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Sand mining hearing imminent

 

thumbnail Sand mining beach-162KEN RAYWARD 

The first of three resource consent application hearings for the extraction of sand off the Pakiri-Mangawhai coastal marine area is scheduled to commence on Wednesday May 5 at the Warkworth Town Hall, 9.30am. 

This application is on behalf of Kaipara Limited and is for extraction from the 25 metre depth mark, the mining process is contracted to McCallum Brothers, who are also the applicants for the other two consent applications, still to be lodged. 

Traditionally these mining applications are strongly opposed on a broad spectrum of environmental concerns by impacted communities and scientists. However, a number of opposing submissions are basing their opposition to this current application on the lack of compliance with existing permits, namely operational breeches committed by the current operator, McCallum Brothers, and ineffective consent monitoring by the Auckland Council (AC).  

These challenges caused both the Kaipara Ltd consent application to be revised and redistributed, along with changes to the AC submission which supports the new sand mining consent application.  

These points will still be challenged at the hearing that the current operational practices have not been implemented in accordance with the granted consent requirements. 

While environmental concerns will be of the highest concern for those presenting opposing submissions, these covering the resulting impacts on the coastal bird breeding locations including the fairy terns, to coastline erosion, surf break changes, underwater noise, and more recent awareness regarding the process of sea floor mining and its significant high-level of carbon emissions. 

Other submissions address the issue that not enough consideration has been undertaken in identifying viable alternative sand sourcing locations, that provide a technically suitable, and most importantly, sustainable supply of the product. The Pakiri-Mangawhai sand volumes are finite, every dredge-load taken out is replaced only through shoreline erosion. This sand is highly desirable to mining companies as it is of high technical quality and very accessible and economical to remove. 

Sand is the second most in-demand commodity in the world today. It is no wonder this coming series of consent hearings, which will determine the shape of our coastal lifestyles for not just the next 20 years but forever, are attracting huge levels of community interest and concerns.  

In response, an Auckland Council media spokesperson stated that the evidence presented by submitters regarding Kaipara Ltd breaching the terms of their consent, are being looked into: “This review is currently underway. All the hearing material, including the evidence presented by submitters is publicly available. The hearing allows the applicant, submitters and council the opportunity to put forward evidence and speak to their views in front of a panel of independent hearing commissioners who will make the decision to approve or decline the consent.”  

Although Auckland company McCallum Brothers hold the contract for the mining process, CEO Shayne Elstob says the point in reference regarding the breaches ‘relates specifically to the operations of Kaipara Ltd’. 

“I’m not able to comment on their behalf… we understand Kaipara Ltd have responded to this point in their statement of reply which will be read during the council consent hearings. Naturally when it comes to our own consent applications we will be in a position to answer questions. We recognise there is a high level of interest in our activities, and we are committed to communicating openly with the community.” 

A number of opposing submissions to new sand mining permits are citing lack of compliance with existing permits, operational breeches, and lack of council monitoring. PHOTO/JULIA WADE 


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