Background
The availability of aggregate sources in the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua region has been an issue for some time, and is not just for our region.
In 2021 Te Waihanga Infrastructure Commission commissioned GNS to do a high-level mapping exercise to identify suitable aggregate resources throughout New Zealand – view here.
This work was undertaken to support better spatial planning around the local use of aggregate, and to help reduce the truck movements, road maintenance and emissions associated with transporting sand, gravel and rock aggregate. New Zealand uses around four million trucks of aggregate every year.
Demand for aggregates continues to increase, and high growth areas such as our region have significant future demands, which will require new and existing quarries. It’s crucial that we plan and manage our aggregate use well, to ensure our infrastructure providers have a reliable and affordable supply of aggregates, while we responsibly manage impacts on the environment and communities.
Te Waihanga further commissioned GNS to identify potential extraction opportunities close to four high-growth areas with high aggregate prices include our region – GNS SR 2024/09 (umbraco.io). Through this, GNS has sought to identify those places in your region that may be most suitable for future quarries.
What is the Aggregate Opportunity Site Study?
The WRLC has commissioned The Property Group to identify where in the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua region, suitable “aggregate opportunity sites” might be. This project takes the GNS technical data and overlays other site assessment criteria to identify a list of possible sites. A Multi Criteria Assessment will also be undertaken with a group of industry experts.
Work on this study is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 and results from this study will be compared to results in the Industrial Land Study to ensure consistency of approach and look for sites that may be identified in both studies.