Northland’s regional economic development agency says the huge potential economic boon from a proposed port expansion will only be possible with Government help.

Photo: 123RF

A report commissioned by Northland Inc has found Northport’s expansion could create 1500 jobs by 2060, plus more than a 1000 through a shipyard and drydock development.

The acting chief executive of Northland Inc, Vaughan Cooper, said job creation of this scale would have ripple effects across the whole region.

He said however the potential economic benefits were contingent on supporting infrastructure being completed, several of which relied on central government decisions.

These included a rail spur to Northport and better roading connectivity to Auckland.