The mayor of Whangārei says the proposed development of Northland’s port could help to offset the impact of the closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery.

Northport near Whangārei in Northland.
Photo: 123RF

A report commissioned by the regional economic development agency has found Northport’s expansion could create 1500 jobs by 2060, plus more than a thousand through a shipyard and drydock development.

Mayor Sheryl Mai said that would be a huge economic lift for the region.

“The refinery closure or becoming an import terminal meant that a lot of people lost their jobs so this sort of impetus really means that there’s hope for the future for those people.”

The report says government help will be needed to build the supporting infrastructure, including a rail spur to Northport and better road connections to Auckland.

Mai said work had already begun on a rail link to the port.

“It’s important that whoever’s in government continues that investment for that rail spur because we’ve proven that Northport has the ability to contribute, when Auckland was having the problems with the closure of their port we stepped up and showed that we could do that.”