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The news that New Zealand’s first sand manufacturing operation will start up next month could be a “game breaker” in the Pakiri sand mining appeal currently before the Environment Court, according to one opponent.
Save Our Sands spokesperson Ken Rayward said Kaipara Ltd’s aim to produce 300,000 tonnes of sand a year by crushing rock from its Brooksby quarry near Clevedon could also crush claims by McCallum Bros Limited (MBL) that Pakiri sand was essential to prevent a supply crisis.
“They (Kaipara) have announced they have a quarry in Auckland, producing sand from April, technically and price competitive, sustainable for 1000 years,” he said.
“This takes away any concerns for a shortage of supply impacting the Auckland construction sector. It’s a potential game breaker.”
Kaipara Ltd previously owned one of three sand mining consents off Pakiri, until it sold its permit to MBL and got out of sand mining in October 2021.
The company said it was pursuing sand manufacture as it felt there was a need for a viable and sustainable alternative to ensure continuity of supply that didn’t involve continually taking natural sand from rivers and the sea.
Manufactured sand is increasingly being produced and used in construction in many countries, including China, Japan, India and the US.
More than a dozen environmental, community and resident groups are opposing MBL’s appeal against a refusal by commissioners in 2022 to renew its consent to dredge sand offshore from Pakiri and Mangawhai. Following hearings over three months last year, a decision by the Environment Court is expected later this year.
