Case progress
Carousel items
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Referral received
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Public meeting speaker registrations open
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Submissions open
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Meeting with Maitland City Council
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Meeting with Applicant
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Meeting with DPE
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Meeting with Dungong Shire Council
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Public meeting speaker registration deadline
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Public meeting - day one
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Public meeting - day two
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Site inspection
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Submissions deadline
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Submissions reopen
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Submissions deadline
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Overview
Under court appealMap showing the location
Documents
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
01. AA0599-SK042 revB (PDF, 543.29 KB)
| 12.03.25 |
|
02. AA0599-SK043 revB (PDF, 674.2 KB)
| 12.03.25 |
| 12.03.25 | |
| 12.03.25 | |
| 12.03.25 | |
|
06. Concept Layout - TTPP (PDF, 687.94 KB)
| 12.03.25 |
|
06. Truck and 4 Axle Dog Trailer TTPP (PDF, 707.24 KB)
| 12.03.25 |
|
07. Truck and 4 Axle Dog Trailer & Single Unit Truck Bus TTPP (PDF, 708.89 KB)
| 12.03.25 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
250310Statement on Martins Creek Quarry court hearing (PDF, 126.07 KB)
| 10.03.2025 |
|
250130 Statement on Martins Creek Quarry court hearing (PDF, 129.58 KB)
| 30.01.2025 |
|
Statement regarding new location for conciliation conference (PDF, 556.75 KB)
| 19.03.2024 |
|
Statement regarding conciliation conference timing and location (PDF, 87.36 KB)
| 15.03.2024 |
|
Buttai Gravel Notice about conciliation conference (PDF, 94.52 KB)
| 20.12.2023 |
|
Conciliation Conference Policy (PDF, 42.07 KB)
| 20.12.2023 |
|
250312.Statement on Martins Creek Quarry - new applicant documents (PDF, 121.18 KB)
| 12.03.25 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
230213 Martins Creek Quarry SSD6612 Notice of Refusal (PDF, 57.95 KB)
| 13.02.2023 |
|
230213 Martins Creek Quarry SSD6612 SoR FINAL (PDF, 11.89 MB)
| 13.02.2023 |
|
230213Martins CreekMedia Release (PDF, 508.79 KB)
| 13.02.2023 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
| 23.12.2022 | |
|
221219 IN DPE Response to IPC Questions_Redacted (PDF, 134.19 KB)
| 23.12.2022 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221223 Statement Regarding ReOpening of Submissions (PDF, 164.38 KB)
| 23.12.2022 |
|
221115 Statement from the Commission RE Submission Extension (PDF, 119.96 KB)
| 15.11.2022 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
Martins Creek Assessment Report (PDF, 3.65 MB)
| 11.10.2022 |
|
Martins Creek Recommended Conditions (PDF, 1 MB)
| 06.10.2022 |
|
Martins Creek Referral Letter (PDF, 74.7 KB)
| 06.10.2022 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221019UPDATEDConflicts RegisterMartins Creek Quarry Project (PDF, 108.06 KB)
| 24.10.2022 |
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221209 IN_Applicant to IPC_Schedule of Lands (PDF, 3.93 MB)
| 14.12.2022 |
|
221202 IN_DPE to IPC_Request for extension of time_Redacted (PDF, 181.6 KB)
| 06.12.2022 |
|
221123 OUT_IPC to DPE_Request for Information (PDF, 125.79 KB)
| 23.11.2022 |
|
230130 IN_Dungog Shire Council to IPC (PDF, 2.17 MB)
| 30.01.2023 |
|
221125 IN_Dungog Shire Council to IPC (PDF, 2.67 MB)
| 24.11.2022 |
|
221012OUTPeter CochraneMartins Creek QuarryWithdrawal letter (PDF, 538.77 KB)
| 13.10.2022 |
Meetings
Meeting information
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10:00am Monday 07 November
Livestream and recordings
A livestream of this public event will commence at the advertised event start time. A video recording of the public event, which may be edited or redacted prior to publication in line with our guidelines, will be published as soon as practicable after the event and be available until the case is completed.
Speaker schedule and transcripts
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
| 15.11.2022 | |
| 15.11.2022 | |
|
FINAL Martins Creek Public Meeting Speaker Schedule v2 (PDF, 656.8 KB)
| 17.11.2022 |
Speaker documents
Public meeting notification
The NSW Department of Planning & Environment has finalised its whole-of-government assessment of the proposed Martins Creek Quarry (SSD-6612) and it has come to the Independent Planning Commission NSW for determination.
The Commission will host a public meeting from 10.00am AEDT on Monday 7 November 2022 to hear directly from community members.
(Please note: The Commission has also tentatively set aside Tuesday 8 November 2022 to extend the public meeting to a second day should it be necessary.)
This public meeting will be conducted in person and remotely via electronic means. You can participate by videoconference, telephone or by attending a local studio, hosted by the Commission in Paterson, where you can present to the Panel in person.
How to Register to Speak
If you wish to apply to speak at the public meeting, you must complete the online registration form by no later than 12pm AEST on Wednesday 2 November 2022. Registered speakers will be provided information on how to join the meeting and technical assistance available to help them prepare for the meeting.
How to watch the Meeting
This public meeting will be livestreamed on the Commission’s website.
In the interests of openness and transparency, we will also publish a transcript of the public meeting on the Commission’s website.
Written submissions
If you want to have your say on this project, you can also submit comments in writing to the Commission up to one week (seven days) after the public meeting via our online portal.
The deadline for written submissions is 5pm AEDT on Tuesday 15 November 2022.
Meeting information
Date and time
9:30 AM Wed 19 October 2022
Meeting documents
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221019 Applicant Meeting transcript v2 (PDF, 153.35 KB)
| 27.10.2022 |
|
221019 Applicants Presentation (PDF, 5.43 MB)
| 26.10.2022 |
Disclaimer
The Commission's Transparency Policy sets out how information related to this meeting will be made publicly available.
Meeting information
Date and time
1:30 PM Thu 20 October 2022
Meeting documents
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221020 Dungog Shire Councils Presentation (PDF, 2.01 MB)
| 26.10.2022 |
|
221020 Dungog Shire Council Meeting Transcript (PDF, 137.78 KB)
| 26.10.2022 |
Disclaimer
The Commission's Transparency Policy sets out how information related to this meeting will be made publicly available.
Meeting information
Date and time
9:00 AM Fri 21 October 2022
Meeting documents
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221021 Maitland City Council Meeting Transcript (PDF, 81.7 KB)
| 26.10.2022 |
Disclaimer
The Commission's Transparency Policy sets out how information related to this meeting will be made publicly available.
Meeting information
Date and time
3:00 PM Thu 20 October 2022
Meeting documents
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221020 Department Meeting Transcript (PDF, 123.98 KB)
| 26.10.2022 |
Disclaimer
The Commission's Transparency Policy sets out how information related to this meeting will be made publicly available.
Site Inspection information
Date and time
10:00 AM Mon 17 October 2022
Site Inspection documents
| Document | Date |
|---|---|
|
221017 Martins Creek Quarry Site Inspection Notes (PDF, 234.28 KB)
| 24.10.2022 |
| 24.10.2022 | |
|
221017 Martins Creek Quarry Site Inspection Images (PDF, 2.43 MB)
| 24.10.2022 |
Disclaimer
The Commission's Transparency Policy sets out how information related to this meeting will be made publicly available.
Public submissions
| ID | Name | Date | Submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christine Walker | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Dungog Regional | 03/02/2023 | ||
| James Moore | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Lisa Lampe | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Margaret Hanrahan | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Michelle Partland | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Rachel Lawrie | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Sebastian Stockenhuber | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Vanessa Seymour | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Aidan Foy | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Andrew Amos | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Cameron Archer | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Craig Lee | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Georgia Munro | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Julia Wokes | 03/02/2023 | ||
| MCQAG | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Peter Cook | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Stephen Sneddon | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Brenda Tanner | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Chris Wokes | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Darryn Puddicombe | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Jacqueline Brummell | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Jillian Stibbard | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Mark Walker | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Michael Stevens | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Norm Sage | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Peter Rees | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Robyn Woodhouse | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Tracy Showman | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Amanda Albury | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Fritz Woller | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Janet Piper | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Margie Bailie | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Michelle Towes | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Paterson Historical Society | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Vicki Edge | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Alan Mitchell | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Andrew Wright | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Carmel Northwood | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Jennifer Bishop | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Kate MItchell | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Mark Brady | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Rick Klima | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Steve Bower | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Brian Watson | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Christine Pike | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Dennis Mayo | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Joanne Way | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Maree Amos | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Martine Brieger | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Michael Stockenhuber | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Phillip Ellicott | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Ross Wood | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Trina Wilson | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Andrea Sage | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Connor Nash | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Judy VanWood | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Loret Saunders | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Paul Bennetts | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Voice of Wallalong and Woodville | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Darryl Hetherington | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Iwona Hetherington | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Jennifer Munro | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Katelin McFarelane | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Luke Barker | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Mark Burgmann | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Melissa Hoban | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Robert Parsons | 03/02/2023 | ||
| Matthew Neville | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Owen Coakes | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Marius Swanepoel | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Claudia Stockenhuber | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Meagan Puddicombe | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Konstantin Stockenhuber | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Alison Cook | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Steve Low | 24/01/2023 | ||
| Bruce Mowbray | 18/01/2023 | ||
| Jeff Sullivan | 18/01/2023 | ||
| Louise Day | 18/01/2023 | ||
| Name Redacted | 18/01/2023 | ||
| John Gibala | 10/01/2023 | ||
| Judy Streeter | 10/01/2023 | ||
| Loret Saunders | 10/01/2023 | ||
| Peter Harold | 10/01/2023 | ||
| Janice Haviland | 10/01/2023 | ||
| Anna Ballina | 10/01/2023 | ||
| Amanda Albury | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Maree Amos | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Stephen Albury | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Darrell Ryan | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Luke Baker | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Amanda Albury | 24/11/2022 | ||
| James Ashton | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Owen Coakes | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Cameron Archer | 24/11/2022 | ||
| G Priestley | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Marilyn Coakes | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Mick Prowse | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Stephen Sneddon | 24/11/2022 | ||
| CB Alexander Foundation | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Nina Linos | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Peter Rees | 24/11/2022 | ||
| Amanda Albury | 23/11/2022 | ||
| Katrina Wright | 23/11/2022 | ||
| Caitlin Woodfull | 23/11/2022 | ||
| HEL | 23/11/2022 | ||
| MCQAG | 23/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| nEIL Somerville | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Ji Montgomery | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Glen Black | 10/11/2022 | ||
| MCQAG | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/10/2022 |
Christine Walker
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
christine-walker-submission--270123.pdf (PDF, 66.33 KB) |
Dungog Regional
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
dungog-regional-tourism-inc-submission--290123.pdf (PDF, 155.83 KB) |
James Moore
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
james-moore-submuission--310123.pdf (PDF, 118.93 KB) |
Lisa Lampe
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
lisa-lampe-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 115.59 KB) |
Margaret Hanrahan
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
margaret-hanrahan-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 110.92 KB) |
Michelle Partland
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
michelle-partland-submission--280123redacted.pdf (PDF, 116.81 KB) |
Rachel Lawrie
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
rachel-lawrie-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 105.93 KB) |
Sebastian Stockenhuber
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
sebastian-stockenhuber-submission--270123redacted.pdf (PDF, 111.51 KB) |
Vanessa Seymour
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
vanessa-seymour-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 103 KB) |
Aidan Foy
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
aidan-foy-submission--290123redacted.pdf (PDF, 114.55 KB) |
Andrew Amos
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
andrew-amos-submissions--250123.pdf (PDF, 3.75 MB) |
Cameron Archer
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
cameron-archer-submissions--290123redacted.pdf (PDF, 135.62 KB) |
Craig Lee
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
craig-lee-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 119.72 KB) |
Georgia Munro
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
georgia-munro-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 390.97 KB) |
Julia Wokes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
julia-wokes-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 141.78 KB) |
MCQAG
|
Organisation |
MCQAG |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
mcqag-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 2.93 MB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
name-redacted-2-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 197.46 KB) |
Peter Cook
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
peter-cook-submission--290123.pdf (PDF, 125.18 KB) |
Stephen Sneddon
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
stephen-sneddon-submission--280123redacted.pdf (PDF, 769.32 KB) |
Brenda Tanner
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
brenda-tanner-submission--290123.pdf (PDF, 670.45 KB) |
Chris Wokes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
chris-wokes-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 103 KB) |
Darryn Puddicombe
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
darryn-puddicombe-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 118.18 KB) |
Jacqueline Brummell
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
jacqueline-brummell-submissions--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 159.22 KB) |
Jillian Stibbard
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
jillian-stibbard-submission--240123redacted.pdf (PDF, 113.3 KB) |
Mark Walker
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
mark-walker-submission--300123.pdf (PDF, 115.18 KB) |
Michael Stevens
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
michael-stevens-submission--300123.pdf (PDF, 77.25 KB) |
Norm Sage
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
norm-sage-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 155.18 KB) |
Peter Rees
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
peter-rees-submission--270123.pdf (PDF, 919.21 KB) |
Robyn Woodhouse
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
robyn-woodhouse-submission---310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 74.1 KB) |
Tracy Showman
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
tracy-showman-submission--290123redacted.pdf (PDF, 115.89 KB) |
Amanda Albury
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
amanda-albury-submission--010223redacted.pdf (PDF, 154.74 KB) |
Fritz Woller
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
fritz-woller-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 166 KB) |
Janet Piper
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
janet-piper-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 107.39 KB) |
Margie Bailie
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
margie-bailie-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 119.15 KB) |
Michelle Towes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
michelle-towes-submissions--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 194.29 KB) |
Paterson Historical Society
|
Organisation |
Paterson Historical Society |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
paterson-historical-society-submission--290123.pdf (PDF, 155.83 KB) |
Vicki Edge
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
vicki-edge-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 103.42 KB) |
Alan Mitchell
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
alan-mitchell-submission--300123.pdf (PDF, 213.13 KB) |
Andrew Wright
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
andrew-wright-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 151.77 KB) |
Carmel Northwood
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
carmel-northwood-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 4.88 MB) |
Jennifer Bishop
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
jennifer-bishop-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 235.24 KB) |
Kate MItchell
|
Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
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Attachments |
kate-mitchell-submission--300123.pdf (PDF, 202.19 KB) |
Mark Brady
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
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Submission method |
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Attachments |
mark-brady-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 179.31 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
03/02/2023 |
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Submitter position |
Comment |
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Attachments |
name-redacted-submission--300123.pdf (PDF, 51.78 KB) |
Rick Klima
|
Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
03/02/2023 |
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Submitter position |
Comment |
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Submission method |
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Attachments |
rick-klima-submission--290123redacted.pdf (PDF, 168.46 KB) |
Steve Bower
|
Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
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Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
steve-bower-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 113 KB) |
Brian Watson
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
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Submission method |
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Attachments |
brian-watson-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 73.36 KB) |
Christine Pike
|
Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
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Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
christine-pike-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 30.34 KB) |
Dennis Mayo
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
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Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
dennis-mayo-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 120.82 KB) |
Joanne Way
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
joanne-way-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 30.83 KB) |
Maree Amos
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
maree-amos-submission-on-additional-infomation.pdf (PDF, 199.57 KB) |
Martine Brieger
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
martine-brieger-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 174.54 KB) |
Michael Stockenhuber
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
michael-stockenhuber-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 116.44 KB) |
Phillip Ellicott
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
phillip-ellicott-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 414.2 KB) |
Ross Wood
|
Location |
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|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
ross-wood-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 222.5 KB) |
Trina Wilson
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
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|
Attachments |
trina-wilson-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 123.91 KB) |
Andrea Sage
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
andrea-sage-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 110.88 KB) |
Connor Nash
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
connor-nash-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 103.49 KB) |
Judy VanWood
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
judy-vanwood-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 76.07 KB) |
Loret Saunders
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
loret-saunders-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 83.03 KB) |
Paul Bennetts
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
paul-bennetts-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 108.18 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
name-redacted-submission-310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 140.61 KB) |
Voice of Wallalong and Woodville
|
Organisation |
Voice of Wallalong and Woodville |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
voice-of-wallalong-and-woodville-submission--310123.pdf (PDF, 614.17 KB) |
Darryl Hetherington
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
darryl-hetherington-submission--290123redacted.pdf (PDF, 107 KB) |
Iwona Hetherington
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
iwona-hetherington-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 104.79 KB) |
Jennifer Munro
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
jennifer-munro-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 125.61 KB) |
Katelin McFarelane
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
katelin-mcfarelane-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 107.2 KB) |
Luke Barker
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
luke-barker-submission--310123redacted.pdf (PDF, 476 KB) |
Mark Burgmann
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
mark-burgmann-submission--270123redacted.pdf (PDF, 80.43 KB) |
Melissa Hoban
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
melissa-hoban-submission--300123.pdf (PDF, 142.18 KB) |
Robert Parsons
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/02/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
robert-parsons-submission--290123redacted.pdf (PDF, 76.97 KB) |
Matthew Neville
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
matthew-neville-submission-190123redacted.pdf (PDF, 128.14 KB) |
Owen Coakes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
owen-coakes-submission--230123redacted.pdf (PDF, 126.19 KB) |
Marius Swanepoel
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
marius-swanepoel-submission--200123redacted.pdf (PDF, 106.63 KB) |
Claudia Stockenhuber
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
claudia-stockenhuber-submission--230123redacted.pdf (PDF, 111.11 KB) |
Meagan Puddicombe
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
meagan-puddicombe-sumission--180123redacted.pdf (PDF, 116.2 KB) |
Konstantin Stockenhuber
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
konstantin-stockenhuber--230123redacted.pdf (PDF, 110.81 KB) |
Alison Cook
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
alison-cook-submission--220123redacted.pdf (PDF, 110.06 KB) |
Steve Low
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
steve-low-submission--190123.pdf (PDF, 103.28 KB) |
Bruce Mowbray
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
bruce-mowbray-submission--140123redacted.pdf (PDF, 240.2 KB) |
Jeff Sullivan
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
jeff-sullivan-submission--140123redacted.pdf (PDF, 139.3 KB) |
Louise Day
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
louise-day-submission--140123redacted.pdf (PDF, 111.11 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
nick-adamson-submission--160123redacted.pdf (PDF, 108.07 KB) |
John Gibala
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
john-gibala-submission--231222redacted.pdf (PDF, 270.59 KB) |
Judy Streeter
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
judy-streeter-submission--300123redacted.pdf (PDF, 108.13 KB) |
Loret Saunders
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
loret-saunders-submission--090123redacted.pdf (PDF, 105.86 KB) |
Peter Harold
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
peter-harold-submission--291222redacted.pdf (PDF, 192.19 KB) |
Janice Haviland
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
janice-haviland-submission--080123redacted.pdf (PDF, 327.11 KB) |
Anna Ballina
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/01/2023 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
anna-ballina-submission--231222redacted.pdf (PDF, 107.52 KB) |
Amanda Albury
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
amanda-albury-submission-011122redacted.pdf (PDF, 113.03 KB) |
Maree Amos
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
maree-amos-submission-071122redacted.pdf (PDF, 2.42 MB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
unidentified-submission-011122redacted.pdf (PDF, 4.59 MB) |
Stephen Albury
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
stephen-albury-submission-151122redacted.pdf (PDF, 3 MB) |
Darrell Ryan
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
darrell-ryan-submission-151122redacted.pdf (PDF, 15.37 MB) |
Luke Baker
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
luke-baker-submission-071122redacted.pdf (PDF, 127.17 KB) |
Amanda Albury
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
amanda-albury-submission-151122redacted.pdf (PDF, 157.86 KB) |
James Ashton
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
james-ashton-submission-31022redacted.pdf (PDF, 109.4 KB) |
Owen Coakes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
owen-coakes-submission-121122redacted.pdf (PDF, 188.12 KB) |
Cameron Archer
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
cameron-archer-submission-241022redacted.pdf (PDF, 9.63 MB) |
G Priestley
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
g-priestley-submission-151122redacted.pdf (PDF, 10.97 MB) |
Marilyn Coakes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
marilyn-coakes-submission-121122redacted.pdf (PDF, 127.49 KB) |
Mick Prowse
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
mick-prowse-submission-151122redacted.pdf (PDF, 111.1 KB) |
Stephen Sneddon
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
stephen-sneddon-submission-081122redacted.pdf (PDF, 4.53 MB) |
CB Alexander Foundation
|
Organisation |
CB Alexander Foundation |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
cb-alexander-foundation-sumission-151122redacted.pdf (PDF, 102.69 KB) |
Nina Linos
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
nina-linos-submission-11112022redacted.pdf (PDF, 425.98 KB) |
Peter Rees
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
24/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
peter-rees-submission-081122redacted.pdf (PDF, 9.72 MB) |
Amanda Albury
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
23/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
amanda-albury-submission-221122redacted.pdf (PDF, 710.19 KB) |
Katrina Wright
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
23/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
katrina-wright-submission-221122redacted.pdf (PDF, 72.44 KB) |
Caitlin Woodfull
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
23/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
caitlin-woodfull-submission-221122redacted.pdf (PDF, 124.01 KB) |
HEL
|
Organisation |
HEL |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
23/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
hel-submission-211122redacted.pdf (PDF, 565.09 KB) |
MCQAG
|
Organisation |
MCQAG |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
23/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
mcqag-submission-221122redacted.pdf (PDF, 13.96 MB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am located on the transport link where truck will be travelling on, the main issue for me is the noise impact of the empty trucks prior to filling with gravel ect, I can not understand why they can not place dampeners on the tailgates for these vehicles they are extremely noisy when empty. Also the congestion on Paterson Road through Bolwarra is now at the point where you have to wait long lengths of time to enter from side roads. |
nEIL Somerville
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
ALL residents of the two valleys for 50 kms above Paterson and 30 kms below are affected by the traffic issues .Residents travel to Maitland and Newcastle for many purposes. The small dogleg in Paterson township has an intersection very close to it. where the street from the railway station and a hotel comes onto the main road. It is a blind corner to the south., so only left turn is permitted.(right turn would be just suicidal) One wit a few years ago even painted the words "Russian Roulette " on the road surface there.to remind motorists. There is some risk in venturing out. The sudden appearance of an unloaded truck moving at any speed would be the loaded bullet that would be catastrophic , wiping out a car and its occupants very easily. I am sure there are many other road safety issues and dangers to the proposal that won't be obvious or really considered. The constant passage of numerous large modern trucks through the heart of Paterson on a road layout inherited from the horse and convict days is really totally contrary to everything the village is and the safety of people there. |
Ji Montgomery
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Dear whomever, I am demanding protection for the remaining kolala bears to clear their habitats are unthinkable and cruel and evil by doing that many kolala bears will get killed trying to cross the busy traffic by speeding cars. I am demanding that you protect our endangered kolala bears now its so sad it's frustrating. Concerned Citizen, Ji Montgomery |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Port Stephens Council |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
See attachment below |
|
Attachments |
port-stepheens-council-submission--martins-creek-quarrypdf.pdf (PDF, 229.42 KB) |
Glen Black
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This development should go ahead we need the gravel from this quarry and the local community needs the employment |
MCQAG
|
Organisation |
MCQAG |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
|
|
Attachments |
mcqag-letter-to-ipc20221031-j-ashton.pdf (PDF, 140.56 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Comment |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Our property is located on Butterwick Road - I am tremendously concerned about the volume of trucks. Is it possible to understand how many trucks currently travel on Butterwick Road and also how many that will travel with the new plans? We already feel intimidated by the speed they are travelling - it's scary as a motorist with two young children in the car and we don't feel safe entering and exiting our own driveway - the current trucks fly along the road and could not possibly stop if they weren't paying attention. Something as simple as taking the kids to school or crossing the road to take the bins out should not be hazardous. The roads are also narrow and damaged - I see many cyclists, how will they be kept safe? While I am not opposed the mine expansion, I'm terrified about something happening to my daughters, or another family, and need to understand how we as residents will be protected - warning signs near our driveway, reduced speed limit, wider/smoother roads? Looking forward to your feedback, Nikki |
| ID | Name | Date | Submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name Redacted | 23/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Adam Kelly | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Mick Forbes | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Adrian Becker | 20/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Nathan Hillier | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Grant Markham | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Chris Harper | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Lindy HARPER | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Stephen Watterson | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| James Vincent | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Judith Streeter | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Tyne Byrne | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Patrick Mavseed | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Francisco Lagos | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| John Stevens | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Jason Sneesby | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Amy Mackay | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Michael Anthony | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Tony Callinan | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Brett Curtis | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| William Dries | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Stephen Long | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Tharan Sneesby | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Greg Thomson | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Daniel Murrell | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Lee Majer | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Dylan Bennett | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Tye North | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Dianne Mackay | 14/11/2022 | ||
| tim puha | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Robert Moore | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Rueben Howorth | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Steven Mclean | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Michael Lane | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Darren Hibbert | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Julian Borgert | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Brenn Smith | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Wayne Farmer | 14/11/2022 | ||
| nick howe | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Eli Ogle | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Ashley Smith | 14/11/2022 | ||
| alan cullen | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Jaiye Hoadley | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Ben Clarke | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Brian Mcdermott | 14/11/2022 | ||
| James Searson | 14/11/2022 | ||
| James Lalor | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Shaun Mcdonell | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Joel Brown | 14/11/2022 | ||
| ivan woodbury | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Joshua Callaghan | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Darren Brewer | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Isaac Wild | 14/11/2022 | ||
| DAVID BURGUN | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Jacob Munzenberger | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Aaron Wicks | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Cheslyn Africa | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Brian Simpson | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Harvey Wild | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Warren Watson | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Jamie Ingram | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Levi Walker | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Mark Hodges | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Quinn | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Milner | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Christopher Mckenzie-Low | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Levi Walker | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Allan Day | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Brad Quill | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Janis Walker | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Angus Johnston | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Adam Dipietro | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Oscar May | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Blake Simmons | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Lenard Hardy | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Luke Gageler | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Ryan Cocks | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Brett Gregory | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Bruce Mitchell | 11/11/2022 | ||
| James Drew | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Daniel Mead | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Darren Simmons | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Elliott | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 11/11/2022 | ||
| James Simpson | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Frank Nespeca | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Allen Henderson | 11/11/2022 | ||
| delma Ross | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Max Schoeddert | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Hayley Penfold | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Payne | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Aydin Stone | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Bob Hawes | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Greg Saunders | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Tim Lamb | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Maree Pont | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Chris Sansom | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Dane Cullen | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Phil Larson | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Geoff Reeves | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| David Simms | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Zacary Convery | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Steven Drain | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Lyndsay Steele | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Matthew Sexton | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Tristan Magin | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Christine Paul | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Zachary Martin | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Ian Stuckings | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Scott Screen | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Shane Kinnard | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Jason Guy | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Joseph Baldwin | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Peter Varley | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Tahlia Catts | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Curtis Smith | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Peter Phillips | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Wayne Jeans | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Jamie Mckay | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Paul Wright | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Josh McGinty | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Jodie Lindsay | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Tony Brookes | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Matthew Miller | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Jack Morgan | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Craig Farrell | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Shaun Upton | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Norm Leverton | 10/11/2022 | ||
| John Livermore | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Nathan Murphy | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Damon Bird | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Lindsay Sinclair | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Brad Whalain | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Brenton Bye | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Owen McFadden | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Guy West | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Robbie Payne | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brian Davey | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| jed usback | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Carl Farmer | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Chad Wardle | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brett Curtis | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Aydin Stone | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brendan Connick | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Cameron Cherry | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brodie O'Brien | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Tevita Naicoko | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Paul Wolfenden | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Stephen Parkinson | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Garry Reid | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brett Rowland | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Glen Richardson | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Ben Jarrett | 09/11/2022 | ||
| David Fidock | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Mikey Raddatz | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brier Moody | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Matt Ringrose | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Gary Minter | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Brendan Mason | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 09/11/2022 | ||
| grant pattison | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Michael Budzon | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Kyle McKendry | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Heath Robertson | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Sam Smith | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Anthony Crane | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Christopher Murphy | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Mitchell Knox | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Taleea Redriff | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Jesse Major | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Glenn Redriff | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Ray Holten | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Jason Gorton | 08/11/2022 | ||
| mark bowen | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Chris Hall | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Craig White | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| jonty major | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Paul Gates | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Gregg Merchant | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Jeffrey harding | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Michael Keet | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Tom Ford | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Brody Thompson | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Nathan Parfoot | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Geoff Hollis | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Alex Biscan | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Brad Heather | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Colin Sandison | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Matthew Peters | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Jonathan Piper | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Adam Wilson | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Jack Kelly | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Jonathon Bourne | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Green | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Craig Osborne | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Mark Craven | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Chris Hackett | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Sarah Atchison | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Fred Haynes | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Wayne Murray | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Garry Wade | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Mathew Ryan | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Mark Johnson | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Sophie Adams | 05/11/2022 | ||
