Roadblocks Removed For Quarry Sector

The quarry sector is pleased its concerns have been heard about existing RMA national directions stymying access to the rock and sand resources needed to build homes and roads.

Aggregate and Quarry Association (AQA) CEO Wayne Scott says he’s relieved to see today, the Government’s package of proposed amendments to RMA instruments include several targeted at the extractive sector.

"We have been saying to this and the previous Government that changes were needed to existing National Policy Statements on Highly Productive Land, Freshwater Management and Indigenous Biodiversity.

"While the changes were mostly minor, some existing wording was leading to bizarre outcomes such as quarries being told it could extract aggregate but not remove any of the overburden above it."

Wayne Scott says what the Government is now proposing will also allow for net positive environment outcomes and deserves to be welcomed.

"Currently, quarries sometimes seek consent applications such as where a piece of bush is needed for an extension but they have to be declined even when offering to plant several times the amount of affected land."

He says his sector has not sought to reduce environmental outcomes.

"Through the Fast-track Approvals legislation and these amendments, we have stressed we are after certainty and speed not environmental degradation.

"Our industry has worked for years to improve our environmental credentials and relations with our communities. We see these latest changes as helping both the environment and those communities who want the resources provided for their homes and roads."

He says on average one kilogram an hour of aggregate, rock and sand is accessed for every New Zealander.

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