1. Hearing Regarding the Proposed Natural Resources Plan
Statement of Evidence
Hearing Regarding the Proposed Natural Resources Plan
Thanks for the opportunity to present this summary of StraitNZ Bluebridge’s statement of evidence regarding the Proposed Natural Resources Plan.

2. Introducing Ed Menzies
Ed Menzies, GM Commercial
23 years with this business, 12 in this role
Manage all shore side operations – freight and passenger
Key relationship manager with Centreport and Port Marlborough
I hold a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master’s Degree in Transport and Logistics
Terminal operations – including all freight and passenger activity such as check-in, marshalling, loading, disembarking, people, terminals and other logistics. Sales and revenue for freight business unit.

3. Introducing StraitNZ Bluebridge
Formerly Strait Shipping and Bluebridge
Now StraitNZ Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries (Bluebridge)
Cook Strait ferry operator – carrying freight and passengers
Part of one of New Zealand’s largest transport companies with 500 staff and including StraitNZ Linehaul and StraitNZ Freight Forwarding
Bluebridge carries more than 55% of Cook Strait’s non-rail freight market and more than 30% of the passenger market (1.1m passengers each year)
Bluebridge services are of regional significance, providing capacity, competition and resilience to the Cook Strait passenger and freight markets
We were formally known at Strait Shipping and Bluebridge we have rebranded as StraitNZ Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries (Bluebridge), part of the StraitNZ group
Bluebridge is a Cook Strait ferry operator – carrying freight and passengers – We operate modern Ropax vessels
StraitNZ is one of the countries largest transport companies with over 500 staff across our road and shipping divisions, Road includes both linehaul and freight Forwarding. Staff are split 50/50 split between road and shipping
AS a business Bluebridge carries more than 55% of Cook Strait’s non-rail freight market and more than 30% of the passenger market ( in 2017 this was 1.1m passengers)
We have been trading for 26 years and built a depth of experience and attained significant growth in this time.
Our services are of regional significance, providing capacity, competition and resilience to the Cook Strait passenger and freight markets
Around half of all staff are employed by Bluebridge, with a significant portion of these and the wider transport team based in the wellington region.

4. StraitNZ Bluebridge Service
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Two vessels cross Cook Strait more than 2,600 times a year
Summer – 52 crossings per week
Winter – 50 sailings per week
Essential daily dangerous goods and freight only crossings (8.45pm and 2.15am)
Efficient port operations in Wellington are critical to maintaining a consistent sailing schedule – for our freight and passenger customers and the regional network
Our detailed submission contains a copy of our sailing schedule and map of the route we trade
We are a 24/7 operation with four vessel turnarounds per day in Wellington
Our two vessels cross Cook Strait more than 2,600 times a year
Summer – 52 crossings per week
Winter – 50 sailings per week – This is due to the seasonality nature of our business
Market demand means we have essential daily dangerous goods and freight only crossings (8.45pm and 2.15am)
As you can imagine Efficient port operations in Wellington are critical to maintaining a consistent sailing schedule – for our freight and passenger customers and the regional network
It is important to note that our passengers and freight customers see us as being strategically important to their connectivity

5. StraitNZ Bluebridge Focus on Growth
Growth focused
Tourism sector up 24% in the past two years (MBIE)
Forecasts indicate:
Visitor numbers to reach 4.9million in 2023 – up 39% from 2016 (MBIE)
Demand for freight services nationally expected to increase by 58% by 2042, but Cook Strait is expected to be even greater than this (Deloitte)
I’ve just talked to you about our existing operations but our future is very much focused on growth
MBIE published that the Tourism sector is up 24% in the past two years
Forecasts indicate:
Visitor numbers to reach 4.9million in 2023 – up 39% from 2016 (MBIE) – this will flow through to more international passengers crossing Cook Strait.
Demand for freight services nationally is expected to increase by 58% by 2042, Cook Strait is expected to be even greater than national (Deloitte) - This is due to freight flows between the islands
So both areas of our operation are forecast to grow

