Wairoa plans to counter KiwiRail's decision to close the Napier to Gisborne rail line by proving the impact it'll have on its community and the loss of "untapped" economic opportunities such as oil and gas exploration.
KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn met with the Wairoa District Council on Tuesday andwill meet with the Hawke's Bay regional transport committee in Napier next week.
Wairoa Mayor Les Probert said Mr Quinn explained the decision to mothball the line with "dollars and cents" but had not taken into account the "people factor".
"We believe there is more in it than money.
"There is a whole community of people from Napier to Gisborne which need to be considered."
Wairoa's Clyde Lumber director John Ebbett spoke at the meeting where he pointed out his business was currently using the railway line to transport 22,000 tonnes of timber per annum from Wairoa to Huntly.
"In John Ebbett's case, that's a fairly large number of trucks which will be needed to carry his timber on road if rail closes," Mr Probert said. "The cost of moving his timber by road will be more and that could have an impact on the 20 people he employs, which is an example of how it could affect our people.
"We believe closing down the line is a backward step for the East Coast. Everyone knows there's going to be exploration for oil and gas all around here and closing the rail line leaves only one access point via the fragile State Highway 2."
