Frigate decision awaited

Press, 12 August 1989, Page 8

Frigate decision awaited

CULLEN SMITH

By

South Island manufacturers are anxiously awaiting the Government’s decision on the Anzac frigates project. They believe the project offers opportunities for a positive increase in business with the creation of up to 700 new jobs. More than $3OO million Of the frigate investment was expected to be spent in the South Island, especially in Canterbury, said the director of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, Mr lan Howell, yesterday. “This would give a muchneeded boost to local industry,”

he said. The Amecon consortium, widely considered the frontrunner in the bidding for the 12frigate contract, had clearly identified a wide range of Canterbury industries which could be involved in the joint manufacturing programme. Mr Howell said the project would benefit more than just heavy engineering companies.. “A go-ahead decision by the Government would lead to new investment in plant and equipment, leading to new technologies for other projects, as well as industry benefiting from the up-

grading of quality assurance systems,” he said. “Coupled with this would be the benefits from the flow-on effect to the service industries, especially the Port of Lyttelton, where the Amecon joint venture partner, Cable Price Downer, has two engineering facilities,” Mr Howell said. Mr Howell’s views are shared by the South Island secretary of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, Mr Bob Todd. Engineers supported the frigate project because of the jobs which would be created and the chance for a technology ex-

change between Australia, New Zealand and West Germany, Mr Todd said. “The Anzac ships project will contribute enormously to the development of a defence-based manufacturing industry in New Zealand,” he said. Support and maintenance programmes for the ships would provide work for the next 30 years, said Mr Todd. It was estimated the project would lead to at least 2000 jobs for the next 15 years. Further jobs would be created by the technology exchange.