Mr Williamson will meet the Waitaki District Council on Friday to talk about new earthquake-resistant building requirements, before meeting Otago Chamber of Commerce members.
North Otago Chamber of Commerce chairman Gary Kircher said it was important non-members should also hear the minister. He said the chamber had issued an ''open invitation'' to all commercial building owners and business proprietors who worked from rented buildings to listen to Mr Williamson.
''As I understand it, the council meeting is by invitation only. However, the minister is meeting members of the chamber at the Criterion Hotel at 5pm, during which he will have the opportunity to chat less formally with those in attendance.
''I and the chamber executive think it's important that even if one doesn't get the opportunity to speak directly with the minister, it could be important to hear what he has to say. It's important for all building owners to hear from the minister what the various proposals are, and to this end we in the chamber are extending a wider invitation.''
The minister was invited to Oamaru by Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean to hear concerns in the local community about the impact buildings proposals could have if adopted, and Mr Kircher said it would be good for the minister to hear ''first hand'' from local people before he took a buildings policy to the Cabinet later this year.
''Oamaru's a wee bit unique both in the buildings that we have and also the materials they are made from [Oamaru stone], which are large blocks as opposed to other types of stone or brick.
''Before they come up with the final policy, this is an opportunity for him to see first hand just exactly what the effects are on the ground. And for a place like Oamaru, if they get it wrong, we'll have an empty main street.''
However, he added that the situation faced by building and business owners did not necessarily have to be all bad news, and urged people to attend with ''open minds''.
