Shortage of land claimed

A LACK of suitable industrial land in Cromwell has delayed a business shifting to a new site there, it has been claimed.

However, Central Otago’s deputy mayor did not believe there was an issue around land availability in the town.

Contracting and engineering firm Connetics has based its offices and yard in Alexandra and Clyde respectively, as an interim measure, after setting up a regional branch in January.

The firm, which has other branches in Wellington and Christchurch, struggled to find anywhere suitable in Cromwell, Southern regional manager Dan Batchelor said.

‘‘It hasn’t been ideal. We want all our people to be under one roof.’’

Central Otago deputy mayor Neil Gillespie said he would be surprised if there was a shortage of industrial land.

‘‘There still seems to be undeveloped industrial land around Cromwell.

‘‘It’s probably pricey, doesn’t mean it’s short [shortage of land].’’

Mr Gillespie said a firm like Connetics possibly had specific requirements which might have made it difficult to find a suitable site.

Some local business owners have previously criticised the lack of industrial space in Alexandra.

Mr Batchelor said Connetics wanted to be close to its major, Cromwellbased client, Aurora Energy.

‘‘It was always our intent to be based out of Cromwell.

‘‘It’s just so tight in terms of real estate over that side.’’

Connetics’ purposebuilt site on Venning Cres is expected to begin operations in December.

The Central Otago branch has a roster of 33 employees and hopes to have more than 50 by March 2020, Mr Batchelor said.