Source: New Zealand Government
A Fast-track approval for an Auckland quarry is great news for the city’s construction sector, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones say.
Stevenson Aggregates Ltd’s Drury quarry has received approval to expand after lodging its application in April.
“This approval took just 85 working days following the commencement of the expert panel. Without Fast-track, gaining consent for a project like this would take between two and four years” Mr Bishop says.
“The Sutton block is estimated to produce up to 240 million tonnes of aggregate over 50 years.
“Aggregate is essential for Auckland’s growth, supporting housing, construction, and infrastructure. The Sutton Block extension will help meet the city’s demand for aggregate.
“Fast-track is streamlining quarrying approvals so applicants don’t have to navigate multiple, costly layers of consents, over a far longer timeframe, as they have done using existing RMA processes.”
Mr Jones says aggregate was included on New Zealand’s Critical Minerals List because of its economic importance to New Zealand.
“The Government has a significant public infrastructure pipeline in the Auckland region which requires a stable and affordable supply of aggregate.
“It is important quarries are near demand centres. A common industry estimate is that the cost of aggregate doubles after the first 30km it is transported.”
The project was listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 and was approved by an independent expert panel today.
Notes to editor:
For more information about the project: Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block
Fast-track project approved by expert panels:
Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing]
Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Quarry]
Maitahi Village [Housing]
Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing]
Rangitoopuni [Housing]
Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
Expert panels have been appointed for:
Arataki project
Ashbourne
Ayrburn Screen Hub
Green Steel
Haldon Solar Farm
Homestead Bay
Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme
Kings Quarry Expansion – Stage 2
Pound Road Industrial Development
Ryans Road Industrial Development
Southland Wind Farm Project
Stella Passage Development
Sunfield Masterplanned Community
Takitimu North Link – Stage 2
Taranaki VTM Project
The Point Solar Farm
Waihi North
Waitaha Hydro
Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project
24 projects have now been referred into the Fast-track process by the Minister for Infrastructure.
