Legal questions have been raised about KiwiRail's powers to designate land for more than just railway lines. Bunnythorpe residents have made a last ditch call for KiwiRail’s claims to designate land for new freight yards and a distribution centre on the outskirts of Palmerston North to be abandoned. Aaron Fox and Jo Whittle are arguing KiwiRail’s powers of designation are limited to land needed for railway lines, and do not extend to land for warehousing, freight forwarding and a container terminal. Development of the proposed freight centre between Palmerston North Airport and the village of Bunnythorpe were kick-started with a $40 million Provincial Growth Fund grant to enable planning and land purchases. The Palmerston North City Council has received and advertised KiwiRail’s notice of requirement for the proposed facility, has received submissions, and set up a two-week hearing in August.

Source: Stuff July 13, 2021 04:07 UTC