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The Tamahere coolstore where a fireman was killed in an explosion last month plans to restore power at the site, indicating that rebuilding could start soon.
Waipa Power chief executive Ray Milner confirmed that Icepak had applied for a new power supply at its Tamahere coolstore after the
transformer and underground cabling were destroyed in the April 5 blaze that killed Derek Lovell and injured six fellow firefighters.
Mr Milner said power would be restored within the next two to three weeks.
But this has residents and the Waikato District Council worried that rebuilding may begin before investigations into the blaze are completed.
Icepak managing director Wayne Grattan did not return several calls or an email from the Herald yesterday.
Arnold Koppens, a Tamahere man who worked building the coolstore in 1979, said work on restoring power at the plant "strongly suggested" Icepak had plans to rebuild.
This was a shock to community members, who Mr Koppens said had received assurances from the Waikato District Council that they would be consulted before any work was undertaken.
"There were suggestions that nothing would happen until the inquiry was completed but then we see this work happening and it's pretty worrying," said Mr Koppens.
Another Tamahere resident, Liz Witehira, said there were concerns about the plant being rebuilt close to the primary school. She said the community was not convinced by Icepak's insistence it had no immediate plans.
"Icepak continue to take the line that no decisions have been made over whether the plant is going to be rebuilt and then we see this huge transformer turn up at the site and work taking place," she said.
Waikato District Council Mayor Peter Harris said councillors were equally surprised by the latest developments.
Icepak is not legally obliged to inform the council it is restoring power to the site but Mr Harris thought there was agreement among the affected parties to await results from the fire investigation before making any decisions about the site's future.
"We are extremely disappointed with Icepak because we had to get on the phone to them and find out they are contemplating the possibility of reopening the store that still stands."
He was "very much aware of community concerns" but as a legislative authority, the council was not in a position to oppose the store being rebuilt.
"We are in a position, however, to ensure that all processes are adhered to, that's the main thing from our perspective because the people will have plenty to say."
Mr Harris said the council had not yet received any resource consent applications from Icepak for work at the site.
In an interview on May 1, Mr Grattan said Icepak was "a few weeks away" from deciding whether the Tamahere site would be rebuilt.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labour and the Fire Service are continuing their investigations but both were unclear when their inquiries would end. A Fire Service spokesman said it could take up to 90 days.
