Risk to valley heritage seen

The Waiareka Valley's future lies with agricultural development and tourism, not a new cement plant, valley resident and owner of the historic Burnside Homestead, Bruce Albiston, told the Environment Court yesterday.

• Environment Court to resume

Mr Albiston, a member of the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society, which opposes the Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd proposal for a cement plant, said the valley had a highly significant historic heritage and heritage landscape.

It was significant for both Maori and European.

Holcim's plans for the valley should not proceed because they would adversely affect its heritage significance.

"As a home to agricultural settlement, the Waiareka Valley is without peer across North Otago. So many firsts were begun in the Waiareka," he said.

Many fed and fired the North Otago economy, including the meat industry, grain growing, the first new sheep bred in New Zealand, the racing industry (Phar Lap was sired at Elderslie) and the manufacture of a major dairy export - cheddar cheese.

"The recognition of the Waiareka Valley's rural character, ambience and amenity values for heritage conservation would ensure all these stories are recorded, interpreted and presented for the benefit of present and future generations," Mr Albiston said.

Under cross-examination, he accepted there had been significant landscape changes in the last decade, particularly with dairying.

However, even in those areas remnants of the heritage landscape remained, the full extent of which would not be shown by a fleeting visit.

Agricultural development in the valley was an alternative to the economic benefits from the cement plant.

The valley's heritage was also critical to tourism development, he said.

There was growing recognition of the Waiareka Valley as an alternative tourist route based on its heritage character and significance.

Tourism businesses in the valley would grow in numbers and visitor volume. "There is clear evidence tourism is growing in the area. It is a growing and significant part of a range of options for visitors to the district," he said.

The countryside and its villages would not hold the same attraction for people who had repopulated the area in recent years, Mr Albiston said

Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd

• A $400 million cement plant 2.5km from Weston, coal mine, limestone and sand quarries in the Waiareka Valley.

• An additional $100 million on storage, transport, shipping facilities and new ships.

• The Otago Regional and Waitaki District councils granted 46 resource consents for the project in February, 2008.

• Consents appealed to the Environment Court by Holcim, the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society and Andrew Renalson, with interested parties Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board and Te Runanganui O Waitaha Me Mata Waka Inc and respondents the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils.

• Being heard by Judge Gordon Whiting, commissioner Charles Manning and deputy commissioner Dr Bruce Gollop.

• Hearing ran from March 9 to 11, then from March 30 until completed.

- david.bruce@odt.co.nz