Waimate people will learn more
about plans for a new $100 million milk treatment plant in
their district when Oceania Milk opens an information centre
in the town towards the end of this month.
The centre is part of preparations by Christchurch-based
Oceania Milk to apply next month to the 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 this week
a shop on Queen St, next to the Savoy tearooms, would be
prepared over the next two weeks for the information centre,
which would open one or two days a week.
He hoped it would be ready for an opening function during the
week of August 24.
"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 may be held.
He and "technical people" would be available, he said.
Initially, the information office would be part of the
consents process, but in the future would continue to provide
information about the plant, including financial details to
prospective shareholders and suppliers.
It would 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.
david.bruce@odt.co.nz
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.