6. Wellington Port Operations
map
This map shows our current area of operations
I think its important to give you a full understanding of this area and what activity occurs where
Our Wellington passenger terminal located at the entrance of port operations at 50 Waterloo Quay. Leased under a long term agreement with Centreport
Pax, vehicle and freight entrance via Bunny Street, off Waterloo Quay
And the marshalling areas seen here as D and F
Under the lease agreement, Bluebridge is licensed to use Kings Wharf (here) and Glasgow Wharf (here) to berth the vessels
For safety reasons, it is ESSENTIAL that passenger and commercial freight vehicles are kept separate during loading, as such passenger vehicles marshalled for loading on Interisland Wharf and commercial freight vehicles on Glasgow Wharf
Our vessels berth four times a day on Kings Wharf and in the Weekend the Straitsman berths on Glasgow Wharf (here)
Where our vessels are berthing, loading and disembarking is in close proximity to location of proposed rezoning - here

7. Important Operational Considerations
Safety is our priority
As part of our crucial NZ supply chain role, Bluebridge carries goods that if mishandled could cause serious public harm (our staff are highly trained in this)
Important to be able to restrict access to sites/off limit areas with physical barriers
Crucial to be able to segregate freight from passenger operations
The use of Interisland Wharf (following the earthquake damage to Kings Wharf) is critical for Bluebridge to maintain operations and provide the capacity and resilience required for regional (and national) freight and passenger demand across Cook Strait
Over aching all else safety is our priority
As already stated we are a critical part of NZ supply chain and as such Bluebridge carries goods that if mishandled could cause serious public harm (our staff are highly training in this)
Because of this and for the safety of our passengers and the general public it is Important to be able to restrict access to sites/ limit areas with physical barriers
As you can imagine it is crucial to be able to segregate freight from passenger operations
The use of Interisland Wharf (following the earthquake damage to Kings Wharf) is critical for Bluebridge to maintain operations and provide the capacity and resilience required for regional (and national) freight and passenger demand across Cook Strait

8. Key Concerns with the Proposed Plan
Key Concern: The proposal to change zoning of Interisland Wharf and Waterloo Wharf from Commercial Port Area to Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone)
While activities within the commercial zone are awarded protection for Regionally Significant Infrastructure, those within Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone) are open to interpretation
The Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone) does not sufficiently enable on-going port related activities
The definition of Regionally Significant Infrastructure does not expressly include Bluebridge’s activities if they do not take place within the Commercial Port area
While ‘adjacent land used in association with’ could include the newly zoned Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone) it is not currently explicit as to how far this land extends
Bluebridges concerns with the proposed plan center around the fact that currently our activities are included in the commercial port area and hence awarded protection as regionally significant infrastructure. The commercial port area is expressly included in the defintion of regionally Significant infrastructure not so for Lambton Harbour Area North Zone
While ‘adjacent land used in association with’ could include the newly zoned Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone) it is not currently explicit as to how far this land extends.

9. Potential Impact of Proposed Change
Risk that Bluebridge’s operations are not given the appropriate protection from sensitive activities – for example residential apartments or short stay accommodation
These new sensitive activities could be located in close proximity to Bluebridge’s operating wharves and risk encroaching on operations. As has happened in the past with noise complaints from Waterloo Quay apartments
Another example of this is Darling Harbour in Sydney. Where over time, residential and commercial developments were allowed to locate close to the port, resulting in public pressure and complaints regarding port related activity
There is a real risk that Bluebridge’s operations are not given the appropriate protection from sensitive activities – for example residential apartments or short stay accommodation – Its important to note that we operate during the middle of the night and this a key part of our business – from 5.30pm – 8.45pm and again 11.30pm-2.30am and then again 5:30am there’s plenty of activity on these wharves as we berth, discharge, load, move people and freight around our operational area.
New sensitive activities could be located in close proximity to Bluebridge’s operating wharves and risk encroaching on operations. As has already happened in the past with noise complaints from Waterloo Quay apartments. We are a 24/7 port related operation.
There are multiple international examples where the encroachment of sensitive activities have effected port related activities. I point to examples such as Darling Harbour in Sydney. Where over time, residential and commercial developments were allowed to locate close to the port, resulting in public pressure and complaints regarding port related activity. The outcome being commercial port operations ending fully in 2006.

