Pukeuri and other areas in and around Oamaru have been rejected as alternatives to the Waiareka Valley, near Weston, for Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd’s proposed cement plant.

Holcim selected the Waiareka Valley site in the 1970s. The land was bought and then rezoned to accommodate a plant. That was confirmed last year by resources consents granted by the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Council.

However, the consents are being appealed to the Environment Court by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society, which has suggested the plant would be better at Pukeuri or on suitably zoned land within or around Oamaru.

Source: Otago Daily Times