Holcim (New Zealand) is continuing to work on its proposal for a new cement plant near Weston and shipping terminal in Timaru, despite a decision on whether it will go ahead being put on hold until next year.
Uncertainty over the future of the project has prompted Holcim to update the two communities with a newsletter.
Last month, Holcim announced that a decision on whether to build the plant had been put on hold for a year, because of the present global economic climate.
"We realise that this creates ongoing uncertainty but we will continue to keep people informed," project manager Ken Cowie said at the time.
The company, over the next few days, is delivering to nearly 8000 households in the Oamaru area and stakeholders throughout New Zealand, a newsletter updating them on the Weston project.
The newsletter says further consideration of the project is not now expected by the board of directors of its parent company in Switzerland, Holcim Ltd, until next year.
"Holcim (New Zealand) understands that this creates ongoing uncertainty for the local communities of Oamaru, Westport [where Holcim's existing plant will close once Weston is built] and Timaru and remains committed to keeping people informed on the status of the project," the newsletter said.
In September, the Holcim project team completed two weeks of negotiations with two international companies which supply cement equipment.
The companies, along with other parties that had expressed interest in being involved in building the plant, had been advised it was on hold.
The Weston project continued to have the support of Holcim, and the New Zealand project team would refine information and work on various elements to ensure the proposal remained in a state of readiness to be presented to its parent company.
The newsletter thanked stakeholders for their support during this year and said Holcim looked forward to continuing next year the relationships it had developed with communities and other stakeholders.
