Holcim calls for community to come forward

Media release for immediate use: Friday 25 May 2007

Holcim calls for community to come forward and have their say

Waitaki District residents are being urged to have their say on Holcim’s proposed $200 million cement plant at Weston.

“We are suggesting to people if they want the jobs and benefits that the cement plant would provide they should have their say through the resource management submission process,” says Paul Commons, General Manager Strategy and Development, for Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd.

Holcim’s Weston Option cement plant resource consent applications were notified on 20 April. The submission period closes at 5pm on Tuesday 19 June.

“We have applied for the resource consents on the basis that we will be able to comply with all relevant guidelines, standards as well as any other requirements on a district-wide, regional, national and international basis.

“We welcome the rigour and robustness inherent within the Resource Management Act process.”

Holcim New Zealand has one medium-term and two long-term cement supply options (one of which is the Weston Option). A decision on whether to proceed with the Weston Option cement plant will be made by Holcim New Zealand’s parent company, Holcim Ltd, and is not expected before 2008.

“A cement plant at Weston would have ongoing direct and indirect economic benefits for the local community,” says Paul Commons.

This would include between 110 and 125 direct long-term jobs (worth around $8 million a year in wages) and a further 80 to 120 jobs (worth another $4-5 million a year) in professional, technical, maintenance and production vocations.

“An additional estimated $106 million would be spent in the district on construction activity, if the proposal went ahead.

“We are calling for community members to have their say because it gives the hearings panel considering the views an understanding of how the locals feel about the proposal.

“We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a submission in support of the proposal to visit our Information Centre between 11.00am and 6.30pm on Wednesdays, where we can provide help and resources.”

ENDS

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