Decision Released: Westland Mineral Sands – Mananui Project

We’re proud to share that our director, Mark Geddes, recently served as an Independent Hearings Commissioner, alongside John Maassen (Chair) and Tim Vial, acting under delegation from the West Coast Regional Council and Westland District Council. The panel was tasked with hearing and determining resource consent applications from Westland Mineral Sands Limited to extract heavy mineral sand deposits from farmland at Mananui, adjacent to State Highway 6, just south of Hokitika. This was a complex and nationally significant decision, with two key matters of contention: Whether natural inland wetlands existed on-site. Whether the remnant stands of indigenous vegetation qualified as significant natural areas under the relevant ecological and planning frameworks. Following a detailed hearing process, comprehensive site visits, and extensive expert evidence, the panel has granted consent for the mining operation, subject to stringent environmental and ecological conditions. This decision is a strong example of evidence-led planning, collaborative engagement (including with Poutini Ngāi Tahu), and balancing economic development with the protection of sensitive ecological environments. You can read the full decision here:  Westland Mineral Sands Decision #ResourceManagement #Planning #EnvironmentalDecisionMaking #Westland #IndependentCommissioner #PerspectiveConsulting #SustainableDevelopment #WestCoastNZ