Consent sought for quarry in North Canterbury River

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A quarry to excavate gravel could be established at Okuku River, north of Rangiora.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) has confirmed it has received a resource consent application from Darwin Earthworks Ltd to excavate gravel from the Okuku River bed, to install temporary culverts and to disturb the river bed.

A permit to discharge contaminants to air, as a result of excavation works, has also been sought.

Darwin Earthworks Ltd is the landowner of the property at 216 Riverside Rd.

The application says the company plans to use the material for further local development and construction activities.

An ECan spokesperson said the council is conducting an assessment of the project’s environmental effects.

If those effects were considered to be ‘‘more than minor’’, the resource consent would be publicly notified, as required under Section 95A of the Resource Management Act.

‘‘When we make a decision on a resource consent, we consider the effects on the natural environment and how the activity will affect other people's use and enjoyment of the environment,’’ the spokesperson said.

ECan is awaiting expert advice on the consent proposals before making ‘‘a notification assessment’’.

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