| Gabe Berzins | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Adam Reynolds | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Tejay Banks | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Jake Adams | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| lee krake | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Kane Peattie | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Ben Adam | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Jayden Grant | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Roger Webb | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Cochrane | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Tim Van Duuren | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Daniel Wilson | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Jackson Duarte | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Cara-Lee Davey | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Chris Pike | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Murray Brown | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Jason Hume | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Ethan Hodson | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Brooke Karbownik | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Robert Mckendry | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Tony Brown | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Robert Butterfield | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Murray Miller | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Grant Robson | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Warren Ditchfield | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Jason Moore | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Paul Edmonds | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Kristy Baker | 03/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Kristy Sheen | 02/11/2022 | ||
| chris heath | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Matthew Gear | 02/11/2022 | ||
| James Dunbar | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Zdenek Vilimec | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 02/11/2022 | ||
| Jeff Charlton | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Wayne Roberts | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Sam Lavis | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Brad Waldon | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| chris jarrett | 01/11/2022 | ||
| justin goody | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Shane Hugo | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Daniel Pitcher | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Michael Wratten | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Kieron Matthews | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Matt Schuch | 01/11/2022 | ||
| shane berends | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Nicholas Meyers | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| PETER Youl | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Lynch | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Paul Walker | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Toby Johnstone | 01/11/2022 | ||
| PAUL JOHNSON | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Matt Jensen | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Alex Dyne | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Kate Fenn | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Brian Bourne | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Judith Streeter | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Tim Guise | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Adam Gardner | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Alison Wood | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Thomas Forbes | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Doug haslem | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Brad McBride | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Mark Forbes | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Dean Penfold | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 31/10/2022 | ||
| David Garfoot | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 28/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 28/10/2022 | ||
| Nathan Bendeich | 28/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 27/10/2022 | ||
| Peter Carson | 25/10/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 25/10/2022 | ||
| Matthew Mcdonald | 18/10/2022 | ||
| Steven Anderson | 18/10/2022 | ||
| Tyne Byrne | 18/10/2022 | ||
| Matt Younger | 18/10/2022 | ||
| Benjamin Wilson | 14/10/2022 | ||
| Brendon Edwards | 12/10/2022 |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
23/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Daracon is a leader in the construction material industry with a history of commitment to businesses across the Hunter region. With community-based values, they produce local long-term jobs, and create many positive impacts though out our community. We strongly believe Daracon would be committed to the management and environmental protection that impacts this community and the larger greater community. As the Hunter region continues to grow, so too does the rock recourses in our areas. In the Construction industry it is becoming harder and harder to source not just a quality material but any quarry materials. If Martins Creek can’t produce this material, then where will it be derived from? Construction materials play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure required to support our population and economic growth not only in the hunter but all of NSW. Daracon has always produced good quality material for our business, they are consistent and always reliable. Without a quarry like Martins Creek, we will struggle to secure hard rock materials to provide for the increase in growth, through many areas of infrastructure and local sustainability. With our company being one of the largest raw materials suppliers in the hunter, over the past two years our ability to source quarry rock has diminished significantly, now to the point where all three of our retail outlets have 80% of our aggregate bays standing empty, and we are on extensive waiting lists with almost every local quarry in an ongoing attempt to get material to restock. This also heavily impacts our ability supply trade quantities to our client base spread across the Hunter working on projects of all sizes. This product shortage is having a significant financial impact on our business, as an entire product line is now not accessible due to the increasingly high demand of construction materials, and the very low supply capability of the local quarries. We believe the approval of Martins Creek will greatly benefit the community as a whole, and help ease this supply issue and will go a long way towards assisting the already struggling market. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I believe the submission should be approved. We cannot continue to sterilise vital resources such as this. People like nice paved roads, concrete driveways/house slabs and work in offices made of concrete. Where do they think the raw materials to pave roads, make concrete etc come from. This quarry has been operating for over 100 years and is a key employer in the area. Most of the complaints seem to stem from areas which are controlled by the quarry's EPA licence (blasting, noise etc). These issues are not new but the quarry seems to be managing them within the conditions of the licence. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Future jobs, community building and infrastructure projects |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
If the quarry goes ahead it will make more jobs for the people and will bring money to the community. We all need new roads and railways which is built with rocks. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Whenever there is development proposed, grass roots campaigns are very effective in generating many submissions. In this case, a well organised campaign will generate many submissions, however most if not all will be against the development. This very campaign has prompted this submission, not against the development but for it. A bit of balance without any emotive influence. Every one of us, including all who submit a submission against this project, benefit from the products developed. We drive on roads built from quarry products and our food/fuel is delivered on them. What we sell leaves on them. We live in houses and work/school in buildings built on quarry products. Yes there are problems with a quarry as with any development but I believe these to be fairly addressed. All of us have to contribute in some way to society and I guess “the greater good”. If NIMBY got up everywhere I’d imagine many folk would be both hungry and suffering the effects of uncomfortable weather conditions in living. As a point of perspective, I live under the flight path of a harbour pilot helicopter, in clouds of coal dust, serenaded by ships horns at all hours. I’m in a red zone for potential cyanide gas escape plumes and close enough to stores of enough Ammonium Nitrate that if they went up, I’d be in pieces. But I don’t mind, as this is part of living in a modern world and a small contribution that I can make. I thereby, support the development of the Martins Creek Quarry. |
Adam Kelly
|
Organisation |
Buttai Gravel (Daracon Group) |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Please find attached Daracon's response to the public meeting held on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th November 2022 |
|
Attachments |
3957cpublicmeetingresponsepdf_redacted.pdf (PDF, 3.33 MB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
21/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Job opportunities and growth and development |
Mick Forbes
|
Organisation |
Transport Workers Union NSW. Newcastle & Northern NSW Sub-Branch. |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
21/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Independent Planning Commission NSW Mining and Resources Martins Creek Quarry Dear Independent Planning Commission NSW, I write to you in support of the proposed Martins Creek Quarry Project. The Transport Workers Union NSW Branch (TWU-NSW) represents transport workers employed by Daracon in connection with the company's construction materials, haulage, and civil construction business. The TWU also represents truck drivers employed by many Daracon customers, suppliers, and sub-contractors. The Martins Creek quarry supports local jobs for employed and owner-operator truck drivers engaged in transportation of quarried materials and related value-added products (such as aggregates, sand, concrete, road base, fly ash, cement and water) essential for building infrastructure to meet the needs of our community. The quarry also supports jobs for transport workers engaged in haulage of mobile plant and equipment utilised in quarrying, crushing, materials processing, and civil construction. Daracon employs over 850 workers across an integrated construction materials and civil engineering business. Material transported by road from Martins Creek is used by Daracon and other firms for infrastructure projects in the Hunter Region, including: roads, rail, water infrastructure, community space, development of employment lands, and new land release for residential housing. These projects support many workers and small businesses in the transport sector, including Daracon's directly-employed transport workers. Should the Commission need any further information, please contact our office. Yours faithfully Mick Forbes TWU – Newcastle & Northern NSW, sub-branch secretary |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Martins Creek Quarry has been operating for more than 100 years so even though it went outside its boundaries while still owned by the state government Daracon should not have been penalised by short sited narrow minded locals all whom have benefitted from the quarry in the construction of their homes. The EPA has lost its direction its purpose is not to stop development but to ALLOW progress in an environmentally sustainably way and as the quarry was operating they have failed miserably. Since the closure of Martins Creek there has been enormous pressure put on the surrounding Quarries which has led to shortage of materials across the local areas forcing delays in all projects and forcing up prices adding to inflation. What a stuff up by EPA. The roads are meant to be used they have always carried trucks and this closure was a typical event where locals don't like an industry lobby to have it closed and governments fold, it is pathetic and cost my transport business in excess of $150,000.00 and 2 Jobs |
Adrian Becker
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
20/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a person working in the construction, building and infrastructure industry, I would like to lend my support to this proposed development. The construction industry at present is starved of available quarry materials in the wider Hunter Region. The existing range of raw materials suppliers is limited, and their capacities to serve the significant number, and size of infrastructure and construction projects at the moment is at capacity. Many projects in the Upper, lower Hunter and greater Newcastle area, extending into the Mid North Coast, and Central Coast regions are falling behind in their programs, simply due to the over demand in the market, compared to the consent capped capacity of suppliers that are available. Martins Creek Quarry, will be an essential services provider, that is desperately needed in the region to allow current and planned projects to actually be finalised and completed. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I think it will be great to expand providing it employs and actively gives back to the community. I'm all for it |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
19/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in favour of the expansion to a degree , I don’t think it needs to expand to the volume suggested but some expassion is necessary for The workers, other construction areas requiring the resources and the economy. Too many extra trucks will have a negative impact on he already compromised roads, so infrastructure in this area would need funding and regular maintenance. A quarry is needed somewhere, so one that is already in use is the best option to expand rather than having to start elsewhere. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
More quarrys = more jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a member of the public employed in the construction industry, I support the development of the Martins Creek Quarry to help supply the region with much needed resources. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction industry and I support the expansion of Martins Creek quarry. We need quarry products in the industry to build roads and other infrastructure and while there will be an impact to the local community of the expansion I believe that the mitigation measures described in the reports will minimise these impacts. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction industry and quarry materials are necessary for building roads. I spport the Martins Creek extension project |
Nathan Hillier
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am a worker in the industry, and the Martins Creek Quarry is a major supplier of material for civil projects in the region. There is already a shortage of materials in the industry caused by extreme weather events which have added to the impact of covid and the quarry expansion is necessary to provide materials to projects that are already delayed, causing companies to go out of business. This is an important and needed change |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the expansion of Martin Creek quarry. I work in the industry and I know the importance of quarry material. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the extension as this will increase local jobs. Not only for the quarry but many small businesses in the Maitland area. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for regional road repairs following recent rain and flooding. |
Grant Markham
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Loss of jobs if it doesn't go ahead, not just quarry jobs. The amount of road works/ subdivisions, housing, they all need quarry materials - high waiting times to try and source other quarry material, is getting harder. Even local businesses will suffer and small towns don't need that. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The approval of Martin’s Creek Quarry to reopen is critical on local construction. In a time where material shortage is impacting daily operations it is critical that this quarry is operational to support local civil and rail projects. As a manager working in the Hunter Valley it has affected our business tremendously since it’s closure. |
Chris Harper
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Martins Creek Quarry project will bring employment and money into the town. It is also needed as there is a shortage of quarry products. I fully support this project. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have lived near the quarry for over 10 years. It was never a an issue when I purchased my property . This quarry was running well before any of us moved here and people have forgotten this. People want to move here and houses sell quickly. Also with the amount of recent sub divisions going on it’s the new houses and extra cars and on the road that has spoilt the quiet community they are talking about. The trucks were always a part of the community. I do understand that people are concerned about extra trucks and with taking a lot more by rail will address this. Also upgrades on the road intersections will help. The roads the trucks will travel are pretty good bar a few sections which will hopefully be fixed. My kids have all learnt to drive here and I was glad they had trucks to learn around. Made them much better drivers. Yes we have had some bad truck drivers at times and I believe this is now addressed very quickly and not tolerated. I also believe that the early arrival of trucks through the towns was unfair on a lot of people and with the new measures proposed for morning time should work better for all. The benefits from the quarry far outweigh the impact it has on this community as most all have moved here while it has been running and still decided to come here knowing the quarry was here. |
Lindy HARPER
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry project. I think it would be good for the community. It will bring employment, money for the town. There is a shortage of quarry products so I think it is needed. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins Creek quarry needs to be approved to provide high quality construction materials to many regional infrastructure projects. Martins Creek is vital to assist with the provision of aggregates and roadbases to support the construction of local roads and bridges that are currently in short supply. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Stephen Watterson
|
Organisation |
The Lincom Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Queensland |
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We fully support The Martins Creek Quarry, we have a long standing working relationship with Daracon and with previous experience dealing with them, we feel the impact to the local community will be minimal. We see the Quarry is an important part of the future growth in the community, it is important for local job growth and opportunity and the quarry will play a major part in the supply of building supplies to support the local building sector and infrastructure projects. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The necessity of a well run, functioning hard rock quarry to any community is well established. Not one Govt building, home, business, road, bridge, airport or sports-field would have been built without the contribution from quarries supplying construction aggregates. Many of the objectors to this development will be residing in, working at, driving on or playing on one of these structures that have been underwritten by the quarrying industry for many of their foundation or construction materials. My family have no commercial or financial links to Daracon but I do speak as someone who is involved in this industry. An undertaking such as this requires a substantial commitment to employing and training local people to operate the quarry, supplying & maintaining plant and the overall financing the operation. A lot of this financial input has direct impacts for local employment and for other local businesses such fuel suppliers, conveyor belt suppliers, engineering companies, tyre suppliers, surveyors, PPE suppliers etc that are supplying support services to the quarry. A necessary part of any commercial undertaking is the transport of goods to and/or from the business. Any person who seeks to limit the transport activities unnecessarily of a commercial undertaking such as this should take time to consider how materials got to the construction site of their home or how the roads got built that they now drive on. No active quarry is a particularly visually attractive site however the reality is that any quarry is also a construction site. Anyone who has viewed a construction site of any magnitude realises that it is not until construction is completed, that the site takes on visual amenity. For a quarry, this period could be as long as 20 years due to the nature of the business. Rehabilitation requirements now means that quarries have to be be returned to a state that either benefits the community or the environment and there are many existing examples such as quarries that have been successfully rehabilitated as amphitheaters in many parts of the world, including Perth , Adelaide, Shepparton and in Victoria’s Grampians National Park, where they have become popular performance and festival sites. I strongly support Daracon's proposal in relation to Martin's Creek and would encourage the IPC to endorse their proposal. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for the regional construction industry and increased certainty for local large infrastructure projects. These both leading to job security and growth as someone who works within the industry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry to assist with urgent and ongoing repairs required in my local area. There are a number of other quarries near my house and I moved into the area knowing that fact. We accept that as a daily part of life, knowing that the region is benefiting from the quarry materials that are sourced locally. |
James Vincent
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Judith Streeter
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
In my opinion the quarry is a viable source of product for which both state & local governments require to maintain and build much needed infrastructure to roads and new suburbs which are increasing rapidly. It will also employ and re-employ people who lost their jobs due to the closure. In short it needs to reopen as soon as possible. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry because you cannot build or repair roads without good quality construction materials, which are difficult to obtain due to the large amount of infrastructure projects occurring now and in the future. It will also support meaningful and sustainable employment for many local people. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Tyne Byrne
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am all for this hope it goes threw |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I'm told it may assist my workplace with cost lowering for onsite materials, meaning a higher likelihood of more work. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
16/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Ongoing road maintenance in my local area is a big issue that needs to be resolved. Martins Creek quarry could assist with the provision of quality road construction materials to assist all local Council's to undertake urgent repairs. Due to current shortages of good quality road construction materials, without Martins Creek, the cost is likely to be more, potentially leading to increases in Council rates and other ongoing costs. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Patrick Mavseed
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Create employment and supply material in need for many projects in NSW |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The reason I support the Martins Creek job is the view of more local jobs becoming available. |
Francisco Lagos
|
Organisation |
It will create more jobs for locals, I am support this projects |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Im support this project will give more jobs opportunities to the locals and grow the economy for small businesses |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the petition to benefit jobs in the industry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I agree with quarry re opening up |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Precision Drill and Blast |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Precision Drill and Blast has worked closely with the Daracon Group for over ten years and fully support the conditional approval of this proposed development. We have been responsible for servicing the drilling and blasting requirements of their Martins Creek site. As a locally owned family business, we see the employment opportunities generated at this one site as follows; * We will require at least two full time positions and two casual staff on top of our normal work force - drillers, blast crew, blast technicians for example. (All local residents) * The contractors we engage to deliver raw materials to site would account for 5 crew for 10 hours every two weeks and their flow on administration work on top. (Hunter based companies with employees living locally) * Mechanical, hose fitting and welding trades are utilised in a mix at least 5-10 hours per week to maintain and repair machinery. (Local Buisinesses) Other financial input into local community from our operations; *Fuel purchased at local service stations *Food and coffee that drives our work force daily - purchased locally *Spare parts and back up products purchased from local businesses *Light vehicle servicing *Oil and consumables purchased from local business From our position as contractors to the quarry operation, we believe the proposed development application will provide employment opportunity and socioeconomic gain to the townships and the members of our direct and indirect work force required to provide our services to Daracon. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increase certainty for local employment Ensuring job skills are not lost from the region Increased certainty for regional road repairs following recent rain and flooding Increased certainty for the regional construction industry |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
No material available = no work for me |
John Stevens
|
Organisation |
Stevens Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am writing in support of the re-opening of the Martins Creek Quarry on behalf of the Stevens Group of Companies. The Stevens Group are developers operating throughout New South Wales to deliver a wide range of projects, ranging from Industrial land subdivisions through to major tourism projects. We are currently involved in delivering approximately 5000 residential allotments to meet housing demand and 500 large scale industrial allotments to provide employment opportunities in the Hunter region. Quarry supply is essential to meet construction demand. There is no certainty around the quarry supply in the Greater Hunter Region where the bulk of our residential and industrial lands are located. Martins Creek Quarry, if permitted to re-open, would again be able to contribute to the supply of the construction materials essential to the delivery of land for housing and employment. This quarry has historically supplied the majority of quarry materials for Daracon projects in the Lower Hunter. With current supply chain issues, it is essential that quality construction materials can be sourced locally. As the proposal involves only 500kt per annum maximum of material coming out by road, it will not completely address the shortage, however, it will greatly assist. It is our understanding that the new proposal will reduce localised issues with any quarry operation and we urge the decision makers to support the proposal. |
|
Attachments |
martins-quarry-support-letter-141122pdf.pdf (PDF, 342.93 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
B's Bargins |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for the regional construction industry |
Jason Sneesby
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
On behalf of my company we are involved in using quarry product on a daily basis. |
Amy Mackay
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of Martins Creek Quarry. I work in the construction industry, specifically sourcing materials for civil construction projects. I respect nature and the rights of people in our communities, however, I am also a realist who appreciates the roads I drive on, the concrete piers that hold my house up and the sewer systems connected to my house. I liaise with all the quarries in the area, and the extended area from Tamworth to Nowra, all of whom are struggling to keep up with demand as it is becoming increasingly difficult to find materials to build projects. There are simply not enough quarries to cope with the industry demands state wide. If Martin’s Creek Quarry isn’t an appropriate location for a state significant development, then where is the industry going to get the high quality rock to supply the immediate major projects that are likely to start in 2023, in addition to the ongoing supply or councils, subdivisions, concrete plants and asphalt plants. With the long term forecast of infrastructure projects in the regions, Martin’s Creek quarry is essential. There is a misunderstanding within the community that all the trucks coming through Paterson and surrounds are going or coming from Martins Creek quarry. Dungog council conduct road works sourcing the material from quarries located at Allendale/Brandy Hill/Seaham/Karuah and most of the trucks come through Paterson. If Martins Creek quarry was open, the trucks going through Paterson would’ve been significantly reduced. The Mayor of Dungog has publicly stated that there is not enough construction materials to fix the roads in Dungog Shire. If approved, Martin’s Creek quarry could supply this material efficiently and cost effectively. |
Michael Anthony
|
Organisation |
WesTrac Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Our business is supportive of the proposed development at Martins Creek quarry. The supporting details for our submission are included in the attached letter but includes the benefit for long term employment in the local area and the supply of essential materials needed for significant infrastructure projects in the surround regions. |
|
Attachments |
letter-of-support-martins-creek-quarry-002pdf.pdf (PDF, 150.82 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increases the certainty for the regional construction industry but also increases the employment for local people. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
- support go ahead for quarry re-open - provides jobs for truck/ transport and material for onsites - support supplying quality product from Martins Creek to many jobs all around |
Tony Callinan
|
Organisation |
The Australian Workers' Union |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Dear Independent Planning Commission NSW, I write to you in support of the proposed expansion of the Project. The Australian Workers' Union (AWU) is the trade union that represents workers employed by the Daracon Group's construction materials and civil construction businesses. This includes the work performed at the Martins Creek Quarry. For over 20 years, the Daracon Group's integrated civil engineering and construction materials business has provided direct and indirect employment opportunities in the Hunter Region to thousands of men and women. The material extracted at the Martins Creek Quarry has been used by Daracon and other firms to help build infrastructure projects in the Hunter Region, including roads, rail, water infrastructure, community space and new release land for residential housing. The expansion of the Project will further support local jobs in construction projects and, in the longer term, support ongoing economic growth within surrounding communities and across the Hunter Region through improved amenities and the built environment. The AWU supports the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry Project and believes the approval will have positive and lasting employment and economic effects on the surrounding area. The approval of the expansion is essential to provide job security to AWU members and improve career progression opportunities within the local area. The AWU looks forward to working with Daracon and other stakeholders to help ensure a productive, safe and environmentally sustainable workplace at the Martins Creek Quarry. Should the Commission need any further information, please contact our office on⬛⬛⬛⬛ . Yours faithfully, Tony Callinan AWU NSW Branch Secretary (Typed by Mr Decheng Sun, AWU Legal Officer, with Mr Callinan's approval) |
Brett Curtis
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It attracts work for locals and for the surrounding businesses |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry, it would be good for Daracon to have and get their own material. |
William Dries
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Stephen Long
|
Organisation |
Fulton Hogan |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We refer to Daracons application before the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in relation to Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. Fulton Hogan submits this letter in support of the project. Fulton Hogan have utilised quarry materials from Martins Creek in various forms for many years, it has been one of the important quarries in the area to provide high quality construction materials to the industry. Martins Creek is one of four quarries in the region that have the required material properties to comply with TfNSW specifications for both asphalt and spray seal aggregates. Furthermore, Martins Creek Quarry manufacture high quality road base materials such as R73 heavily bound that is widely used in the construction of pavements in compliance with TfNSW specifications. Over the next 6 years the Hunter Region will see several major road infrastructure projects completed that will include; o Newcastle Inner City Bypass (Rankin Park to Jesmond) o Hexham Straight o M1 to Raymond Terrace Extension (North and South) o Singleton Bypass o Muswellbrook Bypass It is worth noting that these projects will consume circa 500,000 tonnes of asphalt and large quantities of spray sealing aggregate. These projects will be delivered in addition to business as usual volumes that are currently supplied into the market for local and state government projects, subdivisions and other smaller projects in the area. In addition to the increased aggregate demand, these projects will require significant quantities of road base and engineered fill materials placing further strain on current quarry capacity and consent limits. Fulton Hogan operate asphalt productions facilities, asphalt laying crews, spray seal crews and civil businesses in the Hunter Region and all of these businesses have been affected by quarry material shortages in recent times. Supply shortage issues are evident without the significant uplift that will be required by these large projects. The Amended Development proposed by Daracon has the potential to help alleviate concerns over the regions ability to meet future construction demands required to meet a growing population in the Hunter Region. |
|
Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-expansion-support-letterpdf.pdf (PDF, 351.64 KB) |
Tharan Sneesby
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am an operator in the civil and gravel and aggregates are essential to my work. Shortage of supply affects my security of my job. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry is essential for jobs and infrastructure. The government has pushed to stimulate the economy through construction. Without quarries we don't have construction. No road repairs or new roads, no houses, footpaths, cycle ways and shopping centres. All infrastructure in our world revolves around construction materials. |
Greg Thomson
|
Organisation |
VGT Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This is a good project. One hole is better than 2. Allow extraction to continue. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support having local providers for quarry products and believe Daracon will be a suitbale operator. I have worked with Daracon in a professional capacity and I am confident they can manage the potential impacts of the project. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
No material, means no work for me! |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
L & M Richards trading as A1 Dug Excavations |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
* We support the proposed development because Martins Creek Quarry has long been a valued supplier of materials to address the needs of the local and wider communities. * We are a local excavation business and have been operating out of Torryburn/Lewinsbrook since 2010. * We have found with the current climate especially, there has been an unusually large demand in the local area for gravel materials to maintain driving surfaces on all properties with tarred and untarred roads, as well as the need for gravel products for water and waste storage facilities and general building requirements. * With the other more distant quarries which are currently operating there is usually a backlog of orders which is in turn severely negatively affecting the available supply to us. * In the past our business has been a frequent customer of Martins Creek Quarry because we were able to use their quality products to satisfy customers' needs in an efficient and timely fashion. * Our business understands the affect which the road transport industry has on the amenity of the area local to Martins Creek Quarry, and we support the current hours of operation proposals. * It was interesting to us that immediately prior to the closing of the Quarry there was a high demand from residents affected by trucking noise from the Quarry to supply them with gravel for their driveways and other needs, which we feel shows that there is a need for the supply of quarry materials in order to maintain the current standard of living required by most people these days, and the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) approach is a contradiction in values. |
Daniel Murrell
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
15/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have worked as a sub contractor for Daracon at Martins Creek Quarry since 2016 and directly for them since 2021, also a Local This Quarry should be approved for the locals, creating jobs and infrastructure for the community. If i wasn't working at Martins Creek id have to travel, taking time away from my family. There just isn't enough local jobs especially with taking away the 20+ immediate jobs the Quarry allows for, let alone the flow on effect to the rest of the community, small businesses. In my 20 years experience as a tradesman Daracon has been by far the best company i have worked for, despite its size it still has small family business values. Its employees always come first. I see nothing in the proposed development that isn't reasonable, greatly reduced from the original consent. They have gone beyond to try and please the community and from my dealing with the community they have. |
Lee Majer
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need more materials in the market place and its great to use existing lease to help the short fall of materials by a quality contractor. |
Dylan Bennett
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
22 jobs secured. Additional materials into the market to support upcoming projects that benefit the greater community. Trucks movements capped to mitigate community frustrations |
Tye North
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I wish to throw my support behind the project to help protect future job security and sustainabilities for the future of material. And for further development |
Dianne Mackay
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry is important to fix roads, build houses and for revetment works along multiple foreshores. It is essential to have this open. |
tim puha
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have worked for Daracon for 22 years and they are a great company and we needthis to secure our jobs into the future |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I’m a resident of the local area and fully support the approval of the Martins Creek Quarry. It will be good for the area as it will create more jobs and support a local company that already employs 100’s of people in the Hunter Valley. |
Robert Moore
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for ongoing local employment |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
increased certainty for ongoing local employment. to gain access to the materials to repair local roads. |
Rueben Howorth
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work as a Project Manager on a number of Projects within Cooranbong focused on the delivery of subdivisions with over 200 lots in total (more works upcoming). The current supply demands on quarry products/materials is causing flow on effects with the capability to complete and deliver these projects within the nominated time frames and in line with budget pricing, which in turn, flows onto the purchasers of the future Lots who are aiming to own and build their future homes. |
Steven Mclean
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work as a grader operator. Without gravel I can't work. The area needs good quality gravel to develop infrastructure and fix the current damaged roads. The industry needs this quarry open. |
Michael Lane
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Existing quarry that will secure our jobs and will run by a quality contractor |
Darren Hibbert
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Martins creek increase in tonnage exports via rail & road will benifit the construction activities of not only Daracon group but also encompass the construction industry on a whole in the greater Hunter region. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To support local jobs and support the local large projects. |
Julian Borgert
|
Organisation |
Structural Concrete Industries (Aust) P/L |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a major manufacturer of high quality precast, prestressed concrete bridge girders, bridge planks, piles and other precast concrete elements for NSW civil infrastructure projects, SCI has become increasingly concerned about the every increasing shortages of quality quarry products for the production of high grade concrete. Because of their critical nature of their use the above mentioned precast concrete components are manufactured under stringent specification requirements designed to ensure that the components enjoy in excess of 100+ years life in the structure while at the same time being maintenance free. Through knowledge of the petrographic properties of the Martins creek quarry materials and through previous experience in using the materials, it is seen as imperative that the quarry be further developed in order to augment the supply of quality quarry products necessary to meet current and future demand. Because SCI manufactures precast prestressed bridge components for projects throughout NSW, access to Martins creek quarry products for the production of very high quality concrete will benefit the economies of regional NSW far distant from the quarry itself. Access to supply of high quality quarry product for the State's infrastructure improvement program is as important as is the supply of gas and electricity for business and domestic use. The importance to the State of NSW of the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry is of the highest order and accordingly, SCI unreservedly offers its strongest support. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
22 Jobs secured and Daracon are s proven quality transport provider. |
Brenn Smith
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This will help get materials to fix our damaged infrastructure and keep local jobs with a quality contractor looking after the quarry |
Wayne Farmer
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the reopening 0f the quarry to support employment for the future |
nick howe
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
i support this as it helps all of the local government and private sector projects |
Eli Ogle
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry will provide jobs both directly and indirectly. I work as a labourer and see first hand the difficulties in getting materials to our sites. |
Ashley Smith
|
Organisation |
Delta Electricity |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the conditional approval of this application. It is clear that in the second iteration of the approval the Daracon Group have listened to the local community by proposing significant reductions in total production, total vehicle movements by the road, operating and delivery hours. As a user of construction materials it is getting almost impossible to source quality gravel in a timely manner. A quarry that can supply quality material that is not owned by a major in the industry such as Boral or Hanson will add much needed competition to a floundering market. The Daracon Group are a company where the ongoing success of the business means that they will continue to employ local people and support other local businesses. |
alan cullen
