26 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Ashburton: Talley’s Group - Ashburton Freight hub will have ‘multiple benefits’ Richard Loader Aaron Chudleigh, Talley’s General Manager - Fairfield, Farming & Freight, outside the refurbished Fairton-based offices of the freight and farming team. “We knew the Fairton site well, as it was close to our existing Ashburton vegetable production plant, and we were already leasing the Silver Fern Farms’ cold stores for our vegetables.” Aaron Chudleigh, Talley’s General Manager – Fairfield, Farming & Freight, says Talley’s values the important role its new Fairton-based operation plays in Ashburton’s community as a logistics location and good neighbour. The small rural township of Fairton is nestled just north of Ashburton. Recognising its regional potential, Talley’s took over the former Silver Fern Farms’ 33-hectare Fairton site late 2020. “We knew the Fairton site well, as it was close to our existing Ashburton vegetable production plant, and we were already leasing the Silver Fern Farms’ cold stores for our vegetables,” says Aaron. “We’re still using these cold stores today. Quite soon after purchasing the site and following an office refurbishment we decided to to page 29 Proud to support Talleys Group Ashburton www.neumannstyres.co.nz 03 308 6737 197 Wills Street, Ashburton (by the Event Centre) *CALL OUT FEES MAY APPLY YOUR LOCALLY OWNEDANDOPERATED TYRE EXPERTS, TRUSTED FOR OVER 75 YEARS relocate our transport, and farming divisions to Fairton, because of its key location. “Having the combined farming, freight and admin teams of 28 people and the trucks on the new site, has really eased the space pressure from the Ashburton vegetable plant.” Once the farming and freight teams were settled at Fairton, Talley’s management were able to evaluate how the site was best placed to serve the Ashburton district, with the first project being the rail siding. The Fairton site has a strategically placed rail siding, and Aaron says how to utilise it was a key project in 2021. “We knew the position of the rail siding was an important opportunity for the region. “After a lot of work through the year, we are really pleased that the site is now going to host the Fairfield Freight Hub, with construction due to start later this year.” The hub project is a joint initiative with the Ashburton District Council, the Fairfield Freight Hub Ltd, which is part of local freight business the Wareing Group, and KiwiRail. KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller says the hub will have multiple benefits. “This project is a win-win for everyone involved. “Not only will it improve safety and remove congestion from central Ashburton, it’s supporting businesses and exporters to transport their products to where they need to be. “Moving more freight by rail will also reduce transport emissions and lower road maintenance costs by removing the need for around 40,000 truck movements a year.” Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown adds that the project is exciting news for the district, and a great example of people working together. “The Ashburton community will be pleased and it will make a big difference to our town.” The Fairfield Freight Hub will be operated by the Wareing Group and Director Mark Wareing says the project has numerous benefits for the region.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=