Waimate people can learn more about plans for a new $100
million milk treatment plant in their district now Oceania
Milk has opened an information centre in the town.
The centre is part of preparations by Christchurch-based
Oceania Milk to apply this month to Waimate District Council
and Environment Canterbury for resource consents to build the
plant on State Highway 1, about 4km north of Glenavy.
The exact site would be made public once negotiations were
completed.
Oceania Milk acting chief executive Paul Park said the centre
on Queen St, next to the Savoy tearooms, would be open one or
two days a week.
"It will give the community the opportunity to look at plans
for the plant, learn about the project and discuss their
concerns."
Feedback would be incorporated into the detailed design of
the plant and the resource consents process, including
alleviating or mitigating any concerns that might be held.
Mr Park and "technical people" would be available, he said.
Initially, the information office will be part of the
consents process, but in the future it will continue to
provide information about the plant, including financial
details to prospective shareholders and suppliers.
It will also handle inquiries from people wanting jobs.
It will be the second milk treatment plant built in the
district in the past three years - the other is the
Russian-owned New Zealand Dairies' plant on SH1 at Studholme.
Oceania Milk includes former National Party leader and
Reserve Bank governor Don Brash and former Meridian Energy
Ltd chief executive Keith Turner among its directors.
It hoped to have the new plant operating for the 2011-12
season.
Oceania Milk was not planning to target existing Fonterra or
NZ Dairies' suppliers, but was looking to future
developments, which may include it owning its own dairy
farms.
Major irrigation schemes planned in the area, including the
40,000ha Hunter Downs scheme in the Waimate district and
another 25,000ha scheme in the Mackenzie Basin, are also
encouraging the new company.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.