A third substantial Auckland quarry project has gained Fast-track approval to expand its operations, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has announced.
Winstone Aggregates lodged its application in March. The redevelopment of Hunua Quarry will expand existing quarrying activities to allow Winstone Aggregates to deepen the existing Symonds Hill Pit to access additional high-quality greywacke and enabling a peak production capacity of up to 5.4 million tonnes a year of processed aggregate.
“Auckland needs a steady supply of aggregate for housing, construction, businesses and infrastructure. For over 15 years, Auckland has had to bring aggregate in from outside the region, at a significant cost. If the shortage gets worse, building and infrastructure costs will continue to rise,” Mr Bishop says.
“The expansions of this quarry, Drury Quarry and Kings Quarry will help reduce the shortage of aggregate and avoid extra costs. Without the expansion, the quarry’s approved rock supply would likely run out by 2039.
“The expert panel decided that the project would have major benefits for Auckland and the rest of New Zealand. It would make the supply of materials more reliable and make good use of a quarry that has been operating for about 100 years.”
The project was approved with conditions to manage concerns about increased truck traffic on Hunua Road and other roads. Other conditions were also put in place to protect the land, natural surroundings and appearance of the area, said Mr Bishop.
Resources Minister, Shane Jones says the approval of the three quarrying expansions mean a range of important projects will no longer need to source aggregate from outside the region and costs can be kept to reasonable levels.
“In addition, the region will benefit from lower emissions and less heavy traffic on major roads,” Mr Jones says.
“Quarrying is vital to the country providing the materials New Zealand needs to address the housing and infrastructure deficit, as well as providing employment.”
More information about the project:Â Hunua Quarry Development.