10. StraitNZ Bluebridge Is Regionally Significant Infrastructure
Bluebridge provides a crucial connection between North and South, carrying freight and passengers from the central location of the Commercial Port Area in Wellington to the South Island (Picton)
Bluebridge carries more than 55% of all Cook Strait non-rail freight and over 30% of the passenger market
Cook Strait shipping is vital for the national freight network transporting up to 5 million tonnes of freight annually with an estimated value of $20 billion and equating to up to 40% of NZ’s total goods exports
The November 2016 earthquake highlighted the catastrophic impact that a loss of resilient facilities would have on freight moving throughout NZ
From a tourism perspective, we are regionally significant in that we deliver visitors into the heart of Wellington City several times a day each way
Bluebridge’s contribution to both the Greater Wellington Region’s and New Zealand’s economy shows why its operations and the wharves it uses, should be recognised as Regionally Significant Infrastructure
StraitNZ Bluebridges operation is regionally significat infrastructure
We provides a crucial connection between North and South, carrying freight and passengers from the central location of the Commercial Port Area in Wellington to the South Island (Picton)
A already stated we ship over 55% of all Cook Strait non-rail freight and over 30% of the passenger market
Cook Strait shipping is vital for the national freight network transporting up to 5 million tonnes of freight annually with an estimated value of $20 billion The November 2016 earthquake highlighted the effect of loss of facilities would have on freight moving throughout NZ. Likewise the role of ferries post a low probability high impact event is of regional importance
From a tourism perspective, we are regionally significant in that we deliver visitors into the heart of Wellington City several times a day each way. Over 300,000 passengers per annum and growing.
Bluebridge’s contribution to both the greater Wellington region and New Zealand’s economy shows why its operations and the wharves it uses, should be recognised as Regionally Significant Infrastructure
The Proposed Plan specifics that the Commercial Port Area is Regionally Significant Infrastructure and we believe strongly that Bluebridge is also Regionally Significant Infrastructure and should be defined as such.

11. Relief Sought by Bluebridge
Strong preference that Bluebridge’s operations remain subject to the Commercial Port Area, rather than the Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone)
And that as such, Bluebridge’s operations and wharves are clearly defined as Regionally Significant Infrastructure
Alternatively, that Bluebridge’s operations are included within the definition of Regionally Significant Infrastructure as follows:
Commercial Port Area and Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone) within Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) and adjacent land used in association with the movement of cargo and passengers and including bulk fuel supply infrastructure, and storage tanks for bulk liquids, and associated wharflines
As per our statement of evidence this is what we are looking for:
Our strong preference is that Bluebridge’s operations remain subject to the Commercial Port Area, rather than the Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone)
Bluebridge’s operations and wharves must be clearly defined as Regionally Significant Infrastructure
As an alternatively, Bluebridge’s operations are included within the definition of Regionally Significant Infrastructure as follows:
Commercial Port Area and Lambton Harbour Area (Northern Zone) within Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) and adjacent land used in association with the movement of cargo and passengers and including bulk fuel supply infrastructure, and storage tanks for bulk liquids, and associated wharflines

12. Conclusion
Bluebridge is a port operation and should be recognised accordingly
A shift in zoning to anticipate mixed use development of Waterloo Wharf and Interisland Wharf should not deprive current port related operations of protection from encroaching activities
Interisland Wharf remains crucial to Bluebridge’s current operations
Bluebridge operations contribute significantly to New Zealand’s transport chain and regional and national resilience and should be recognised as Regionally Significant Infrastructure
In conclusion:
Bluebridge is a port operation and should be recognised accordingly. We need the same protection as the commercial port.
A shift in zoning to anticipate mixed use development of Waterloo Wharf and Interisland Wharf should not deprive current port related operations from protection from encroaching activities
Interisland Wharf remains crucial to Bluebridge’s current operations
Bluebridge operations contribute significantly to New Zealand’s transport chain and regional and national resilience and should be recognised as Regionally Significant Infrastructure
Thank you