Resource consent process outlined, New Zealand

Resource consent process outlined, New Zealand
18 January 2007


Holcim (New Zealand) Ltd has outlined the resource management process for its proposed cement plant at Weston.  
 
Within the next two months, the company expects to file resource consent applications to construct and operate the plant and associated quarries and pits. 
 
The plant is one of several options being considered by Holcim to meet market demand for cement.  
 
Lodging the consent applications with the Otago Regional and Waitaki District Councils will follow community consultation started by Holcim in May last year, and will mark the beginning of the formal Resource Management Act process. 
 
Copies of the full applications would be available at public locations and Holcim would also ensure people had access to the applications and technical reports and the opportunity to ask questions, the company said yesterday.  
 
The next phase of the process is set by the RMA and run by the regulatory authorities. It allows the public to make submissions on the project.  
 
Once the submission period closes, a hearing date will be set and that is likely to be a hearing involving both councils.  
 
Parent company Holcim Ltd will make a decision on the various options being considered, probably next year.  
 
This week, Oamaru lawyer Bill Dean said the RMA process was extremely "robust" and he encouraged people to make submissions.  
Published under Cement News