Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd has rejected an accusation it is trying to buy community and Ngai Tahu support for the company's proposed cement plant near Weston.
The suggestion came in the Environment Court in Oamaru yesterday from Waitaha Waitaki Trust Board counsel Dr Joan Forret.
But that was firmly rejected by Holcim capital projects manager Ken Cowie who, in his evidence, had outlined a proposal from Waitaha to carry out investigations at the plant site and asking for funding of $773,990, plus GST, with " a high potential to overrun this amount".
Dr Forret cross-examined Mr Cowie about Holcim's relationship and discussions with Waitaha. Waitaha has said in evidence it is not prepared to ever accept cultural oversight by Ngai Tahu.
Mr Cowie said he personally only became aware of Waitaha's interest when it registered in August as an interested party to the appeal lodged by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society against resource consents granted for the cement plant.
Before that, Holcim had been dealing with Ngai Tahu and the Moeraki runanga, which he understood had the statutory authority to represent Maori over the plant.
A memorandum of understanding was being finalised with the Moeraki rununga, which would record the relationship between both parties moving forward.
Holcim had attempted to work with Waitaha, but found the process "quite confusing". Waitaha had been vague about what Holcim was expected to do, nor could it give details about what was on the plant site that concerned it.
Holcim was prepared to negotiate with Waitaha, but was "somewhat confused" about what the issues were.
Mr Cowie said a Waitaha witness appeared to be suggesting "some sort of commercial deal" between Holcim and Ngai Tahu.
"I find such a suggestion offensive," Mr Cowie said.
Dr Forret asked Mr Cowie if money would be paid to Ngai Tahu; Mr Cowie said it would not.
Holcim is proposing, with the Waitaki District Council, to establish a charitable trust to "promote and benefit the greater Waitaki community". The council has signed the trust deed and the Holcim board is expected to sign this month.
From the start of the plant's production, Holcim would contribute $60,000 a year to the trust, rising to about $300,000 at year 50.
Dr Forret said the trust was "effectively buying support of that area of the community" for the plant.
Holcim also proposes a second community trust for the benefit of the Weston and Waiareka Valley communities directly affected by the cement plant and its three quarries.
It would pay $100,000 to the trust at the start of production, then 5c a tonne of cement produced a year, potentially up to about $176,000 a year based on maximum production of 880,000 tonnes.
