Upper Clutha Transport (UCT) has made its mark on this region for almost 120 years, and is continuing to do so as it begins the move to an expanded home on a new site later this year.

The company (which provides haulage of freight and livestock, bulk cartage, earthmoving, hiab hire, supply and application of fertiliser, and landscape supplies) has operated out of a depot on the Main Road in Luggate for more than 100 years, but the owners say residential development around the site precludes expansion.

“The reason we’ve moved is that Luggate is growing,” UCT managing director Jamie Harrington told the Wānaka App. 

“Luggate grew around the transport yard, but it’s not ideal to have a transport yard in the middle of the main street.

“We decided we still wanted to be part of the Luggate community, so we shifted before we were pushed.”

Jamie hopes the new owner of the transport yard, which includes the historic stone Luggate Flour Mill, will develop the area into a commercial retail centre for the community.

Meanwhile, UCT’s short move to Church Road will “keep that 100+ year history” with Luggate.

Rural hub, bringing petrol back to Luggate

UCT’s new 13 hectare site is on Church Road which runs from SH6 to the Red Bridge.

Its new depot features a huge increase in storage and loading areas, vehicle service and repair workshops and ancillary office and staff facilities - including worker accommodation.

There is significantly more storage at the new site.

The move not only means more freight storage (and the inclusion of the freight element from UCT’s Ballantyne Road site), but it will also “bring petrol back to Luggate”.

The fuel stop will be open for the public and will welcome Allied fuelcards, Mobilcard, and most other bank cards. 

“There will be a full truck stop and four car pumps”, Jamie said, adding he hopes that aspect of the new build will be open in just over a month.

Tenants at the new site will include Transport Repairs, Tyreland, On-Point windscreen repairs, and the facility for COFs, making it a “rural hub”, he said.

“We’re hoping to be in there by Christmas. But it’s got to be done right.”

Worker accommodation

UCT is also building worker accommodation at the new site: Four single bedroom units and two two-bedroom units.

The units will meet two needs: temporary accommodation for staff new to the area who are searching for somewhere to live, and overnight accommodation for UCT workers.

The canopy roof for the new fuel stop will be raised this week.

Jamie understands that new employees struggle to find accommodation in the Upper Clutha.

“They just go and get a job somewhere else straight away because they get sick of looking.”

The units mean UCT has somewhere to house them immediately. 

“They’ll get a time limit so they can find somewhere to live,” he said, adding UCT doesn’t want permanent residents at the site.

Staff from other parts of the country will also have somewhere in Luggate to stay as “a lot of time you can’t get overnight accommodation in Wānaka”.

Church Road is currently being widened on both sides to allow safe turning access to UCT.

Feedback Jamie has received indicates Luggate locals think UCT’s expanded rural hub is great.

“Everyone seems pretty happy with it.”

The new site formed part of a Rural Character Landscape and the business sought an industrial zoning through Stage 3 of the Proposed District Plan, eventually settling for a Rural Industrial Sub Zone with some building restriction areas.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App