The Clevedon Protection Society (CPS) says it achieved the best outcome for the community in its long battle with civil construction company Fulton Hogan’s resource consent application to expand operations at Clevedon Quarry.
The long-awaited hearing, which began in December, was to determine whether resource consent could be granted to increase production from the McNicol Road quarry from 200,000 tonnes per annum to 3 million tonnes per annum.
Residents cited concerns over heavy truck and trailer movements which they say would increase from 100 per day, to 1306 per day. Locals claimed the roads were unsuitable to handle such heavy truck traffic and wanted the number of trucks on the roads to be reduced.
“Overall CPS is satisfied that it achieved the best outcome for the Clevedon community given the very permissive nature of the quarry provisions within the Auckland Unitary Plan,” a spokesperson said.
We faced an uncertain outcome if the matter was taken further to a full Environment Court hearing, although we were prepared to take that risk if an agreement could not be reached.”
Given the early gains made in the first two days of mediation, the CPS sought expert legal advice and ultimately determined that reaching a mediated agreement was in the best long-term interests of the Clevedon community.
“CPS is pleased that it appealed the commissioners decision as we have achieved significant improvements to the conditions of consent, along with a significant reduction in operating hours and truck numbers, which was a fundamental outcome we were seeking,” the group said.
“CPS is now looking forward to actively participating in the Community Liaison Group which is being established to oversee compliance and to engage with the broader Clevedon community to help mitigate the adverse effects from the quarry expansion.
“CPS has established a strong community-focused organisation which is prepared to take action to achieve better community and environment outcomes. We have a very strong desire to continue the momentum and to ensure that the unique character and rural environment of Clevedon is protected for future generations.”
One important matter which remains outstanding is the responsibility for long-term maintenance or upgrading of the roads on the quarry truck route. This issue has been parked while Auckland Transport and Fulton Hogan seek to reach a resolution. If no resolution is reached, AT and FH will go to a hearing on this issue. CPS could maintain a watching brief and not take an active role.
Among the key gains in the agreement reached this month are that there will be no quarry truck movements on Saturday afternoon permanently, no quarry truck movements on Friday night and no quarry truck movements after 6pm each night, except for a maximum of 60 nights per year on Monday to Thursday nights. These are to be notified in advance to the community.
Additionally, no quarry trucks can Tourist or McNicol road prior to 6.30 am (Monday to Saturday) and there would be no load-out of trucks from the quarry prior to 7am (Monday to Saturday).
There is also a maximum average of 900 quarry truck movements per day (calculated as a rolling average across a calendar year), reduced from 1300 per day.
The agreement will also include measures to secure in perpetuity safe sight lines on Monument Road.
