was wasteful, likening the Government's actions to Communist policies in North Korea and Poland. In response to criticism, Railways and Maritime Union national secretary Wayne Butson contended that the Hillside redevelopment project would benefit both the Otago region and New Zealand. In early January 2022, the ACT Party obtained documents under the Official Information Act 1982 showing that KiwiRail officials had expressed concerns about the Government's NZ$85 million budget allocation to reopen the Hillside workshop in Dunedin; estimating that it would cost between NZ$305 and 400 million to properly equip the factory. KiwiRail had recommended allocating NZ$771 million from the budget for the National Land Transport Fund to be spent on rail, NZ$197.9 million in capital for resilience and a further $1.27billion for new rolling stock and mechanical depots. The Government had reduced these bids by about NZ$800million. In addition, KiwiRail estimated that it would have to import 780 wagons during the two year period when Hillside Engineering was being rebuilt. While the ACT Party's transport spokesperson Simon Court claimed the Hillside project was unsound and based on political expediency, Transport Minister Wood and State Owned Enterprises Minister Clark claimed that the Hillside factory would bring good, high-paying engineering jobs back to Dunedin after the previous National Government shut it down. Locomotives classes built at Hillside Many locomotive classes were built at Hillside: DSC C (1930) (12) JA (35) KB (6) L WA (6) WAB (20) WF (16) WG (20) WW (48) TR (9) (1973–78, Diesel shunters) Hillside also rebuilt the following locomotive classes: DG (10) G (1928) (6) WE (3) X (1) See also New Zealand British Rail Mark 2 carriage, rebuilt at Hillside Workshops and Hutt Workshops from British Railways Mark 2 carriages NZR Addington Workshops, Christchurch NZR Hutt Workshops, Lower Hutt/Wellington NZR Newmarket Workshops Auckland then Otahuhu Workshops, Auckland New Zealand Railways Department References Further reading External links Toll NZ Photo of Spot Welder at Hillside Workshops c1927 Buildings and structures in Dunedin Companies based in Dunedin Rail transport in Dunedin Railway workshops in New Zealand Transport buildings and structures in Otago