|
|
Post by Cantab on Mar 3, 2023 6:44:28 GMT 12
Access to Northland almost needs it own thread. So the railway line is completely munted too. Apparently they just finished upgrading it so that larger / heavier trains could use it, 17 tonne axel loads. The first train ran on the 27th Jan, then we had the Anniversary weekend floods... Line wont be open until winter at the earliest. Just when you need to relieve pressure on munted roads from heavy freight, well, yeah. I'm buggered if I know how to move freight out of Northland. Other than the local producers, our only fuel import terminal is north of the Brynderwyns... Here's hoping those gas pipelines are still in one piece. Images shot by a drone show the extent of a massive slip blocking the rail line between Auckland and Northland. The rail link to the rest of the country has been hit by 50 slips in total and will be out of action until winter. KiwiRail chief operating officer Siva Sivapakkiam said the slips between Swanson and Whangārei were caused by the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods, Cyclone Gabrielle and further heavy rain on February 24. The biggest slip has smothered a section of track between Helensville and Wellsford beneath four to five metres of mud. www.stuff.co.nz/national/300820218/in-pictures-massive-slip-wipes-out-rail-line-between-auckland-and-northlandThe local mp, labor, has said Sh1 doesn't need upgrading now, despite promising to during election campaign. She now says rail is the answer with a spur to Marsden. Her transport strategy revolves around existing Sh1, rail and rail spur All three of them are out of action or don't exist. Out of touch with reality and ineffective. |
|
|
|
Post by armchairadmiral on Mar 3, 2023 7:20:57 GMT 12
You get the pollies you deserve ! 50% of NZ who voted Labour are out of touch with reality hence a Govt.that is out of touch with reality. You couldn't write a fairy story that is as disconnected. And help me - is there any hope for the next 5years ? Sometimes Luxon sounds like Hipkins when he's talking
|
|
|
|
Post by fish on Mar 3, 2023 10:34:17 GMT 12
You get the pollies you deserve ! 50% of NZ who voted Labour are out of touch with reality hence a Govt.that is out of touch with reality. You couldn't write a fairy story that is as disconnected. And help me - is there any hope for the next 5years ? Sometimes Luxon sounds like Hipkins when he's talking I voted for Labour, twice. Slow learner. But remember the alternative then was Judy Collins. Labour talked big. I'm still waiting for the 10,000 houses. The biggest issue is the bait and switch. I was speaking to a Council contractor the other day who actually thought Chris Luxon was Todd Muller. Cause they are both bald white guys. He thought the current leader lasted 5 weeks, they put someone else in, then the one that had the meltdown got the job again. If you ever wanted an example of identity politics, that would be it. All bald white guys are the same person... |
|
|
|
Post by em on Mar 4, 2023 17:58:50 GMT 12
Seriously, how come: 1. Maritime NZ or OSH (or sone other busy-body regulator) issued an order to stop operating immediately? 2. People still book the thing (I understand freight is a necessity but surely no sane passenger would want to risk it)? A govt dept make a call that big...not seeing that happen. Maybe Rob Campbell needs to take over the Directors job. More die on the roads yet people continue to drive. The 'it wont happen to me' theory. Most ferries make it across fine, even late....days late. Besides after the last couple of ferries we've been on the Cook Strait ones look safe as houses. Whangarei and opua could take waterborne freight if that was a possibility . Trucking advocates will blow a head gasket at that suggestion but fear not , it’s not a possibility except in extreme emergency . Coming into Auckland the other day the barrier ferry came past us in rangi channel with a refrigerated truck onboard which got me thinking about northland and coromandel . If the need arose it could work in an emergency . |
|
|
|
Post by GO30 on Mar 5, 2023 3:39:03 GMT 12
Too true em.
We tend to focus on only very limited, often older school, craft/vehicle options and methods. NZ is a long skinny island so all is close to water.
