We’re not sure if the Timaru ratepayers would be aware that Prime Port plan a second milk store. It would be so big that it would extend from the existing milk store right down to the old block works abutment, and would completely dominate the foreshore. Anyway, the test pits dug two weeks ago were exploratory to check out the foundations. The two test pits shown in the photograph mark the southern-most footings. Presumably the fence with the signs saying ‘no access’ will be quite a bit south of that again. Why is it that our council are so arrogant that they think projects of this scale can win approval without public consultation? Or do they keep these things quiet hoping to advance them to the point of no return before we find out? Legally Prime Port may be within their rights, but is it not ill-timed with milk prices at a twenty-year low, with the big container ships gone, with a tug we don’t need still to be paid for, with the first store far from full, and with large vacant sections of the port industrial zone unconsolidated and under-utilised? The Port Company returned a marginal profit this year, but next year isn’t going to look so good. Unless of course they can do some clever stuff with utilisation of the land. Is it that we actually need this shed? Or is it simply property speculation at a time when most people have the sense to be tightening their belts, instead of sticking their necks out?
A rough computer sketch showing the scale of the proposed structure.