and begin a campaign to ensure Crown, Ontrack and Private Players to invest in the Designation / Purchase investment.

The Northland Chamber of Commerce

The Northland Chamber of Commerce currently has 340 financial members that employ the equivalent of 4000 full time employees.

Since 1903, the Northland Chamber of Commerce has served the needs of the Northland business community through its public policy and advocacy initiatives and its business development programs and services.

The Chamber also works to ensure that Northland has a business-friendly environment where all businesses can grow and prosper. With this, also comes paying close attention to the quality of life the region offers our members’ employees and families. The Chamber works to make a difference in Northland’s future and to help Northland grow.

The Northland Chamber of Commerce generally favour well researched development projects that add value to the economy, community and infrastructure of the region especially those projects that undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure that the community and environment are protected.

1. The Northland Chamber supports this application from an economic development perspective as one that will build Northlands Quality of Life. As far as Economic Development we feel the project will pay back by acting as the biggest catalyst for Development / Growth in the region.
2. From the Northland Chamber of Commerce survey with members carried out in 2006 one of the major roles that our members wanted to see was the encouragement of development projects and industry to the region and in particular the Development of the Rail Link as a priority for our Region.
3. In considering the Three Options outlined by the NRC proposed amendment the Northland Chamber of commerce favour Option 2 in the first instance followed quickly by the actions to ensure the other partners Crown and On track invest in the Project.
4. Although the cost of designating and acquiring property is high The Northland Chamber business community feel the long term risk to ratepayer’s funds is minimal as the investment can be recouped through the eventual selling of the land acquired should the project fail.
5. If the Project to Designate and Acquire land was amortized over a five year period the capital cost to each of the regions 80125 ratepayers would be .48c per week for $10m and .16c per week if partners contribute 66%
6. The Northland Chamber of Commerce believes that for projects like this to occur we need to be approaching Central Government and Agencies with a NORTHLAND INC. approach. This includes Regional & local Government, Industry and Business and advocacy groups all combining resources and speaking as one voice. The Northland Chamber commits to playing a pro-active role in lobbying and supporting the combined Northland Inc. approach when dealing with the Crown and its agencies.

Option one

Even though The Northland Chamber agree with the comment that Doing Nothing will not impact on NRCs Capacity to meet the present and future needs of the region in relation to any statutory responsibilities We believe that the LOST DEVELOPMENT opportunity will cost the region dearly in flow on development of the whole region.

Option 2 Designate & Acquire

Northland Chambers preferred option.

Designate / Acquire in the first instance

Then solicit crown / Ontrack

Our reasoning for this is we can ensure that the opportunity is not lost through third party reasons

Option 3 – Designate / Partnership with stakeholders

Option 3 would be the preferred option if option 2 was not acceptable to the ratepayer.

We would welcome the opportunity to be heard on this application

The Northland Chamber of Commerce is Northland’s Premier Business Advocacy, Networking, Education and Marketing Group. The chamber is part of a nationwide group of 30 Chambers of Commerce and 22000 globally.

Jeff Smith Chief Executive Officer Northland Chamber of Commerce 3-5 Hunt Street Whangarei 09-4384771 info@northchamber.co.nz