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Whilst i work in the construction industry, developments like this offer increased certainty for the regional construction Industry along with ongoing employment. With the upcoming large scale infrastructure projects commencing and growth of the region continuing, resource materials are at a premium. Developments such as this are required to continue the growth and maintain the current infrastructure. Suitable construction materials resource locations are not easily found or developed and cost considerable amount of capital investment, so where existing developments can be expanded within the consent guidelines they should be prioritized. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
90 133 440 428 |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposed development as working in the construction industry, I understand and appreciate the importance of high-quality hard rock quarry products and the required demand of these products in the construction of infrastructure projects With many large-scale road projects and local developments set to commence and continue in the next 10 years within the Newcastle and Hunter region, it will be of critical importance to be able to supply quarry products to these projects. With having a local quarry producer, this creates environmental benefits as truck haulage times are reduced which has a lower carbon emission impact in comparison to using other non-local quarries, social benefits of supporting local jobs and financial benefits of reducing the cost of infrastructure projects saving rate and taxpayers money. |
Jaiye Hoadley
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need materials to help fix roads and leve banks.This needs to be supplied by a credible contractor like Daracon. |
Ben Clarke
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To ensure the employment and the future of the construction industry |
Brian Mcdermott
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have worked in the civil construction industry for the past 25 years, in this time it has never been so difficult to get quarry materials. My job is constantly having to stop waiting for materials to come to site. |
James Searson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Quarries like these are needed to support local businesses in the area. With out quarries like these local projects will incur additional costs for materials, have a less reliable supply which will result in program delays. |
James Lalor
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To build jobs, maintain material supply, repair roads given current conditions, rivers erosion protection, ensure jobs can continue to progress |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Westrac |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
- I 100% suppport the Martins Creek quarry - This quarry provides material for our local community, in which i live. - The quarry and operating business has employed local people and supported the local communities for many years. - I understand the concerns of some of the communitiy around noise and the local flora and fauna, but i back the business which will carry out the work at the quarry to make the community and the local flora and fauna its #1 priority, as they always have. - I personally spoke to truck operator on the radio one day about a section of road that was starting to deteriorate and by the time i had arrived home, a member from the business had called me and explained the plan repair to start there the following week. Made me happy that the business was this invested to follow up with the public and its concerns. - I have seen many locally and government run projects in the maitland/newcastle region and they are always run to the best conditions and following the rules and regulations to complete there work in our communities. |
Shaun Mcdonell
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The allowance of this development will help local jobs and projects to continue to thrive |
Joel Brown
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's Creek provides jobs for local people and necessary building materials for contractors across the Hunter. |
ivan woodbury
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This would be great to see this quarry re-open as it will secure jobs and help get more materials in the market place securing jobs and with vapped truck movements. |
Joshua Callaghan
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
G |
Darren Brewer
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It is exciting quarry keep 0ur jobs going |
Isaac Wild
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry for ongoing employment and will help to build local projects. |
DAVID BURGUN
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
INCREASED CERTAINTY FOR REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND IF NOT MARTINS CREEK, WHERE WILL ADDITIONAL MATERIAL COME FROM ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS SUCH A MASSIVE SHORTFALL IN THE CURRENT MARKET..... QUARRIES AND RECYCLERS CANNOT SUPPLY THE DEMANDS IN THE CURRENT AND FORESEEABLE CONSTRUCTION CLIMATE. |
Jacob Munzenberger
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
it will be great to increase the local employment and support a number of large local infrastructure projects and support the area greatly moving forward. |
Aaron Wicks
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
22 jobs secured, long term employment. Truck movements capped per day. No environmental impacts. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I'm a local resident that has grown up and lived in the area for 38 years and i support the quarry as I work in the construction industry and I support growth in the industry with the creation of more jobs in the industry. I have lived here through the past when the quarry was running and the impact on myself was minor with increased traffic in the area |
Cheslyn Africa
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Having the quarry provides greater flexibility for the construction industry in obtaining quarry products which is currently under strain |
Brian Simpson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need this quarry opened to secure our jobs and fix the roads |
Harvey Wild
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry will both directly and indirectly provide jobs to the community. I work as a labourer and see the impact it makes on our sites. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction industry and we need quarry products to continue building sub divisions, without quarries we can't continue to build roads and then houses. I believe that theconditions of consent are fair to both sides. |
Warren Watson
|
Organisation |
University of Newcastle Rugby Union Club |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have worked with Daracon for the past 4 years after working for a service supplier to Daracon for the 15 years before this. My role at Daracon is to manage the supply of Construction Materials to all of our civil construction projects as well as the sale and supply of materials from our quarries. Over the last two years there has been a significant reduction in the availability of quality hard rock materials, as well all quarry materials in general. Diminishing available resources and soaring demand from residential subdivision and public infrastructure projects has seen many quarries have to introduce daily limits to their sales to try and make the resource spread across many customers. Quarries have started to reach extraction limits, or exhaust quality rock resource, major hard rock quarries as a result have shut sales to the public to only serve their own internal concrete plants. This increase in demand has occurred despite there only being limited major project works in the Hunter Valley at present. With the imminent commencement of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and the M1 to Raymond Terrace Upgrade (M12RT) I hold grave concerns as to where materials will be able to be sourced from to allow these projects to be completed. As a result of increased demand and reduced availability, materials are being sourced from quarries that are further away from the point of delivery, requiring more trucks to deliver the same amounts, over longer distances, thus increasing congestion, emissions, and costs to tax payers on all public roads. This has created a massive struggle on a daily basis of trying to source adequate volume and quality of materials for civil construction projects not just for ourselves but for many of our major customers such as local councils, rail bodies and local contractors. This added pressure to find materials for projects that are getting scarcer and scarcer has placed significant stress and anxiety to myself and my team members, as we always feel we are only one day away from a project falling over due to lack of supply. If you go and visit any quarry you will see, there are no longer piles and piles available of a variety of road bases, drainage aggregates, ballast, gabion, and scour rocks. There are only concrete aggregates and their byproducts being produced in any volume. Martins Creek Quarry aims to service all of these shortages in the market at present albeit with only a reduced amount. Current demand is outstripping supply that significantly that there is a real risk of inferior projects being built with pieced together pavements, consisting of a variety of quarries materials in one layer with only limited quality assurance being completed as products are being consumed as quickly as they are made. Daracon has taken a number of steps and actions in listening to the needs and wants of the community and has substantially reduced it’s requested extraction amounts, haulage volumes, times and days of operation. Whilst our total yearly limit proposed is significantly less than that of our industry competitors these tonnes will provide important resources to ensure roads, sub-divisions, hospitals, bridges, airports and houses continue to be built. Thank you for taking the time to read my submission, I am happy to discuss any or all of its contents. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the approval of Martins Creek Quarry as outlined in the DPIE assessment report and draft conditions of approval. Martins Creek Quarry provides essential material for the construction industry in the local and regional area. The draft conditions and ADA provide a comprehensive range of mitigation measures for the quarry and its operations. As outlined in the Department’s report, it is noted that there will still be some residual social impacts of the development which will need to be carefully monitored and managed, however on balance and given the quarry is predominantly a brownfields site that has operated in the area for a long time, I support the current amended DA. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Jobs for 22 full time workers |
Jamie Ingram
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Job's |
Levi Walker
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This is an important part of a larger scale that supports many many communities through the supply of jobs that support peoples income, that in return is put back into the community through family sports, meals and other forms of community spending, declining this support will not only Impact of the local shops, fuel stations ect, but will also Impact many many more communities. We need to think more about the greater impact declining this will do!!!! |
Mark Hodges
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Secure my job and others in the construction industry plus they have capped truck movements. |
Andrew Quinn
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supply of road andbuilding materials is an important component to the construction industry. This Quarry has been an important part of this supply. |
Andrew Milner
|
Organisation |
WesTrac Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am supportive of the quarry industry in general. This project will provide economic opportunity for those in the local community. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Maddison Civil Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I fully support the quarry in it's employment opportunities. |
Christopher Mckenzie-Low
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supports jobs and growth of the local area |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
22 jobs |
|
Attachments |
martins-creek-recommended-conditionspdf.pdf (PDF, 1 MB) |
Levi Walker
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Thisci |
Allan Day
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The industry desperately needs more certainty for the supply of construction materials as there are significant delays being experienced due to the current shortages. |
Brad Quill
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Keep a constant supply and keep jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To support the construction, civil, rail industry's |
Janis Walker
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I submit this in support of the Martins Creek Quarry proposal as recommended by the Dept of Planning. I am the partner of someone employed by Daracon. I do not hide this association, unlike some of the persons submitting objections with obvious conflicts of interest. Objections from persons, employed directly by one of the owners of a major quarry in the Karuah region, claiming there are sufficient quarry resources in the region, without Martins Creek being approved, is totally counter to the information provided by the Dept of Planning and also by other civil constructors of infrastructure as found in the reviews undertaken as part of the DA. I am aware of the lengths that Daracon have gone to in order that the issues concerning the community be addressed. Clearly, certain members of the community seek to have the quarry closed. That is their right. Adopting the not in my backyard perspective. However, the quarry, and land disturbance, already exists and has done for decades. To not approve will simply encourage a greenfield development somewhere else. Not to mention the clear waste of a quality resource already established close to markets. Clearly an environmental benefit to the State. I note the residential developments being undertaken in the Dungog Council and the Maitland Council areas. Such developments use the very materials that this resource offers. Transporting these products from further afield makes no logical or environmental sense. Certainly, issues affecting those involved must be considered and addressed. Daracon has already done this in consultation with all parties, as they were required to do by the Regulator of this process. This is a State Significant Resource and the importance should not be lost in the current consideration of submissions. Finally, I personally wish to address the nonsense being spread by certain persons pushing their own agendas regarding Daracon and the owners. I know the owners of Daracon and have personally experienced their genuine consideration and compassion for their employees, employees families and associated persons and the community. They are a family company locally established, not some multinational. Description of them being ruthless for profit are not what the typical Daracon employee would state. Statements such as this by certain others are a comment upon those individuals and their motives. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
13/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the project with conditions as put forward by the Department of Planning. The conditions are quite onerous for the output and size of this quarry when compared to others in the state. This is an opportunity for the planning authorities to secure a hard rock resource that has low impact on Flora and Fauna for the future in a region that will continue to grow in the future........it is going to get even harder in years to come to find more suitable hard rock resources that are approvable as it is rare that a quarry is situated on cleared land and the cost of offsetting Vegetation will rule most sites unviable even in the event they are allowed to proceed with clearing. I urge the IPC to approve this project. |
Angus Johnston
|
Organisation |
Johnston Plant & Heavy Vehicle Repairs Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
13/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this project for the extra revenue and work it adds to my local business. |
Adam Dipietro
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
13/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I’m very happy for this to go ahead, more local jobs and more money spent locally |
Oscar May
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
13/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This provides more jobs and infrastructure which only benefits the surrounding communities |
Blake Simmons
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry must be open for us to build jobs. It is giving the younger generation jobs for now and the future. |
Lenard Hardy
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Good for local jobs and developments in the area. I work in construction and without the quarry reopening, my job could be effected. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have worked in construction for 20 years and quarrying materials have always been a crucial part over every single project I have work on. Martin's ck quarry has high quality material local to the Hunter that we need to get the job done. |
Luke Gageler
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work as a project engineer on subdivisions and major projects. These project are for the communities in the Hunter Region. My project has been stopped several times this year due to difficulties in getting materials. The current quarries are already struggling to supply the amount of material required for the current projects. With the future projects like Hexham Straights, M1 extension and Jesmond to Rankin Park how will the demand be met? The Government has pushed these projects to be built with no regard for what it takes to build them. |
Ryan Cocks
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work as a plant operator on civil construction projects. Without quarries we don't have a job. |
Brett Gregory
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My business relies on quarry materials. The current shortages in the local area are causing problems to build jobs. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe this quarry expansion would have a positive impact on the local economy and community. |
Bruce Mitchell
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry needs to be open for employment directly and indirectly from the flow through industries. |
James Drew
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To keep myself and many others in a j |
Daniel Mead
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe that quarry expansion i |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe this project will provide continued jobs and opportunities for the local community and the wider range area. It is vital to the local and state economies that we continue with this project |
Darren Simmons
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry is essential for projects to be built. It is becoming so hard to get material to our sites. I work as a plant operator and need the supply of materials to do my job. |
Andrew Elliott
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need quarries to work and keep infrastructure moving |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The approval of Martins Creek Quarry has many benefits and the approval i believe is incredibly important for the construction industry as we move in to a time of increased construction in the area. It will increase the certainty for the regional construction industry as well as increased certainty for ongoing local employment. It increases the certainty for local large scale infrastructure projects as well as the many regional road repairs required after the recent rain and flooding events. We have seen a huge decrease in locally available hard rock quarry material due to closures in recent years and hard rock quarried material is a vital component of all construction phases. Martins Creek Quarry has been providing quarry product for railway construction, maintenance and repair, infrastructure and road construction in the Hunter Region for approximately 100 years. This has provided employment for hundreds of people and contributed to the region and state’s economic growth. Hunter Regional Plan 2036 clearly outlines a growing Hunter population requiring approximately 70,000 additional houses to house the population by 2036. With this will come the need for construction materials that Martins Creek Quarry produces. |
James Simpson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry. Daracon has shown they can and will control the trucks through the local areas. To be able to build projects we need gravel for roads, dust for pipes, aggregates for concrete. We can't get materials to build these projects. What is the future plan to source material? If not this quarry then where? I believe martains Creek quarry serves a greater economic value to the Hunter Region that outlays the concerns of the local residents. |
Frank Nespeca
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To ensure certainty for supply of product for large infrastructure projects. To ensure on-going employment for local trades and suppliers to the industry |
Allen Henderson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe Martin's Creek quarry should be running at full capacity. This quarry supplies high quality materials for roads, hospitals, shopping centres and houses. It is crazy to think in the current boom and forward project that still need to come on line that this quarry is even up for debate. It is essential for the Hunter Region. |
delma Ross
|
Organisation |
Ardglen CC group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I would support the approval of Martins Creek Quarry. I have lived very close to another of Daracon'a operational quarries for many years and found them to be very cooperative and considerate to the local community. They've also managed the environmental aspects of their operation well and I am certain that would be the case if Martins Creek quarry was approved. |
Max Schoeddert
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
To supply much needed jobs after the slow 3 years of covid and to increase the supply of much needed materials required to build our roads and infrastructure |
Hayley Penfold
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Keeps everyone in business. Gives my family a roof over their heads. Keeps the economy going, especially post the last few years of coved. |
Andrew Payne
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Helps with development and keeps people employed. I work as a plant operator with a subby company on work sites using quarry materials. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
National Truck Repairs |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The ongoing supply of quarry material will ensure ongoing employment |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's Creek quarry offers an opportunity for much need high quality materials to be accessed by the community. With a large amount of infrastructure projects currently underway and more in the planning pipe line access to Martin's Creek will assist with the current supply issues being encountered and promote better competition in the market. In my opinion when carried out the conditions of consent will adequately mitigate the adverse impacts of the development |
Aydin Stone
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
* |
Bob Hawes
|
Organisation |
Business Hunter |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We refer to Daracon’s application before the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in relation to Martins Creek Quarry Expansion (the Project). Business Hunter submits this letter in support for the Project. Business Hunter represents over 4,200 member and affiliate businesses across the Hunter region. Our membership spans virtually business and industry sectors in the region and we have represented the interests of business so since 1886. We recognise that the Martins Creek Quarry has been providing quarry products for railway construction, infrastructure and road construction in the Hunter for over 100 years. The quarry has provided employment for many people over this time and has contributed to the economic growth of both the region and the state. We also note all levels of government have identified infrastructure provision and civil construction as a key priority area in their strategic planning. Furthermore, the level of construction activity related to these plans is at record levels and not foreshadowed to wane for many years. In this context, the quarry will provide the region with continued access to high grade products from a local source to potentially be used for projects in the Hunter region and beyond. This is of significant importance at a time when supply chains of construction materials are stretched and other sources to substitute existing supplies are not readily identified or available. We acknowledge the Project application has attracted significant attention locally and across the region. Business Hunter recognises Daracon’s commitment and efforts to identify and address the community concerns and the actions and measures taken or agreed to seeking to mitigate impacts that will arise from the expanded activity in the event the Project is approved. It is our desire to see the Project is considered in respect of the relevant planning and development controls and the IPC ensures the assessment and determination strike the right balance in terms of dealing with the matters raised in the submissions received. Business Hunter is supportive of the Project in the knowledge of its capacity to not only provide an essential raw material for a wide range on community building and economically important projects across the region, but also its capacity to support business and jobs growth now and well into the future. We would be happy to expand on this submission if required. Yours sincerely Bob Hawes ⬛⬛⬛ |
|
Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-project-111122pdf.pdf (PDF, 127.54 KB) |
Greg Saunders
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry |
Tim Lamb
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Keeps me employed. Keeps the local ⬛⬛⬛nsw roa |
Maree Pont
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
11/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My job is directly reliant on the materials that come from quarries. I feel very strongly about the quarry being open to support the many jobs that are created, not just at the quarry but all surrounding jobs too, water carts, truck drivers, plant operator project engineer's and manager's, cleaners, food stops and all sorts of mechanics. The local people around the quarry should work with the quarry for development of the town and local businesses. |
Chris Sansom
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I would like to see Martin's Creek go ahead to ensure job security and |
Dane Cullen
|
Organisation |
Qualtest |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Current demand is outstripping supply and production as a result quarries have no material stockpiled. This has implications for a range of issues including downstream impacts such as quality control especially for material going into long term assets such as buildings, bridges and hospitals, there is potential for inferior material to find its way into Concrete and asphalt resulting in reduced durability and longevity of assets. I work in the Construction materials testing industry and at current the huge additional demands being placed on our industry to keep up with testing requirements day to day as there is limited to no material being stockpiled at quarries (Due to such high demand and lack of quality resource) is increasing every day. In the end, a lack of quality control will end up with a lack of quality product going in to the market which has huge cost implications down the line. There is also ever increasing pressure put on staff within my business as the demand for test results is so high as there is limited quarries able to supply high end products. The re-opening of Martin's Creek Quarry would help alleviate these issues. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The ability to make a significant contribution to the easing and securing of future construction material supply constraints and the flow on effects of this for easing cost of living pressures. |
Phil Larson
|
Organisation |
Georgiou Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The supply situation for civil construction contractors working in the Hunter Region is currently far too limited. Therefore, we strongly support the reopening of the Martins Creek Quarry. This is urgently required to increase supply and sourcing options for contractors to enable projects to be delivered for clients cost effectively and on time. At present the construction industry is under severe materials supply pressure making it very difficult to tender and complete projects with certainty of supply. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Very happy for this expansion to go ahead. This mine supports developers who support local families purchasing new homes allowing every day Australians a place to call home. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry to ensure ongoing local employment and to assist with road repairs urgently needed. The quarry can supply a large area that is good for everyone in mnay regions. |
Geoff Reeves
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I Geoff Reeves work in the construction industry, and with the closure of quarrys and restrictions sites have to adhere to, sourcing materials for the ever demanding infrastructure within the area is getting harder to find especially when it comes to hard rock which Martins Creek produces. This also puts added pressure on other sites to meet customer demands due to shortage of suppliers. The cost involved to get hard rock to some of these sites are astronomical due to the distance of having to transport the same materials from other sites outside of the working area. Martins Creek also employs numerous people with assorted qualifications and contract trades persons within the local area. People employed by Daracon also benefit from the ongoing training given to enhance their skills. I believe that small business in the immediate area benefit from the quarry from employers buying lunches, drinks, small goods ext. I fully support the proposed development at Martins Creek quarry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Benefit of having this Quarry re-open is that it will create more jobs, it will give the Hunter Valley another Hard rock quarry aswell as other types of material, and with the amount of road works that need doing in the Hunter Valley and NSW for that matter, another quarry to supply rock and road bases is gojng to help fix all the damaged roads. |
David Simms
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Current shortage of construction materials needs to be filled. |
Zacary Convery
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in civil construction, we can not build jobs without quarry materials. There is currently a shortfall of materials to build the current work , not to mention the future major projects that are starting in the Hunter region. |
Steven Drain
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry. The supply of quarry materials ensures we have jobs. I am a pipe layer specialising in storm water. The local residents have plumbing and storm water drains, without these with the recent rain events more areas would've flooded with devastating results. I doubt most people realise what materials are required to build these essentials. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the approval of the Martins Creek quarry as it provides an important resource for the railway and construction industry. It is also the only rail-connected on the Hunter Valley and provides a vital service to the rail industry in this region. Sufficient upgrades to the road network for road haulage are necessary and are well outlined in the report. The approval of the quarry will provide local jobs, support local businesses and can improve the amenities available to the local community. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
N/A |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe the Quarry should proceed as it will generate more jobs and will stimulate the economy. |
Lyndsay Steele
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry. There is a massive shortage in the industry. This seems to be missed by the general public as to what materials are used to give the people roads, house, sewer and most importantly jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins Creek needs to be approved to allow the regional construction industry to progress efficiently. A reliable source of high quality construction materials is desperately needed as there are currently significant shortfalls being experienced causing delays, interruptions and cost overruns. The quarry would support increased job opportunities for local residents as well as those in adjacent regions. |
Matthew Sexton
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
All the people concerned about extra traffic during the day are mostly at work any way. We cant build more houses and roads without mining and quarries, to refuse the expansion would be another influence to drive prices higher for building materials... People want houses and roads but dont want to be close to where materials come from, it is just the same as someone who complains about coal powerstations and then wonders why electricity prices soar... The extra trucks in my my area will mildly affect me buy having more on the road but that is a small price to pay when we are in an affordable housing crisis. |
Tristan Magin
|
Organisation |
Newpave Asphalt |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We support the proposed development for a number of reasons: 1) The development is owned and operated by a respected locally based business. 2) The quarry provides much needed resources for the infrastructure needs of our region. 3) Quarry products are increasingly becoming scarce and having additional supply of materials is beneficial especially with the large infrastructure projects that are planned within the region over the next 10 years. 4) The proposed development is good for the local economy. 5) The proposed development will generate and provide employment to local people. |
Christine Paul
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Generation of work for the Hunter Region. We can't build jobs without quarry materials. After the extended periods of rain majority of roads require maintenance to repair, there is a shortage of materials to complete these works. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support approval of this important resource development project. At present, extractive resourcves in the Hunter Region are becoming increasing difficult to source for the concrete and construction industry. This project will provide long term security and price stabilty for the construciton sector, improve local employment opportunities, support infrastructure projects in the region and provide scarece materials for ongoing road maintenance in the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
With the opening of the quarry we can continue to hold long term employment of people and continue to provide housing for the growing population of Australia |
Zachary Martin
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Keep working |
Ian Stuckings
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am a construction supervisor building subdivisions. Without this material we can't work. No roads, no houses, no plumbing. There is a shortage of materials. Having quarries especially in the local area. This will also help with local jobs in the quarry, but also all the follow on jobs, trucks, mechanics, plant, cleaners etc. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
NIXSO - Mechanical Engineering company |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's creek Quarry has previously supported our business and provided work for us. We value this work, as it helps support 4 x young families and their children. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of this application as it is beneficial to the progress of the community and surrounding areas |
Scott Screen
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Here |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Local jobs for a local company with 800 employees and the greater Hunter community in many flow on jobs. |
Shane Kinnard
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the civil construction industry as a pipe layer supervisor. We require the quarried materials to build sewer, water mains, electrical pipes. These are all underground and not possible to be layed without these material. The basics are, if you want electricity and inside plumbing we need surety of supply of quarry materials. |
Jason Guy
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in civil construction as a pipe layer. It is becoming harder and harder to get materials. We are constantly having to stop our project due to lack of materials. To do my job it is essential to have quarry materials of high quality that meet specifications |
Joseph Baldwin
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
If we don't get the materials from the quarry we don't get the materials for the job leaving many people jobless if we aren't able to get the materials |
Peter Varley
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry is the only way to build infrastructure. Without it there is uncertainty of jobs and continued improvement to our roads and buildings. |
Tahlia Catts
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Ongoing employment for the construction industry would be assisted if the quarry is approved. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The proposed development will be of great benefit to the local community, providing local jobs and keeping business in the area. |
Curtis Smith
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
100% support the approval of the quarry, would like to see the roads improved |
Peter Phillips
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry. Without quarries we can't build projects which means we don't have jobs. |
Wayne Jeans
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry to increase the supply of quarry materials to projects and support local businesses. I work in construction as a supervisor. It is becoming increasingly difficult to build projects in the time frame and budget of the clients. With every increase that gets passed onto the client who passes it onto the end user. In most cases this is subdivisions and rate payers. |
Jamie Mckay
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's Creek is essential in the construction industry. It provides quality materials for subdivisions, highways, storm water and sewer. There is not only a shortage of houses in the area, but quarry materials to build the infrastructure for the houses. |
Paul Wright
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Keep working |
Josh McGinty
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry to ensure sustained operation of the construction industry and ongoing employment for the region. |
Jodie Lindsay
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry for current and future employment opportunities in the region. The construction industry as a whole would benefit from the approval of Martins Creek quarry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the Martins Creek Quarry DA Application. Having worked in the construction industry I've seen the impact of the shortage of materials on a number of projects. For the industry to move forward, we need this quarry open and operational to supply hard rock to businesses of varying sizes as well as Government Departments responsible for the maintenance on our roads. This quarry historically has supplied high-quality materials to the community and the moderate amount of transport recommended to move the tonnage shows the communities concerns have been addressed. I am in favour of the application going ahead. |
Tony Brookes
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The mine was established at the site to utilise rail transport for the gravel. Given the subsequent development of the area, increases in local traffic and the chronically underfunded maintenance of our roads, the idea of transporting gravel out of the quarry by an endless fleet of trucks is unbelievable. These are minor rural roads in varying condition while the section that snakes through though the village of Paterson is particularly unsuited to such an onslaught with obvious safety concerns. The vast majority of material is transported out of the local region. If the mine can't economically return to rail transport Daracon should do the socially and environmentally responsible thing and start the process of locating a quarry somewhere where surrounding infrastructure can support its activity. In my limited experience ESG is not big at Daracon. |
Matthew Miller
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry is an essential part of Daracon. If we do not have this available to us it would be detrimental to our company. With more and more jobs starting and progressing it is essential for us to be able to have access to materials the quarry supplies. If not, the costs of jobs will increase. If we do not have access to quarry material our jobs will not progress. |
Jack Morgan
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I want the quarry open as there are many projects in the area that need material from quarries that are local. It would create jobs either directly employeed at the quarry or indirectly via subbies working with Daracon and the other civil contractors including councils. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
SC Haulage Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
INCREASE EMPLOYMENT |
Craig Farrell
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Job security in your construction industry. |
Shaun Upton
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Fix roads for our community |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Ongoing local employment is important and I think Martins Creek quarry will assist that. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need to be able to source quality materials. All of the government spending on construction and infrastructure projects will be impossible to complete if we do not have materials. This will provide ongoing and new employment opportunities and will be essential in the uncertain times that we are approaching. People's livelihoods will be at stake if the industry can't support the economy and material supply is non-negotiable. I empathize with those that have concerns but the quarry and associated transport has and can continue to operate safely. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Martins Creek quarry provides important Construction Materials for projects within the Hunter Valley, if the project is not approved Construction materials will be imported for further afield. This will add to the overall Traffic load on the local roads and greenhouse gas emissions. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for ongoing local employment; Increased certainty for regional road repairs following recent rain and flooding; If the construction material cannot come from Martins Creek, then where will the additional material come from? Increased certainty for the regional construction industry; |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It is required for us to do our job successfully. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The materials the quarry martains Creek provides is essential to our line of work. It is very hard to obtain material in this current climate and martains Creek is essential for us to keep progressing with our job. No material means we will be out of work. I support martains Creek quarry. I am a specialised pipe layer. |
Norm Leverton
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am a plant operator. Without materials I can't do my job. How would the people opposed to the quarry feel if they were told they couldn't continue their job. The greater good of the Hunter Region requires quarry materials to repair roads build houses. |
John Livermore
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Without this quarry I could potentially loose my job. |
Nathan Murphy
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
There is a massive shortage of quarry materials in the industry and opening Martin's Creek quarry will help these supply issues. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry for ongoing local employment in the construction industry as it can provide a critical construction material resource that is currently in high demand. |
Damon Bird
|
Organisation |
Australian Resource Development Group Pty Limited |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I write in direct support of the Martins Creek Quarry development - primarily in relation to the critical importance of this extractive resource for supporting current and future infrastructure development in the Lower Hunter and Central Coast regions. It is widely recognised within the Lower Hunter and Central Coast quarrying and construction sectors that existing regional quarries have insufficient combined supply capacity to meet existing and future demand of quarry materials required to support construction activities and infrastructure growth in these regions. The combined supply capacity shortfall can be attributed to several factors, including: - strong demand for quarry materials in recent years to support the infrastructure boom (this has included high-volume supply into the Sydney construction materials market); - recent closures of key quarries on the Central Coast as a result of resource depletion; and - insufficient investment and development of new quarries to replenish the supply of quarry resources capable of meeting existing and future market demand. This in part is the result of the very limited availability of alternate quarry sites located close to market that have geology suited to the production of fit-for-purpose quarry materials. Approval of the Martins Creek Quarry would significantly assist in reducing the supply deficit of quarry materials required by the the Lower Hunter and Central Coast construction sector and also reduce the volume of quarry materials that would otherwise need to be sourced from alternate, more distant locations, at higher cost and with higher greenhouse gas emissions. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the Martin's Creek Quarry. Newcastle is currently in a construction boom and Quarries like Martins Creek are necessary for the ongoing growth within our area. There are so many more benefits to having the quarry operating then the small perceived impact of the few. Local quarries mean local jobs, having people work locally helps to stimulate our economy and keep our city thriving. |
Lindsay Sinclair
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need access to rock to do our job. If not we will not start or finish our jobs. |
Brad Whalain
