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Hunua residents are celebrating after Auckland Council confirmed the applicant behind a proposed managed fill site on Jones Road has withdrawn their resource consent application.
Scarbro Environment had applied for resource consent to establish a 790,000m³ managed fill for building waste in Hunua.
The Hunua Ararimu Paparimu Valley Residents Association (HAPVRA) says the proposed fill application, if approved, would see an area the size of Wellington’s Cake Tin stadium, with 192 daily truck movements through the narrow, winding Hunua Gorge. The gorge road is prone to landslips and rockfall, often closing during the winter months. Temporary traffic lights have been in place since September on a section of the road that is closed to one lane due to rockfall and slips.
In a joint statement from HAPVRA co-chairs Geraldine Schnauer and Maxine Clayton said they were “very pleased” to hear Scarbros had withdrawn from the resource consent process.
“There was overwhelming opposition from our community, with more than 500 submissions against it. We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to write one, as well as our local politicians who played their part.
“Auckland Council’s own planning officers recommended refusal over traffic safety fears due to our narrow winding roads (particularly through Hunua Gorge) and potential impact on the rural character of the area, while Watercare opposed it due to possible contamination of Hays Creek Dam catchment.”
Auckland Council head of resource consents James Hassall confirmed the application for resource consent for a managed fill site at 362 Jones Road, Hunua was withdrawn at the applicant’s request.
“Accordingly, processing of the application will cease,” he told the Franklin Times. “The council is aware that there is a Fast-track Referral Application for managed fill at this same address, through the Ministry for the Environment as the administering agency. The council is not a decision maker with respect to the Fast-track Approvals Act.”
However, a Ministry for the Environment (MfE) spokesperson said it had not received a referral application for 362 Jones Road.
“If and when it enters the referral system, MfE would be unable to comment while the project is under active consideration by the Minister for Infrastructure.”
The ministry says information will be published on the Fast-track website when the minister makes a referral decision. HAPVRA has cautioned against celebrating just yet, with the possibility the Fast-track process may still be underway.
“We can’t open the champagne just yet. The proposal has been lodged with Fast-track, and we’re waiting to hear if it will be referred to a panel for consideration or not. Common sense would say not, given that Winstone’s Quarry, a viable alternative with ample capacity, is just 5km down the road! We’ll keep fighting.
“We have a responsibility to our community and to all of rural New Zealand. If this goes ahead, nowhere will be safe.”
The Franklin Times has approached Scarbro Environment for comment.
