In an email sent to customers on Wednesday, Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack confirmed the Dunedin site would cease manufacturing by January next year and transition into a standalone port store and distribution centre.
Ravensdown began consulting with employees on the proposal last month and expected to work through its existing supply of raw materials by the end of January.
The effect on impacted employees was "significant", and Mr Diack yesterday confirmed 30 roles would be disestablished as a result of the manufacturing closure.
West Harbour Community Board and Ravensdown Community Liaison Group member Jarrod Hodson said the job losses were very unfortunate, "but overall, in the bigger picture I think it’s a massive win for the community".
"Obviously job losses ... is going to be a bit of a blow of course for their families, but on balance I just think that moving forward it’s environmentally a good step forward in that sense that we won’t have that side of the manufacturing within West Harbour."
The manufacturing at the site had been a bone of contention in the community, and while Mr Hodson said Ravensdown had done a lot in recent years, he believed the majority of people in the area would be pleased to hear it would cease.
Issues with the fallout from the works and emissions from the plant had been issues parts of the community had raised in the past.
Mr Hodson said he had a great deal of respect for management at Ravensdown and really felt for the workers affected.
Mr Diack said about 10 of the 30 roles were required until the end of May to work on the site transition and decommissioning of the manufacturing plant.
Ravensdown was working with impacted employees and had identified a number of potential job opportunities within the company and at other businesses, he said.
Mr Diack previously estimated the total number of staff employed at the site was about 60.
The Dunedin Fertiliser Works was opened in 1931 by Dominion Fertiliser for the purpose of manufacturing sulphuric acid and superphosphate to support the farming areas of Otago and Southland.
"And for over 90 years, it has done just that," Mr Diack said.
"After January next year, the site will continue to supply fertiliser nutrients to the region, but in a different way."
Superphosphate would continue to be manufactured in Napier and Christchurch and would make good use of the Ravensbourne wharf with increased coastal shipping services, he said.
Mr Diack acknowledged "the end of an era" and said the announcement was significant for employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers and the wider community who had been associated with the site over the years — who for many, had been intergenerational.
