Waitaha does not want a cement plant built in the Waiareka Valley, but "senses there is an inevitability of it proceeding", a Waitaha descendant, Kenneth McAnergney, told the Environment Court on Thursday.
"A large piece of infrastructure stuck there will be abhorrent to Waitaha. The site is so special. The [cement] silos look like Cape Canaveral. Why can't it be somewhere else," he said about the plant.
He was one of three witnesses called by Waitaha Taiwhenua O Waitaki Trust Board to oppose a proposal by Holcim for a cement plant, two quarries and an open cast coal mine in the valley.
The board is an interested party in an appeal by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society against the granting of resource consents for the cement plant.
"Waitaha know the history and occupation of the area, but legislation and the attitudes of authorities has kept Waitaha excluded from any involvement," Mr McAnergney, of Christchurch, said.
He believed that legislation, in due course, would have to be revisited. He did not see that legislation stopping him or Waitaha from protesting when its sacred sites were affected.
Sites in the Waiareka Valley were important and, collectively, contained the knowledge of Waitaha. It was the possibility of damage unintentional, intentional or even wilful, that concerned Waitaha.
Waitaha was not prepared to be kept at bay and away from the archaeological sites of ancestors. It wanted Holcim to enter into a suitable agreement, ratified by the Environment Court, to be involved in preserving its cultural and spiritual values, including adequate resources and support.
Waitaha had discussed the development with Holcim earlier and thought it could work with it.
"As time has gone on, I've changed my mind a bit and I'm not so sure we can work with Holcim," Mr Mc-Anergney said.
