Job losses for Westport Harbour when Holcim closes

Thursday, 26 May 2016

The Holcim cement works at Cape Foulwind, near Westport.

Seven people will lose their jobs at Westport Harbour when Holcim closes its cement plant near the West Coast town in June.

Buller District Council-owned dredge Kawatiri and support vessel Bob Gower will go into care and maintenance when Holcim stops shipping cement from Westport on June 30.

The Westport Holcim cement factory is about to close as operations move to Oamaru.

The closure of the Westport cement plant would result in the loss of 105 jobs.

Westport Harbour chief executive Stephen Lowe told the Westport News five dredge crew and two engineers would lose their jobs. Two dredge crew and harbourmaster Mike Graham would stay on. They would ensure the dredge and tug remained operational and could be used immediately if any new trade opportunities arose.

A statement from the council said the Kawatiri dredge was primarily used to maintain the bar depth of the Buller River for Holcim's cement ships.

* Holcim's Westport job cuts near as cement import facilities open sooner**

Westport Harbour got 80 per cent of its revenue from Holcim and 100 per cent of the cost of dredging the Buller River.

Without dredging, it was feared the bed of the Buller River would build up with gravel, increasing the risk of flooding in the town.

'Council will, in conjunction with the West Coast Regional Council, look to measure any possible impact flooding may have on the Buller River without regular dredging taking place. Work on possible flood protection measures for Westport is already taking place and the impact of dredging is part of this work,' it said.

The council was looking for 'further commercial opportunities' for the dredge and tugboat.

'To increase income levels for Westport Harbour Ltd the Kawatiri will be contracted out to dredge in the Nelson area from October-November of this year,' the council said.

'In its absence the Bob Gower will be used to the monitor the bar. It is also possible dredging will still take place in Westport, when required, to enable the larger fishing vessels to unload here.'

Buller Mayor Garry Howard had approached every council with a port in New Zealand to see if anyone wanted to use the Kawatiri.

'All possible options are still being considered and while Nelson is the only signed contract at present, there are still viable options that may result in further contracts in the future,' he said.

The council had agreed to pay $1.9 million over three years for the cost of keeping the vessels in care and maintenance.