Residents win the opening battle against quarry expansion

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Matakana residents have successfully opposed plans for a large quarry to serve the construction boom north of Auckland.

A joint venture of Winstone Aggregates and Fulton Hogan wants to boost quarrying at the Whangaripo Quarry, east of Wellsford, by nearly 30 times the volume now allowed.

They are now appealing to the Environment Court for a reversal of the decision.

The venture says that a key quarry north of the harbour bridge will avoid the need for 40 to 50 truck and trailer-loads a day from southern Auckland quarries through congested city routes such as Spaghetti Junction.

Whangaripo's greywacke is the first quality rock available north of the Harbour Bridge and the plan is to bump up production from 60,000 to 450,000 tonnes a year.

But the companies' ambitions for a small country quarry clash with a community preferring an environment nurturing lifestyle and tourism.

The community put up 349 opposing submissions when the Auckland Regional Council and Rodney District Council heard the venture's case for expansion resource consents.

After a six-day hearing the councils declined resource consents.

The reasons included the applicant's unwillingness to consider a smaller quarry, removal of bush and effects on neighbours and the ecosystem.

The applicant - called Rodney Aggregate Supplies - is asking the court to overturn the decision.

Fulton Hogan chief executive for New Zealand contracting, Lindsay Crossen, said yesterday the quarry offered a direct supply for roading projects, asphalt and concrete plants serving the high-growth Albany, Orewa and northern Rodney areas.

Without it, the demand would have to be met by southern quarries such as Hunua, Drury and Bombay.

"One of our strong arguments is that under the Resource Management Act the resource is to be used for the benefit of the community," said Mr Crossen.

"We see the greywacke resource of Whangaripo as best used in the area where it is."

Mr Crossen said the company tried to meet concerns about an increase in the number of trucks on local roads by offering to pay for sealing and safety improvements.

Wayby and Whangaripo Valley Society chairman David Frith said the quarry was in a little valley surrounded by native forest, and about 30 homes would look down on the quarry as it was developed into a large industrial site.

"Significant alternative supplies of the resource are available from other quarries and so damage being done to that valley's environmental and rural character simply cannot be justified."

Big plans

Companies are appealing a ruling that prevents them boosting production from 60,000 to 450,000 tonnes a year at Whangaripo Quarry, east of Wellsford.

The community put up 349 submissions opposing the plan