Aramoana dialogue

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 3

Aramoana dialogue

PA Dunedin The Aramoana smelter project engineer. Mr Charles Jamieson, has suggested to residents that it may be possible for them to remain at Aramoana. He said that residents might be able to shift their homes outside the site perimeter. Alternatively, the planned sewage ponds could be moved from the village area to the proposed reserve or the salt marsh. Mr Jamieson visited residents for the first time last week and spoke to several of the older people. He confirmed on Monday that he wants to establish a dialogue with them. He also confirmed that there had been no finality in negotiations with the Otago Harbour Board about compensation

for residents and other bach owners. It" had been suggested earlier that it might be possible to have this concluded by Christmas, but Mr Jamieson said that Christmas next year might be more likely. He noted that the environmental impact report on the smelter said that there might be people who, in spite of the deterioration in their environment, might choose to stay. This option should be respected by South Pacific Aluminium and the harbour boards without prejudices to compensation, the impact report suggested. Mr Jamieson said that residents had asked him, “Why can’t we stay?” “I said, ‘How would you feel if there was a smelter here?’ Most of them said they would have no objection

to the smelter. They would just like to stay.” Mr Jamieson said some residents pointed out that a public reserve would be created on land not occupied by the smelter, and asked why they could not live on some of this land. “What I said to them is that they should put that case through some independent spokesman to the company.” he said. “The debate should be between the company and them.” Mr Jamieson, said he suggested that one possible solution was for residents to stay at Aromoana for their lifetime. and then the occupation would lapse. “That could be one option,” he said. “It means that they don’t have any worries for the rest of their natural life.” This option would apply the all permanent residents, not just the elderly ones.