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Materials are very important to our job as it provides us to progress with our jobs. If we do not have the materials provided from martians creek quarry we will be out of work. I support martains Creek quarry. We build homes for people from our materials, so it's very important that the martains Creek quarry is operational. We make the Aussie dream come true, starting from the foundations of martains Creek quarry. |
Brenton Bye
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support especially to secure jobs |
Owen McFadden
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Not material for roads and other infrastructure |
Guy West
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe that martin |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
NIXSO |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
• Increased certainty for the regional construction industry; • Increased certainty for ongoing local employment; • Increased certainty for local large scale infrastructure projects; • Increased certainty for regional road repairs following recent rain and flooding; |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construcion industry, I support this expansion as it will ensure a supply of quality aggregates to the construction industry, maintaining jobs, quality concrete & building products. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
10/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Keep me in a job as a road construction worker. Getting materials to repair local roads is difficult and all the local roads need repair! Good for the local economy. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Alternate source of material required for industry |
Robbie Payne
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry keeps a lot of people in work. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The aggregate market in Newcastle does not meet the current and future demand. Martins Creek is a well established and quality resource close to Newcastle and the Hunter. It is well positioned for short hauls meaning less fuel for future construction requirements as the area grows. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The reason I support this development is because the supply of aggregates is important for the civil and construction industries. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Brian Davey
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work for a business that relies on the product from Martins Creek Quarry. There are many businesses that rely on the products supplied from Martins Creek Quarry to complete works in an efficient manner. This quarry expansion will have a positive impact on the local economy and community. Many roads and rail lines rely on the products from Martins Creek Quarry. |
jed usback
|
Organisation |
ARTC |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
With the upcoming works planned for the lower hunter / Newcastle area i believe Martins Creek should be approved for the following reasons - Reduced transport for materials in the Lower Hunter / Newcastle areas, Less truck movements from Quarries that are greater distances from the work meaning less emissions, less waste generated (Oil, Tyres, etc.) - Employment generated within Dungog Shire, - Increased availability for much needed large upcoming projects (M1 extension, Heatherbrae widening) and large Rail Infrastructure Projects - Reduced costs to local councils, road authorities, Rail authorities, |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Need quarry products to build subdivisions, road pavement and drainage and quarry products to make concrete. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for material supply within the regional construction industry; Increased certainty for ongoing local employment; |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The development is important for our industry and supplying employment. |
Carl Farmer
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Employment, needed for construction and infrastructure. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Metromix support the Martins Creek Quarry Project. We have had an ongoing association with Martins Creek for over 20 years, as it has been one of the important quarries in the area to provide high quality construction materials to the industry. We have also had an ongoing association for many years with Daracon. They are a significant Hunter Region employee, with more than 800 people working for them. Through employment and the supply of hard rock materials, Martins Creek Quarry has long contributed to the economic growth of the Hunter Region and the State. The Amended Development proposed by Daracon has the potential to alleviate concerns over the regions ability to meet future construction demands required to meet a growing population in the Hunter Region. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Komatsu Mt Thorley |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
• Increased certainty for the regional construction industry; • Increased certainty for ongoing local employment; • Increased certainty for local large scale infrastructure projects; • Increased certainty for regional road repairs following recent rain and flooding; • If the construction material cannot come from Martins Creek, then where will the additional material come from? |
Chad Wardle
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
• Increased certainty for the regional construction industry; • Increased certainty for ongoing local employment; • Increased certainty for local large scale infrastructure projects; • Increased certainty for regional road repairs following recent rain and flooding; • If the construction material cannot come from Martins Creek, then where will the additional material come from? Keeps revenue flowing into Paterson - Fuel stations, take away shops, the local hardware |
Brett Curtis
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
More work for people in the area and producing materials for the future. |
Aydin Stone
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Brendan Connick
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the access to the materials at Martins Creek to enhance the infrastructure of the Hunter region |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supplies good quality aggregate to building industry. Supports jobs. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
ARTC |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Very important for regional construction and infrastructure industries Supports local employment Critical availability of materials to support road and rail industry, increased importance during recent weather events. No other available resources lower Hunter Valley. Sourcing from further afield will increase costs, create more emissions and impact many more people than just around Martins Creek. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the approval of this development |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a local subcontractor I see this as something important for the area it will employ locals and provide products for all the new roads and houses being built in the local area. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the approval of Martins Creek quarry as it’s a proven and valuable resource that’s desperately needed to improve the ongoing supply of high-quality construction materials to NSW and the Hunter Region. Like myself, every other person working in the civil construction industry is very well aware of the significant shortfalls that currently exist in the supply of high-quality construction materials, and this is having a detrimental impact on critical infrastructure projects, including ongoing repairs from recent rain and flooding. Martins Creek quarry is a State Significant Development, and it needs to be approved because it has the capacity to improve the amenity for the majority of NSW and Hunter Region residents if approved. Martins Creek quarry has supported many infrastructure projects over the years and has created many jobs in and around the Hunter region. With the continued growth of the region, material from this quarry is needed to construct these projects and support Newcastle and the Hunter Valley communities. Martins Creek quarry has operated for more than 100 years, and it’s needed now more than ever to get materials for new and damaged roads around the region. Please approve Martins Creek quarry so more long-term jobs can be generated |
Cameron Cherry
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Support to re-open the quarry benefits the industry, jobs etc. |
Brodie O'Brien
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The development proposed would be beneficial to infrastructure work in the area. |
Tevita Naicoko
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Without a secure supply of material, we wont be able to perform work and cease of supply means no development in progress to infrastructure. |
Paul Wolfenden
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposed development as it will bring job security to myself and fellow working landscapers as we regularly use quarry materials in our projects. I believe the use of rail transport is a fair and sustainable way to transport quarry materials. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I write in support of the proposed expansion to the quarry. Daracon are a creator of local jobs in the Hunter Region in the construction industry, as well as a contractor who constructs multiple residential development and important infrastructure projects in the region - a key priority for the State Government. Expansion of the quarry enables those projects to continue meaning retention of / creation of jobs in the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
MSC Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The expansion of this quarry will bring money and jobs to the local community and surrounding areas. Demand for quality quarry products are at an all time high and is required to help grow communities, towns and cities. |
Stephen Parkinson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Garry Reid
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Without the quarries we cannot develop communities. These products are required for infrastructure to enable our region to go ahead and employment of various industries. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Brett Rowland
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
More work |
Glen Richardson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction testing industry and this project will provide myself with stable and ongoing job opportunities in the local area, where my kids go to school and we are a valuable members of the community. This is the case for all my work colleagues also. The clients that we work for are continuously struggling to source quarry material, let alone a premium quality rock source that is present at Martins Creek. This project will provide an additional source of quality material to the industry, which will ease this strain on the local area and local development projects. The greater Newcastle and surrounding areas are growing in population, and I believe this is due to the area being a great place to live. Development needs to keep on par to support this high demand, and sourcing good quality materials is the key for this to happen. I support this project as I believe the industry and local area needs this quality material to continue to thrive and be a great place to live, work and play. Thanks for your time and consideration. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am local and I have no problems with the reopening of the quarry. We live in an area that is growing by the minute and can't afford to not have the products available for building and road infrastructure. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the project because there is a shortage of quarries available for projects to select from relative to demand. By approving more options then projects can source the product closer to the location and reduce environmental effects by reducing travel times and disruption to the number of residents along travel routes. The facility will provide greater opportunities for local employment. The greatest cost of quarry products becomes transport once the product becomes hard to source locally. By creating more options across more locations the cost of the product is kept down benefiting the end user. Currently one of the biggest drivers of inflation is the cost of fuel and the lack of housing. This is going to be exacerbated in the short term by rising interest rates. By reducing the cost of land developments and housing through greater supply we are addressing inflation in a more direct fashion. Often with development the perceived effects are far worse than the actual. If the majority of objectors were asked at the end of development if their perceived objections around the affects on them were realised they would admit they would admit the environmental effects on them were exaggerated Every one of us of lives in a building and uses community facilities created using these products. It is incumbent on all of us to suffer some minor inconvenience to indulge in the benefits these create |
Ben Jarrett
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Good for local jobs. |
David Fidock
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
If we don't have gravel for the Hunter, we will be in some trouble. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
If there are no materials, there is no infrastructure. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction industry, which relies on the supply and use of good quality rock. |
Mikey Raddatz
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Komatsu |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Increased certainty for the regional construction industry along with ongoing local employment |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a Civil Engineer in the Hunter Construction Industry I have witnessed first hand over the past 3 years how the quarry material resource constraint has hampered project delivery. The availability of hard rock products has impacted each and every project I have been involved in over this time frame. With the forecasted major infrastructure projects over the coming years surplus to the baseline demand, Martins Creek expansion is the logical solution to the issues the industry is facing over the coming years. |
Brier Moody
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the petition to re-open this quarry, benefits to the quality and support of construction and mining and creates more jobs for people in the industry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry is an important project to maintain employment in the area. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This development is important for the construction industry to provide better infrastructure in the Newcastle and Hunter area |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Employed in the industry and aggregate is vital to my future employment. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction and material testing industry. The jobs that the proposed development will create, and flow on effects to other local businesses and associated industries can only be of benefit to the community. Plus the quarry resource is much needed for upcoming major NSW RMS road projects and other local projects, for road construction materials, which again will indirectly help employ many people on those projects as well. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
BMD |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It will boost the local growth in construction industry. It will support infrastructure projects. Increased material availability for road maintenance |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I don’t have any Objection to this project. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
In full support of the quarry |
Matt Ringrose
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Gary Minter
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We badly need these materials to do our jobs. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supplies good quality aggregate to building industry and supports jobs. |
Brendan Mason
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This will be great for the local community |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
09/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a subcontractor in the local area I understand the importance of having readily available products for use as our area is growing rapidly and the resources We currently have are having trouble keeping up with demand. |
grant pattison
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
will create 22 jobs. will put materials into the marketplace to keep fixing our roads and rail |
Michael Budzon
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Great to see businesses and work employment opportunities established in the small suburb of the hunter valley region. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supply and delivery of high-quality materials and products for use in rail, concrete, asphalt and general civil construction. Heavy construction materials play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure required to support population and economic growth in the Hunter Region and more broadly in NSW. Employment of approximately 22 full time equivalent employees. The Cost Benefit Analysis estimates a net benefit of $58 million to NSW in net present value (NPV) terms, with further details on economic benefits outlined below. Contributions to the improved maintenance of road infrastructure via a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Dungog Shire Council and Maitland City Council. Community investment and sponsorship opportunities. |
Kyle McKendry
|
Organisation |
Winarch Capital |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry material plays a significant role role in supporting infrastructure delivery vital to the fast growing communities of the Hunter Region. The quarry also provides high quality material allowing better outcomes for construction. This is a great resource which needs to be maximised for the benefit of the broader community needs. |
Heath Robertson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am mainly concerned with supporting the ongoing use of the site as a quarry. If the proposal is not supported, it will impact jobs not only within Daracon but also the businesses it supports. The flow on affects will also impact home builders who rely on Daracon's products being supplied to developers in an efficient and cost-effective manner for the construction of subdivisions and other residential/commercial/industrial developments. Should developers need to import quarry products from further afield, this will increase the amount of transportation required and have more impacts on the environment through CO2 emissions. Currently the heavy vehicle routes are established to support the existing industry in the Hunter and Central Coast. If the proposal is not supported than new heavy vehicle routes will need to be established through existing areas that are not the subject of these traffic movements. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this proposal in multiple ways. I support the overall quarry expansion proposal knowing it is in good hands with Daracon having first hand past experience to the high quality operation of the site, as well as I support the wide ranging economic benefits it provides to the area through direct employment as well as secondary services and consumables supply. I also support it because of the localised supply of high quality aggregates and quarry materials that are desperately being missed in the area since the shutting of the quarry. These materials have to be trucked into the area from other quarries far outside our zone adding to transport costs and long turnaround times being felt by local developments. I live in the local area (Bolwarra) , as well as work for a local company that has been directly engaged in the past providing a specialised service to the quarry. The benefits to the local community as a result of this quarry’s engagement of our company were wide ranging from the direct employment of people operating on site full time (2 people) , as well as contributing to secondary employment via support service providers such as machinery and light vehicle servicing, repairs, fuel (supplied by local service stations), consumables supply, courier services, specialised bulk product supply and technical personnel. This resource is vital to the prosperity of the area in so many ways I think the latest proposal has adjusted more than adequately and is a good compromise for all concerns raised by some rather vocal action groups that do not represent the views of the majority of people that actually live in the area. |
Sam Smith
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Creates 22 jobs and supports current workers. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Johnson Property Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Employment of approximately 22 full time equivalent employees. The Cost Benefit Analysis estimates a net benefit of $58 million to NSW in net present value (NPV) terms, with further details on economic benefits outlined below. Contributions to the improved maintenance of road infrastructure via a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Dungog Shire Council and Maitland City Council. Community investment and sponsorship opportunities. |
Anthony Crane
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this project as it is vital in providing the raw material needed for the greater community. The company has an established operation already in place and is active in addressing and social and environamntal impacts not only for this site but for all sites that they operate. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Duratec |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
• ongoing supply for the construction industry; • Oppurtunity for ongoing local employment; • Ability to socurce materials locally for civil infrastructure projects, good example is regional road repairs following rain and flooding; • Cash injection for the community • more affordable transport for regional supply |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The mine is a clean, low impact, good source of employment and supporter of local community. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the operations of Martens Creek quarry. As with any development that can impact the environment it is vital that the environment is protected and impacts reduced. |
Christopher Murphy
|
Organisation |
MCS Civil (NSW) Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a local small business owner, the importance of this project is paramount to the local shires and and to encourage investment in infrastructure and training to locals, Particularly given the uncertainty surrounding local coal extraction and the ongoing decommissioning of power plants and coal mines. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the development |
Mitchell Knox
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I welcome the economic opportunities which the proposed project will deliver to the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins Creek Quarry is one of the few hard rock quarries in the area, supplying rock, aggregates and pavement materials for the region. This is especially critical at the moment as local quarries are failing to keep up with the current industry demand. This has resulted in major price increases on materials, adding to the project costs or potentially even affecting the feasibility of much needed future infrastructure projects in our region. I myself am an employee within the construction industry so I know firsthand how difficult sourcing materials has been for the past 12 months, which is expected to get worse as some of the major local TfNSW projects commence. Companies across all levels of construction are having to look into alternate materials and propose to their certifying authority (local councils, TfNSW, ARTC etc), which in many cases is either not ideal or not accepted. The re-opening of the Martins Creek Quarry would help to alleviate some of this industry pressure, as well as supplying high quality products for our local infrastructure projects. |
Taleea Redriff
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe this will benefit all in NSW as 500k via road and rest by rail distribution of rock required to build infrastructure within NSW and possibly beyond, let alone being able to support local councils to provide better infrastructure to local communities who are suffering due to poor road networks. I support this quarry DA |
Jesse Major
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It's going to supply much needed materials aswell as 22 full time jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
There is currently a shortfall of quarry materials in the wider hunter area. We need to ensure a reliable supply of quarry materials to allow infrastructure projects to be progressed and completed. Whilst I understand that some local residents may be affected by increased traffic movements, I think that these negative impacts will be minimal when compared to the positive impacts that will be seen by the wider community. I note that the quarry will operate to strict agreed conditions that will minimise impacts to the local community. I am frustrated that local residents cannot understand the quarry material shortages that the construction industry currently sees. Reinstating quarry material supply from Martins Creek Quarry is vital in supporting infrastructure projects now and in the future. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supply and delivery of high-quality materials and products for use in rail, concrete, asphalt and general civil construction. Heavy construction materials play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure required to support population and economic growth in the Hunter Region and more broadly in NSW. Employment of approximately 22 full time equivalent employees. The Cost Benefit Analysis estimates a net benefit of $58 million to NSW in net present value (NPV) terms, with further details on economic benefits outlined below. Contributions to the improved maintenance of road infrastructure via a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Dungog Shire Council and Maitland City Council. Community investment and sponsorship opportunities. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry extensions for the supply of quarry materials, local job security for people working in this local quarry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the application as it provides a much needed construction resource in our local region. With rising transport costs impacting heavily on our construction sector this year, this is an economic asset to have close by. The quarry will also be an employer in our local region, providing long term opportunities for our younger population in finding jobs close to home. The applicant is a reputable local business that has responsibly operated for many years in our region. |
Glenn Redriff
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe this project has massive benefits for the local community With only 60 trucks per day allowed to go in then out loaded , the balance by rail. I have been involved with quarries for over 14yrs and seen how beneficial to infrastructure within local and regional communities. For example Hanson Bass Pt quarry 60 trucks per hr over 10k per day out via road and this road goes straight through a sub division without complaints. Nil by rail. The reason is because the local community has allow for better infrastructure to be built to eliminate any impact. As for Daracon's proposal it will only benefit to the surrounding community through better infrastructure, more income, job security for locals. I don't understand why this would be knocked back, as even the local council has some of the poorest road condition in the Hunter Valley, improve the infrastructure more people will come to this area bringing more people, along with a secure future for our kids. I support this Quarry |
Ray Holten
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Secures jobs and helps construction |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Johnson Property Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supply and delivery of high-quality materials and products for use in rail, concrete, asphalt and general civil construction. Heavy construction materials play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure required to support population and economic growth in the Hunter Region and more broadly in NSW. Employment of approximately 22 full time equivalent employees. The Cost Benefit Analysis estimates a net benefit of $58 million to NSW in net present value (NPV) terms, with further details on economic benefits outlined below. Contributions to the improved maintenance of road infrastructure via a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Dungog Shire Council and Maitland City Council. Community investment and sponsorship opportunities. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This expansion will provide much needed materials for construction as well as local jobs. the mine is already operational, with surrounding residents aware that the mine is there. the expansion has been recommended for approval by DPE and with the conditions of consent, this project should be supported for the betterment of the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
SC Haulage Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
i am supporting martin creek proposal with out the quarry opening as cartage carriers we have lost work and sold half the vehicle including reducing staff this will create work in the area and bring more people into the towns all |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The company I work for is a major repairer to this mine |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supports a lot of local jobs in the area. Will be a lot harder to obtain this material elsewhere, which of course raise the cost of materials. |
Jason Gorton
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in full support of the Martins Creek Quarry as it directly supports the local and broader NSW community by providing a high quality and much needed natural resource to support infrastructure maintenance, manufacturing of construction materials, new construction of roads, rail and other critical infrastructure. There are some key environmental items that will need to be managed by the Operator however these are not considered to be indifferent to other operational mines that are needed to support NSW Government, Local Government, Industry and the NSW Community. The Operator is considered to be a highly reputable and responsible corporate citizen who understands the aspects and impacts from its operations and will ensure all required mitigation and consultation occurs consistently. |
mark bowen
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the development application because there is an opportunity to enhance the local and surrounding community by way of job growth, it also will support the greater region of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter Valley by supplying building materials in an already depleted area. Buy Local and Support Local, what a great way to provide a boost to the economy and to provide jobs/income to the local community. |
Chris Hall
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the civil construction industry and current challenges with materials are causing projects to be significantly delayed or stopping all together. The ongoing stress this personally causes my team and I is impacting our not only our work life but flows into our personal lives. This is unnecessary when there is already a quarry ready to supply materials into every aspect of infrastructure. Every house, road, shopping centre and piece of infrastructure requires these materials to continue. The future works program in the Hunter Region requires unprecedented amounts of material and the current available quarries will struggle to meet the demand. |
Craig White
|
Organisation |
Volvo Commercial Vehicles Australia |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry due to the continued support it gives to local people for employment and opportunities for other business around the area to grow and be supported by Daracon |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I'm a young generation who supports this DA, I'm currently looking for employment in this field of work as I love working with machines and also looking to complete a trade qualification, Quarries have a longevity as there is always a need to build roads, houses, bridges and most of all better communities with the support of businesses who run them. I support Daracon in moving forward and good luck in approval so I possibly have a better community to live in. |
jonty major
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
it will open up more jobs for the community |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The success of the quarry will enable a locally based company with a local focus continue to thrive and support Hunter region employees, families and other companies. The quarry will not only support several upcoming significant infrastructure projects but continue to provide high quality quarry materials well into the future. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supply and delivery of high-quality materials and products for use in rail, concrete, asphalt and general civil construction. Heavy construction materials play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure required to support population and economic growth in the Hunter Region and more broadly in NSW. Employment of approximately 22 full time equivalent employees. The Cost Benefit Analysis estimates a net benefit of $58 million to NSW in net present value (NPV) terms, with further details on economic benefits outlined below. Contributions to the improved maintenance of road infrastructure via a Voluntary Planning Agreement with the Dungog Shire Council and Maitland City Council. Community investment and sponsorship opportunities. |
Paul Gates
|
Organisation |
Liberty Warrawong |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Local Employment |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a local tradesman how has been working in the mining and quarry industries over the past 20 years, I am in support of this development. |
Gregg Merchant
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a local earthmoving contractor local quarries are a vital resource for the supply of required road bases and gravel products |
Jeffrey harding
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
it will create jobs and make product more readily available |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Trinity Point Marina |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in general support of the expansion. Building and material costs are getting out of control and any benefit to supply will keep costs down. In my experience Daracon are a very professional organisation and their involvement in local projects is only positive for the area. Thanks, James |
Michael Keet
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I Approve |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I write today's submission on Martin's Creek Quarry after listening to a few speakers during the public enquiry. I am familiar with the Martin's Creek Quarry and have visited the site. I am an Engineer working within the Newcastle region on infrastructure projects. Today (8/11/22) there were alot of local residents and the council members that outlined the impacts of living near the quarry. From what i heard, the majority of issue was around the use of heavy vehicles on the rural roads. The noise from the heavy vehicles were of high concerns, as was the impact to road safety. I would not appreciate truck and dogs driving past my bedroom window at 630am each morning. Nor would i like to ride my bike on the shoulder of patterson road with truck and dogs moving at speed past me. However, i see the value that this quarry will have to our insatiable appetite for road pavements, concrete and ballast. The seawalls within newcastle harbour were built by the rock which has since enabled hundreds of homes to be built. The ballast keeps our railways operational fuelling the valuable coal exports. There must be an engineering solution to this problem of vehicles within the roadway. Daracon doesnt own the roads, nor do they own all the trucks. You cant cart rock via rail to new subdivisions to enable housing growth, there is no railway line to cooranbong. Transport for NSW and Councils have responsibilities to provide roadways in this state. If there is a genuine demand and a need, then TfNSW should fund further upgrades to roadway. Daracon can only do so much with the existing infrastructure available. They do not have power to acquire new land for new roads, nor the authority to own or operate roadways. Short of new roadways, other options may include, conveyor system to a suitable discharge point, this is what is done within coal mines. But comparisons to coal is not a fair one. Coal currently sells for over $400USD/tone. Crushed aggregate is closer to $20-30AUD/t. If they cant be a quarry at martin's creek, a site where a quarry has sat since 1914, then what chance is there of ever opening a new quarry? Its not perfect, but the quarry is a valuable asset to us the people of the Hunter. We will be poorer without it. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
08/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My view on approving this quarry is YES. Our road in local communities throughout the Hunter are in desperate repair. The supply of quality rock is a must to keep with demand throughout NSW in general as most large suppliers are to busy to help local markets I'm voting Yes please NSW government to approve Daracon's quarry. |
Tom Ford
|
Organisation |
Manorford Haulage Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Morning to all concerned I'm in total favour of the reopening of Martins Crk Quarry , Reason being we operate a small haulage company which supply quarry products to our customers, Since the closure of Martins Crk our supply of products is continually getting harder to source. Reopening Martins Crk will enable us to continue fullfilling our obligations to our customers within the local area. |
Brody Thompson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this proposal in sight it will bring local jobs and support the local economy. |
Nathan Parfoot
|
Organisation |
Hunter Rural Contracting Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We are in support for the quarry. As a civil contractor, our primary source of works is building infrastructure for local councils, in the last 2 year we have found it a lot more challenging to source gravels & aggregates, then ever before. With the current market situation on Newcastle in we are finding a 4month - 6month wait on being able to obtain gravel & schedule work in; and in addition due to the demand, prices have risen significantly, above what any small business could forecast / maintain. As a small civil contractor, ( established for 8 years now ). Daracon has always taken it time to support small business, whether it be machinery hire, or supply of quarry products, We feel that this application is another process that is helping the civil community move forward, and a process of continuing to deliver the quality civil resources & infrastructure the community requires. |
Geoff Hollis
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's Creek quarry is needed for ongoing repairs and maintenance to local roads damaged by rain and floods. |
Alex Biscan
|
Organisation |
Winten Property Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Refer to attached letter. |
|
Attachments |
winten-property-group--martins-creek-quarry-project-response-v1-20221107pdf.pdf (PDF, 90.42 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a resident of the area who lives directly on the affected alignment, I would like to be a voice of reason in support of this development. I chose to live on a main road and accept what traffic occurs along this publicly accessible utility available to all to use. I have noticed very little reduction in trucks since the quarry has not been operating meaning that the trucks are still running for reasons other than this particular quarries activities, and transporting to development within the local area. If they dont transport from Martins Creek quarry, they will still bring it in from somewhere else like Brandy hill or Seaham. Development and growth will continue and roads will be impacted by trucks no matter what happens with this particular development. It is unfortunate that a vocal militant local action group makes the most noise in order to make it seem like nobody in the local area supports this development. I support the jobs, growth and socioeconomic benefits to the area. I dont agree with the MCQAG assessments that fearmongers residents into thinking house values will drop and trucks on roads will become unbearable (which it wasnt in the past). This development in my opinion is reasonable and warranted as well as needed for the prosperity of the area. |
Brad Heather
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need Martin's Creek quarry to support local jobs. I've transported material from there for more than 20 years and I've not witnessed any significant issues on the road and we need it now more than ever. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Pryor Plant Hire Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a business owner of a Company that relies on the supply of quarried materials to projects on which we are hired, I support the application made by Daracon Group for the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. While I do not live locally, many of my employees live in the region and they indirectly benefit from the supply of quarry materials from Martins Creek through both employment and the improvement of local infrastructure from the use of these products in construction. |
Colin Sandison
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The materials they mine are used for building houses, roads, play grounds, schools, shopping centres. |
Matthew Peters
|
Organisation |
Truck n track excavations |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's Creek is a great place to live and visit but life goes on. And it has a wealth to give in the commodity toward road and rail infrastructure.. I think it would be in goverment planner's interest to approve such an expansion as these commodities are so hard to obtain on a daily basis and this will undoubtedly help the growth of the hunter region as a whole.. |
Jonathan Piper
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the quarry to guarantee local employment and also to reduce freight costs for materials brought from outside the area. |
Adam Wilson
|
Organisation |
Trim plant group pty ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Work for young communities |
Jack Kelly
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
People have got to make money one way or another |
Jonathon Bourne
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
In a very fast paced current construction industry this would positively impact the rock quarries materials existing shortfall. |
Andrew Green
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martin's Creek quarry should be approved to assist with local construction and support local jobs. |
Craig Osborne
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need Martin's Creek quarry to ensure we can receive quality construction materials as they're very hard to get at the moment. |
Mark Craven
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposed development. I work in the civil construction industry and Martins Creek is essential to this region for the supply of high quality construction products. These materials are required local and should be able to be produced locally reducing the need to truck materials over great distances where an existing quarry once used to supply the market. Not only does Matins Creek employ locals it supports hundreds of local jobs and families throughout the industry. There is a very strong workload in the Hunter at present and with Major Government Projects planned locally in the coming years additional pressure will be placed on the supply chain which is driving up cost and reducing the ability of existing suppliers to keep up with demand. This is delaying projects which are designed to improve local lifestyle and road safety. Martins Creek Quarry needs to be able to supply the market now to give certainty to the market and enable construction to proceed as planned. |
Chris Hackett
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposed development because of a shortage and supply of blue metal and gravel products in the lower and upper Hunter Valley. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek because the construction industry desperately needs it to supply the our projects and to ongoing local employment. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek for long term employment and ongoing maintenance of roads. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daramin |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins' Creek quarry has provided quality material to some major projects in the surrounding area and stimulated the local economy for decades. The positive impacts greatly outweigh the adverse impacts to the environment and the community. To see this quarry shut down would be devastating to the local workforce and to the projects that rely on this quality resource. |
Sarah Atchison
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support this project |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The Hunter has limited quarry suppliers resulting in uncertainty in the costs and quantities of existing quarry materials in the Hunter. This impact be increased in the next few years as a result of the large infrastructure projects planned for the Hunter. Martin's Creek provides an additional guaranteed supply which currently is uncertain. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Hi, Have been a quarry neighbour for 15years and our property joins on to the quarry boundary. In our times and communications with the quarry we have had no concerns as a matter of fact quite a good neighbour. Always getting prior communications on blasting via text and emails. Any inspections or environmental workings that involve our property have been communicated well. The quarry is willing to listen and come to solutions with us. During the drought the quarry let us and still do to this date run our cattle for feeding and bushfire control. So we have no real issue with the quarry going ahead as the material from the quarry is of high quality and only from a few places and would be huge lose not just for our area but nsw. I do believe that the community needs to work in to make this work and be told the truth and all the data for the right out come. Regards Nigel |
Fred Haynes
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Organisation |
Yunaga Civil & Earth |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
My support relates to the ongoing employment and job opportunities Martins Creek quarry provides |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the proposed development as it will provide long term employment for many people. |
