60 jobs in $230m dairy plant
BIG BOOST FOR OTOROHANGA
Resource consent for a $230 million dairy factory has been given the green light after more than a year in the works.
And it will bring at least 60 jobs to Otorohanga, with more in Hamilton and Auckland, if the final few details for the operation are ruled out.
Initially, Otorohanga District Council opposed the 17.89ha Happy Valley Milk Ltd (HVM) plant after the first of two hearings, citing landscape, ecological and sustainability concerns.
But land use consent was approved on Wednesday and a plant could be up and running within two years if all goes to plan, HVM director Randolph van der Burgh said.
Once all consents are granted, the establishment of the factory would take around 18 months, van der Burgh said. The milk plant would specialise in consumerready infant milk formula and other nutritional milk-based formulas using A2 and organic milk.
‘‘That can cover the whole range, from infant formula right through to senior products,’’ van der Burgh said. ‘‘That comes down to our making a product that satisfies a certain nutritional need in the market.
‘‘If there’s an ageing population that needs a protein boost, we can make a milk product for that – and likewise for infants.’’
Most of the product would be exported to Asia. The company has investors from New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Among locals, reaction to a dairy factory in the region was almost evenly split.
Out of 69 submissions, 34 supported it, four were neutral and 30 against.
During the hearings, Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park expressed concern around the impact a factory would have on surrounding wetland and wildlife.
Kiwi House president Jo Russell declined to comment on the approval until she had looked over the land-use consent in detail.
Flooding, environmental damage, traffic and landscape were among the biggest worries, with property valuations an added concern for those living nearby.
Compensation was offered to homeowners affected by the plant if they supported the build, van der Burgh said.
‘‘Most of them did not enter into any arrangements with us. They chose to state their case at the public hearing, which is fine, it’s their choice. We expect to be a member of the community for over a 100 years and we plan to be very neighbourly.’’
While van der Burgh hoped the factory would get the go-ahead, he wasn’t sure it would.
‘‘There was always that element of uncertainty, because the planning rules are a little bit vague in Otorohanga. Every case is done on a case-by-case basis.’’
The site is located on the outskirts of Otorohanga on the corner of State Highway 31 and Redland Road and would require 30 to 60 tanker deliveries of milk each day.
But Otorohanga District Council Mayor Max Baxter said approval is still not set in stone.
Consent for wastewater, stormwater treatment and wastewater disposal systems still needs to be approved.
While council had initially opposed the consent, it was based on the independent commissioners’ interpretation of the district’s plan and how the factory fit in with it.
‘‘That’s why we used independent commissioners. We are certainly not looking at appealing against the decision and wish [Happy Valley] the best of luck going forward.
‘‘If the proposal is followed forth as they have laid out in their application, it obviously offers huge investments in our district and certainly considerable employment opportunity.
‘‘This is what the whole process is about – that people get the opportunity to air their opinions.
‘‘Certainly those that are affected, either visually or through the noise aspect, they have every right to be concerned.
‘‘Whatever decision is reached, it’s never going to be to the satisfaction of everyone.’’
It’s a busy time for Otorohanga, which is awaiting a decision around the 1500-bed expansion of Waikeria prison. That is expected this month.
‘‘It is exciting times for the district.’’