Community board chairman Scott Weatherall said it was hoped Judge Jon Jackson's latest decision would mark the end of the 50-year battle to prevent quarrying at the lower of Saddle Hill's two humps, Jaffray Hill.
The board was buoyed by the judge's belief work should have stopped more than half a century ago.
In the decision, released to the Otago Daily Times earlier this week, Judge Jackson called for a further round of submissions on the historic consent for the quarry, but found the 1960 consent had ‘‘no ongoing effect'' and work should have stopped more than 50 years ago.
However, quarrying at the site would continue because no enforcement order was included in the interim decision.
"The community was looking forward to a final decision and we haven't got that,'' Mr Weatherall said.
"But it's not necessarily a bad decision. In fact, it's quite a positive decision.
"It's given the community a reason to gather all these reasons that Saddle Hill and Jaffray Hill is special to the community ... and resubmit those thoughts.''
The community board would make a submission to the court, but it was unclear when or in what form that submission would be made, he said.
He hoped the court would step in to prevent further quarrying before the landmark was irreparably changed.
"We will never get it rebuilt, and whatever thoughts or ideas that are out there, I don't think rebuilding it is the answer,'' he said.
"That's not what the community wants. They want it to be protected. We have lost some but we want to protect what's left.''
Saddle Hill Neighbours Group spokesman Colin Mackintosh said he was "encouraged'' by the ruling, but remained unconvinced it spelled the end of quarrying.
"I'm most encouraged by the ruling that the work should have ceased over 50 years ago,'' he said.
"That's been the contention all along. It's just a pity it's taken so long.''
The end of quarrying was "long overdue'' and he called on Saddle Views Estate Ltd director Calvin Fisher to bow to public pressure.
"I'm just holding my breath that the outcome will be sensible and reasonable and that they will cease quarrying and follow the court's judgement,'' Mr Mackintosh said.
"They have already taken out 10 times what they were supposed to.''
Submissions on the latest decision are due later this month and into next month, allowing the Dunedin City Council an opportunity to respond to Saddle Views Estate Ltd's response.
