Plant 'unlikely' to affect tourism

Tourism in North Otago is unlikely to be affected by a cement plant planned for the Waiareka Valley, University of Otago communication studies professor, Geoff Kearsley, believes.

Prof Kearsley, one of New Zealand's top tourism consultants, was giving evidence on behalf of Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd to the Environment Court in Oamaru on Wednesday about the potential effects on tourism from the construction and operation of the $300 million cement plant and associated quarries.

He disputed claims by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society, which opposes the $300 million cement manufacturing development, that it would seriously affect tourism, which was growing in the Waiareka Valley.

Tourism in the Waitaki district was focused upon Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley, Prof Kearsley said.

"The Weston site of the proposed development is neither of primary tourist importance nor adjacent to any major tourist route, so it is unlikely the development would have any significant impact on tourism," he said.

Prof Kearsley did not deny there was a small but unquantified tourist traffic through the area, nor did he minimise the relatively attractive rural scenery.

"It is just that they are of minor significance in the regional assemblage of landscape and attractions," he said.

The site was also close to Weston and Oamaru and would be quickly passed through on any trip into the Waiareka Valley.

The proposed development was in a location where there were no significant tourist developments or assets.

There was a small, possibly growing (according to the preservation society) use of the valley as a touring route but, in regional terms, travel patterns were such that only a few tourists would be aware of the development and relatively few would pass close to it.

The site was remote from the heritage areas of Oamaru and was so far from the town centre that it was most unlikely to have any impact on tourists' perceptions.