MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Sand mining consents soughtJULIA WADE
Two sand mining consent applications from the same industrial company have been presented to Auckland Council [AC] in the past two months, seeking further long-term permission to extract sand from local coastline. Auckland-based industrial firm McCallum Brothers, whose current consent expires at the end of May, has lodged an extension to continue to mine in Te Arai’s shallow waters, only five to ten metres from the shoreline. Kaipara Ltd, an auxilary company of McCallums, hold a current 20 year consent granted in 2003, allowing two million cubic metres of sand to be extracted from the outer waters of the coastline. The new application however seeks to bring the company's vessels closer, to operate at 1.2 – 2km from the Pakiri coast at depths of 25 to 40 metres. Managawhai Harbour Restoration Society spokesperson Ken Rayward says the environmental organsiation is 'completely opposed' to both sandmining consent applications. "New Zealand is the only developed country in the world that allows close coastal sand mining. Mangawhai and Pakiri sand is not replaceable, once removed it is gone, with severe coastal erosion being the result." § A more detailed story will follow in the next issue of the Focus. To view more information visit friendsofpakiribeach.org.nz, savetearai.org.nz or contact Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society. |
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