Appeal lodged against Cambridge sand quarry consent

Waipā District Council has today confirmed that an appeal has been lodged with the Environment Court against the resource consent granted for a proposed sand quarry at 77 Newcombe Road, southeast of Cambridge.

The consent, granted by independent hearing commissioners following a joint hearing on behalf of Waipā District and Waikato Regional Councils, would allow RS Sand Ltd to extract up to 400,000 tonnes of sand per year under strict and enforceable conditions designed to protect neighbours, local roads, and the environment.

Group manager district growth and regulatory services, Wayne Allan, said the appeal has effectively put the resource consent on hold, so no work can begin at the proposed quarry until it is resolved.

“The appeal process may include Court assisted mediation to try to resolve issues before a formal hearing. If any mediation is unsuccessful, the Environment Court will hold a hearing and issue a judgement, with further appeals on points of law possible to the High Court.

“Council acknowledges there is high community interest in this issue, but at this stage there is no set timeframe on the process,” Allan said.

A hearing and decision is unlikely until 2026.

A copy of the appeal can be found on the Council’s website waipadc.govt.nz/our-services/planning-and-resource-consents/notified-resource-consents/77-newcombe-road-cambridge#toc-link-0