Fonterra's proposed Darfield Dairy Factory - rail connected?

[nztransportgeography]

Was snooping around & found the consent doc’s for the proposed Fonterra plant at Darfield (see link below). Searched for ‘rail’ to see what it offered – rather interesting!

Section 2.3: “While the current intention is to bring in milk, fuel and other materials by road, and transport the milk powder away by road, consent is also sought for a rail siding from the Midland Railway which runs alongside the State Highway next to the site”.

Section 3.5: Talks about coal coming in by container – do we infer Fonterra had planned to use bottom-discharge hoppers but have changed that to containers!?! I’d have thought coal in hoppers from the West Coast would be a lot more economical than containerized!?! Surely they’re not going to rail containers from the Wairio line!?!

Do they have spare hopper wagons, as compared to spare containers. How much does it cost to construct the special bottom dump facility at a site, compared to a simple crane lifting containers to dump them.

AFAIK they use the containers to rail Coal to Westland Dairy at Hokitika, although other factors come into play there

There is a coal mine at Homebush, pretty close so there is the question why they would not bring coal in from there.

[Gibbo]

Fonterra have changed their plans re: Darfield to become an ever bigger plant - sooner.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming ... o-Darfield

I also hear now that after Fonterra got the consent (with the use of rail clearly a 'selling point' in their application) they said rail was not cost effective until they trebled production - now likely 2014 - 2015.

Interestingly Fonterra have also gone quiet on the plans announced (in principle only) last year for 3 more rail-served hubs - I guess the advent of the 'Kotahi' joint venture has completely changed the playig field.

[nzmalc]

Seems a bit crazy to me if they dont use the railway line. I mean, its right beside the factory and goes directly to Lyttelton. I dont really understand how it could be cheaper to use road based transport. Is it the cost of constructing the siding that would put them off or the cost of paying for the trains?

[kanusradiata]

Seems a bit crazy to me if they dont use the railway line. I mean, its right beside the factory and goes directly to Lyttelton. I dont really understand how it could be cheaper to use road based transport. Is it the cost of constructing the siding that would put them off or the cost of paying for the trains?

Correct - the number of vehicles per day with the current factory doesn't justify the capital costs to build the sidings and related infrastructure.

Eventually when the second dryer unit is built in the next couple of years, this will make it more viable.

[Gibbo]

Stage2 plans show a revised layout for rail siding.

http://ecan.govt.nz/publications/Consen ... part-1.pdf

[keg]

Stage 2 confirmed.

Darfield milk deal set to bring billions
TIM CRONSHAW
14/03/2012

Dairy giant Fonterra is pouring $500 million into developing a Canterbury milk-powder site carrying the world's biggest dryer in the largest investment in New Zealand dairying history.

The farmer-owned co-operative confirmed yesterday it would go ahead with stage two of its project at Darfield, worth about $300m, including a 30-tonne-an-hour milk-spray drying tower, extra warehouse space and a railway connection.

Processing from the D2 plant is set to begin next year.
continues

[c46andc47]

Stage2 plans show a revised layout for rail siding.

http://ecan.govt.nz/publications/Consen ... part-1.pdf

IMHO that is a horrible font. Too much white space. It shouts at me "This is not a serious document. We like playing with fonts. Do not bother to read it."

[Gibbo]

Interesting article in latest KR news - rail siding construction is well underway & expected to be completed by early January - apparently Fonterra have brought forward their 'stage 2' for the site. Photo shows a 3 road siding, although final layout isn't clear.

Good to see new traffic about to come on stream - coal in & finished product out. Wonder if any bulk milk will be railed in during seasonal peaks from the likes of Tuamarina etc (rather the heading to Clandeboye which requires trans-shipment).

[Kahukowhai]

Interesting article in latest KR news - rail siding construction is well underway & expected to be completed by early January - apparently Fonterra have brought forward their 'stage 2' for the site. Photo shows a 3 road siding, although final layout isn't clear.

Good to see new traffic about to come on stream - coal in & finished product out. Wonder if any bulk milk will be railed in during seasonal peaks from the likes of Tuamarina etc (rather the heading to Clandeboye which requires trans-shipment).

Does Tuamarina still have a siding to their factory? I thought it was closed.

[MacRiada]

First Train Arrives At Fonterra Darfield

A new rail link into Fonterra Darfield’s site opened today and is expected to carry 200,000 metric tonnes of milk powder in its first year of operation.

At the official opening today, Fonterra Director John Monaghan said it is all about taking Canterbury’s milk to the world.

“This new rail link connects Fonterra’s Darfield’s distribution centre to New Zealand’s busiest rail line through to Lyttleton Ports of Christchurch. From there it’s on to China, South East Asia and the Middle East,” he said.

General Manager Logistics Network Development & Design Andy Sanderson said rail connects Fonterra to New Zealand’s key ports, from where products are exported to over 100 markets around the world.

“Fonterra Darfield is on track to produce 85,000 metric tonnes of milk powder for customers this season, and our new rail link will provide a safe, efficient connection to Lyttleton Ports of Christchurch,” he said.

“There’s also a benefit for local motorists, with a reduction in local truck movements. The train is expected to carry the freight of approximately 90 trucks every day when the second drier comes on line later this year.

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