The value of the Pukeuri meat-processing plant to North Otago and South Canterbury was reinforced by submissions to an Otago Regional Council panel yesterday.
The council received 591 submissions on the application, of which 498 were in support and three had no opinion.
Yesterday, submitters reinforced the plant's importance to the region, employing about 1000 workers at the peak of the season and, paying out more than $120 million in wages, livestock and transport and for local services.
Pukeuri sub-branch of the Meat Workers' Union secretary Tom Latimer warned of "excessive requirements", which could involve millions of dollars, from conditions attached to a consent.
"Our members, indeed the people of North Otago and South Canterbury, do not want Pukeuri put at risk of closure.
This would destroy the local economy and families it supports because of a decision that makes ongoing upkeep of our plant more expensive than needed to be, compared to others in the current uncertain environment," he said.
North Otago Federated Farmers' immediate past-president Ross Ewing said there appeared to be no health issues under the current operation, according to Alliance's evidence.
The environmental manager at the plant, Garry McLeod, gave evidence on his own behalf as a resident of North Otago and urged the consent be granted.
