A proposed steel manufacturing plant has just received the tick of approval this month, from the government’s Fast Track process.
But in the next step of the process, the Hampton Downs project has been referred to an Expert Panel to determine the operational and consent details and whether, or under which conditions, it might proceed.
The Green Steel project outlines an application to build and operate a structural steel manufacturing plant on 53 hectares of land next to Hampton Downs. It proposes to use recycled scrap metal (such as cars) sourced from across NZ and shredded on site.
It aims to make steel production sustainable in NZ using scrap metals rather than iron ore or iron sands. Currently all scrap metal is exported, not reused in NZ.
Initial information from the Fast Track site indicates the steel manufacturing plant proposes to include a scrap steel shredding plant, electric furnaces to produce structural steel, buildings, access roads and hardstand areas as well as screening and planting to mitigate noise and visual effects.
It is planned to sit on land bounded by Springhill Corrections facility, the landfill, Hampton Downs motorsport track and the Waikato Expressway. The application indicates that the project will create up to 200 new jobs for the area.
