Initial dates have been set for the preparation of evidence for an Environment Court hearing that will test quarrying rights on Dunedin's Saddle Hill.
In December, it emerged the future of the controversial quarrying operation would be decided by the court, after the council announced mediation with quarry owners Saddle Views Estate Ltd had failed.
The council had decided to reactivate a court process to determine the legal rights of land owners to continue quarrying.
Council staff started investigating quarrying activities in 2010, and the company was asked to provide evidence to support claims it could continue quarrying in the protected landscape conservation area. Mediation followed, but that ended with this week's announcement.
Council resource consents manager Alan Worthington said yesterday a hearing date had yet to be set by the court.The quarry owners had until February 29 to prepare their evidence, and the council then had until March 16 to provide rebuttal evidence.