Wayne Murray
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry as I've been carting from there for more than 30 years without incident and it's needed to keep the construction industry going. The material has to come from somewhere. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We need Martin's Creek quarry to keep the rail and roads maintained. We also need new roads, rail and bridges that needs material from the quarry. The quarry has been there for more than 100 years and is needed now more than ever. |
Garry Wade
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry. |
Mathew Ryan
|
Organisation |
Rycon civil pty ltd |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a small civil business we support the local investment and work opportunities. |
Mark Johnson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Martin's Creek quarry needs to be approved as I've been carting material from there for more than 40 years without incident and there is a genuine need for all construction materials in the region right now. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Daracon are a local family owned company who like to support locals and local jobs, without thus quarry construction jobs will suffer due to supply of gravel, the quarry has been going for 100+ years and should continue for 100 more |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
06/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
06/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposal |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
06/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposal |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
06/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support. |
Sophie Adams
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
05/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
To create more jobs and minimise freight travel causing road damage. Materials will be local and transported by train |
Gabe Berzins
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I 100% support the re opening of the quarry and believe it will have a net benefit to the local and broader communities. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Working within the civil construction industry there has a decrease in the supply of materials available to the market due to the continued closure of quarries, current limitations on supply from quarries and the increase in civil infrastructure works. With increased demand and decreased supply coupled with availability of quarried materials close civil infrastructure sites and surrounding markets prices for quarried have increased with companies are looking further afield to bring materials to their sites and are being charged a premium price to do so. Along with the decrease in the availability of quarried material time frames for civil infrastructure works are being ever increased with timeframes exceeding those tendered on. With the above being said the proposal for Martins Creek quarry should be approved as it will assist in aiding to increase supply back to the market especially with the proposed civil infrastructure projects commencing in the Newcastle / Hunter region. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Coates |
|---|---|
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Location |
|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
1. The company has listened to the community and reduced road haulage tonnes to a level that was reported to be Ok to the community prior to Daracon coming along. 2. The company has reduced haulage times and days further reducing impact on local communities 3. The company has modified it's quarrying footprint to minimize impacts on native flora and fauna, the prosed footprint maximizing volume of rock available whilst limiting tree clearing. |
Adam Reynolds
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I fully support the re-opening of martins Creek Quarry. Not only will it employ locals from around the area and support their families. It also supply materials for our local infrastructure from rail to roads and keeps it all in the local community. Its a win win! |
Tejay Banks
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Martins Creek quarry should be approved because it will assist with ongoing employment in the construction industry. |
Jake Adams
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
To secure 22 jobs,getting more material out of quarry by using rail instead of road. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
create 22 direct jobs and already existing quarry and new application has capped truck movements |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposed development and believe the revised application has addressed and mitigated any potential adverse impacts. Good quality quarried products from the proposed development is required to service large upcoming infrastructure projects within the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Having worked for Daracon for over 12 years, and my partner 7 years, I would like to support to this development application and the security and economic support it will bring, not only to the company & it’s direct employees, subcontractors & clients, but the local economy and infrastructure projects too. There is a known materials shortage that is causing operational strain and project delays across many regions and industries, so it just makes sense for this development to be approved. I understand and feel empathy towards the local community, who do not support this development, as there is definitely not the most ideal infrastructure in place, however there has been concessions made to reduce material production and cartage. I also think at times, and obviously dependant upon each circumstance and impact, there is a need to consider the best interests of the greater community. It would be such a relief and so appreciated for many employees, families and businesses if Daracon in this instance could receive approval, but i also believe it should be acknowledged that there is opportunity to support future improvements/changes to the local infrastructure also. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The construction industry is experiencing increasing demand for quarry products. However, currently there is not enough supply to meet the demand. Increasing the supply by opening more quarry's provides one solution to this issue. I believe the proposed quarry will have minimal impact on the community and will implement all the required controls to meet the communities concerns. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Martins Creek produces aggregates for the construction industry to support infrastructure and jobs in the Hunter Region. It is important for the industry as a whole to ensure that quarries are developed in line with environmental approvals to help support NSW people. I support the Martins Creek Development given the details that have been assessed and the control measures proposed. |
lee krake
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
job security.Great to see acap on truck movements. |
Kane Peattie
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
It's a great idea to cap trucks and put more materials out for rail,,road and construction work this will help secure jobs. |
Ben Adam
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the quarry to ensure the efficient construction of future infrastructure such as roads and ongoing employment. |
Jayden Grant
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Job security More material out by rail over truck Bring 22 jobs in |
Roger Webb
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
the job opportubities creatd by the quarry , and the benefits to local infrastructure through road repairs, while minimising heavy traffic movements are reason for my support of this quarry |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a construction project manager based in the Hunter Valley, I have witnessed the shortfall of good hard rock quarry material in the local industry over the past few years get progressively worse. In my opinion with imminent large infrastructure project in the hunter valley for clients such as TfNSW and funded by both state and federal governments without Martins Creek some of the proposed projects will simply not be possible to run concurrently. I have concerns that without an increased quarry capacity in the Hunter Valley that some of these vital road projects may be pushed back (ie: Newcastle inner city bypass from the 1980's) I support the proposal as it will benefit the wider community and construction industry and ensure the proposed government funding is able to be spent in the Hunter Valley where it is needed. |
Andrew Cochrane
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We need to get more materials in the market place to keep jobs,help build roads,rail and leve banks. |
Tim Van Duuren
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the quarry because supports improvements to lo al infrastructure and maintenance of existing roads. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the approval of Martin’s creek quarry because it is an important local employer and source of much needed construction materials |
Daniel Wilson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Materials will help fix damaged roads an Levi banks in the area |
Jackson Duarte
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
If not here then where, with current economic growth and lack of domestic properties, lack of material supply is causing increased material costs and longer construction times which ultimately is passed onto home owners. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
This project will be a fantastic opportunity to employ more locals from our community. As a person that works in a local business, its projects like these that also help us keep people employed. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Approve Martins creek quarry because it brings a lot of economic benefits to the local community and will improve the efficiency of tax payers money spent on infrastructure. |
Cara-Lee Davey
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins Creek needs to be approved to ensure future employment. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
03/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Martins Ck quarry is important in providing quality materials for the construction industry The forecast requirements for quarry materials in the region due to upcoming construction projects relies upon multiple quarries servicing the works (including Martins Ck). Significant risks to cost, program and the quality of the project at completion will be borne by clients (NSW Gov) and contractors delivering the works The continued operation of the quarry is also important facilitating supply from local sources for local projects, the alternative would be to source specialised quarry materials from outside the region. This would also result in continued employment for local residents |
Chris Pike
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
03/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the approval because: The Martins Creek Quarry supports local employment from both full time employees at the site and many other full time positions relating to transport drivers delivering the materials within the local area. If materials have to be sourced from further away, Central Coast or Upper Hunter Valley for example then additional costs are ultimately passed on to the end user i.e. me and others like me in the community. Having another independent in the Market i.e. Daracon will help to keep the other bigger players like Hanson and Boral etc. honest. There is a shortage of good, quality hard rock materials in the area which can be used in the production of concrete to ensure good quality and with sufficient durability to last the test of time. If the quarry does not get the necessary approval to operate, I believe significant delays will occur during the construction of the M1 from Blackhill to Raymond terrace as the Contractors will not be able to source sufficient quantities of materials locally to build the road within the proposed timeframe. The Assessment has ensured that the quarry will operate to a very high standard and address issues relating to the environment (Noise, Dust, Traffic, Rehabilitation of landform etc.) - this quarry will be run to a higher standard than other quarries in the area. The Martins Creek Quarry, is not a brand new venture - it have been a solid source of quarry materials in the local area/market for many years previously. |
Murray Brown
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Martins Creek quarry needs to be approved to guarantee more local jobs and ongoing supply of quarried materials to the local market. |
Jason Hume
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martins Creek quarry to ensure the supply of quality aggregates for the construction of critical infrastructure. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am a local community member and a business operator. Whilst I am aware that there may be concern over transport and traffic I believe at if managed responsibly the economic impact for the broader community would out weigh the negatives |
Ethan Hodson
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins Creek needs to be approved to ensure jobs are created infrastructure can be constructed efficiently |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Further to the Department of Planning’s project APPROVAL recommendation to the IPC, I also support the revised Martins Creek Quarry Projects because; 1) The company has listened to the community and reduced road haulage tonnes to a level that was reported to be Ok to the community prior to Daracon coming along. They are happy to contribute to the maintenance of the road. 2) The company has reduced haulage times and days further reducing impact on local communities 3) The company has modified its quarrying footprint to minimise impacts on native flora and fauna, the proposed footprint maximizing volume of rock available whilst limiting tree clearing. 4) The company has shown that during the period of quarrying operations under the IEMP after the court case that the impacts from trucking are manageable for the existing road network. 5) The company has shown that it can control its subcontractor truck drivers, the reduced tonnage by road proposed will also see few hauliers required to undertake the works. 6) The Hunter Valley Region will continue to grow, in order to secure the future of our next generations hard rock resources such as Martins Creek Quarry need to be able to provide material to local and regional markets to allow for Civil Infrastructure such as Sewerage Plant, Sewerage Pipelines, Stormwater, Kerb and Gutter, Roadways, Footpaths, River Levee Banks, Airport Runways, Bridges, Water Storage Dams, Renewable Energy Projects to be undertaken. Without quality nearby sources of these high-quality materials being protected costs of these projects will balloon. 7) Any new approvals will provide a strict and clear set of rules for the operators of the quarry, transport operators and the local community to operate under, these conditions and rules will be clear. 8) Historical Quarries in the Hunter area that were close to the growing population centres have been exhausted, the Hunter area was built on the back of material supply from Quarries and overtime Quarries that were on the fringes of suburbia have been swallowed up, Quarries such as Lambton, Waratah/Platt's Quarry, Boomerang Park, Irrawang Quarry, Diemarrs Quarry, Newcastle Quarry (Also at Martins Creek), Fraser Park, Belmont, Greenpoint, Speers Point, Charlestown, Stockrington, Muswellbrook, Black Hill and others. This only leaves the existing quarries of Seaham, Brandy Hill, Hebden and Karuah to supply good quality Hard Rock into the Hunter Valley (Buttai and Allandale do not supply high quality rock for Concrete and Asphalt) at reasonable haulage distances and efficiencies –some of these are reaching end of life or are currently running at or beyond production capacities as well. Quarries in the Central Coast are also nearly exhausted so as time goes forward more rock from this region will be required to service the Central Coast and Sydney Regions. Quarrying is the cornerstone of a Civil Society and not just a nice to have, it is and will continue to be a primary and fundamental building block in modern society. 9) If not here then where – what does the planning department suggest – or is the plan that there is no growth , no new roads, no new hospitals, no maintenance???? 10) No local councils have any control on good quality hard rock resources in the Hunter Valley. Two of the largest quarries in the region are controlled by Multi-National Companies whose primary concern is the supply of Aggregates and products for Concrete and Asphalt, due to supply constraints at their other quarries on the Central Coast we are now seeing much of this product moved to Sydney this can be seen by the number of trucks on the freeway trucking material to Sydney, whilst local civil contractors large and small trying to execute their works for Mums and Dads, Local Councils, Transport for NSW and Developers go without and in some cases sit idle waiting for their turn to get some material. Daracon as a Civil Contractor has shown over it's 40 years of operation that it will provide quality civil infrastructure to the Hunter Valley region, for both it's own works and the contractors it works and competes with. 11) The rail connection allows growth into the Sydney Market as economies and scale permit, this quarry helps future proof the need for good quality rock for Civil Infrastructure moving forward. 12) Currently Civil Construction and Building Companies are struggling with rising costs, further constraints on capacity and availability of materials and decreased competition and options will further reduce the ability of business to complete works and also increase costs. 13) The operation will provide direct local employment for the quarry and support functions enabling options outside of coal mining for people. 14) Current demand is outstripping supply and production as a result quarries have no material stockpiled. This has implications for a range of issues including downstream impacts such as quality control especially for material going into long term assets such as buildings, bridges and hospitals, there is potential for inferior material to find its way into Concrete and asphalt resulting in reduced durability and longevity of assets. 15) Proposed tonnages by road will help increase efficiency of projects through timely delivery and availability of materials for Sewer Construction, Watermain Construction, Road Construction and Repairs through Asphalt and Two Coat Seal, Kerb and Gutter Construction, Footpath Construction, Hospital Construction, House Construction, Apartment Construction, Rehabilitation Works, River and Flood Stabilisation and Levee Construction and Repairs, Beach Stabilisation Works to local works. 16) The numbers being reported by the local action group do not stack up -31000 trucks a year for 500,000t per year is 120 truck movements per day not 280 movements? Understandably Daracon has looked at possible peaks to efficiently construct roads this will not be an every day impact at 280 trucks per day. This number at around 60 loaded trucks per day is closer to levels experienced well before Daracon took over which locals continually say is when trucking became an issue. This is scare mongering by the community group. 17) The road from Maitland to Martins Creek is designated a Main Road it is Main Road 101 and up until 1995 was a State Funded Road connecting the Towns from Stroud to Dungog and onwards to Maitland – over the years the various Councils have tried to get this road re-instated to receive State Funding https://www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/historic-road-funding-submissions there is a state road void in this area. It should be a state road as this area is significant to the State and continues to provide places for -people to live and industry to develop to employ those people. The member for Upper Hunter David Layzell perhaps should apply some of his political clout to fix this issue no matter the outcome of the decision in regard the quarry. Poor planning and lack of foresight from Dungog Council saw the land allocated to provide a roadway past Patterson sold off and developed years ago, this should not be an issue for any quarry to fix, especially at the now very low for a modern quarry road haulage tonnes proposed. 18) Most recently Dungog Shire Council has itself admitted when discussing with the IPC there are no other quarries (Reasonable Size and Quality) in it's LGA, there are none in the Maitland LGA or for that matter the Newcastle LGA. The Maitland Mayor and Council have recently advised the IPC that they are one of the fastest growing LGA's in the state and this is not expected to stop any time soon......Well if the future of not only this quarry but every other quarry is not secured in the near future, that growth and ability to maintain the Civil Infrastructure we currently have and enjoy will become very expensive to a point where it will not be viable and or possible for any works to be undertaken. The Dungog Mayor has recently stated in his weekly mayoral matters video that the shire cannot get materials such as gravel for road construction to build it's projects and there are no solutions to this issue. Sorry Mr Mayor but there is a solution and the 1991 DA for the Quarry has the words in it in that the operator of the quarry can ask permission from Council to move more tonnes by road than the 70/30 split nominated maybe he should approach Daracon for help. The irony is that when Dungog Shire is able to obtain supply of enough gravel to ensure an economical and quality job is completed with it's machinery it most often purchases gravel from a Quarry in the Cessnock LGA – these trucks then travel without any of the recent and proposed restraints that the Martins Creek Quarry trucks are held to account by through either the Villages and Townships of Heddon Greta, Gillieston Heights, Maitland, Lorn, Bolwarra, Tocal, Patterson or alternately Lochinvar, Rutherford, Maitland, Lorn, Bolwarra, Tocal, Patterson and through to wherever the Council Works maybe. In closing the revised proposal for the Martins Creek Quarry to continue operations and supplying material into the local community is reasonable and feasible, the proposed controls and conditions as recommended by the Department of Planning are very strict and will ensure that the operator of the quarry has clear rules and guidelines to adhere to and the community has a clear set of rules and guidelines to monitor performance against. This project should be approved as swiftly as the process allows so that the Hunter Regions and NSW can move forward and plan with some additional certainty around Construction Material supply. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am involved in an industry that relies on concrete aggregates for the supply of concrete. We are continually facing delays in getting supplies from major suppliers due to them telling us that they have no raw material to produce the amount of products needed. If there is a shortage from other quarries, would it not help provide raw materials by opening another supply point. |
Brooke Karbownik
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the approval of Martins Creek quarry because I enjoy working in the construction industry and Martins Creek will assist to keep the industry viable and jobs maintained. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support martin's Creek quarry because of the consistent shortage in material supply across the demanding ever growing construction industry. If we want to continue development in the newcaslte and Hunter Valley regions, build the Hexham bypass, inner city bypass, continual road maintenance across all council regions, residential buildings high rise and subdivisions, this quarry is fundamental to source the required products and achieve the desired development outcomes in the region Due to the growing difficulty to source materials with closure of critical quarries and restrictions placed on them, it is causing the prices to sky rocket and causing projects to exceed budget causing contractors difficulty and coasting clients more to complete projects Quarry opened in 1914, so everyone that lives there are all knew to the area post quarry operation. Quarry was there first, they knew it when they bought so deal with it |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in Construction and quarry materials are very hard to come by and those you can get have had the price escalated monumentally to the point of not being able to build a job on budget. supply in the marketplace is constrained and demand is high, we need every possible supply avenue functioning at the highest level to support the infrastructure build that we have going on in the Hunter. Overdue and significant projects like the M1, Hexham Straits and JHH bypass are due to start putting further demand on a supply market that already can't keep up. |
Robert Mckendry
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this project, our roads and housing developments need products from somewhere, why not utilise a quarry that already exists. |
Tony Brown
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martins Creek quarry because the local road network is in a very poor condition and needs repair. The quarry will also support many local jobs such as mine. |
Robert Butterfield
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need Martins Creek quarry to be approved to promote jobs and support the regional construction industry as a whole. |
Murray Miller
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Approve Martins Creek quarry because it will create more jobs and help keep our construction industry viable |
Grant Robson
|
Organisation |
Robson Civil Projects Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Construction sector in going through unprecedented growth and and the availability of quality, quarried and recycled construction materials such as road pavement materials, gravels and aggregates is hampering the ability for companies such as ours from delivering projects on time to our clients. Further quarry sources are a must for growth to continue and we would welcome the expansion of Martins Crk Quarry as a benefit to not only our business but the wider community in general. Grant Robson Managing Director Robson Civil Projects |
Warren Ditchfield
|
Organisation |
Ditchfield Contracting |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the proposed development as the quarry product is a much needed resource in the area. As a civil contractor we are constantly impeded from completing projects due to supply constraints and this approval would help alleviate the problem. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As part of the wider civil construction industry within the Hunter Valley, the supply of quarry material is severely limited. The ongoing operations of Martins Creek quarry is tantamount to the realisation of ongoing civil construction and large infrastructure projects in the region that benefit all. Some of these projects include but are not limited to: The M1 extension, Newcastle Bypass extension [Rankin Park to Jesmond], Hexham Straights widening and rehabilitation, Singleton Bypass, Muswellbrook Bypass etc. To successfully execute these projects the ongoing supply of quarry material is required from within the Hunter. This also alleviates increased trucking traffic coming into the area from the Central Coast and Sydney to perform the quarry supply function - if the project isn't approved it just creates a larger trucking problem for the wider Newcastle community as the material has to be sourced from further afar, thus creating even more trucks on the road. Martins Creek quarry is a known high quality material that services the Hunter in other areas such as concrete and sealing aggregates, erosion and sedimentation control rock sources [scour rock] and other building and civil products. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support Martin's Creek quarry for various reasons. I believe the proposal adequately addresses many of the concerns of the community. There would always be room for continual improvement however and would likely evolve as the project develops. In the construction industry road base and aggregates have been under a constant strain due to limited quarries available. This is driving up construction costs and causing significant delays for projects. Having this quarry functional again would greatly assist the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region for sourcing material. With upcoming major projects and major subdivision works there would not be sufficient material in the area to service the projects. |
Jason Moore
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry needs to be approved to ensure the supply of materials to continue to develop the regions infrastructure investment pipeline and provide employment opportunities for local people |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Agree with recommendations |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
1. Population growth within the Hunter region means quarry products are in high demand. 2. High demand for quarry products has seen massive price increases. This is effecting major projects such as hwy upgrades |
Paul Edmonds
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I think Martins Creek quarry needs to be approved to guarantee the supply of construction materials to the local region. |
Kristy Baker
|
Organisation |
Coates |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
03/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This project will be a fantastic opportunity for growth and development for the local area allowing more job opportunities to the community. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am a concerned citizen and think we need this quarry reopened as there is a shortage of gravels and material to fix our local roads after all the damage to our roads after the floods and heavy rains we have had recently. we need this quarry operating to boost the material required to meet the growing works and infrastructure in the future. |
Kristy Sheen
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
A great boost to the industry |
chris heath
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
happy to see rhis proceed, supports local jobs and reduces truck movement's |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the submission as it will benefit my local community. We are a quickly growing area and require expansion to our infrastructure framework to support the increase in population. Improved infrastructure and facilities will lead to growth in many areas of the community, including increased employment opportunities. The availability of quality materials from Martins Creek Quarry will be an integral component in the construction process. I have evaluated the various concerns highlighted but believe that the benefits of the development outweigh these issues. Systems can be put in place to monitor and manage these issues. |
Matthew Gear
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Creates more jobs in the existing community using an existing quarry.Tucks are limited and the materials will help fix damged roads and rail infrastructure. |
James Dunbar
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As someone working as a traffic manager in the construction industry, The material that comes out of martins creek is a highly sought after product used in construction construction industry, particularly road construction. It’s one of the most preforming products I have be able to use in my career, and would have a negative affect on the construction industry if the product was no longer available. I support the quarry extension. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support as it can help the businesses and create jobs for supporting community. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am making a submission that supports the conditional approval of the development. The development will provided local jobs and economic stimulus to the local community. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I feel that this quarry needs to continue operating as it is vital to the local economy by way of providing the materials required for infrastructure works. There is currently a shortage of quarry materials in this area and resources are dwindling. The majority of the material will be used on roads and rail, and as we have seen in recent floods, it is a necessary resource to maintain roads. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
N/A |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It provides valuable resources for the valley Provides jobs Truck and dog movements have been capped. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
support the the quarry, good for jobs in the region limited trucks |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am writing this submission in favour of the proposed development application. As I am nearing retirement and with the rapidly increasing cost of living I am concerned that the rejection of the application will see not only rates etc rapidly increase due to councils having to source material from further afield (increased haulage costs) but also reduce the availability of additional employment opportunities for residents of the Hunter. With the state government announcing multiple construction projects the demand for materials is outstripping supply. There are already existing quarries in the Hunter Valley that cannot supply materials for existing projects. Wherever you travel throughout the Hunter Valley the condition of the road network is appalling and the continued rejection of construction material projects will add further pressure on an already dire situation. The application has been modified to reduce haulage to 5 days per week including the cessation of haulage between xmas and new year as well as the Quarry design has been modified to reduce the impact on flora and fauna. The population of the Hunter will continue to grow and as such the infrastructure will need to expand with it. This application is imperative to the continued expansion of the hunter and its prosperity. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It will be a good thing for the community. Jobs and extra money for the council to repair roads as well. Local businesses will benefit from workers and drivers using their businesses. Traffic will be a bit busy but no different with trucks buses and cars currently using the roads. They only run on main roads, unlike some social media saying they're on residential streets. It's thumbs up from me |
Zdenek Vilimec
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The quarry sits unused during extremely busy hectic construction period. The local construction companies are using out-of-the-area quarries, not supporting the Hunter economy. Sourcing the quarry product from elsewhere is increasing the cartage distance (more pollution) and is increasing the cost, which could be invested elsewhere in good for the local community. The quarry shall be opened rather sooner than later which will save on the cost of sourcing the material and it will save on carting the material shorter distances. Our Hunter Area is growing at rapid speed and keeping the quarry closed a step backward. Regards, Zdenek Vilimec, Charlestown. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Materials that this quarry would provide for the local community are in dire shortage and are causing inflated lead times and costs in various sectors which would be alleviated by re-opening Martins Creek Quarry. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Coates |
|---|---|
|
Location |
|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins creek needs to reopen to support local works requiring materials. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The expansion of Martins Creek Quarry is important for the overall Hunter Region as it not only supplies vital quarry products to various industries, it also supports many local jobs. I believe the proposed expansion is positive for the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the Martins creek Quarry submission. Working in the industry it has been an extremely tough time getting materials from other quarries as they are at capacity or can't meet material specifications. This Quarry has the best hard rock for Civil Construction materials, levee bank stabilisation and local landscape products. This shortage of Quarry materials in our area has had a extreme impact on supportive businesses that rely on the Quarry for example, Electricians, Cleaners, Haulage companies, Building Contractors, Plumbers and Landscapers to be able to utilize the materials in their business. The roads across Newcastle and the Hunter are a disgrace and are dangerous to commuters, this is also hitting people pockets due to the damage it is causing to cars. Without this quarry the Hunter region will not be able to deliver on projects due to the shortage of construction materials. The reduction in proposed tonnes seems reasonable to me. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the approval of Martins Creek quarry as it’s a proven and valuable resource that’s desperately needed to improve the ongoing supply of high-quality construction materials to NSW and the Hunter Region. Like myself, every other person working in the civil construction industry is very well aware of the significant shortfalls that currently exist in the supply of high-quality construction materials, and this is having a detrimental impact on critical infrastructure projects, including ongoing repairs from recent rain and flooding. Martins Creek quarry is a State Significant Development, and it needs to be approved because it has the capacity to improve the amenity for the majority of NSW and Hunter Region residents if approved. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
If all the quarries get shut we can't have housing, roads, water everything needs quarries, the trucking amount seems reasonable to me. Thanks |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need to have more local jobs for local people |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
02/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My interest in the proposal is the beneficial gains to state infrastructure and development that this quarry supports with it's superior grade of exported materials. |
Jeff Charlton
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry Project. This quarry has supplied quality material for many years to a diverse range of projects. The quarry and infrastructure projects it has supported over the years has created many jobs in and around the Hunter region. With the continued growth of the region, material from this quarry is needed to further build these projects and support Newcastle and the Hunter Valley communities. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It is an existing quarry that has been there since 1914. There will be limiting truck movements and increasing supply of good quality rock. The footprint of the quarry will not change. The material will be used to fix up roads that have been damaged by recent weather events. The quarry products go into the levy banks that protect the cities in the Hunter River. It will secure jobs. |
Wayne Roberts
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Martins Creek Quarry has been part of the township for many many years and has been supporting the local community with employment all of this time. Not just local businesses are supported there are also businesses in surrounding townships who are directly reliant on the quarry. There seems to be a lot of people who have recently moved to the area that are not supportive of the quarry and have been totally misinformed. The quarry has been there with full knowledge of these people moving into new properties so why object to the workings of it now? I personally have lived next door to a local quarry, and in these 15 years in doing so have not been exposed to any discomfort in anyway. I have trucks going past my front gate quite often and these operators respect and work with the locals to make the operation a success. This quarry also has restrictions in place and everybody works hard to maintain all of these restrictions, and in doing this there are no concerns from locals around this quarry. With all the conditions that have been put inplace at Martins Creek Quarry there is no reason that this quarry cannot remain a part of the local community's business group employing local and surrounding members of these communities. Materials for roads and concrete are sourced from the quarry and this resource is becoming more and more difficult to locate. If this material cannot be sourced local it will drive costs signifyingly higher for local customers including local councils who will have to pass these costs on. In finishing I just want to say work together, not against each other and this local business will keep supporting the community in many ways. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry as i believe it is of huge importance for our future generations to have the materials required for community infrastructure, civil works, roads etc in and around the Hunter region. Daracon have been extremely responsible in the management of Martins Creek Quarry and have implemented many changes to lessen any impact on the local community including transport cartage times, truck numbers & quarry operational hours. Recent weather events, the spiraling cost of raw materials from outside the area for infrastructure and roads makes the continuation of Martins Creek extremely sound forward thinking and planning. We can't afford not to have local supplies of vital materials for our ever expanding housing communities and associated infrastructure. We have a huge resource on our door step which will serve our community for many years. Many jobs will be created in the process and local businesses all benefit from the flow on effect of local employment. |
Sam Lavis
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Additional source of construction materials which will assist in projects I work on. Greater job security within the business I work for |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This would be of great benefit to the community let alone the whole of Hunter Valley. Community wise it bring employment and the ability for the workers to spend money within the community helping local businesses survive. The Hunter will benefit greatly as quality hard rock is limited to a smaller number of multi national owned companies, if Daracon get the go ahead this will give back to community throughout the Hunter Valley and beyond. In my years of being a novacastrian I have yet to see any of these big companies give back to the community's to which they work in. I'm all for this project. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe the Quarry will provide the required building materials for projects that allow communities to progress and prosper. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The industry needs materials in order to deliver on infrastructure projects without this quarry the Hunter region will not be able to delivery on projects as current resourses are at capacity at all other quarries I fully support the Daracon application there history of community engagement, employment and being a good corporate citizen speaks for itself |
Brad Waldon
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It would be a great help to get more quarry materials in the market place without starting a new quarry up |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I'm in support of jobs that help people and there families |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need this quarry reopened so we can get more quarry materials locally and secue jobs into the futuer. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the project. A robust assessment of the project has been undertaken to demonstrate the project impacts can be managed. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Arenco |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
A guarry expansion is an essential requirement for construction progress. As long as there is a robust plan in place to address the issues of concern and an established policing system to ensure that the same plane is implemented: I strongly support the development. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The recommended conditions of consent adequately prevent, mitigate and offset any adverse impacts from the proposed development. |
chris jarrett
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need more local jobs and materials to repair the roads and leve banks. |
justin goody
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Securing my futuer in civil industryNd they habecapped trucks. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Help support and secure jobs in my local area and market |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Roads projects in NSW requiring repair due to floods are struggling to source materials, we need quarries operating |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
it is an existing quarry and it is needed to supply required materials and save exisitng jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The construction industry and our jobs rely on the supply and use of good quality quarry materials. This quarry will provide quality materials that will support the construction industry and improve the current shortfalls of material availability in the market. This is essential for the completion of major infrastructure projects in the region. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a professional civil engineer in the Newcastle and Hunter region, I have been experiencing first-hand the numerous supply based constraints putting severe pressure on all members of the construction community. In a time where housing affordability and asset quality is at the forefront of media and social concern, the conditional expansion of Martin's Creek quarry is a welcomed notion. The supply of quality material for not only Daracon, but many construction contractors, will aid in the continuation of projects, sustainability of small business, and confidence in quality construction across the industry. |
Shane Hugo
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Great idea to reopen the quarry to help get the roads fixed and local job security. |
Daniel Pitcher
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a member of the Civil Construction Industry within the Hunter Valley the current supply issues with quarry products is severely impacting the ability of contractors to be able to undertake works. Current issues are severely impacting Budget and Programs. It is imperative with the amount of works scheduled to be undertaken in the Hunter Region in the near future that additional quarry material sources are available. Martins creek was always a key quarry being able to supply high quality aggregates and Roadbase Materials. In my opinion it is imperative that the proposed development of Martins Creek Quarry be approved. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the civil construction industry and I support this development as it will help bring and sustain job to the area. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Due to the amount of forecast Government funding and construction, the supply of gravels is currently an issue and will only get worse. There is a need across the Hunter Valley for greater access to hard rock quarries and Martins Creek fits the bill. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe this can only benefit everyone |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
