Building a cement plant, quarries and coal mine in the Waiareka Valley should be neither surprising nor unexpected, counsel for the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils, Alastair Logan, told the Environment Court.
Mr Logan was opening the case for the two councils, which early last year granted 46 resource consents for the cement plant and three quarries proposed by Holcim (New Zealand).
Those consents have been challenged by opponents of the plant, including the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society, which suggests it should be built on another site, such as at Pukeuri.
Mr Logan said the valley was endowed with most of the essential raw materials for the manufacture of cement, which made the site eminently suitable for a plant.
The potential for cement manufacture was recognised in the 1960s, Holcim's predecessor developed options in the 1970s and zoning for the project was included in Waitaki district plans in 1988 and 1996 by creating a "cement policy area". The project was granted resource consents last year.
"In terms of both the planning instruments and community expectations, there is nothing surprising and unexpected about the present proposal," Mr Logan said.
There would be immediate benefits to the Waitaki district, with jobs being created and local businesses experiencing increased demand. It would enhance and diversify the local economy and help maintain the district's population.
There would also be flow-on benefits to South Canterbury, Timaru port, where cement would be shipped from, and to coastal Otago through increased demand for goods and services.
Part of the appellant's case seemed to be based on the contention the new plant was not commercially viable as a result of the economic downturn.
Mr Logan said that was not a relevant consideration for the court.
"The commercial judgement is solely for Holcim, not the court," he said.
"It is not for the court to evaluate whether upgrading or rebuilding at Westport, importing cement to meet demand, or some combination of both are better options for Holcim."
Holcim had looked at alternative sites for a cement plant but had dismissed them, and the court should treat "with considerable reservation" the contention it should be built elsewhere.
"The court cannot indulge in speculation as to the merits of other hypothetical locations," Mr Logan said.
One of the sites suggested was at Pukeuri, where Alliance Group's freezing works is located.
However, air-quality scientist Prue Harwood said that would place Oamaru downwind of prevailing winds for a reasonable percentage of the time. Any assessment of a new industry at Pukeuri would have to take into account cumulative effects of the development and the Pukeuri meat works.
Judge Gordon Whiting said the suitability of an alternative was, to a degree, speculative because of the scale of the proposal.
Key points
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 plant in February, 2008.
• Consents appealed to the Environment Court by Holcim, the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society and Andrew Renalson, with interested parties Waitaha 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.
