The Southern Link inland port proposal in North Taieri has been referred by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop for a fast-tracked consenting process.
The referral was positive, and significant work had been put into compiling information to clear that hurdle, Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders said.
"The substantive application is a step up from that again, so that's what we're working on at the moment," he said.
"Ultimately, we just want to be in a position where we can clearly articulate the rationale for the project and have the appropriate documentation, just like you would do for a normal plan change or resource consent."
All going well, consent would be granted so early, next year the project could "have boots on the ground and be spending money" in the local economy, he said.
The Southern Link inland port proposal has been described comprehensively on the fast-track approvals website.
It is a 50:50 joint venture between Port Otago’s Chalmers Property company and Dynes Transport Tapanui and has been presented as a logistics solution for the lower South Island’s containerised exporters and importers.
It would enable more efficient, resilient and cost-effective handling of containerised freight passing through Port Otago, the application to Mr Bishop for referral to the fast-track process said.
The inland port, or logistics hub, would also enable a shift from road to rail for freight to Port Otago.
Construction would proceed in stages.
Mr Winders said the project was critical for the port.
"We're becoming constrained at the port.
"There's no industrial land of scale in Dunedin and everyone's drifted out to Mosgiel and we're fortunate enough to acquire the land we've got," he said.
The project would bring resilience to the supply chain, Mr Winders said.
"And it's up to us now to put the best case forward."
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said mana whenua, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail supported the referral.
The inland port became a prominent consideration when the city council and Otago Regional Council produced their future development strategy (FDS) last year.
"The FDS notes that freight transport is a significant issue for Dunedin, and that increasing the proportion of freight moved by rail would have significant benefits in terms of efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, road safety and amenity," Mr Radich said.
Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairman Andrew Simms said the project was one of Dunedin’s most exciting economic development opportunities for many years.
"There are large tracts of flat industrial land available close to the North Taieri location for the inland port and I would expect to quickly see new enterprises emerge ... which is precisely what we need for our future."
Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms operated next to the logistics park site.
"It can be expected that several other significant players will also relocate to the area once the inland port is established," Mr Simms said.
Project elements:
— A rail siding to enable a rail freight shuttle service to Port Chalmers and the wider rail network
— Up to 80,000sqm of high stud warehousing, chilled and ambient
— A truck canopy and unloading area
— A 5ha container depot facility
— Up to 5ha of container terminal for storage of full containers, including up to 1500 refrigerated container charging ports
— Road widening and upgrades to the Dukes Rd rail crossing
— Storage for goods that cannot be packed into standard shipping containers