1. As the Hunter Region continues to grow, the need for quarry materials is essential. Future developments such as upgrade of roads & hwys, schools, housing etc require quarry materials for drainage, concrete production, road base etc. 2. Australian's pay their taxes so that the above developments can be completed efficiently and to a high standard. The frequent closure of quarries nation wide significantly reduces these project start and finish dates. In addition, due to the high supply and demand generated as a result of quarry closures, the cost of materials is increasing dramatically. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this and have no issues with this submission |
Michael Wratten
|
Organisation |
JOHNSON PROPERTY GROUP |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
On behalf of Johnson Property Group (JPG), we extend our organisations support for the Martins Creek Quarry Extension. Our support is based on, but not limited to, the following reasons; - JPG has indirectly sort high quality quarry products from this quarry for many years to enable construction of our many residential subdivision projects across the Hunter Region. The availability of such quality product, locally, provides for local contractor employment and competition in the market place, particularly for local developments like land subdivision and road infrastructure that drives a substantial portion of our economy. - Further operation and availability of this quarry creates a huge amount of benefit to the broad communities, businesses and employment opportunities within the Hunter Region for many years to come. - Aside from the above noted benefits, we acknowledge the applicant’s efforts in amending the proposal in their consideration of local community issues. Regards Michael Wratten |
Kieron Matthews
|
Organisation |
Daracon Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I think it is extremely important for the employment and opportunities it will provide and the scarce resource that can be sourced!! |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The footprint of the quarry is not changing, these materials will be able to re build the roads that have been recently damaged with the flood waters. This material helps protect the banks of the hunter river |
Matt Schuch
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Great idea to reopen already existing quarry that will help get materials for damaged rail roads,damaged roads and leve banks. |
shane berends
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
22jobs directly plus securing my futuer in the building industry. |
Nicholas Meyers
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It secures multiple jobs around the area. It's a pre existing quarry which produces/ supplies valuable resources. Heavy vehicle movements have been capped. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Save martins creek |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Need local employment in an existing. |
PETER Youl
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This will create jobs both directly and indirectly for the community and trucks have limited movements. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I would like to start by saying that i do not reside in the immediate area/transport routes for the quarry and i do understand that at certain times of day this can cause disruption to residents. However, if the Quarry does not re-open or re-opens on unreasonable restrictions the cost to our community as a whole will be far greater. It seems to be an unfortunate case of people really not understanding the role Quarries play in supporting every service and road we use on a daily basis. Nobody wants to live in close proximity to a quarry, mine, concrete plant etc. however Martins Creek Quarry has been in operation for a very long time and whilst operations have increased since Daracon took over operation of the quarry this also coincided with the start of a population boom in the Newcastle/Hunter Valley area. With that comes the need for improvements in infrastructure-especially main roads and highways, and new services. To carry out major projects such as the Beresfield to Heatherbrae M1 extension, the Inner City Bypass and the Belford to Golden Highway Project just to name a few using Quarry materials that meet TfNSW specifications, you need Hard rock quarries for this. The other hard rock quarries in the area are already at capacity and are obviously restricted by their own DA's. Every person in our community wants access to better roads and services, especially in regards to the heavy traffic at Hexham (especially during holiday periods) so i believe all of the above needs to be seriously considered when making this crucial decision for the community. |
Andrew Lynch
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need to get this quary opened to help fix the roads and railway lines this will also secure jobs for locals.Great idea to limit trucks numbers and times. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It is a existing quarrie. To bring employment to new generation coming through. Road transport is capped, help repair rms and local roads throughout NSW |
Paul Walker
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry Development as proposed. I believe the development proposed adequately and effectively considers and manages all relevant issues and impacts to a contemporary best practice standard. It provides for a State Significant quarry development that offers excellent improved outcomes for the community, region and state. The responsible approach adopted by Daracon has seen the original proposal modified to ensure that all impacts have been effectively mitigated and are to be managed in a socially responsible manner into the future. The resource is a high quality material desperately needed in the region to address current high quality aggregate, roadbases, railway ballast, river and harbour revetment rock, manufactured sands and civil construction material shortages. Such shortages are already limiting and impeding major development projects. This situation is significantly worsening as several other existing resources in the region are themselves facing limitations / constraints due to the delays associated with obtaining development consents. This resource has existed and operated for over a century. The area is already disturbed and established as a quarry resource. With a minimum of further surface expansion as proposed, the resource will continue to supply high quality product at economically cost effective standards. The significantly reduced road transport and efficient operations proposed, over that which existed under previous ownership by the NSW State Government Authorities, offers the community greatly improved outcomes whilst ensuring the continued supply of essential civil construction materials at cost competitive pricing and to the highest quality standards. Non approval will only serve to require materials to be sourced from resources further afield increasing the road haulage distances increasing fuel consumption and transferring any issues or impacts to another location. It is appalling to see the miss-information that has been spread by certain members of the community seeking to frighten residents along the haulage paths and in the surrounding areas for their own interests. One anticipates that the regulatory parties involved will understand the concessions made by Daracon to improve the operational standards to the highest levels and negate impacts to the community. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry as it provides ongoing employment for a multitude of people and provides the local community and businesses with employment and flow on economic returns. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
securing jobs with the opening of quarry & limiting of truck movements |
Toby Johnstone
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This is a must to secure work,jobs and developments in the area without opening a new quarry |
PAUL JOHNSON
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The Quarry should be operating helping with employment in the local area |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Fully support conditional approval |
Matt Jensen
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
01/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
There is a current lack of capacity within the Hunter in relation to quarry products. Expansion and increase of gate limits is required ASAP to reduce the current constraint on industry and the regional economy. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
increase jobs and reduce costs in quarry prices in the market and stop companies sourcing materials form outside the local community |
Alex Dyne
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We need this quarry open again and as part of the company's new DA they have limited trucks and will also take materials out by road. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Martins Creek quarry material is the best road base and aggregate material in the Hunter Region. I support reopening this quarry. Other quarries are already at capacity and can not product and transport materials. |
Kate Fenn
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of this development. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
the local construction industry requires the materials that are produced in this quarry which are becoming very scarce and hard to obtain there are a lot if works being carried out in the local area that require these quarry materials and the local roads need continuing maintenance, especaiily lately the haulage times and truck movements have been reduced to minimize impact o local communities |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Please Open this Quarry so more jobs can be generated |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Support the quarry due to shortage of road bases and aggregates to supply the construction industry and household uses. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I would like to see the proposal for the Martins Creek quarry to go ahead as it will help keep the local economy going and create more jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
National Pump and Energy |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
woukd like to see go ahead to add more quarries to the region and bring costs for materials down and drive local jobs in the region |
Brian Bourne
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The company is not increasing the size of the quarry and have capped truck movements to help the area grow. Plus these materials will help re build the roads from all the recent rains. |
Judith Streeter
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
The sooner it’s open the better. |
Tim Guise
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Due to the Covid Pandemic this project is essential and critical to the local areas and local businesses. This project not only provides employment but helps small business in the area thrive. I believe that Daracon will stand firm in line with the planning and environmental controls and no doubt will do the right thing by the local communities and the environment. As Daracon is a family owned company it is here for the long haul not like a corporate overseas companies who just care about making revenue and will cut corners to do so. |
Adam Gardner
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It will put more quarry materials into the market place to help speed up construction time of projects. I can help see this to secure more jobs in the lower hunter valley. |
Alison Wood
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I believe that we should support this submission due to the jobs it will create |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I'm in support of this project because it is always better to extend our existing quarries rather than destroying vegetation to create new quarries. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Martins Creek Quarry going ahead for opening. It will supply much needed product for our region |
Thomas Forbes
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
pro development. job security and increased quarry materials. |
Doug haslem
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This will create more jobs and put more materials into local market. The proposal has limited truck movements with more going out on rail |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This will create a lot of jobs for the community whilst building some of the strongest roads and bridges in the hunter |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Support for this is good for local aconomy and job opportunities |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the development of Martins Creek because it supplies jobs |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support this project as it will create more jobs for the local economy. |
Brad McBride
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Quarry already exists and was working before and we need it working to help the construction industry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the development of Martins Creek Quarry. There are so much shortage on good quarry products in the hunter region at the moment. Many roads and bridges are impacted due to recent flood which are still yet to be fixed. There are also a lot of new construction projects starting in 2023. Allowing Martins Creek to transport quarry materials via roads is what the market needed. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This quarry will be a great idea going forward, quarries are the backbone of infrastructure and development! It will create jobs and keep our economy going! |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Have trouble with supplies from quarries. more quarries open be easier to get supplies and material that are required. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am in support of the expansion on the quarry as it will keep my industry strong and support local jobs. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support as it is vital in the need for employment and infrastructure supply and demand. |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon Group |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
It is important to support local industry for the benefit of the local community |
Mark Forbes
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Job security Increased local product supply |
Dean Penfold
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
This will help employ people and get materials into the market place that will help the construction boom. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I work in the construction industry. The industry needs more quarries. So many projects about to start and you cannot source quarry materials. |
David Garfoot
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
31/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the conditional approval. I have friends and family in the area that benefit from the works at Martins Creek Quarry. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
28/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Supporting the Martins Creek Quarry providing more local jobs within the community |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
28/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I know that there's a lot of trucks carrying this material from far away, so having a local quarry to get this stuff to all the building projects that are happening around the area now would be great! |
Nathan Bendeich
|
Organisation |
DARACON MINING PTY LTD |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
28/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
Continued operation of Martins Creek Quarry will provide a valuable local resource that is an essential element to critical public infrastructure |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Daracon |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
27/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have worked in the construction industry for the last 30 years and have never seen the supply issues that we are currently experiencing for quarry product's in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. This is directly affecting the future for Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Another problem is that by having to import these materials from outside the area we are seeing a cost increase in projects both large and small as a direct result of lack of quarry materials, which is contributing to the increase in the cost of living. |
Peter Carson
|
Organisation |
Carson Group Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|
Date |
25/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
As a Senior Project Manager working on many of the regions largest infrastructure projects over the past 25 years it is important to provide a perspective of the value a hard rock quarry such as Martins Creek provides. There are a limited number of hard rock quarries with a pugmill able to produce a compliant heavily bound base road gravel. This has been one of the most cost-efficient heavy duty pavements available in the Hunter Region for over 150 years. In order for major infrastructure projects to have a sensible degree of competition between the few remaining quarries able to meet quality requirements Martins Creek should be approved to remain open. They have contributed largely un-noticed to the improved quality of life of almost every person in the Hunter region. We drive on heavy duty pavements built from the rock this quarry and others like it produce. The community expects high quality roads without pot-holes and with high speed inter-connecting state roads with sufficient capacity to not have major congestion. This is recognised within the State and Federal budgets in the largest infrastructure spend ever currently underway. Within the Hunter Region approval has been given for; M1 Motorway to Raymond Terrace, Hexham Straight Widening, Rankin Park to Jesmond Newcastle Inner City Bypass, Singleton Bypass, Muswellbrook Bypass, Belford to Golden Highway and Nelson Bay Road upgrade. These projects are approved on the large community benefit they offer which totally outweighs the cost of the works. The traffic network, its expansion and maintenance is entirely dependent on quarries such as Martins Creek staying open. The businesses, construction workers, freight operators, and all customers of these industries include every singly person in the region. Some are more directly affected as their family relies on the income provided by the person working on the road. Others indirectly benefit by cheaper freight, cheaper groceries at the supermarket, better use of taxes resulting in less need for taxes. The socia-economic benefits accrued from this quarry remaining open are too broad and immense to be compared to the small number of detractors that selfishly complain about individual discomforts at the greater expense of the populous. It is only the myopic, ignorant and solipsistic who don't understand the need for quarries to build upgrades removing congestion from busy roads and keeping them safe, or believe quarries should only exist in someone else's district so they don't have to put up with the inconvenience of loaded trucks passing them on the very roads the quarries build. That same complainant having smugly closed a quarry through their inordinate belly-aching would no doubt be the first to complain once the roads they drive on become pot-holed, or congested needing an upgrade. In the interests of the broader community as well as the hard working engineers and construction workers that seek to maintain a low cost high standard of living for all please approve the Martins Creek development. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
25/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the Martins creek quarry expansion due to there now being a lack in the supply of quarry products in this area. My business and many others rely greatly on the products supplied from Martins creek quarry to complete local construction/road works in a timely and cost effective manner. Without this quarry in operation our trucks need to travel a considerably greater distance putting greater strain on other towns roads and the environment. I believe this quarry expansion would have a positive impact on the local economy and community. |
Matthew Mcdonald
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am in full support of this project, I will create more jobs for locals |
Steven Anderson
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I support the expansion fully. I think it will be good for local jobs as well As bringing money into local communities |
Tyne Byrne
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I think it is a great opportunity for more people to work at the quarry there for I'll be for the expansion of the quarry and hope it goes threw |
Matt Younger
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
18/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I fully support martins creek quarry, as a member of the local community with previous experience with daracon i have no concerns the impact to the local community will be minimal. The quarry is an important part of of the community for local jobs and building supplies |
Benjamin Wilson
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
14/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I'm only doing this to show support for the proposal, hopefully this will give locals the opportunity to work closer to home. |
Brendon Edwards
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
12/10/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Support |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I support the Quarry's approval. |
| ID | Name | Date | Submission |
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| Name Redacted | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Suzanne Brown | 22/11/2022 | ||
| David Sexton | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| James Moore | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Vicki Sexton | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Glenn Albrecht | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Bronwyn Cocks | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Denis Cocks | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Amanda Kirkman | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Louise Cameron | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Donnacha O'Fearghus | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Carolyn Sharkey | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Kylie Bridges | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Kathleen Knox | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Mal Henry | 22/11/2022 | ||
| Allyson Dolman | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Elizabeth Unicomb-Howell | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Sally Denmead | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Nicholas Lodo | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Chris Pillidge | 22/11/2022 | ||
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| Eric Werkhoven | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Jodie Cox | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Brent Eslick | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Tara Carter | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Robert Booth | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Graeme Dally | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| William White | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Christopher Thornton | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Sam Bean | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Joanne Herbert | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Bernadette Showman | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Hugh Craig | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Peter Rees | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Robyn Werkhoven | 21/11/2022 | ||
| Wayne Stedman | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Margarete Ritchie | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Laura Beaumont | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| amorelle dempster | 21/11/2022 | ||
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| Sandra Tumbers | 20/11/2022 | ||
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| Rob Beaumont | 20/11/2022 | ||
| Lucy Wonders | 20/11/2022 | ||
| Rachel Lawrie | 20/11/2022 | ||
| John Palmer | 20/11/2022 | ||
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| John Gollan | 20/11/2022 | ||
| Myree Valentine | 20/11/2022 | ||
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| Jordan Keppie | 20/11/2022 | ||
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| Mark Broadbent | 19/11/2022 | ||
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| Gregory Danvers | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Charlie Bell | 19/11/2022 | ||
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| Julian Hodges | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Phil Watts | 19/11/2022 | ||
| John Beesley | 19/11/2022 | ||
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| Denise Magennis | 19/11/2022 | ||
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| Frances Blandon | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Ian McKenzie | 19/11/2022 | ||
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| Gavin Fry | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Amie Illfield | 19/11/2022 | ||
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| Jeremy Neal | 19/11/2022 | ||
| Catherine Craig | 18/11/2022 | ||
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| Ewan Fitzpatrick | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Lyyne Buckley | 18/11/2022 | ||
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| Mark Brady | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Terry Paull | 18/11/2022 | ||
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| Helene Leane | 18/11/2022 | ||
| Les Buckley | 18/11/2022 | ||
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| Daniel Hespe | 17/11/2022 | ||
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| Tahlia Corrigan | 17/11/2022 | ||
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| Robert Mansini | 17/11/2022 | ||
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| Lorraine Wiseman | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Frances Ng | 17/11/2022 | ||
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| Christine Moore | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Kerry Sullivan | 17/11/2022 | ||
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| Adrienne Tuck | 17/11/2022 | ||
| Ruth Gaal | 17/11/2022 | ||
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| John QUINN | 16/11/2022 | ||
| B Beaumont | 16/11/2022 | ||
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| Tara Neal | 16/11/2022 | ||
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| Jamie Grace | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Anja Schneider | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Judi Gurd-Chapman | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Angus Duguid | 16/11/2022 | ||
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| Terry Holdom | 16/11/2022 | ||
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| Margaret Grace | 16/11/2022 | ||
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| Scott Campbell | 16/11/2022 | ||
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| Simone Grace | 16/11/2022 | ||
| Ben Crebert | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Peter McFadyen | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Gareth Curtis | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Connor Nash | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Venessa McFarlane | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Andrew Robards | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Elena Williams | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Steven Larsen | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| stephen bower | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Michael Keith | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Stephen Callaghan | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Craig Hill | 15/11/2022 | ||
| David Whiteley | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Frank van der Merwe | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Steven Pryor | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Michelle Wright | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Nancy Knudsen | 15/11/2022 | ||
| jodi pender | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| TROY IULIANO | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Peter McFadyen | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Ben Mulhearn | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Jennie Curran | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Maree Amos | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Jarryd Wear-Rolfe | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Christine Pike | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Andrea Sage | 15/11/2022 | ||
| David Stein | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Lintje Tjahjadi | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Rafael Williams | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Bronwyn Larsen | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Wright | 15/11/2022 | ||
| Carolyn McIntyre | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Murray Wilks | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Rhonda Quinn | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Ann Callaghan | 15/11/2022 | ||
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| Sharon Walker | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Michele Ellicott | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Lana Tilse | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Alan Cory | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Nicole Eslick | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Scott McFarlane | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Grant L'Green | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Chantal Redman | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Melanie Callaghan | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| scott collins | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Michelle Collins | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Ailsa Clarke | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Jessica Easdown | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Vicki Edge | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Shaun Kalverla | 14/11/2022 | ||
| ADAM DRAKE | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Danielle Crebert | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Andrew Amos | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Emily Champion | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Libby Cusick | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Mal Henry | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Philip Bryden-Brown | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| John Gibala | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Kate Mitchell | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Michelle Gleeson | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Emma Maher | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Mallory Wood | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Martin Farrell | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Carmen McCartney | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| CRAIG LEE | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Michael Stockenhuber | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Melissa Hoban | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Kirsty Watson | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Jack Stohman | 14/11/2022 | ||
| Katelin MCFARLANE | 14/11/2022 | ||
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| Christine Belcher | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Michelle Sneddon | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Tim Ryan | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Debra McLean | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Kayla Bungay | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Joedy Lightfoot | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Mick Gardner | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Cameron Archer | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Name Redacted | 13/11/2022 | ||
| STEPHEN SNEDDON | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| robert w smith | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Jake Bungay | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Aidan Foy | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Christine Winnett | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Peter and Leesa Priestley | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Carmel Northwood | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Fiona Walsh | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Beverly Teh | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Michael Stevens | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Cameron Archer | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Ji Montgomery | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Janet Piper | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Timothy Mallon | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Wayne Snell | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Neil Ritchie | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Alan Mitchell | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Charlotte Anderson | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Jennifer Carroll | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Jane Greenslade | 13/11/2022 | ||
| frances shanahan | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Tracey Showman | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Anne O'Rourke | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Barbara Price | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Cathy Easdown | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Julie Bowd | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Mary Cotterill | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Jayde Lantry | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Maria Bradley | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| Cameron Archer | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| rowan bourne | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Julia Wokes | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Silvia Fragiacomo | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Wesley Bungay | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Michelle Toews | 13/11/2022 | ||
| Gisele Lamy | 13/11/2022 | ||
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| margarete Ritchie | 12/11/2022 | ||
| Janine Ford | 12/11/2022 | ||
| Judith Smith | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Natalie Fourie | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Robert McCowage | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Melissa Smith | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Julie Overton | 12/11/2022 | ||
| Grace Connell | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Lyndel Kable | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Nicholas Howell | 12/11/2022 | ||
| Donna Taylor | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Jasmin Pannowitz | 12/11/2022 | ||
| Elisa fitzpatrick | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Sandra Ognibene | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Melissa Osborne | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Susan Graykowski | 12/11/2022 | ||
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| Marilyn Mitchell | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Michael Humphreys | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Claudia Stockenhuber | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| James Slack | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Jennifer Creal | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| DavId Rose | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Ivan Gibbs | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Patricia Lanz | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Luke Burgmann | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Jeffrey Nairn | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Joanne Krause | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Angela Kelehear | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Alex Robertson | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Hayden Andrews | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Stephen Callum | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| David Evans | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Peter Cook | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| John Bradley | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Madeleine Rose | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| donna m cavanough | 11/11/2022 | ||
| Michele Dalwood | 11/11/2022 | ||
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| Gaurav Rawat | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Kristen Rutter | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Terence Pitkin | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Jane Chandler | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Kevin SHORT | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| JANE SLACK | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Mark Walker | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Karen Griffin | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Don Scott | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Chris Wokes | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Sue Crouch | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Ross ILES | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Melanie Stevenson | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Phillip Ellicott | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Ella Foster | 10/11/2022 | ||
| Karen Campbell | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Constance Joyner | 10/11/2022 | ||
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| Mark Walker | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Rick Klima | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| Elaine Foster | 09/11/2022 | ||
| John McNally | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| David Wilson | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Summer Norton | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Tessa Hyde | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| Daniel Maroulis | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| Brenda Tanner | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Margaret Slade | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| Alison Pitkin | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| Margaret ( Margie ) Baillie | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Sally-Anne Fitzpatrick | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| Trina Wilson | 09/11/2022 | ||
| Tom Abrahams | 09/11/2022 | ||
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| ALEXANDRA MEIER | 08/11/2022 | ||
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| Emma Heath | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Ian Cro | 08/11/2022 | ||
| David Kinnaird | 08/11/2022 | ||
| David Farrell | 08/11/2022 | ||
| Georgia Munro | 08/11/2022 | ||
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| Alan Barker | 08/11/2022 | ||
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| Luke Thomas | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Louise Shirvington | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Joshua Moffitt | 07/11/2022 | ||
| David Agnew | 07/11/2022 | ||
| John White | 07/11/2022 | ||
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| Maeghan Barry | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Geoffrey Winnett | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Natalie van der Merwe | 07/11/2022 | ||
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| C Terry | 07/11/2022 | ||
| David Hyde | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Andrew Wernbacher | 07/11/2022 | ||
| Tim Lattimore | 07/11/2022 | ||
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| Craig Murphy | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Marc Le Brocq | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Jan Cheetham | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Brodie Cowper | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Krystal Barry | 06/11/2022 | ||
| Rebecca Sibley | 06/11/2022 | ||
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| denis shanahan | 06/11/2022 | ||
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| Craig Murphy | 05/11/2022 | ||
| Geoffrey Trescott | 05/11/2022 | ||
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| Geoffrey Trescott | 05/11/2022 | ||
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| Kerrie Steward | 04/11/2022 | ||
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| Jacob Martin | 04/11/2022 | ||
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| Kerryann Trappel | 04/11/2022 | ||
| Sui-Linn White | 04/11/2022 | ||
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| Jane Maroulis | 03/11/2022 | ||
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| Luke Barker | 02/11/2022 | ||
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| Neil Ashpole | 02/11/2022 | ||
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| Amanda Albury | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Peter Harold | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Ryan Martin | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Linda Harold | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Kerry Fagan | 01/11/2022 | ||
| KAISEY Macdonell-scott | 01/11/2022 | ||
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| Jennifer Long | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Sue Jakes | 01/11/2022 | ||
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| Anne Hodgson | 01/11/2022 | ||
| Jane Pryor | 01/11/2022 | ||
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| Paul Gresham | 31/10/2022 | ||
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| Paul Evans | 31/10/2022 | ||
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| Judith Crawford | 31/10/2022 | ||
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| Sue Wells | 31/10/2022 | ||
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| Marian Hawkins | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Michael Walsh | 31/10/2022 | ||
| Nicholas Adamson | 30/10/2022 | ||
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| Solene Pichereau | 30/10/2022 | ||
| Gillian Adamson | 30/10/2022 | ||
| Mitchell Stambolie | 30/10/2022 | ||
| Kelvin & Beryl Rumble | 30/10/2022 | ||
| Graham Hutchings | 29/10/2022 | ||
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| Dave Bailey | 29/10/2022 | ||
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| Sandra O'Donohue | 28/10/2022 | ||
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| Karen Newby | 28/10/2022 | ||
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| Paul O'Donohue | 28/10/2022 | ||
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| Rita Melville | 27/10/2022 | ||
| Garry Clements | 27/10/2022 | ||
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| Brenda Tanner | 26/10/2022 | ||
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| Beth Wozniak | 26/10/2022 | ||
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| Ainslie Fortune | 25/10/2022 | ||
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| Anthony Fleming | 24/10/2022 | ||
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| Douglas Hamment | 22/10/2022 | ||
| Nigel Pereira | 22/10/2022 | ||
| Angus McGee | 22/10/2022 | ||
| Mark Grant | 21/10/2022 | ||
| Rebecca Creswick | 21/10/2022 | ||
| Melissa Tnokoski | 21/10/2022 | ||
| Leah Hawe | 21/10/2022 | ||
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| Kerry Broad | 21/10/2022 | ||
| Joshua Deaves | 21/10/2022 | ||
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| Bruce Newton | 18/10/2022 | ||
| Ella Coleman | 18/10/2022 | ||
| Allyson Dolman | 18/10/2022 | ||
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| Greg Homan | 18/10/2022 | ||
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| Neil Coutts | 17/10/2022 | ||
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| David Day | 16/10/2022 | ||
| James Ladwig | 14/10/2022 | ||
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| Joanne Way | 12/10/2022 | ||
| Loretta Saunders | 12/10/2022 | ||
| Susanne ARBLASTER | 12/10/2022 | ||
| Andrew Wernbacher | 11/10/2022 |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Object |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My objection to the project relates to the proposed usage of Butterwick Road as an alternate haulage route. Consideration must be taken into account to the effects that the use of Butterwick Road would cause, these are as follows: - Dangerous traffic conditions for users- Road is used frequently by cyclists, horse riders, and children who reside in close proximity. - Road conditions are not safe - Pavement is narrow, no turning lanes, blind corners present and crests where oncoming traffic is unable to be seen from a safe distance when entering and/or existing some properties or turning into adjoining roads. - Speed limit is too high and needs to be addressed to take into account new dwellings in area and the increased number of residents. Speed limit is already exceeded my many and extra traffic from trucks would only increase the danger to existing residents and road users. - Recent accident - this year we had a large heavy vehicle crash into our fence within close proximity to our house, if the ground was not so wet from the recent flooded that occurred the ground condition at the time may not have slowed the large vehicle enough which could have resulted in the truck hitting our house and potential harm to my family. (Note: photo evidence can be provided to support the incident) - Road is used as a bus route for local children travelling to and from school with little to no area for stopping at presenr which in turn could result in increased potential for accidents from higher traffic volumes and the existing poor road conditions previously mentioned. A price can not be put on a life and should the proposal go ahead that is just what Daracon and those in favour of the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion are doing!! |
