Stratford–Okahukura Line, IwiRail and other Proposed Lines
Harriet Gale made this Official Information request to KiwiRail
The request was successful.
From: Harriet Gale
Dear KiwiRail,
Hope your day is going well :)
1. IwiRail
IwiRail proposes "Connecting Gisborne to the East Coast Main Trunkline in Kawerau" which I assume is similar to the 1920s proposal.
a) Do any estimates exist on what this would cost to build?
b) If so any details on potential alignment?
Napier - Gisborne Section
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the Napier - Gisborne Section?
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to upgrade a reopened Napier - Gisborne Section for Hi-Cubes?
Stratford–Okahukura Line
a) Does KiwiRail have any desire to reopen the Stratford–Okahukura Line?
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the Stratford–Okahukura Line to a basic standard?
c) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the Stratford–Okahukura Line to a higher standard such as NIMT (Not including electrification)
d) If the Stratford–Okahukura Line was reopened to a basic or high standard would it be useful for KiwiRail for Taranaki - Auckland/Waikato/Bay of Plenty freight or would the Marton–New Plymouth line still be preferred?
Taupo Branch Line
a. Does KiwiRail have any desire to build a Taupo Branch Line?
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a Taupo Branch Line?
c) If so any details on potential alignment?
Nelson–Blenheim Line
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a Nelson-Blenheim Branch Line?
b) If so any details on potential alignment?
Paeroa-Pokeno railway line
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a Paeroa-Pokeno Line?
Yours faithfully,
Harriet Gale
From: OCU
KiwiRail
Good afternoon Harriet,
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 28 August 2017.
This calculation takes into account KiwiRail receiving your request
outside normal business hours.
We will be in touch with you if it is necessary to clarify any aspect of
your request.
Regards,
Official Correspondence Unit
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From: OCU
KiwiRail
Dear Harriet
We refer to your request for information dated 28 July 2017, received by
KiwiRail on 31 July 2017, in which you ask for:
“Iwi Rail
IwiRail proposes Connecting Gisborne to the East Coast Main trunkline in
Kawerau which I assume is similar to the 1920’s proposal.
a) Do any estimates exist on what this would cost to build?
b) If so any details on potential alignment?
Napier-Gisborne Section
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the
Napier-Gisborne Section?
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to upgrade a
reopened Napier-Gisborne Section for Hi-Cubes?
Stratford-Okahukura Line
a) Does KiwiRail have any desire to reopen the Stratford-Okahukura
Line?
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the
Stratford-Okahukura Line to a basic standard?
c) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the
Stratford-Okahukura Line to higher standard such as NIMT (not including
electrification)
d) If the Stratford-Okahukura line was reopened to a basic or high
standard would it be useful for KiwiRail for Taranaki-Auckland/Waikato/Bay
of Plenty freight or would the Marton-New Plymouth line still be
preferred?
Taupo Branch Line
a) Does KiwiRail have any desire to build a Taupo Branch Line?
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a Taupo
Branch Line?
c) If so any details on potential alignment?
Nelson-Blenheim Line
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a
nelson-Blenheim Branch Line?
b) If so any details on potential alignment?
Paeroa-Pokeno Railway Line
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a
Paeroa-Pokeno Line?”
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act) and we respond as follows:
Iwi Rail
IwiRail proposes Connecting Gisborne to the East Coast Main trunkline in
Kawerau which I assume is similar to the 1920’s proposal.
a) Do any estimates exist on what this would cost to build?
No
b) If so any details on potential alignment?
There are no existing plans on any potential alignment.
Napier-Gisborne Section
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the
Napier-Gisborne Section?
The Napier Gisborne route has been reviewed in relation to reopening and
estimates are being developed for this. KiwiRail is not undertaking work
to repair or upgrade the Wairoa to Gisborne section of the Napier-Gisborne
Line.
At present there is, prospectively, demand for forestry freight services
on the Wairoa to Napier section.
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to upgrade a
reopened Napier-Gisborne Section for Hi-Cubes?
No.
Stratford-Okahukura Line
a) Does KiwiRail have any desire to reopen the Stratford-Okahukura
Line?
No, however if in future opportunities arise to make the line viable, then
KiwiRail may reconsider this position. Currently it is used for hi-rail
tourism.
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the
Stratford-Okahukura Line to a basic standard?
No.
c) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to reopen to the
Stratford-Okahukura Line to higher standard such as NIMT (not including
electrification)
No.
d) If the Stratford-Okahukura line was reopened to a basic or high
standard would it be useful for KiwiRail for Taranaki-Auckland/Waikato/Bay
of Plenty freight or would the Marton-New Plymouth line still be
preferred?
This would be dependent on a number of factors including commercial and
customer requirements, at the time of writing KiwiRail is unable to advise
which line would be preferred, but on the face of it, it is likely we
would prefer the Marton-New Plymouth line.
Taupo Branch Line
a) Does KiwiRail have any desire to build a Taupo Branch Line?
No, however if in future opportunities arise to make the line viable, then
KiwiRail may reconsider this position.
b) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a Taupo
Branch Line?
No
c) If so any details on potential alignment?
There are no existing plans on any potential alignment.
Nelson-Blenheim Line
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a
nelson-Blenheim Branch Line?
No
b) If so any details on potential alignment?
There are no existing plans on any potential alignment.
Paeroa-Pokeno Railway Line
a) Do any estimates exist on how much it would cost to build a
Paeroa-Pokeno Line?
No
If, in the future, the demand for freight/passenger services is present in
commercial quantities and customers are prepared to pay commercial rates,
KiwiRail may reassess the above situations on a case by case basis.
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.parliament.nz for more information.
Regards,
Official Correspondence Unit
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From: OCU
Sent: Tuesday, 1 August 2017 12:22 p.m.
To: [FOI #6295 email]
Subject: Official Information Act request
Good afternoon Harriet,
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 28 August 2017.
This calculation takes into account KiwiRail receiving your request
outside normal business hours.
We will be in touch with you if it is necessary to clarify any aspect of
your request.
Regards,
Official Correspondence Unit
[3]Description: Description: Description: Description: KiwiRail Logo email
Backbone of integrated transport networks
Please consider the environment before printing
show quoted sections
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Keith Burton left an annotation ()
Harriet, it doesn't sound like KiwiRail have any firm plans for any of their mothballed lines. I believe Stratford to Taumarnui should converted to a cycle ride. These rides are really invigorating touristism in remote areas with lots of positive benefit.
How we wrestle the line off Kiwirail is the big question. I'm going to approach Kiwirail directly to see if there's any decision pending in the next few years.
Cheers
Keith
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