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Gravel and rock extraction

Southland District Council

Friday 21 December 2007, 3:53PM

By Southland District Council

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SOUTHLAND

The Southland District Council has received a number of complaints over the past two weeks in respect of gravel or rock extraction from properties without the necessary resource consent having been sought and granted.


Whilst the Southland District Plan (Rule PRA.4(i) - Permitted Activities) permits the extraction of up to 1,000 cubic metres per annum, up to a maximum of 3,000 cubic metres in total, from a rural property, without requiring a resource consent, preliminary inquiries suggest the extraction is significantly in excess of that.


These complaints are being investigated further, and consideration will be given in the new year as to what enforcement action will be taken.


If these investigations do lead to prosecutions then action can be taken against all parties that are involved in the illegal quarrying.


Those that can be held responsible include the property owner, any sharemilker of the property, and all contractors involved in the extraction.


With a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, and/or a $200,000 fine, those that take part in illegal gravel or rock extraction are taking a huge risk.


Any that are contemplating any quarrying activities are urged to make contact with the resource planning department of the Southland District Council.