Good morning Alan

 

We acknowledge receipt of the below Official Information Act 1982 request.

 

Under the Act, KiwiRail has up to 20 working days from the date of
receiving your request to respond.  Therefore, you can expect a response
on or before Monday 8 August 2016.

 

We note that you have also submitted this request under the Save Our Rail
Northland email address which we acknowledged earlier today.  To avoid any
doubt, we intend to provide the same response to both email addresses.  

 

We will be in touch with you if it is necessary to clarify any aspect of
your request.

 

Kind regards

Louise

 

Louise Jago | Communications Co-ordinator

Ph: +64-4-498 3372 (internal extn 43372) | Fax: +64-4-473 1589 | Mob:
+64-027 407 1718
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO
Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

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Dear Mr Preston

 

We are writing in response to your Official Information Act 1982 request
dated 13 July 2016 requesting information on the status of the Dargaville
Branch Line.  Your questions and KiwiRail’s responses are outlined below:

 

“What type of rail-based vehicle (s) are currently using the Dargaville
Branch Line?

Rail carts, or draisine as they are also known, currently use the
Dargaville Branch Line.

 

Who are these vehicles operated by?

The rail carts are operated by Port Dargaville Rail and River Limited.

 

What is the period of contract for right of use of the line?

This information is commercially sensitive and has been withheld under
section 9 (2)(b)(ii) of the Act.

What section of track are these vehicles using (i.e.)

Between what point of origin and what destination are these vehicles
running?

Port Dargaville Rail and River Limited run rail carts on the track between
Tangowahine (near Tangowahine Settlement Road) and Dargaville (near Edward
Street, Daragville).

How frequently are rail-based vehicles (if any) using the Dargaville
Branch Line?

KiwiRail does not hold this information.

 

Could these vehicles continue to operate if KiwiRail freight / passenger
services were to recommence on the Dargaville Branch Line?

No. Passenger services and rail carts could not share the Dargaville
Branch Line because there isn’t capacity for both vehicles to operate on
the track simultaneously.   

 

What provisions would have to be made?

Please see above.

What tonnage (if any) is being carried on the Dargaville Branch Line now.
(July 2016)

No tonnage is carried on the Dargaville Branch Line at present.

What tonnage was being carried at the time of closure?

The Dargaville Branch Line has not closed. However, no commercial services
have operated on the line since a derailment caused significant damage to
the track in July 2014. Prior to the derailment, 30-40,000 tonnes were
carried across the line annually.

How is that freight now being transported?

KiwiRail does not hold this information.

What type of freight (if any) is currently being carried on the Dargaville
Branch Line?          

No freight is carried on the Dargaville Branch Line at present.

 

What type of freight that was being carried on the Dargaville Branch Line
at time of discontinuation of service?

At the time that the freight service discontinued in 2014, the Dargaville
Branch Line carried pulp logs to the Portland Mill.

 

What significant repairs or improvements have been or are being carried
out on the Dargaville Branch Line?

No repair or improvement work is being undertaken on the Dargaville Branch
Line at present. KiwiRail has not undertaken a comprehensive review of the
cost of repairs on the Dargaville Branch line. A preliminary estimate
indicates that the cost would be in the region of several million as a
large section of track requires upgrading including sleepers and track
infrastructure.

 

What is the makeup of maintenance crews operating along the Dargaville
Branch Line (if any)?

At present, there are no maintenance crews operating on the Dargaville
Branch Line. Prior to Port Dargaville Rail and River Limited leasing the
line, a two man maintenance crew undertook maintenance activities to
improve rail joint condition and performed rail break repairs. In
addition, a structures gang undertook work on the timber rail bridges.

 

Has any part of the infrastructure on the Dargaville Branch been removed?

No infrastructure has been removed from the Dargaville Branch Line.

Is there any plan to remove any part of the infrastructure within the rail
corridor - or to relinquish ownership of any part of the rail corridor?
                                                         

No. KiwiRail has no current plans to remove infrastructure within the rail
corridor or to relinquish ownership.

What is the likely future of freight services on the Dargaville Branch
Line?

KiwiRail is not closing the Dargaville Branch line. Freight services
could resume in the future if demand for freight services makes it viable
and commercial agreements can be put in place.

 

What is the estimated cost of bringing the Dargaville Branch Line up to
the required standard to enable recommencement of freight services? ”

KiwiRail has not undertaken a comprehensive review of the cost of repairs
on the Dargaville Branch line. However, a preliminary estimate indicates
that the cost would be in the region of several million as a large section
of track requires upgrading including sleepers and track infrastructure.

 

Under s28(3) of the Act, you have the right to seek an investigation and
review of this response by way of complaint to the Ombudsman.  Refer to
[1]www.ombudsman.govt.nz for more information.

 

Regards

Louise

 

Louise Jago | Communications Co-ordinator

Ph: +64-4-498 3372 (internal extn 43372) | Fax: +64-4-473 1589 | Mob:
+64-027 407 1718
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO
Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

[2]Description: KiwiRail Logo email

Backbone of integrated transport networks

 

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From: Louise Jago
Sent: Wednesday, 13 July 2016 11:34 a.m.
To: '[FOI #4242 email]'
Subject: RE: Official Information request - 20160711 To KiwiRail from Save
Our Rail Northland: Official Information Act Request for update on the
status of the Dargaville Branch Line

 

Good morning Alan

 

We acknowledge receipt of the below Official Information Act 1982 request.

 

Under the Act, KiwiRail has up to 20 working days from the date of
receiving your request to respond.  Therefore, you can expect a response
on or before Monday 8 August 2016.

 

We note that you have also submitted this request under the Save Our Rail
Northland email address which we acknowledged earlier today.  To avoid any
doubt, we intend to provide the same response to both email addresses.  

 

We will be in touch with you if it is necessary to clarify any aspect of
your request.

 

Kind regards

Louise

 

Louise Jago | Communications Co-ordinator

Ph: +64-4-498 3372 (internal extn 43372) | Fax: +64-4-473 1589 | Mob:
+64-027 407 1718
Level 4, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO
Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

[3]Description: Description: KiwiRail Logo email

Backbone of integrated transport networks

 

Please consider the environment before printing

 

 

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