N. Z. Steel prepares report

Press, 14 November 1981, Page 21

N. Z. Steel prepares report

PA Wellington New Zealand Steel. Ltd. has prepared a detailed report of the investigations into the options available for transporting ironsand concentrate from Waikato North head to Glenbrook. In a statement the company said the report had been prepared in response to questions from the Commission for the Environment and the local community on why rail was selected in mid-1980 as . the preferred transport method. The report showed that three transportation methods, road, rail, and

aerial ropeway were feasible and concluded that on balance a rail system was preferred. In accordance with the procedures used in New Zealand for major developments, the New Zealand Railways had prepared an environmental impact report of the proposed railway. This report studied the environmental effects arising from the construction and operation of a railway and also examined the environmental differences between various possible track alignments.' The release to the public

of these reports was being held back in order to study further new developments in the field of pneumatic capsules. When the reports were released there would be the fullest opportunity for members of the public to study them and to make their views known, before the board of New Zealand Steel Development, Ltd, decided on the mode of transport to be used, the report said. This would include an environmental audit by the Commission for the Environment, with the public being able to make submissions to

the commission. The board of New Zealand Steel Development would not make its decision on the transportation method until the commission’s audit was available.

If the board ultimately decided that a railway was the preferred method, the New Zealand Railways would institute procedures for the required planning approvals being obtained. The process for securing the planning approvals will provide further ample provision for the right to be heard by those with an interest in the planning application, the statement said.