Council continues to support economic development
Council formally received the news yesterday regarding the closure of the Norske Skog Tasman Mill.
Kawerau District Council chief executive Russell George said, "It is an end of an era for the district and we acknowledge the huge contribution the company has made to the district, region and also nationally over the years."
Norske Skog is Council’s largest ratepayer and the impacts of the closure of the company on the district are being analysed by Council.
"As a founding member, Council continues to support Industrial Symbiosis Kawerau (ISK) which is a partnership with Iwi, Kawerau Industries and our Eastern Bay neighbours to develop viable, interconnected businesses and relationships that balance social, environmental and economic drivers."
Outputs of that support include the Pūtauaki Trust Industrial Development – the installation of a roundabout on the State Highway and internal roading into Pūtauaki Trust’s 80 hectare industrial site. Waiu Dairy is an example of a new industry that has set up recently on this industrial site.
Recent meetings with key stakeholders of the Kawerau Container Terminal development indicate that it will go ahead to service the other manufacturing industry in Kawerau. This comprises a rail siding and related infrastructure which is currently in the planning and design phases.
The Kawerau Container Terminal will reduce carbon emissions by some 16,000 tonnes per annum each year by transporting products by rail rather than road.
In addition, there is the development of an Off-Highway Road which will link the Kawerau Container Terminal to existing industry, the Pūtauaki Trust industrial area and plantation forests. This is in the resource consenting phase.
All indications are that Kawerau District will continue to have other commercial ventures interested to move their operations to the district.
There is the opportunity to position Kawerau as the green economy with the renewable geothermal energy and process heat available for industry.
BELOW: The Pūtauaki Trust is progressing the roundabout on the State Highway which connects to the internal roading in their 80 hectare industrial development. Waiu Dairy has been operating on the site since 2019. 