What’s the Story?

This new, periodic news feature addresses issues which have Marlburians abuzz.

Taylor Pass residents recently raised concerns about a quarry proposed in their neighbourhood. In initiating the consent process, Council issued notices only to property owners adjacent to the site.

Neighbours beyond the immediate vicinity call for wider notification given the scope and impacts of the operation. They cite the application for 748 Taylor Pass Road – U260110, filed by Gill Construction – indicating up to 40,000 tonnes of rock a year would get blasted, processed and transported.

What’s the story with the noticing?
Summarising an explanatory letter in response to inquiries: Council followed a “limited notification” process for “only those parties identified as affected people” under provisions of the Resource Management Act.

RMA stipulations for “public notification” include a project in which “the environmental effects are likely to be more than minor” – Council assessed “the level of [overall] effect” as fitting that criterion.

The letter concludes: “We recognise that this outcome may be disappointing for some in the community. Please be assured that the environmental effects of this proposal will continue to be carefully assessed as part of the decision-making process.”

Has something around Marlborough piqued your interest? Perplexed or perturbed you? Left you scratching your head or at your wits’ end?

Email [email protected] with your issue.