Sand mining consent refused, McCallum Bros possible appeal

KEN RAYWARD

23 May, 2022

As reported on the Mangawhai Focus website (May 9), Auckland company McCallum Brothers were ‘very strongly’ refused a resource consent to continue far-shore mining in Mangawhai/Pakiri waters by Auckland Council and hearing commissioners. In response to the May 5 decision, the company’s PR has now launched a full-on ‘scaremongering’ media and industry campaign, claiming the Auckland construction sector will have a supply crisis created by what is a broadly welcomed decision.

It can be expected that the industry will make its own adjustments within the construction sector as the McCallum Bros operation winds down, and the industry identifies alternate supply options to meet their needs. These other sand supplies are available in sufficient volumes to more than replace sand taken from our Mangawhai-Pakiri coast, equal in quality for the construction sector, already resource consented, and available from sustainable locations.

McCallum Bros’ only stated reason that their three resource consent applications should be accepted is the essential service they provide to the Auckland construction sector for cement manufacture.

It is a very sad irony that McCallum have advised that they may be mounting a challenge to the Auckland Council’s refusal decision – in the Environment Court! The irony being their position has only been based on commercial gain, where our community groups operating under the Save Our Sands - SOS banner have only had our environment at the forefront of all our concerns, and the damage that commercial sand mining has caused and continues to cause.

Underlying McCallum Bros economic reasoning is their stated expectation that the historical growth in Auckland will be sustained at previous levels, however current data indicates the Covid-19 enforced lifestyle changes will be with us for some time, and Auckland will not be experiencing past structural growth, in fact a soft growth would be more realistic.

Beyond that, climate change is calling for a rethink of major infrastructure projects, a part of this is the contribution of concrete-intensive developments to carbon emissions, causing changes to construction materials away from concrete.

Auckland Council have taken a brave and well considered necessary decision in supporting the recommendation of the commissioners, remembering this is only the first of three consent applications.

The Mangawhai-Pakiri communities, along with supporters from all over New Zealand, can take great pride in bringing about this first victory, considered “winning the unwinnable”.

We are now preparing for the next battle in defending our beaches for the next generation. The next consent hearing for the remaining two applications is set for late July/early August, along with meeting the Environment Court challenge from McCallum Bros.

The Save Our Sands - SOS community, and now national groups, will be seeking ongoing support from everyone who has put a toe into the surf water, loved walking on our precious white sandy beaches, and embraced the very special bird and marine life that we are blessed with.

Our community has fought successfully against all odds in the past in defending our coast, and sadly the time has come again. As our previous generation did not let us down, it is upon us now to not let our next generation down.

n UPDATE: Auckland Council have just announced the dates for the next sand mining commissioners hearing to consider resource consent applications for mining of sand in the Mangawhai-Pakiri coastline, at the near-shore and mid-shore locations. The hearing is to commence on Wednesday July 27, with up to eight days allocated to hear both applicants and opposing submissions. The hearing will commence at the Warkworth Town Hall, then to the marae and Pakiri Hall, before returning to Warkworth Town Hall .

Te Arai beach supporters will breathe a sigh of relief that their coastline has been granted a sand mining reprieve. PHOTO/JULIA WADE