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A fast-track approval for the expansion of a major quarry in Drury has been welcomed by the Government, with ministers saying it will help support Auckland’s construction and
infrastructure pipeline.
Stevenson Aggregates Ltd’s Drury quarry has received approval to expand after lodging its
application in April, with the decision made under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
application in April, with the decision made under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says the project was approved just 85 working days after the expert panel process began.
“Without Fast-track, gaining consent for a project like this would take between two and four
years,” Bishop says.
years,” Bishop says.
The approved Sutton Block extension is estimated to produce up to 240 million tonnes of
aggregate over a 50-year period.
aggregate over a 50-year period.
“Aggregate is essential for Auckland’s growth, supporting housing, construction, and
infrastructure,” Bishop says.
infrastructure,” Bishop says.
“The Sutton Block extension will help meet the city’s demand for aggregate.
“Fast-track is streamlining quarrying approvals so applicants don’t have to navigate multiple, costly layers of consents over a far longer timeframe, as they have done under existing RMA processes.”
Resources Minister Shane Jones says aggregate was added to New Zealand’s Critical
Minerals List due to its economic importance.
Minerals List due to its economic importance.
“The Government has a significant public infrastructure pipeline in the Auckland region
which requires a stable and affordable supply of aggregate,” Jones says.
which requires a stable and affordable supply of aggregate,” Jones says.
“It is important quarries are near demand centres. A common industry estimate is that the cost of aggregate doubles after the first 30 kilometres it is transported.”
The Drury quarry expansion project was listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act
and was approved by an independent expert panel on December 11.
and was approved by an independent expert panel on December 11.
The Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block is one of several fast-track projects approved by expert panels, alongside the Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension and the Drury Metropolitan Centre consolidated Stages 1 and 2.
More information about the quarry project is available through the Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block project documentation.
