Multimillion-dollar company James Hardie New Zealand is planning to excavate more than 800,000 cubic metres of silica sand from Kaukapakapa over the next 35 years.
The company, which makes building materials, owns two sections it hopes to excavate at 353 and 353D McLachlan Road.
Around 23,000 cubic metres of sand would be extracted each year and processed at a wash plant on site.
The wash plant will be up to eight metres high and process up to 30 tonnes of sand per hour to remove clay and water.
The sand will then be taken by truck to the James Hardie plant in Penrose with 10 truck movements expected a day.
The operation would run from 7am to 5.30pm six days a week.
James Hardie had its resource consent for the excavation approved by Auckland Council to proceed with limited notification on November 16.
The Rodney Local Board approved the limited notification, which gave nine neighbouring properties the chance to submit on the consent.
Six neighbours made submissions, all in opposition to the excavation.
Gill Rolfe, who lives 400 metres from the site, was among those submitting.
“Safety is the main issue for me as McLachlan Road is not appropriate for big truck and trailer units as it’s unsealed with lots of hairpin bends,” she says.
The resource consent has acknowledged this and recommends James Hardie upgrade the road and impose a 50km speed limit on its trucks.
However, Gill is concerned that works may begin prior to the upgrade of the road. She also opposes the operation because of dust particles that may carry from the site in the wind.
“We have very strong westerlies here coming off the Kaipara Harbour, and it’s a real health concern that dust from excavating could carry into people’s homes.”
Kaukapakapa Residents and Ratepayers Association chair Peter Brennan doesn’t believe the wider community opposes the excavation, but is concerned about the vehicle movements.
“McLachlan Road is one of the most broken roads in the region and to not include all of the residents on that road in the limited notification is wrong in my opinion,” Mr Brennan says.
James Hardie New Zealand was not available to make comment on any issues with the excavation as Mahurangi Matters went to press.
