That was some of the messaging communicated via loud speakers at the Port Otago site yesterday during the opening of a new rail pad.
This competed with commentary from protesters intended for the ears of Minister for Rail Winston Peters and it was on a different subject — New Zealand’s lack of recognition for a Palestinian state.
Mr Peters, also the minister of foreign affairs, told port workers he was there to "join you for a Dunner stunner and not be over the fence with Dumb and Dumber".
After returning to his speech notes, Mr Peters said it was important to "invest in ourselves" and get rail back on track.
"Now growth and productivity don’t happen by chance — they happen by an unrepentant and unapologetic commitment to New Zealand’s unfinished business," he said.
Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders said the rail siding cost $12.5m to build, which was $1m under budget.
It had initially been hoped the project might start earlier, but KiwiRail asked if it could be postponed after Cyclone Gabrielle wrought damage on the North Island, he said.
The port agreed, but the project was also important for the planned Southern Link logistics park near Mosgiel.
"So we made the call to start in February, which is our peak season, and we’ve just finished it," Mr Winders said.
Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones said a development mandate had to be pursued.
In May, Mr Jones announced a loan of up to $8.2m from the regional infrastructure fund for development of a rail siding at the Southern Link site near Mosgiel.
In a statement, Mr Peters said inland freight hubs provided vital additional space away from busy coastal ports.
Every major city in New Zealand had one, except Dunedin, he said.
"That is finally changing."
At a glance
Port Chalmers rail siding. —
• 720 truckloads of concrete
• 2.5km of rail over 4 tracks with 6 turnouts, or rail switches
• 2140m of underground power and communications ducts
