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Geoff Kearsley
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.
