Holcim cements plans for shift

North Otago could be in for an injection of around 100 jobs, if rumours are true that cement giant Holcim could be moving into the area.

The company is investigating resource consent to move its New Zealand plant from the West Coast to the North Otago town of Weston.

The plant has began consulting with the community about the massive dollar proposal, and while it insists Weston is only one of a number of options, local residents are feeling good about the prospect.

If the $200 million proposal goes ahead it will replace Holcim's Westport plant and employ around 100 people.

The company is also considering setting up a sand quarry at Windsor and developing a coal mine to feed its cement kiln at Ngapara. It has already met with around 60 people who live near the proposed sites.

This week North Otago residents had an information sheet delivered to their homes outlining the proposal, where to receive further information and how to give feedback.

Holcim spokesman Gerald Raymond said research, technical investigation and consultation with community members had to take place before making any applications for resource consent.

Weston community members spoken to by The Oamaru Mail yesterday felt positive about the project and thought it would be good for the area.

Ludemann Motors manager Debbie Selman believed the plant would help Weston develop as a town.

Extra jobs would mean more people around town "and the possibility of more people moving into the district", she said.

Her only concern was how the cement would be moved from the plant.

"We don't know how they are going to transport the stuff yet."

With a possible increase in heavy vehicle traffic she hoped safety would be a high priority for Holcim, particularly when it came to children walking to and from school.

She thought the company was doing a "pretty good job" as far as community consultation went and was pleased to see the information in the mail.

Weston Supermarket staff member Sharron Harper thought the proposed plant would be "good for the community and good for employment."

The plant itself would not affect her because she did not live near any of the sites but she did feel concerned for those who lived near them.

"I don't know how it's going to affect them."

Mr Raymond said it was important to note that Weston was still only one of a number of options for Holcim.

"Obtaining the necessary resource consents at Weston does not guarantee a cement plant would be built there," he said.

However Waitaki Mayor Alan McLay was "upbeat" about the prospect.

"I think we have got as much of a chance as any other site and more of one than some," he said.

Mr McLay believed the quality of raw materials and close proximity to a deep-sea port could work in the town's favour and was feeling positive about Weston's chances.

"It's sad to see a small place like that (Westport) lose it (the plant), but it would be great for us.

"It is a viable industry and there will be 100 new jobs in the plant, let alone all the periphery jobs. It would be a huge operation and there is likely to be all sorts of spin-offs," he said.

A final decision is "some time away" and will be made by Holcim New Zealand's parent company Holcim Ltd, Mr Raymond said.

In the meantime, technical experts will gather the data needed for resource consent including information on landscape ecology, transport, noise, air emissions, quarrying, water quality and social and cultural impacts, he said.

- OAMARU MAIL