I've been saying for ages why don't we put aside the big ferries that need big infrastructure and take a hard look at smaller options. The red barrier car ferry, why not build a fleet capable os say 10 truck and trailer units, make the roro's so than can use any decent boat launching ramp and for it.
Little infrastructure needed on land opening a myriad of 'ports' country wide. Save some roading costs, truck fuel and more. In an emergency a decent dozer an make a landing spot in hours or less. They would be super flexible. Just one on the Kaipara could service Helensville to Dargie and all inbetween. 2 circuits a day and that's a lot of kumera being moved.
Sure we'll still need the big ones and what costal shipping there is for volume between main cities.
Just needs a wee change of mindset and it could work real well.
|
|
|
|
Post by em on Mar 5, 2023 8:00:35 GMT 12
Actually BC has a very extensive fleet that of RORO ferries servicing the islands and coastal towns out of Vancouver
|
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Mar 5, 2023 13:54:11 GMT 12
Too true em. We tend to focus on only very limited, often older school, craft/vehicle options and methods. NZ is a long skinny island so all is close to water. I've been saying for ages why don't we put aside the big ferries that need big infrastructure and take a hard look at smaller options. The red barrier car ferry, why not build a fleet capable os say 10 truck and trailer units, make the roro's so than can use any decent boat launching ramp and for it. Little infrastructure needed on land opening a myriad of 'ports' country wide. Save some roading costs, truck fuel and more. In an emergency a decent dozer a make a landing spot in hours or less. They would be super flexible. Just one on the Kaipara could service Helensville to Dargie and all inbetween. 2 circuits a day and that's a lot of kumera being moved. Sure we'll still need the big ones and what costal shipping there is for volume between main cities. Just needs a wee change of mindset and it could work real well. That’s a v good point. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2023 16:20:11 GMT 12
fucked again www.interislander.co.nz/plan/service-alerts/Due to an engineering issue with Kaitaki, the vessel is being taken out of service. All passengers and vehicles booked on scheduled Kaitaki sailings today have been moved onto Kaiarahi and Aratere sailings. If you were booked to sail on the Kaitaki today you should have received a text and email with your new booking information. |
|
|
|
Post by jim on Mar 5, 2023 17:14:51 GMT 12
"The issue is unrelated to the Kaitaki losing power on 28 January." I'd love to visit their maintenance provider... wouldn't be surprised if it has been thinned out with a focus on cost savings like just about every other sector that we rely on. a well designed machine that is operated and maintained correctly doesn't break down.
|
|
|
|
Post by El Toro on Mar 6, 2023 9:18:30 GMT 12
The only viable other option is New Plymouth to Nelson.
Problem with anything further is the ships have no back load from South to North, so it doesnt stack up financially.
|
|
|
|
Post by jim on Mar 6, 2023 9:33:07 GMT 12
Weren't Talleys looking at wanganui to Motueka a few years back?
|
|
|
|
Post by fish on Mar 6, 2023 10:53:03 GMT 12
Weren't Talleys looking at wanganui to Motueka a few years back? Someone was, not sure if it was Talleys. And it was only a fast ferry for passengers and I think cars, no freight. I would have thought the base load revenue was freight myself. And don't htink it was Motueka. Probably Nelson. Getting into Motueka is a long and tortoise route that almost dries most of the time, highly tide dependent. There might have been talk of going to Port Tarakoe (Golden Bay), which isn't a bad port, but the road from there to anywhere is marginal at best. I'm not sure why a different route is needed. They just need to maintain the ships they have. Doesn't matter what route you have, if the ship doesn't sail the company doesn't get paid. Wonder how much revenue these guys have lost? Shame you can't get away with not paying the ferryman until you get to the other side. |
|
|
|
Post by jim on Mar 6, 2023 13:44:45 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by fish on Mar 6, 2023 19:51:36 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Fogg on Mar 6, 2023 20:24:59 GMT 12
Get the Chinese or Americans to build us a bridge. I’m sure Helen or Jacinda could arrange a hefty grant from their friends at the UN / World Bank.
|
|
