Tiwai Point key smelter site’

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 28

Tiwai Point key smelter site’

PA Wellington The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) has indicated that Tiwai Point is the key site for aluminium smelter expansions. Comalco, which runs the two-potline smelter at Tiwai Point, has plans for a third potline extension to the smelter. Also, like two .other international groups, it has proposed a second smelter. Comalco wants to build another two-potline smelter alongside the existing facilities at Tiwai Point. Reynolds International and Swiss Aluminium in a consortium with C.S.R. and Fletcher Holdings, of New Zealand, have each placed proposals for separate smelter with the Government, all using South Island surplus hydro power. The initially focused their attention on a site at Aramoana, near Dunedin, although it is believed that Swiss Aluminium has also suggested either Timaru or Tiwai Point as suitable sites. Questioned at his press conference, Mr Muldoon

said he had a “strong feeling,” that any additional aluminium smelter would be in Southland. Opposition in Dunedin has been mounting against the Aramoana site on environmental grounds. It is near the home of the only albatross nesting area in New Zealand. It is also said to be an important link in a coastal ecology chain. Mr Muldoon said: “They all want it down there (Southland). Up in Dunedin some of them want it, but then some of them won’t have it at any price. “I think the people who want to build these things will go where they are wanted. Other things being equal, that will mean Southland,” said Mr Muldoon. All four proposals are still with a Government inter-departmental committee. Mr Muldoon said agreement was close .on proposals and electricity prices concerning smelter extensions and associated industries.