Ridgeline of Saddle Hill protected

Dunedin (22 August 2013) The Environment Court found in favour of the Dunedin City Council when it announced its decision on the long running dispute over quarrying on Saddle Hill today.

The Court has found that on the balance of probabilities that the Taieri County Council did not grant a resource consent for the quarry under the 1953 Town and Country Planning Act.

Dr Sue Bidrose says the Council has consistently held a position that no resource consent was granted and that the iconic nature of the Hill makes it inconceivable that such a consent would ever have been granted.
“It’s great for us and the quarry owners that there is an end to this process in sight, and very soon we‘ll both know what can and can’t be done in the quarry.”

Hearings panel committee Chair Colin Weatherall says the ruling means the quarry can only continue to operate with ‘existing use rights’. He says that puts the onus on the quarry operators to prove their existing levels of activity can be sustained over the years.

“It is a relief that the Court agrees with us. The best news is this should protect the historic Saddle Hill ridgeline for future generations.”
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