The integrated Minerals, Waste and Water Study is intended to support land use proposals and planning policies in the bridging Island Plan. There is a clear value in considering minerals and inert waste management demands as an integrated system, in terms of making best use of available resources and in helping to meet our net zero carbon aspirations. The study encompasses the issue of long-term solutions for the storage of potable (drinking) water as the large voids left by quarrying activities can often be considered as suitable sites for new reservoirs.
The Study is formed of two elements:
Part 1 of the Study (Sections 2-4) establishes the current baseline with regards to minerals, inert waste and potable water, drawing on several sources of information.
Part 2 of the Study (Sections 5-8) look forward to the future requirements for minerals, inert waste and potable water, and how they might be met in an integrated fashion.
Any recommendations of the study must be considered, and balanced, in the light of environmental considerations that underpin the policies of the Island Plan.