"NZAS remains committed to its NZ$1.75 million pledge to support the govemment’s plans to safely remove fertilizer premix material", 17 February 2020

NZAS remains committed to its NZ$1.75 million pledge to support the govemment’s plans to safely remove fertilizer premix material NZAS remains committed to the 2018 agreement with Southland District and Regional Councils, Invercargill City Council, Gore District Council and the New Zealand Government to provide financial assistance in the removal and disposal of a fertilizer premix (Ouvea Premix) material currentty stored at the Mataura Paper Mill and other facilities.

Since 2016, the ownership of the Premix material is with the Crown (the New Zealand government), following the bankruptcy of Taha, a company that had responsibility for processing the material into the Ouvea Premix. The accountability for the removal and disposal of the Premix material is with the Gore District Council, based on an agreement entered into in 2018.

In March 2018, a NZ$4 million package was agreed between the Southland and Gore Distn’ct Councils, the Southland Regional Council, Invercargill City Council, the New Zealand Government and NZAS to fund the removal and disposal of the Premix material. NZAS has made a commitment to provide NZ$1.75 million to this financial package.

Since the agreement was put in place, 500 tonnes of the Premix material has been safely moved and processed by the company contracted by the Gore District Council.

NZAS General Manager Stewart Hamilton said, “NZAS remains committed to its promise to provide NZ$1.75 million to assist the Southland Councils and the New Zealand Government to safely manage the removal and disposal of the Premix material.

“We continue to engage with all stakeholders, including the government and local community".