Sand shortages?

Warnings of sand shortages, and cost blowouts, after licence renewals have been turned down for supplies from the sea floor at Pakiri, north of Auckland. Some of Auckland’s biggest concrete jobs are likely to be affected, including the City Rail Link, with the site that’s supplied construction for the past 80 years, denied a 35-year extension. Aggregate and Quarry Association CEO Wayne Scott said transporting sand will cost the economy and the environment, requiring 1000 more trucks. He said if it was repealed in the Environment Court, it wouldn’t change things before next year.