$50m silo inflated on Auckland's waterfront

A controversial new $50 million dome-shaped silo for storing cement has been inflated on Auckland's waterfront.

The state-of-the-art 28m-high silo holds 30,000 tonnes of cement and is located at a Ports of Auckland site on the corner of Plumer and Quay Sts opposite Vector Arena
The dome's outer skin is made of a membrane similar to that used to build the Cloud on Queens Wharf.

Consent to build the silo was granted on a non-notified basis, meaning the public did not have a say, angering groups concerned about the port's growing footprint on the waterfront.

Holcim New Zealand country manager Glenda Harvey said the storage dome signalled a major milestone for the company.

Holcim was investing $100 million in building two 30,000 tonne new storage facilities in Auckland and Timaru as part of its business strategy of global sourcing for supply into the New Zealand market.

The Auckland terminal would provide effective access to the major market of the greater Auckland and upper North Island while the terminal in Timaru would provide effective distribution to the whole of the South Island market and lower North Island.

"The project falls within the existing port operations and the company has all the approvals required," Ms Harvey said. "We continue to work closely with the Ports of Auckland and the Auckland Council to ensure all regulatory requirements are met."

The terminals in Auckland and Timaru would demonstrate the best in global fit for purpose design in port environments and provide the continuity of cement supply throughout New Zealand that was so vital to the construction and infrastructure sectors, she said.

"We have contacted residents and businesses in the nearby vicinity of the new terminal in Auckland around the timing of the dome going up, as part of our commitment to keep them informed."

It was hoped to have the terminal fully operational by mid to late next year.