Havelock quarry gets nod

A controversial quarry near Havelock has been given a conditional green light by the Environment Court.

But whether the quarry actually goes ahead remains to be seen after the man behind the project, Marlborough developer Peter Yealands, last year put on hold plans for a Kaiuma Bay subdivision that was to use rock from the quarry.

The proposed open-cast quarry, on crown land at Elliots Hill 3km west of Havelock, was to supply material for roading, drainage and a marina for Mr Yealands' proposed 78-lot coastal subdivision at Kaiuma Bay.

It was opposed by Friends of Pelorus Estuary, who appealed to the Environment Court after the quarry was granted resource consent in April 2007.

The application was the second made by Mr Yealands, after an earlier quarry proposal was declined owing to concerns about traffic hazards and water flow.

The Friends group, representing at least 30 people, opposed the application on several grounds, including potential dust, noise, visual degeneration, stormwater, sediment control and other pollution.

But an Environment Court interim decision stated the quarry would get the green light if certain conditions were met.

This included the need for a set plan for an access road to be lodged within 30 working days. The proposed 1.4km access road will be on the north-eastern slope of Elliotts Hill from State Highway 6.

The conditions limit blasting to a maximum of two blasts fired per calendar month, public notification for each blast at least seven days prior, a limit of 50 vehicle moments from the site each week day and no truck movements on Saturday.

The quarry faces must also be washed down within 48 hours of new cuts being made to cut down on dust and trucks carrying fine gravels must be covered with a tarpaulin before leaving the quarry area.

Mr Yealands got the go-ahead for the 222-section subdivision in Kaiuma Bay in March 2006, but late last year put plans for the 95-berth marina and shortcut road for the development on hold.

Mr Yealands said he had not seen the Environment Court decision and he did not wish to comment until he had read it.

- The Marlborough Express