Proposed Cleanfill – 297 Whitehills Rd
Residents of Whitehills Rd and Kahikatea Flat Rd have become alarmed at the prospect of a huge cleanfill site being developed on a 24ha property in Whitehills Rd. They have recently formed an action group to oppose this proposal and after discussions with Gerrard Zweir plan to link with WEPS to mount the opposition through the RMA processes.
What is proposed?
A cleanfill site being developed By Craig Beecroft and Murdoch Dryden through a company, Kahikatea Land Ltd, that will eclipse anything else seen in the region with 1.8 million cubic metres of fill to be dumped over a 8ha area up to 35 metres deep on a steep unstable slope over a period of 10 years.
The site will be accessed from Kahikatea Flat Rd (beside No 524) up a yet to be formed paper road and then through an internal road to the tip site. The application is for 110 trucks (220 truck movements) per day, six days a week for 10 years bringing fill predominantly from Silverdale and Albany areas. Access will be mainly through Pine Valley Rd and SH 17, although some will also come through Wainui Rd. Trucks are also expected to backload from Flat Top quarry. Initially trucks will access through Whitehills Rd for the “construction phase” estimated to be more than the allowed 20 weeks.
Also in the proposal is the loss of 220 metres of stream, removal of mature kauri, pine and other trees and significant noise and dust effects. The property borders a Significant Natural Area of covenanted forest and is surrounded by a number of lifestyle blocks.
The application has been lodged with RDC and is being processed by Babbage Consultants on their behalf. ARC had not been consulted, but because of our approach to them they are now following this through and we are attempting to have all the consents processed together under Section 91.
RDC have agreed to notify the application.
We welcome the support of all in the wider district as this project could have dramatic effects on many people.
Graeme Woodside
Chairman Whitehills
Action Steering Committee
