Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project

Project summary

Extract (using a motorised trailing suction dredge) up to approximately 150,000 cubic metres of sand per annum for an initial period of 3 years and up to approximately 250,000 cubic metres per annum thereafter.

Project location

17 square kilometre area of seabed in the marine and coastal area of Bream Bay, Northland.

Project listing application

Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project application – Ministry for the Environment website

Completeness decision

The substantive application by McCallum Bros Limited was deemed complete on 17 February 2026. The application complies with the requirements of section 46 (2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. The application was lodged on 26 January 2026.

Record of decision on completeness and scope – Bream Bay Sand Extraction substantive application (PDF, 95KB)

Memorandum on completeness and scope – Bream Bay Sand Extraction substantive application (PDF, 999KB)

Completeness responses received

Northland Regional Council (PDF, 95KB)

Department of Conservation (PDF, 95KB)

Competing applications decision

The substantive application by McCallum Bros Limited was deemed to not have any competing applications or existing resource consents on 26 February 2026. This decision is required under section 47 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.

Record of decision on competing applications − Bream Bay Sand Extraction substantive application (PDF, 80KB)

The application has been referred to the panel convener for determination by a panel.

Decision of appointment of panel and timing of panel decisions

On 31 March 2026, the panel convener issued a minute covering:

• the appointment of the expert panel

• the timeframe for panel decisions for the Bream Bay Sand Extraction project under clause 2 of section 79 of the Act.

The minute can be viewed on the Correspondence page for the Bream Bay Sand Extraction project.

Correspondence