Suzanne Brown
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Object |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My family have lived in ⬛⬛⬛ Largs for 25 years….I’m extremely concerned about the levels of truck traffic this proposal would incur… this is beautiful pristine countryside with villages effected negatively… myself and my family strongly oppose this!!!!! |
David Sexton
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
22/11/2022 |
|
Submitter position |
Object |
|
Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I have recently sold my property to retire to a nice quiet country village of Paterson only to discover that we will be impacted by more traffic , noise , dust & as an older person will probably have trouble getting access to & from my property & to the local shops. Had I known this was going to impact on our retirement lifestyle I would have has 2nd thoughts about spending my life savings relocating here. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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I have lived for over 40yrs with the quarry trucks rattling past from early morning (I’ve only just recently moved), the noise is constant and the vibrations cause damage to the house. As for the road surface, it was always in a poor state with the council unable to keep up with repairing the damaged surface and they shouldn’t be expected to have to pay the cost of maintaining the road caused from movements of all the trucks. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Martins Creek Quarry Action Group |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
as per attachment |
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Attachments |
mcqag-submission-22-nov-2022finalpdf.pdf (PDF, 14.13 MB) |
James Moore
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NA |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
New South Wales Government 22th November 2022 Independent Planning Commission Martins Creek Quarry (SSD-6612) – Public Written Submission in opposition to the proposal. Dear Sir/Madam, My name is James Moore. I am a member of the community groups VOWW, BHAS, and MCQAG. I made a submission on 14th November 2022, and my stated position was: As proposed the Development fails the test of acceptable social, economic and environmental impacts, and made the following statement re the proposal: • It’s the failure to listen to and respond with empathy to those residence both in Martins Creek and Paterson, During the Public Hearing locals put forward their objections to the both the noise and the dust, from the quarry and one resident objected to the noise from the rail loading process. Refer to section Social and Economic impact in my previous submission It is very reasonable to understand why the village of Martins Creek was established in near vicinity to the quarry at the time that the quarry for Rail Ballast began in the early 20th century. There simply was not the transport infrastructure and resources for the working man at that time. The physical and metabolic impact on the residents today would be significantly different to earlier operation of the quarry, given both the size and power of operating equipment and the sheer volume of product being move in the late 20th and early 21st century. I have previously advocated that should the quarry be deemed absolutely necessary then why can’t all production be on rail, with a distribution centre at Hexham. I hear the objections from Dracon: However, my working and life journey from my time as a young Marine Engineers through to retirement from the coal industry where I had a lead role in material handling, processing, and despatch tells me that where there is a will there is a way. This is not to say there won’t be challenges on the journey So, I put to you that for whatever reason the quarry is deem to take precedence over the communities to be impacted, then strict conditions must be imposed, and adhered to, with regular external Audits that takes input from the local, those who have the lived experience. Section 2.4.2 Quarrying Process and Equipment covers the mining, processing and offsite transport of the finished product. The following addresses the critical elements that have potentially the biggest adverse impact upon the environs and people. This section contains both an aerial photo of the existing site, Figure 2.2 from which you can decipher the processing plant and it’s operating modum, and a Schematic diagram of the processing plant Fig 2.3 Whilst both these images can convey a complex process and possibly a well deigned processing plant it is questionable that it represents contemporary design. Consequently, that is why complains are received from the local community regarding dust and noise. Dust. A small word with a huge impact on many and diverse creatures and environs. In every aspect of the operation, dust is one of the most pervasive elements to be managed and its impact negated. Workplace H&SE regulations require on site personnel to be isolated from the dust yet so often the emission of dust from the site gets the shoulder shrug. Noise. An element that can be most intrusive and harming to those who experience it and most harmful when it disturbs sleep. With diligent design both mobile and fixed plant noise impacts beyond the plant can be virtually mitigated. And note, sound suppression to heavy mobile plant is a well-established practice, as is the technique of “soft loading” of mine trucks. Neither of the above two elements (dust and noise), must be allowed offsite where the potential to harm the community is real. Sources are wide and divers and, in each case, most are controllable, whether it be from the stripping of the flora, the drilling and blasting process, the loading out and emplacement of the overburden, the loading out and dumping of material at the processing plant • Dust and noise emissions from the run of mine dump hopper are able to be virtually eliminated through current best practice design, operation and maintenance. • Dust and noise emissions to the outside environs from crushing and screening plants are virtually eliminated through full containment within expertly designed, constructed, and maintained processing plants. • Dust emissions can be fully contained with product stock piles being “built” with a luffing stacker as against free falling product that then is subject to the then current environment such as elevated wind speeds. • Dust and noise can be virtually eliminated from product loading using contemporary bin design and loading processes. Ten of millions of tonnes of coal are loaded and transport with negligible noise and dust from the load points and negligible dust emissions from the in-transit process. • Haul Roads are a significant contributor to dust and whist the application of water to the surface was once the prime suppressant for dust, more that two decades ago the use of surfactants, mixed with the water, provided a significant improvement in mitigating the generation of dust and its emission. Looking Forward Given that there is considerable resistance and lack of support for the proposal as it stands to be approved, if a process is not in place that fully eliminates, or at the minimum, significantly mitigates the communities concerns, then it should not get approval. However, should it, against the communities will, be approved, then there is a lot that can be, and must be, done. Whilst the proponent may resist, given that such measures to mitigate adverse outcomes may be a condition of consent, history shows that a contemporary, well design process and material handling plant, will deliver a net positive return to the investor, and the community. The proposal seeks a thirty-year life, and as the existing quarry exist, another thirty years of the present is not acceptable. Recommendation. 1) That the processing plant be re-assessed against the standard that, in the last decade, was designed and commissioned in the southern highlands, 2) That all product from site be transported by rail. 3) That a study be undertaken to evaluate the railing of primary crusher output to a processing plant at Hexham. a. Retain on site processing of Ballast. b. This will significantly reduce the harm to local residents brought about by noise and dust. c. Note the Processing Plant Schematic. 4) That an independent and experienced consultant team objectively evaluate the feasibility of a rail receival and despatch, and possibly a processing facility, at Hexham to service the Hunter localities. 5) Consider the engagement of TUNRA Bulk Solids, based at the University of Newcastle. Tunra Bulk Solids offers solutions for all industries dealing with bulk materials and covers the entire spectrum of bulk materials handling and storage, inclusive of feeder, conveyor transfer points, and optimises bin design to mitigate noise, wear, and flowability of varying product sizes. In conclusion I put to you that a Significant State Development should not be one that can cause harm to the community. I trust that this submission be added with that submitted on the 14th November 2022, and given due consideration across the issues within. BORAL MARULAN QUARRY – SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS |
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Attachments |
new-south-wales-government-22th-november-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 407.42 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Living through the total disregard that was shown to the community when the Quarry decided revenue was more important than the current DA legal ruling, was a very big eye opener to the community. This set the precedent for my reasoning against the submission and expansion. The truck movements and total disregard for road safety, buses, the single Lane Bridge on Paterson Road and other road users was the scariest thing we have every seen on these roads. The local roads are not built or wide enough or maintained enough to carry such numbers that are being provided by the Quarry expanders. I myself personally, not one but two occasions have been the subject of dangerous situations experienced. One going across the Bridge from Paterson Road onto Tocal road, when Tipper and trailer truck had total disregard that myself and horse float were already on the bridge, they continued to turn onto the bridge and demanding I reverse to let the truck over. Along with lots of rude signs being made at me. If you think for one minute this is an isolated situation I guarantee you it would not be. The other situation is watching these trucks over take a stationary school bus on the crest of a hill, when there would be absolute zero visibility for the driver. The DPE assessment report states that there should be only one route into this Quarry, again who is going to monitor this for 25 years? We have already seen complete contempt for legal rulings, why should the community believe the "promise"? These may seem small to you, but believe me, one day we will have a fatality if this quarry expands. I did know the quarry was at Martins Creek and very much looked into the operating before purchasing and was extremely happy with the current DA and the rulings that to which it operated under, now we are faced with this absolute degradation of roads and peaceful life, not to mention reduced property prices. The need for Quarry product is growing as is our area, no doubt. There will be an alternative on Italia Road which has major truck infrastructure to help haul the products, why approve it in a quiet rural setting when the major roads are already done around the new proposed Quarry at Italia Road? I beg all people considering this approval to look past the pretty words on the pages, yes people need employment, yes people need construction products, do we really believe this is the one to approve. Locally the employment will be minimal, most of the support votes are from people not even close to being impacted by this expansion. I wish all well in what will be a very difficult time for all if approval is granted. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The negative impact of this project off sets the minimal employment opportunities (16 jobs as reported in the submission). It will place traffic in Maitland, one of if not the fastest growing regional centre in Australia, at a complete stand still at peak times when it is already significantly difficult to travel around due to limited river crossings. Our house borders Tocal Road, the noise of the trucks will lower our property value significantly and create noise that will impact our quality of life for 25 years. I understand that in some areas this is life but this development was not approved when we purchased the land here and the cost does not justify the meagre benefits in employment opportunities. Will the approving authority authority offer compensation to home owners for the decrease in property values? Businesses in Paterson through the travel route to East Maitland will be severely impacted as the capability of individuals to move about is limited due to the increased traffic flow. People will be less likely to travel to or through these areas if this development is allowed to go ahead. The roads are not equipped to cope with the level of traffic, there must be a better option. |
Name Redacted
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22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The land clearing required for this project will damage koala and other native animal habitat. It is unacceptable to continue to clear habitat which needs to be protected |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
N/A |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Whilst I not 100% against the quarry operating, I am 100% AGAINST the quarry using trucks on RURAL and RESIDENTIAL roads as their method of transport. My objection is based on the use of trucks moving this material. All throughout consultation, the public have repeatedly called for the quarry materials to be hauled by rail. This quarry has rail access and did in fact once used rail as it's method of transport. It is already connected to the Main North Coast railway line and appreciating work would need to be done to facilitate this moving forward, whilst rail networks can be expensive to modify, it would still be more cost effective compared to the proposed road transport. I understand DPE's primary concern is for Sydney to have ample gravel supply into the future. As you would know, our immediate area has many existing quarries, with more proposed north of Raymond Terrace. It is well known within the quarrying industry, no quarries in our area are working anywhere near capacity and there is already oversupply in the market and will be for some time into the future. There really is no justification to approve this quarry with road haulage, road haulage is the cause of most of the negative social impacts this proposal would force on our communities. No other quarries in our area have rail access but this quarry does, it seems clear that by removing the road haulage and replacing with rail will remove the most serious negative social impacts this proposal has. Remember, Daracon only lease the site, if they refuse to operate via rail, then I am sure other operators would be more than willing to take it over. If this proposal must be approved then a RAIL ONLY consent must be enforced. |
Vicki Sexton
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have recently relocated to the quiet town of Paterson for my retirement & if this goes ahead it will impact on my lifestyle. I will struggle to get in & out of my Street as the road is already busy enough without the addition of trucks in & out every 5 minutes. My grandchildren will not be safe to cross the road to get access to the beautiful Tucker Park to play & this will make it difficult to do my shopping & Doctors appointments. If I had known this was going to happen I would not have moved here & I have invested my Life savings relocating to retire & if this is approved my property Value will dramatically fall. |
Glenn Albrecht
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Organisation |
Glenn |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Solastalgia, SIA and Martins Creek Quarry Expansion 2022 Glenn A Albrecht PhD. ----------------- I object to the quarry expansion on the basis that the social impact assessment has been so poor as to systematically ignore the major social issues generated by this development. Hence, the conditions of consent do not mitigate or offset any of the major social impact objections. That more than 620 community members in the zones of affectation objected and that only 14 community members supported it (less than the 17 organisations that supported it) was an overwhelming vote of rejection for this project. With such a level of community objection and with no possible logical or practical mitigation, this project can only be approved by rejecting participatory democracy, public amenity, human physical health, human mental health and other related non-medical psychoterratic impacts such as solastalgia. Despite the SIA NSW guidelines, the consultants have failed to address, “ … land use changes that affect community character and people’s sense of place, inducing a sense of cultural loss for Aboriginal people.” (NSW SIA 2022: 20). The biologist, Jakob von Uexküll, the man who coined the term 'umwelt', defined it as ‘the particular view of an organism as it perceives the world’. The view of the world as perceived by the owner of a quarry will not be the same as that of a local person, on a daily basis, confronting explosions, machinery and crushing noise, dust pollution in dry periods, and toxic pollution from truck exhaust delivered by the excessive truck movements. The impact on community amenity as a result of the expansion of the quarry will be a crucial part of the umwelt of every person who lives close to the quarry or along the trucking route. The lived experience of negative environmental change of all people in the zone of affectation of this mine is part of their personal and community umwelt. The felt and anticipated anxiety and distress of people are directly caused by the development proposal and the past experiences of the citizens. The people affected by this mine in the past have a vivid memory of its impacts. Indeed, the SIA guidelines for NSW ask the assessment to “define and describe the social locality”, including: “the history of the proposed project and the area, and any similar experiences people in the locality have had, including change prior to, or created by, the project’s planning assessment; how people reacted to early discussions; how these discussions and other experiences affected the broader community. (4.2:17) I have in my professional capacity as an environmental philosopher defined the lived experience of negative environmental change as 'solastalgia' (see attachment). This term, as understood in the NSW L&EC, as a loss of 'sense of place' has been used to interrogate the actual and proposed impacts of open-cut coal mining on people in villages in the Upper Hunter of NSW and the town of Gloucester. In both cases, the Land and Environment Court of NSW concluded that this type of amenity, loss of sense of place, was an unacceptable social impact and could not be compensated by the proposed economic benefits of the projects. The key elements of the Bulga decision regarding social impacts were incorporated into the case of Gloucester Resources Limited v Minister for Planning (2019) where Justice Brian Preston argued: 'I find that the Rocky Hill Coal Project will negatively impact on the composition, cohesion and character of the community and local people’s sense of place. The evidence of the local people, given in their written submissions on the original and the amended Project, in their written statements tendered in Court and in their oral evidence at the hearing, amply and persuasively demonstrated people’s strong attraction and attachment to Gloucester as a place and on their psychoterratic relationship to this place. The local people’s evidence also explained the major negative impacts of the Project on community composition, cohesion and character.' (NSW L&EC 2019) The assessment of solastalgia as an impact of mining operations is now international with the Irish government mandating in 2022 that a gypsum (Gyproc) mine, must consider under “Heritage: 'The Population and Human Impact Chapter shall consider the effects of " solastalgia" a term coined by Dr Glen (sic) Abrecht (sic). This phenomenon is the impact people feel living in a home environment perceived to be the subject of negative environmental change. This impact can result in emotional and psychological displacement, dislocation and avoidance of the landscapes concerned. Given the scale of the development proposed it is incumbent on the applicant to consider these types of impacts. The EIAR shall be amended to take account of this.' (https://portal.monaghancoco.ie/WeblinkPlanningPortal/PDF10/e712819d-28b2-4e8d-b9d0-e9dac2d03f9c/452251 ) It would be somewhat ironic if SIA in NSW cannot replicate what best practice SIA is now required to do internationally. I have argued in a previous submission that the historical impacts of the Martins Creek Quarry were unacceptable, in part, because of the tightly constrained village geography of Martins Creek and Paterson and more generally, the impact of trucking on all citizens (including children) on the proposed trucking routes. This ADA proposes to hugely amplify these impacts over decadal timeframes and wilfully impose yet more solastalgia on the residents of Martins Creek and Paterson. It is worth noting, that the direct economic benefits to the State from this supposedly “State Significant” development are minuscule (the Revised Project is estimated to generate $1.5 million in royalties, payroll tax and Council rates in the 25 year NPV terms). That amount of money in today’s dollar terms is enough to deliver only 1.5 kilometres of black top bitumen over a pre-existing gravel road. My conclusion is that the revised project fails the social sustainability test in multiple ways. Intra- and inter- generational equity are violated as present and future generations will be massively negatively affected by change imposed against their will. The precautionary principle is violated as the psychoterratic impacts cannot be mitigated and other impacts such as the known carcinogen, diesel soot, impose serious health risk to all in the zones of affectation. This proposal must be rejected as it violates NSW SIA guidelines, any reasonable application of ESD principles and the foundations of democracy in a modern state. |
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Attachments |
pan-solastalgia-research-publicationpdf.pdf (PDF, 233 KB) |
Bronwyn Cocks
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I would like to submit my objection to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. I live in Paterson Valley Estate and the noise from blasting and quarry operations impact the very reason my husband and I moved to this area in 2008. When we moved from Newcastle to Paterson Valley Estate it was a move for us to enjoy our retirement in a peaceful environment. We were aware that the quarry was at Martins Creek but it didn't impact on us until Daracon took over the operations. Having lived through the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake and been severely impacted by this earthquake, I struggle psychologically each time the quarry blasts. The quarry put a note in our letterbox advising of the intention to blast, however this is often not delivered until the day of intended blast and if it isn't a normal mail delivery day, then we are unaware that a blast is happening. The blast is of such severity that things in our cupboards rattle and we have four times had to engage the services of a gyprock tradesman to repair our walls and ceilings. Our main source of income is our Age Pension and we cannot sustain spending money repairing our damaged walls and ceilings. Our home and property are our only asset and we stand to be severely impacted financially when it is time for us to sell and move into a nursing home. Our house and land value will be considerably reduced if this quarry expansion is approved. I am constantly fearful of the sound of the blasting and the shaking of our home due to the trauma I suffered in the Newcastle Earthquake. I would plead with you and your department to please take into consideration my fears and the distress of the community regarding this expansion. Our way of life is being threatened by this Corporation, who have no concern, nor consideration of the communities that their expanded operations will impact. I realise the need for quarries to be operational but not in areas where so many residents will be emotionally affected. The truck drivers are arrogant and have no respect for other road users. I have experienced tail gating, being nudged to the side of the road as trucks recklessly overtake and is it going to take a major accident and loss of life before resident's concerns are listened to. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to submit my objection. Kind regards, Bronwyn Cocks |
Denis Cocks
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear Committee, Thank you for the opportunity of making a submission to lodge my objection to the proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. When my wife and I made the decision to move from Newcastle to Vacy it was not a decision made lightly. We had both retired and wanted a quiet rural lifestyle for the remainder of our days. We looked a many locations and settled on buying a home and property in Paterson Valley Estate, Vacy. We arrived at our new address in July, 2008. We were aware that there was a quarry at Martins Creek however it never impacted us until Daracon took the quarry over. Once this happened our peaceful lifestyle was compromised and changed. The noise of the crusher, which at times operated all day including Saturdays and Sundays, drove us to distraction and we were forced to keep our windows and doors shut to muffle the noise. The frequent blasting became a major issue which created terror in my wife who suffered trauma in the Newcastle Earthquake of 1989. Our walls and ceilings sustained cracks which had to be repaired on four separate occasions by a qualified gyprock tradesperson. These repairs cost us a considerable amount and as the Age Pension is our main source of income, we cannot continue to pay this money out. If the approval for expansion is granted then our home will continue to sustain damage and as our home and property is our only asset we are concerned about the impact on our property. I am in my 70's and several of my neighbours are elderly and our right to drive on our community roads is threatened due to the "cowboy" actions of the truck drivers that we have previously experienced. Should this expansion be approved someone is going to lose their life or sustain a dreadful motor vehicle and/or pedestrian accident. The truck drivers are obviously running to a time frame and their driving is reckless and disrespectful to other road users. The condition of our roads in Dungog Shire are in a dangerous state and adding increased truck usage will be disastrous. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concerns. Yours faithfully Denis Cocks |
Amanda Kirkman
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Organisation |
Amanda Kirkman |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. The increase in truck movement will greatly reduce the quality of life for many residents along the route due to noise and pollution. The traffic is already congested at peak times along Paterson Rd in Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra. Adding the amount of trucks per hour that Daracon are proposing will provide further congestion, and place our children who cycle and walk to school at risk. There is already nowhere safe for them to cross the road, and we are being very short sighted by reducing our children's ability to move about in our community. There is also the issue of monetary cost to the local ratepayers. These trucks will damage roads due to their weight and frequency. Daracon won’t pay for this in the longer term, us ratepayers will. Why should we subsidise Daracon’s profits by paying for the very thing that allows them to make those profits! There is also the impact this will have on the wildlife whose habitat will be destroyed. The federal government has stated that their focus will be on protecting and preserving wildlife and habitat and this goes against that very promise. This area of the Maitland and Dungog shires has a very historic background and is a tourist attraction for that reason, and also because of the beautiful, natural state of the area. This expansion will destroy that calmness with the extra trucks, and the destruction of the land. It will also affect the livelihoods of those people involved in these towns, by making it less attractive for tourists. Paterson and Bolwarra rely on tourism for their cafes/restaurants and pubs to survive. Many people ride their bikes (both bicycles and motorbikes) to these towns (not just of a weekend), and this route will be more dangerous for them due to the trucks. It will also be less pleasant as a drive, having to sit behind hulking great pieces of steel. These people won't give up their rides - they'll go to another area instead. This will greatly impact on these towns' small economies, already struggling due to covid restrictions. I know that many people will say their jobs depend on this expansion, but why not simply make the quarry last longer, and thus ensure the long term security of these jobs and this industry by not expanding? If the quarry was to maintain it's status quo, then no jobs are lost, but ensured to continue for the longer term. Daracon can afford to upgrade the existing rail corridor to suit it’s purpose but choose not to. This is another example of how big business end up trampling all over local, small businesses. Daracon can afford to not expand this quarry - the residents of these towns cannot afford their local businesses to close. Daracon is such a huge business with so many interests, please don't favour the big business over small town residents. We are the lifeblood of this state. We have families to feed, put through school, and pay medical bills for. Daracon can afford to fight this with all their resources behind them. Don't make this an unfair battle by pitting the might of industry against smalltown residents. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. The increase in truck movement will greatly reduce the quality of life for many residents along the route due to noise and pollution. The traffic is already congested at peak times along Paterson Rd in Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra. Adding the amount of trucks per hour that Daracon are proposing will provide further congestion, and place our children who cycle and walk to school at risk. There is already nowhere safe for them to cross the road, and we are being very short sighted by reducing our children's ability to move about in our community. There is also the issue of monetary cost to the local ratepayers. These trucks will damage roads due to their weight and frequency. Daracon won’t pay for this in the longer term, us ratepayers will. Why should we subsidise Daracon’s profits by paying for the very thing that allows them to make those profits! There is also the impact this will have on the wildlife whose habitat will be destroyed. The federal government has stated that their focus will be on protecting and preserving wildlife and habitat and this goes against that very promise. This area of the Maitland and Dungog shires has a very historic background and is a tourist attraction for that reason, and also because of the beautiful, natural state of the area. This expansion will destroy that calmness with the extra trucks, and the destruction of the land. It will also affect the livelihoods of those people involved in these towns, by making it less attractive for tourists. Paterson and Bolwarra rely on tourism for their cafes/restaurants and pubs to survive. Many people ride their bikes (both bicycles and motorbikes) to these towns (not just of a weekend), and this route will be more dangerous for them due to the trucks. It will also be less pleasant as a drive, having to sit behind hulking great pieces of steel. These people won't give up their rides - they'll go to another area instead. This will greatly impact on these towns' small economies, already struggling due to covid restrictions. I know that many people will say their jobs depend on this expansion, but why not simply make the quarry last longer, and thus ensure the long term security of these jobs and this industry by not expanding? If the quarry was to maintain it's status quo, then no jobs are lost, but ensured to continue for the longer term. Daracon can afford to upgrade the existing rail corridor to suit it’s purpose but choose not to. This is another example of how big business end up trampling all over local, small businesses. Daracon can afford to not expand this quarry - the residents of these towns cannot afford their local businesses to close. Daracon is such a huge business with so many interests, please don't favour the big business over small town residents. We are the lifeblood of this state. We have families to feed, put through school, and pay medical bills for. Daracon can afford to fight this with all their resources behind them. Don't make this an unfair battle by pitting the might of industry against smalltown residents. |
Louise Cameron
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New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am concerned about the increase of truck movements on Tocal Road, through Bolwarra Heights, along Flat Road and into East Maitland. I believe the increase of trucks on the road is unsafe and will cause major disruption to traffic and individuals trying to get to work and school. There is already a build up of traffic at the Melbourne Street lights and the increase in trucks will amplify this. It is not appropriate for large numbers of trucks to travel on a daily basis through a residential area. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have a friend who will be very impacted by this as they have land and horses out in Patterson and this will impact on their business, their air quality and I don’t support the environmental impact it will have |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We as a family moved to the area for the peaceful and natural environment, it would be devastating to experience the impact implied by the development and therefore forced to move again, thus uprooting the family because of the quarry expansion. Please find another way/route for the trucks!!!!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The current usage of trucks by Daracon and umwelt is already causing significant damage to local roads as well as the amenity and safety of this rural area. Any increase will disastrous for the local rural lifestyle, environment and tourism potential of the district. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
My objection is that if the quarry expands then the traffic will be terrible and people will be driving right up behind me and it would make it difficult to get out of my drive and to get to the shops in my town. The air will be polluted and making my dog sick and there will be pollution landing on my roof will then pollute my tank water and therefore make me and my family sick. It would be difficult for me to be back to concentrate to study with all the trucks going down the road as I like to keep my window open and my dog chases truck and doesn't like the sound of truck. When I would be going on my daily walk down my road it will make it hard for me to cross the road as all the trucks coming down will making ti difficult to be able to get my exercise up. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
280 trucks a day is ridiculous I live in ⬛⬛ on a farm and it will greatly affect me and My family. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. The increase in truck movement will greatly reduce the quality of life for many residents along the route due to noise and pollution. The traffic is already congested at peak times along Paterson Rd in Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra. Adding the amount of trucks per hour that Daracon are proposing will provide further congestion, and place our children who cycle and walk to school at risk. There is already nowhere safe for them to cross the road, and we are being very short sighted by reducing our children's ability to move about in our community. There is also the issue of monetary cost to the local ratepayers. These trucks will damage roads due to their weight and frequency. Daracon won’t pay for this in the longer term, us ratepayers will. Why should we subsidise Daracon’s profits by paying for the very thing that allows them to make those profits! There is also the impact this will have on the wildlife whose habitat will be destroyed. The federal government has stated that their focus will be on protecting and preserving wildlife and habitat and this goes against that very promise. This area of the Maitland and Dungog shires has a very historic background and is a tourist attraction for that reason, and also because of the beautiful, natural state of the area. This expansion will destroy that calmness with the extra trucks, and the destruction of the land. It will also affect the livelihoods of those people involved in these towns, by making it less attractive for tourists. Paterson and Bolwarra rely on tourism for their cafes/restaurants and pubs to survive. Many people ride their bikes (both bicycles and motorbikes) to these towns (not just of a weekend), and this route will be more dangerous for them due to the trucks. It will also be less pleasant as a drive, having to sit behind hulking great pieces of steel. These people won't give up their rides - they'll go to another area instead. This will greatly impact on these towns' small economies, already struggling due to covid restrictions. I know that many people will say their jobs depend on this expansion, but why not simply make the quarry last longer, and thus ensure the long term security of these jobs and this industry by not expanding? If the quarry was to maintain it's status quo, then no jobs are lost, but ensured to continue for the longer term. Daracon can afford to upgrade the existing rail corridor to suit it’s purpose but choose not to. This is another example of how big business end up trampling all over local, small businesses. Daracon can afford to not expand this quarry - the residents of these towns cannot afford their local businesses to close. Daracon is such a huge business with so many interests, please don't favour the big business over small town residents. We are the lifeblood of this state. We have families to feed, put through school, and pay medical bills for. Daracon can afford to fight this with all their resources behind them. Don't make this an unfair battle by pitting the might of industry against smalltown residents. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
Feel will destroy our beautiful town and the environment |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Septic Check |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
In simplistic terms the local roads and the village of Paterson have not been designed for the movement of large heavenly laden trucks. Since the quarry last operated a large number of rural housing allotments have been released, resulting in the increase of local residents that travel the through Paterson. This has also lead to an increase of the number of people in the area making use of the offerings in Paterson from the local businesses and other amenities such as bus stops for the school students travelling to Dungog and Maitland. Any increase in heavy transport on the local roads and including through Paterson will add to the damage to roads that are generally funded by the rate payers (limited state input) adding an additional cost burden to the local community. If the quarry was to be approved the operators should be required to transport the vast majority of its product via the rail corridor with a road bypass of Paterson and other residential areas (as has been the case in other regions of the state) to reduce the impacts from the truck movements. Blasting noise and the resultant dust is also a concern to both the environment and residents health . We have experienced the truck movements from the quarry in the past with the population growth and the proposed truck movements I can see no benefits to the local community only more money in the share holders and directors of Dracon. |
Donnacha O'Fearghus
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a concerned resident living near the PROPOSED QUARRY I am deeply concerned about its impact. 40 TRUCKS per day - adverse impact on road structures already incredibly badly damaged and maintained (extra pressure now put on local council) - danger to motorists (and pedestrians) - AND SCHOOL BUSES (who is going to think about innocent children). ANY ACCIDENT INVOLVING A SCHOOL BUS would be catastrophic and extremely litigious - death and injury to wildlife (State and National significance). PROPERTY VALUES ON routes WILL PLUMMET adversely affecting residents and Council (who will probably increase rates to help pay for smashed roads). NOISE impact from quarry and trucks causing ongoing psychological damage to residents. So far I see nothing nothing from the NSW Government or Daracon as being very helpful to our community. Also it is known that DARACON acted illegally in its last incarnation, paid their FINE - MOVED ON. Is that fair Daracon can allow for fines (probably wrote it off as a tax dodge) and MOVE ON. THE COMMUNITY CANNOT SURVIVE OR MOVE ON until this obvious injustice is resolved. IF THE QUARRY IS IS A 'STATE SIGNIFICANT PROJECT' what are the people, the residents, the real life blood of this community? ARE THEY STATE INSIGNIFICANT? It's time FOR SOME GUMPTION. GET IT SORTED. DON'T BE COWED BY MONEY. |
Carolyn Sharkey
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
My objections:- *Safety getting out of our property on Paterson Road Duns Creek * Environmental impact on wildlife , particularly koalas * As I have an autoimmune disease we do most of our business in Paterson and as we get older the safety of shopping etc in Paterson will be comprised and additionally many businesses and shops may be forced out of business due to decrease in trade . Loss of locals jobs will have flow on effects for the whole community . Regional towns have an important role to play in NSW and they are being pushed in regards to tourism, however, no one will want to visit due to the various impacts from this expansion of the quarry. *Air quality . Dust pollution will increase and the health of neighbouring residents and visitors to the area will be affected. * Our property value will definitely be impacted negatively * The conditions of the local roads (even before all the rain) used by the trucks were dangerous and “band aid” treatments do nothing . The roads will be severely impacted by the increase in truck traffic which will lead to increased likelihood of serious accidents . |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a local that uses these roads daily to commute, the traffic is heavy enough without the burden of increased quarry trucks. The state of the roads is also very poor and I fear that increased heavy vehicle traffic will only degrade the roads faster. Increased noise and dust from the quarry is also a concern for residents nearby. |
Kylie Bridges
