Oct 23, 2008 - 08:45 AM

By Jillian Follert

OSHAWA -- Brock Township could be the hero in Oshawa's ethanol plant debate.

This week, Mayor John Gray confirmed he has been speaking with Brock Mayor Larry O'Connor about the possibility of taking FarmTech Energy's proposal to build an ethanol plant at the Oshawa port, and moving it north.

In December 2004, councillors in Brock passed a resolution saying that Township is interested in playing host to an ethanol plant, and Mayor O'Connor said that invitation is still on the table.

"I have talked to (FarmTech president) Dan O'Connor and to John Gray about this, but it's just been informal conversations so far," he said. "We are certainly open to entertaining this idea."

There isn't a specific site in Brock that's being considered, but Mayor O'Connor said the north end of the municipality would be ideal because it offers access to a CN rail line and Hwy. 12.

To ensure FarmTech can still adhere to its business model, which includes importing corn by ship, Mayor Gray said Oshawa would be willing to support construction of grain silos at the port.

"This way, we keep business at the port, we get this proposal away from our harbour lands, and Brock gets a facility that they want," he said. "It's a fantastic idea."

FarmTech is hoping to build a 12-hectare, $185-million plant at the Oshawa port -- a proposal that has sparked intense controversy in recent months. Waterfront advocates and some politicians, including Mayor Gray, argue it will destroy the City's vision for a people-friendly waterfront area, while environmentalists worry about the impact on the Second Marsh, which sits adjacent to the proposed site.

On the other side of the issue, local farmers say an ethanol plant close to home will give them a much-needed market for their product, while the Oshawa Harbour Commission welcomes any additional business at the port.

Despite the controversy in Oshawa, FarmTech President Dan O'Connor said he doesn't see the Brock idea panning out.

He said his company has already invested years of time and significant money on studies and engineering for the Oshawa site

"Are we just supposed to pick up and leave after all that?" he asked. "It sounds like a novel idea, but it's not that simple."â?¨ Mr. O'Connor noted Brock does not have a large enough site that is currently zoned to accommodate a plant, which means Farmtech would have to start a re-zoning process, like the one underway in Oshawa, from scratch in Brock.

He is also concerned about the lack of a deep water port in the community.

"I'm glad (Mayor Gray) reached out to speak to me, and it sounds like we've alleviated his concerns around the operation of the plant, if he's suggesting his neighbour take it on," Mr. O'Connor said. "But, I'm a bit shocked that he would want to give up this investment and the jobs and the $1 million in property taxes this would bring."

Before a plant could be built on the Oshawa site, council needs to approve an official plan amendment and a rezoning.

A public meeting took place in June and a report from City staff is expected to come to council's development services committee in November.

Mayor Gray said the Brock idea won't impact council's decision on the rezoning, but might act as "ancillary noise" in the overall debate.