An application to allow 10 quarries near Christchurch to dig closer to the water table has been turned down by the Canterbury Regional Council and the Christchurch City Council.
A joint body formed by the operators of the quarries, Canterbury Aggregate Producers Group, applied for permission in January 2015 to excavate closer to the city's groundwater, to extract up to 30 tonnes of extra gravel for the Christchurch rebuild.
Under current rules, quarry operators must not dig deeper than one metre above groundwater.
Following an independent hearing in June this year, a decision released today blocks all consents.
A commissioner's report found the proposal would not maintain and enhance the quality of the environment.
The report said if digging went ahead, it was likely to have more than minor effects on local groundwater users, and ecological and cultural values.