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I vehemently object to this project gaining approval. The adverse impacts this project will incur during operation far outweigh any potential benefit. Firstly, the impacts on core Koala habitat (as defined under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Koala Habitat Protection) 2021 (Koala SEPP 2021) Factsheet and the now repealed SEPP 44) will likely result in a significant impact to the local population of this species. Many recent sightings of Koala within the Martins Creek, Vacy and Paterson Townships prove vegetation in and around the proposed impact area is critical to local Koala population. The application does not recognize recent records, which as an ecologist living locally, I have taken note of recent sightings reported on social media through citizen science and on NSW Bionet Atlas. This species is now recognized as being Endangered both under the BC Act 2016 and EPBC Act 1999. At the very least this proposal should be referred to the minister under the EPBC Act. There has been a significant decline in the Port Stephens Koala population as a direct result of the loss of Koala habitat and connectivity. The recent approval of the Brandy Hill quarry will also significantly impact this species. Death by a thousand cuts. Even the recent review into the offsetting scheme has proven to be dismally ineffective and hugely problematic. The significant increase in truck movements will also significantly increase the threat of vehicle strike on Koala in the locality. Secondly, my children attend the local school, preschool, dance studio and sporting clubs. The impact of such a significant increase of truck movements through the main street of Paterson poses a huge threat to the safety of anyone, especially children in the local area. There are no pedestrian crossings in the main street of Paterson and being able to access the school, shops and local amenities with the proposed significant increase in truck movements will become substantially more dangerous. The condition of the local roads also do not support such a significant increase in traffic movements. Thirdly, the adverse health impacts from dust on everyone in the local community, including children attending the local schools is of huge concern. And Fourthly, the structural damage of local buildings and noise impacts due to blasting is a significant adverse impact to the local community. The benefits of this proposal are slim when compared to the environmental and social adverse impacts of this proposal. Options would be to significantly reduce the scale and truck movements in order to make this a more feasible proposal located so close to Townships and koala habitat. Significant investment into rehabilitating Koala habitat must be undertaken as a condition of consent for any scale of approved operation of the quarry. Financial obligation to support any koalas directly and indirectly impacted by the proposal should be imposed such as payment to the Koala hospital to rehabilitate any koalas injured or displaced during the operation of the quarry should also be a condition of consent for any scale of operation approved for the quarry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion and ongoing operation of the quarry . I have lived in Paterson for 22years and have experience of the havoc and continual noise that excess gravel trucks have in our community . No special conditions will remove the noise and toxic silica dust that will pervade the area . The roads will be damaged and offering to fund repairs will not totally compensate the damage done or disruption to road usage . Excess trucks cause congestion for everyone from Martins Creek to Maitland which is already at capacity . The roads are in bad enough condition at the moment and a small donation to assist with fixing the roads wont help . Limiting truck movements to Monday to Friday and saying that Paterson is a tourist area only on weekends is totally wrong . Tourists visit Paterson 7 days a week FACT , there are now Weddings at Tocal and Eaglereach during the week as well as weekends bringing hundreds of visitors to our area each week . Many seniors visit the area all during the week and enjoy the food and peace and quiet . People come from Newcastle to eat the fish and chips and bring their kids to the park. I live and work here and I know the trucks will affect any tourists visiting , they wont want to come to a noisy dirty dusty place. Locals coming to visit doctors and shops will be deeply impacted . I object to the proposal to modify the corner of Duke and King st in Paterson to suit the trucks . as well as removing a much used car space in front of the Post Office. That centre of the village will become too dangerous to cross. I am concerned about the extra dust that comes from the trucks and my lived experience is it goes everywhere and it is potentially toxic and can cause Silicosis. I am concerned to the damage caused to the environment , any expansion will destroy precious trees and habitat for birds / animals and endangered koalas . We need to protect our air and waterways and the quarry operations will add to run off in the river . An annual donation of $40000 offered to Paterson for a wellbeing fund is laughable and will not mitigate any health issues or community angst caused by added stress of the quarry operation . That is $45 a person , it will not help anyone , even a community liaison person will achieve nothing . I have not met one person who is for the expansion of the quarry . House prices will drop , there have been a few new families move into the area who will suffer along with everyone else. As someone with deep respect and concern for the Aboriginal community I know they do not want any more unnecessary destruction of our land . the area should be left alone as too much has already been destroyed. Very few, if any people live in Paterson will gain a job if the quarry is expanded . There are plenty of jobs for truck drivers at the moment and other more sustainable quarries to use. If the quarry goes ahead it will be the end of a historic and quaint Village . Even John Laws mentioned this on his radio show a couple of weeks ago when he was discussing the quarry with his listeners . The government will not be acting in the communities best interest if it goes ahead . it will be a big company who will profit in the millions ( again) . Thankyou for letting us have our say . |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Equine Encounters Australia |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Equine Encounters Australia is recognised nationally for the nature-based programs it offers for Adult Trauma Recovery. Based on Merchants Road in Martins Creek, our group and individual programs offer specialised therapeutic support through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and nature-based activities. A peaceful, tranquility and pollution-free is vital to this sensitive and specialised therapy, so 24/7 operations and expansion at the quarry will devastated our companies work which we've built-up over the past 10 years. Also, many clients have high anxiety, so travelling to the sessions on narrow, rural roads carrying 40 trucks an hour will prove dangerous both psychologically and physically. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. The increase in truck movement will greatly reduce the quality of life for many residents along the route due to noise and pollution. The traffic is already congested at peak times along Paterson Rd in Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra. Adding the amount of trucks per hour that Daracon are proposing will provide further congestion, and place our children who cycle and walk to school at risk. There is already nowhere safe for them to cross the road, and we are being very short sighted by reducing our children's ability to move about in our community. There is also the issue of monetary cost to the local ratepayers. These trucks will damage roads due to their weight and frequency. Daracon won’t pay for this in the longer term, us ratepayers will. Why should we subsidise Daracon’s profits by paying for the very thing that allows them to make those profits! There is also the impact this will have on the wildlife whose habitat will be destroyed. The federal government has stated that their focus will be on protecting and preserving wildlife and habitat and this goes against that very promise. This area of the Maitland and Dungog shires has a very historic background and is a tourist attraction for that reason, and also because of the beautiful, natural state of the area. This expansion will destroy that calmness with the extra trucks, and the destruction of the land. It will also affect the livelihoods of those people involved in these towns, by making it less attractive for tourists. Paterson and Bolwarra rely on tourism for their cafes/restaurants and pubs to survive. Many people ride their bikes (both bicycles and motorbikes) to these towns (not just of a weekend), and this route will be more dangerous for them due to the trucks. It will also be less pleasant as a drive, having to sit behind hulking great pieces of steel. These people won't give up their rides - they'll go to another area instead. This will greatly impact on these towns' small economies, already struggling due to covid restrictions. I know that many people will say their jobs depend on this expansion, but why not simply make the quarry last longer, and thus ensure the long term security of these jobs and this industry by not expanding? If the quarry was to maintain it's status quo, then no jobs are lost, but ensured to continue for the longer term. Daracon can afford to upgrade the existing rail corridor to suit it’s purpose but choose not to. This is another example of how big business end up trampling all over local, small businesses. Daracon can afford to not expand this quarry - the residents of these towns cannot afford their local businesses to close. Daracon is such a huge business with so many interests, please don't favour the big business over small town residents. We are the lifeblood of this state. We have families to feed, put through school, and pay medical bills for. Daracon can afford to fight this with all their resources behind them. Don't make this an unfair battle by pitting the might of industry against smalltown residents. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am a local 14 yr old girl and attend school in ⬛⬛⬛ by Belmore road everyday. The addition of 200+ extra trucks per day on the road that I walk of take a bus/car to school will be affected. It will be affected for the following reasons: 1. Traffic congestion, it will take me longer to get to school. 2. Safety, if I walk to school it will increase my risk on the roads. 3.Health, I often suffer from asthma breathing difficulties and am concerned about the air quality with the increase of 200+ tracks on the road per day. In conclusion whilst I am writing this submission we are stuck in a traffic jam, and I will be late to school and this gives me anxiety turning up late to school. Add an extra 200+ trucks to the road I take to school how late will I be daily. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The above explains as much as I need. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
More research done please on natural areas where native animals are effected. Australia in general has had such huge numbers of flora and fauna threatened from the fires and now floods. I think all these kinds of applications need more scrutiny. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
N/A |
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Location |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
See Attached |
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Attachments |
ipc-martins-creek-quarry-project-ssdd-6612-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 59.36 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Firstly, I cannot believe that our community needs to make yet another objection to this project. This is my third submission, and none of my concerns are yet to be fully addressed by this new proposal. When the original objection was made, after the quarry was illegally over mined, sufficient, sound evidence was provided of what would happen should the quarry be allowed to expand. As a resident along the route travelled by the trucks, the safety of my family was impacted by the constant procession of trucks rarely doing the speed limit. The noise pollution was monitored and reported to be above safe levels. The restriction timing of truck travel was not adhered to. It was literally a disgrace that compromised the safety of the communities along the pathway taken to and from the quarry. A rail system was not used at this time, gladly it is getting some use now, but clearly not enough. Daracon should be ensuring all material is exiting the site via railway, then linked to trucks where small towns will not be impacted. I understand the need for the quarry to operate, we need what it produces. What we don't need is our lives to be risked each time we attempt to exit our driveway. We don't need to be woken at 5 every morning, as the sound of trucks barrelling through what should be a 60 speed limit zone is not adhered to. What we don't need is yet more noise and air pollution impacting our already deteriorating environment. We need safety, we need to increase railway transportation. We do not need more trucks! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
As someone who lives in Bolwarra Heights and even has a husband who is a truck and dog driver who regularly goes into quarries, I am strongly against the proposed plan. I understand that there is potential within martins Creek quarry however our beautiful, small and rural towns that you plan to drive through were not made for your modern day plans. They were not built to accommodate your plans. Our towns are not made for your plans, it simply is not what we are all about. We are small rural communities that thrive on our love for nature, farm life and community vibes. Bolwarra through to Paterson provides a corridor for wildlife, ranging from kangaroos to even Koalas. So many little kids walk and ride bikes to and from school every day using side streets and then the main road, having such large trucks and on a mass scale is frightening to think about. The blind spots that truck drivers have on their trucks combined with young primary school kids is a combination that is frightful. We as families live here for the calm, quiet and rural settings, we did not buy in to a main stream industrial thoroughfare. Our roads are one lane each way, they are narrow, the bends can be narrow leading to trucks going up on the side of footpaths, this simply is not the correct way to go about Martin's Creek quarry and again I say, I am strongly against this proposed plan. Use the railway line, approach from another avenue but not through our divine and sacred rural roads filled with homes, families and kids. There has to be another way! |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Nil |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This particular submission challenges Daracons assertion that their product is special. In summary volcanic activity and the “groaning” of the planet is the principal mechanism that resulted in the formation of the resource that these quarries are mining. Some through embedding/compressing the “crumbs” within the molten lava, whilst other through the compaction of molten rock and lava. The sheer pressure of the groing and evolving planet. Attache pdf gives much more info |
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Attachments |
appendix-5-geology-v1pdf.pdf (PDF, 1017.15 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Dungog High School |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the Martins Creek Quarry application made by Daracon Pty Ltd. In relation to the NSW Department of Planning report in the Martins Creek Quarry, there are significant errors and omissions. These may be discussed as follows: Excavation Summary This sets out with reasonable accuracy the history of the assessment process. Reference is made to the need for hard rock quarry products. What it does not highlight is that there are at least four other major sources in the Lower Hunter and a great many potential other sites which don’t come with the burden to the community of huge environmental and cultural costs. The report suggests that potential water, biodiversity and rehabilitation and final landform impacts are important assessment issues for the project. They are not addressed. Traffic Traffic volumes are said not to result in a change to existing levels of service “...Would be expected to occur with or without the project.” This is preposterous. There are proposed to be 280 truck movements per day. The department considers that Daracon has responded to the feedback and incorporated an appropriate mix of road and rail. It has not. The proposal is essentially unchanged. The timing of Daracon is down by a few years and the level of extraction by a couple of hundred thousand tonnes per year. The level of road transport, the number of trucks, the hours of transport are unchanged except for cosmetic differences. It is not correct to say that the rate is not dissimilar to historical rates. Daracon has not prepared a satisfactory traffic management plan. There are no satisfactory changes to the nightmare of the King Street Paterson intersection, road bridges, school sections, or any contribution to the level of road maintenance. It is all “wait and see.” This appears to be acceptable to the Department, surely it is not to the local government authorities adversely affected. The suggestion by the Department that the traffic and transport impacts are acceptable without any proper examination of the figures, is astonishing. Noise The suggestion is that – you’ve endured it for years – you are stuck with it is no answer. With a blithe comment “ The noise mitigation measures are reasonable,” the Department dismisses in a couple of lines, the concerns raised. Air Quality What are the proactive and reactive air quality management systems to be put in place? Apart from the airy suggestion that these existed, there isn’t anything in Daracon’s submission to support these suggestions. Social Impacts and other issues See later. Evaluation What is the detailed assessment of the merits of the project? Where is the examination of the social issues? There is none. The quarry has operated for over a century but for most of that time at a very low level. Nothing like the projected proposal. The Department has whitewashed Daracon’s proposal in an attempt to justify the alleged economic benefits, urged by Daracon which were dealt with at length by the response inter alia of Dungog Shire Council (DSC). It is governmental window dressing at its worst. Contents of the report A comparison between the original and amended applications by Daracon indicate little change. For example there are still at times two hundred and eighty truck movements per day. Given the amount of time it takes for a truck to pass, this would result in a continual stream of trucks going through Paterson, Tocal, Mindaribba, Bolwarra and East Maitland. Historical and Court Proceedings It is correct that Daracon was found to be operating illegally and their appeal failed. Daracon is attempting with the cooperation of the Department to get around that. Strategic Context It is correct that the rail link has historically been used to transport ballast. The transportation by road of vast quantities of gravel would make the user of the road haulage route by the public for supply purposes and other transportation almost impossible. With a heavy vehicle traversing the road about every ninety seconds. The Department seems to be incapable of doing the maths. Hunter Regional Plan 2036 This involves: • Providing for a biodiversity risk natural environment. • Fostering developments and creating greater housing choices and jobs. The aim is to enrich the quality of life and wellbeing of residents not to destroy it. How on earth the Department considers this has been achieved that is environmental, social and economic costs balanced is a matter of wonderment. The construction sector is said to employ three hundred and seventy thousand. This may well be (though the pastural, viticultural and horse racing industries exceed it). However this is a totally misleading figure. Only a handful of Daracon employees would be engaged at the plant and they wouldn’t live here. There is very little economic benefit to the local government area. Similarly the recital, as a litany of the supposed benefits said to be 8.9 billion dollars is quite misleading and in any event irrelevant as is the recital of the commitment by the government over the four years to 2025 of 108 billion dollars. Its relevant only in so far as it demonstrates the barrow being pushed by the Department. We’ve got to have development at all cost. The list of approved hard rock quarries is not exhaustive but sets out some of the sources in the Lower Hunter Valley an area with which can be supplied markets in the designated areas (as well as numerous sources outside the Lower Hunter). Again one wonders why the Department is pushing Daracon’s barrow so hard. 4. Statutory Context The Department suggests that it has undertaken a detailed assessment of the Project. For reasons set out hereafter it is doubtful. Among other things it is required (section 6) to consider the likely social and economic impacts of the project. There is no evidence of this apart from the fact that the Department says so. The department also suggests that it has considered worst case impact scenarios. 4.6 Biodiversity Assessment A biodiversity development assessment report (BAR) is supposed to accompany the report. 4.7 Commonwealth Matters The project is a controlled action under the EPBC Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity) Conversation Act (Commonwealth)). This is set to be done (See section 66 and Appendix G 4.8 Integrated and other NSW approvals These include NPWS, Heritage Act, Roads Act. Daracon, can, it is suggested obtain these approvals (later, it might be observed, not beforehand). 5. Engagement Chronology: The Departments report sets out the history of the assessment, omitting of course reference to the proceedings before the Land and Environment Court and the subsequent Appeal by Daracon. 5.2 Departments Engagement 5.3 Summary The report refers to the objections received and to the submissions in support said to amount to 447 (curiously amounting to 4.6 % of submissions. 14 from individuals and 17 from special interest groups.) This doesn’t add up. 5.4 Agency Advice The statement from the Department refers to Dungog Shire Council not objecting to the project. Dungog Shire Council objected to the project and has maintained its opposition. Council was very critical of the project. Indeed, the astonishing assertion in the Departments support of the proposal leads one to the view that the Department has not properly considered the material but has simply adopted great slices of what was urged by Daracon. The Land and Environment Court (which was scathing in its denunciation of Daracon’s behaviour rates barely a mention. Although the Court examined at length the social and other issues raised. One wonders why the Department should so blithely adopt Daracon’s proposal to the extent that the Independent Planning Commission should at least consider referring the Department’s behaviour in reviewing the proposal to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (IPAC). This is not a fey suggestion, there are a great many astonishing inaccuracies in the Department’s report. 5.5 Community and Social Impact These were not commented on in the Department’s Report. 6. Assessment The primary haul route is identified as being 28km in length from Martins Creek to the New England Highway. A significant part of the problems with the proposal are connected with this haul route. 6.9 It is not evident that the quarry has operated at a trucking rate of 500,000 TPA for 18 years but it is clear that the quarry operated illegally for part of that time. Whilst it is not the department’s role to prosecute the noncompliance, it is necessary to look at the extent of Daracon’s illegal operations in assessing undertakings given by Daracon to do work subsequent to any approval. 7.1 One of the alternate routes suggested via Martin’s Creek is rejected quite properly because it is via a narrow road that is considered generally unsuitable for use by quarry trucks. Precisely! Just as is with the case with the proposed 28km haul route which comes with T- intersections and 90 degree turns and pavement conditions that are identified as poor to very poor. 7.3 Existing Rail Network It is noted that the existing rail siding can accommodate trains up to 345 metres in length. 7.4 The rail transportation may be limited to one train per day. Daracon proposes two per week. Various depots have been identified to receive ballast by rail. Daracon has not identified the proposed depot for the receipt of the material by road. 7.7 The Department reports that the traffic flows generated by the project would not result in any change in the existing level of service by the roads along the primary haulage route. This is extremely odd given the impact of 20 laden and 20 laden trucks per hour, 40 movements, on Monday to Friday between 7am and 3pm. (a total according to my arithmetic of 320 movements per day). This is going to (paragraph 76) cause delays and congestion with numerous freight trains, two XPT’s both ways and four interrail trains using the crossing each way. It is difficult to se |
Kathleen Knox
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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Paterson is a small village that does not have the infrasture of roads to handle this amount of trucks.The noise of these trucks rolling past every other minute will destroy the uniqueness of this historic village.the out lying country roads will also be heavily impacted I am asking that this proposal not go ahead |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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As a ratepayer of Dungog shire and a frequent road traveler it’s obvious the roads need repairs and council isn’t doing that successfully therefore the added trucks on this road will make it deteriorate faster. The traffic levels with the more trucks on the road going through Paterson, Bolwarra and Lorn will make chaos for residents trying to get out of the Bolwarra heights subdivision unless a roundabout or traffic lights are erected as it will cause accidents if it remains how it is. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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The proposed development will adverse negatively on many communities with the large increase in truck movements, 40 trucks per hour! This will obviously impact on the roads, air quality, safety and economy of these communities. I am NOT opposed to the quarry as it was originally operated. Most of the ballast was moved by the existing rail facilities, and was used for the railway. However the proposed development does not make use of these rail facilities at all, preferring to move everything by road, roads that are already in a poor state and certainly not suited to this type or volume of traffic. An increase to 280 trucks per day in this environment is unthinkable. The route through the historic village of Paterson is certainly not suited to this. Accidents are inevitable. The scale of the Daracon proposal is totally incompatible with the existing rural, historical environment and will impact adversely on all residents' lifestyles. The effects on noise pollution and air quality, damage to roads, traffic congestion and public safety are some of the major concerns that should be taken into consideration. People live here, their children go to school here. They have chosen the rural way of life, not to be near a mega scale construction quarry. I live quite close to the quarry. It was here when we moved to the area and it had a negligible impact on our lives. However, since the Daracon acquisition, this has changed dramatically. This has impacted us with more blasting and truck movements, and the ensuing issues of noise pollution, traffic congestion, damage to roads and safety concerns. I repeat that I do not oppose the quarry, but I strongly oppose the development application by Daracon. In this day and age the primary motivation should not be MONEY. We should all be taking a much more responsible approach to caring for each other and our way of life, and leaving a legacy for our children. The community response to this submission has been consistently loud and clear. This development application should be dismissed. The negative impacts and issues for so many communities (Vacy, Paterson, Tocal, Mindaribba, Lorn Bolwarra, Maitland ) far outweigh Daracon's financial advantages. I trust that sanity will prevail and that this erroneous proposal will be rejected. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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The local roads would not support extra heavy vehicles. Road condition is current poor after the wet weather and the wet weather is to continue in the future, thus the roads will also be in this condition and the addition of heavy vehicles would make the roads deteriorate even more to a dangerous extent. The volume of traffic that use the Melbourne Street junction is high at the moment. The inclusion of more trucks on top of those already using this junction would worsen the traffic congestion. The volume of traffic from Maitland to Newcastle via Hexham is high and continuous. The inclusion of more trucks on this route would be worse than the time when coal trucks were using this route in the 80/90s. There are more cars and other vehicles on this road than the previous time and the addition of more trucks would increase traffic time and congestion exponentially. I have been travelling this route for 25+ years and there are enough delays already. The pollution from diesel fumes already covers my house with oily residue. Additional trucks will increase the diesel pollution as well as dust pollution. Increased traffic on Tocal Road will increase the difficulty and danger of accessing my home. The amount of traffic that is already using Tocal Road has increased the difficulty of backing out. The increased traffic particularly effects my elderly father. I am not the only one on Tocal Road who backs out onto Tocal Road. Increased traffic on Tocal Road will potentially increase the number of wildlife deaths caused by vehicles. Bolwarra Heights is supposed to be a quiet rural suburb and increased traffic is affecting its quiet nature and will change the public's impression of the local area and potentially reduce house values. |
Mal Henry
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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My name is Mal Henry, I live with my wife Judy at ⬛⬛⬛ on the haul road. One of my concerns with the proposed number of truck movements is the increased risk of serious accidents. We have had a semi-trailer crash through our fence, over a retaining wall and cut a swathe through my tree plot before coming to rest wedged up against a tree. Fortunately, this happened on a Sunday evening when there was little traffic, as the truck which was travelling north had veered onto the wrong side of the road where it travelled for approximately 50 metres before crashing into our property. Had there been oncoming traffic it would have been horrendous and more worrying was if it had veered to the left the truck could have crashed into our Neighbours across the road, whose home is very close to the roadway and opposite to where the truck went through my fence. My point is that trucks do crash and the and the increased number of trucks increases that possibility on our narrow country roads. Another concern I have is the environmental damage, I would like to think that the Department of Planning and Environment would want to protect the environment, yet this approval seems to me to be doing the opposite. The removal of already scarce and forever dwindling Koala habitat plus the habitat of all the other flora and fauna of this native bushland, the massive number of trucks over the next twenty-five years with the accompanying diesel pollution and the added air and ground water pollution does not seem to be protecting the environment, rather it is detrimental to the environment. Another concern I have is the constant flow of trucks through the narrow main street of the village, I have lived through this when the truck numbers were operating illegally, it is dangerous and just plain awful. The traffic has increased markedly since then and with increasing population of the area it is will be worse now than it was then. I cannot imagine how it will be in another five, ten or twenty-years' time, it will be disastrous as there is no room to add extra lanes or to straighten the road through the village. I wonder has the DPE looked this far ahead? I just cannot understand how, with all the negative impacts of this proposal, especially the number of truck movements for the next twenty-five years (when there is a rail option) how the DPE can tick this off with everything seemingly going Daracon's way and nothing for the community, or all the residents along the haul road and the environment. The DPE labels this proposal as State Significant, we the people and our community are also significant, for without people and communities, there is no State. Thank you for reading my submission. |
Allyson Dolman
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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I have been a resident of ⬛⬛⬛ Bolwarra Heights for over 47 years. Whilst I recognise that my neighbourhood cannot remain a quiet, rural area indefinitely, I strongly disagree with the Martins Creek Quarry expansion!! Bolwaraa/ Lorn are suburbs with growing populations. Many young families have moved here. The impact on road congestion with hundreds more heavy vehicle movements along Paterson/Tocal Roads will have serious consequences on our quality of life! Ie: noise pollution, dust pollution and dangerous road conditions for small children who play within our neighbourhoods. This is not to mention the affect this expansion will have on wildlife within the area of the expansion. This area is a koala habitat and also home to many other native flora and faunaspecies. I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THIS PROPOSED EXPANSION!! |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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My objection to the expansion of the quarry is the increase in trucks as I live on one of the haul routes. The narrowness of the roads will impact people turning into and out of their properties as there is no verge for traffic to go around turning vehicles. There is few places for vehicles to overtake and this will lead to an increased risk of crashes as people try to overtake the heavily laden trucks. The roads are collapsing and sinking as it is with the truck movement we already have and this will become even worse with an increase in trucking movements. The school buses which service the area have to stop on the road to pick up and drop off students, this will become more dangerous as trucks and cars navigate around these vehicles. The noise of unladen trucks banging, rattling and using their brakes as they pull up for the corner and laden trucks accelerating up the hill from the intersection will make it impossible to have windows open and the increased trucks will exacerbate the noise to a constant roar. This will also make impact on air pollution from the the truck exhausts and dirt and dust falling from them which then impacts residents as we are on tank water collected from our roofs. As most of my shopping is done in Paterson the increase in truck movement through the township will make it inaccessible if I have to try and cross the road for parking, this will be increased when the train gates are down and the resulting line of trucks moving in a convoy after will make it impossible to cross and extremely unsafe for older residents. There are historic churches and buildings that line the street in Paterson and these will all be impacted by the vibration of the trucks as they go past, air pollution landing on the old buildings and noise pollution from the constant rattling as they move through town and braking to take the corners. All the roads with in the area are not wide enough to deal with an escalation in the amount of trucks moving through the area. There are many cyclists that use our roads and with no verge the possibility of accidents with cyclists and cars and trucks will spiral dramatically. Many of these cyclists support local businesses when n their rides The 200 year old Tocal homestead will also be impacted through air and noise pollution as well as people trying to navigate the entry and exit to both the homestead and Tocal College along with Tocal Dairy. There are many vehicles already turning onto a busy road an increase in trucks will increase this greatly. |
Name Redacted
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22/11/2022 |
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i am agasnt this, i live on cory street and the trucks that take martins creek road tear it up, the air quailty will diminish, the roads will not be able to handle all thoes trucks. all of thoes options above are equaly important to each other and are valad reasions why it should not go ahead. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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I strongly object to this latest amended development application of Daricon and Umwelt. I cannot for the life of me understand how the Dept of Planning can give a stamp of approval for this SSDA when hugely detrimental impacts are going to destroy the beautiful, very historic little town of Paterson and surrounds. This town is going to be the major haulage route and is only just big enough for the increasing everyday traffic as it is. It's going to put lives at risk, destroy businesses and make life a misery for all who have invested in a peaceful rural existence. You won't be able to have your funeral in peace without the rattle of trucks passing the church !! It's frightening how a Government Department in this day and age can agree to such destruction. Why, when there is the very obvious option of rail use for the Martin's Creek Quarry product, is road use of 40 trucks an hour through a little buzzing and thriving town being considered at all? It's despicable and offensive - I don't regard this as progress !! This quarry should not be allowed to increase in size to this greedy mega scale quarry as proposed. This will go down in history as an environmental and social disaster. Hasn't anything been learned from past disasters. It appears not !! The Department of Planning hasn't listened - I and all concerned ask you, the Independent Planning Commission to please listen. Thankyou. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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The amenity of the suburb will be disadvantaged. As a resident of 12 years, the roads cannot currently cope with existing traffic and are dangerous! Our visiting koala population will be affected. The native bird population will be negatively impacted |
Elizabeth Unicomb-Howell
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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I live in Maitland Vale with my husband and two daughters. Almost every day we have things to do in Maitland, whether it be daycare drop offs or a activity such as Kindygym. The tragic is already an absolute nightmare at peak hour along Paterson Rd, and is even getting busy all hours of the day. Add too that the hundreds of trucks that would be added and the who'll community's commute time would be negatively impacted. Most of all though, along Paterson Rd school buses pick up and drop off children right next to the road and it would be only a matter of time before there was an accident with a truck. It is far too busy and dangerous for the children already, let alone with many more trucks. Add to that the noise of the trucks all day and night along a residential road, it would dramatically impact the peace of those living along the road, and on the surrounding streets. Please do not allow this to happen. |
Name Redacted
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22/11/2022 |
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The number of trucks on the road will greatly impact the safety of locals travelling on the roads as well as the road surface itself. If trucks are diverted along Martins Creek Road it will be dangerous to all other road users. Martins Creek Road is too narrow to handle large trucks and is not wide enough in many places to have a car & truck pass at the same time. It will be dangerous with cars trying to pass loaded trucks if they are not travelling at road speed. Martins Creek Road is also know for its bike riders, including children. If the trucks are to pass through the township of Paterson it will be dangerous to everyone also travelling through or stopping at Paterson village. The trucks are too large to pass through this small township safely, there are children walking and crossing roads in Paterson before and after school, these children's safety should be first priority. The noise and additional pollution from increased activity at the quarry to meet the new limits (if approved) will great affect the community as a whole. When a railway is available and currently working, why would you add the risk to the community and greater population at large by trucking this material out of the quarry. Why are we not utilising the rail more and reducing the truck movements on the roads? More rail movements equals less strain on local roads and potential reduction in road toll. Additional road movements also impacts the wildlife, the noise and added pollution will drive the wildlife away and there is the added risk of wildlife being hit by trucks. If this proposal goes ahead it will impact the community as it will loose it's appeal of being a primary production area, reducing investment and driving locals out who moved to the area for its peacefulness and country like feel. I personally have children who will be driving on our local roads in the near future, the thought of more trucks on the road in themselves as well as drivers who are frustrated by the trucks, frankly terrifies me. No recommended conditions can mitigate the impact trucks can have on our local roads or people. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
N/A |
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposal on two grounds: - The first is based on increased traffic through the local historic community of Lorn where I live. An increase in truck traffic along Belmopre Rd will have an impact on the local community through increased noise, particularly as trucks vary their speed during school start and end times near the pedestrian crossings at both Nillo Infants School and the one closer to Belmore bridge. Current truck noise is excessive when seated outside at my preferred local cafe. An increase in traffic volume will also affect vibration levels, which affect local historic homes and the Belmore Bridge on a cumulative basis. - The second reason for objecting is based on the current intersection of Bolwarra Rd and Patterson Rd, where my wife enters and exits her place of work at Bolwarra Public School (from Lorn). There have been a number of collisions at this intersection over the years and even school children on bikes have been involved in incidents. Fully loaded trucks coming down this hill heading south along Patterson Rd will increase the risk of collision significantly, unless the intersection can be redesigned to include a separate turning lane into Bolwarra Rd. That way, trucks can avoid braking also (reduces noise as a benefit) and safety will be greatly improved. The current intersection is not acceptable and is unsafe. The intersection where Hunterglen Dr meets Patterson Rd (further to the north) is also in need of upgrading as current traffic delays at that intersection are already unsatisfactory. I have experienced this many times. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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See attached |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-expansionnovember-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 60.22 KB) |
Sally Denmead
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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I am a resident of Maitland and object due to the negative impacts to liveability and roads in the Maitland City Council LGA due to the truck movement aspect of this proposal. Obviously I also feel appalled for the residents of Paterson. The level of truck movement proposed will have an appalling impact on our road network, and on the liveability of this area (road crossing safety, noise, air quality, road damage) - particularly trucks moving along Paterson Road, Bolwarra and into Lorn. My child will be attending school on Belmore Road, Lorn on what is already a busy road used by heavy vehicles. Maitland residents experienced the stress of flood impacts to traffic in July this year - the traffic detours and traffic jams over 10 days, with traffic banked up from town and the highway to Paterson and Pitnacree Roads was unbelievable. 3 hour + journeys to get from one side of town to the other. Add 280 trucks coming around / through this area and with any environmental impact (likely due to escalating climate change) or road work impact it would make this area a traffic nightmare to live in. So much new urban release land has been developed in recent years in the Bolwarra area, and there is now a much higher residential population than when the expansion was first proposed. This will impact many residents' day to day quality of life. Air quality is already impacted by coal train movement here; add this level of heavy vehicle pollution and why would anyone in their right mind want to live in this regional area? 280 trucks a day. 1 every minute and a half through Paterson. I can't believe this project has got to this point, with all the strong community objection through the years. If the quarry truly needs to be expanded from an essential resources standpoint, then why can't the ARTC be negotiated with and the rail corridor which is right there by the quarry be used to transport?! I am shocked and appalled - no trucks! |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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Don’t think any consideration has been given to locals regards traffic, damage done to roads and impact done to wild life, also think that it will devalue our property and cause damage done to cars, The roads and towns are not made to deal with this type of traffic and should be rejected on that alone. I live local and Feel they can’t be trusted they did the wrong things last time and will take advantage again |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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To the Commissioner I am most concerned regarding the application of expanding the Martins Creek Quarry. My concerns are - our roads cannot cope. Council cannot keep up with the damage of our roads now let alone with any increase of truck numbers. We have a lot of sub- divisions in our region and our small country roads are strong to coping with the increased traffic. Pot holes and rocks flying up from trucks hitting them AND bouncing out of the truck loads. There are quite a number of windscreen damages in the area now. I am concerned of safety on our roads. People will take risks trying to get pass these trucks. There is only a few places that cars etc can pass these trucks, trying to avoid them. Accidents waiting to happen. - our little village of Paterson We have an expanding population of families using our little village. Families with Small children trying to cross the roads to get to activities at our local hall, shops etc. Turning the corner before the train crossing is a blind spot. More trucks will make it more unsafe crossing the road at this intersection/ corner. Rocks do still fly out of trucks, even though their are "a covered load." This happening in our little town with children waiting to catch buses, families waiting to cross the road to shops, even getting out of the cars, is waiting for a serious accident to happen!!! If these trucks are suppose to bring revenue to our town, where are they parking to buy eg their lunch ???? I can't really see them all buying their lunches etc in Paterson. -our environment / wild life impact. We do have native flora and fauna that will be impacted by the expansions they're requesting. Eg Koalas are being spotted in our area. They're losing their habitats everywhere. Can we save this one?? - money towards our community. What money??? Increased trucks are. NOT. helping our roads, livelihoods, safety. Please listen to our locals and say no to their application of expansion. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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This is to inform you of my objection to the expansion of the Martin’s creek quarry.I am a property owner and run a private business on my property that relies on a quiet nature based environment for clients to access nature based therapy and mental health support I am opposed to the quarry expansion due to the number of trucks running directly past my property impacting on the service provision to my clients. I am a parent who’s children previously and neighbours children currently use our front gate to wait for school busses which will be unsafe for the busses to pull up and pick up/drop off children with the number of trucks on the roads I am a resident whom also works as an outreach worker driving to clients homes and transporting clients and have suffered directly damage to my car such as broken and cracked windscreens from the quarry trucks and flat tyres from all the pot holes in the roads across the Martin’s creek, Paterson area. I have also nearly been rear ended by quarry trucks whilst turning into my property driveway. The dust in the environment is a thin layer in the home most days if windows are open and the toxicity of silica present in the dust is a major health hazard. The environmental impacts of destroying endangered koala habitat and native land, the water contamination and run off that destroys neighbouring property and ends up in the river system is contaminating the environment. The Paterson village is a place where my family seek medical and food supplies most days , including services from the petrol station and post office , the dangerous conditions the trucks create driving through the village make it unsafe for us to attend to our daily activities in the village and destroy those small businesses. The impact on current small businesses greatly outweighs the creation of jobs as truck drivers , and there is currently no shortage of drivers in NSW. The village and community depends on its locals and tourists for its livelihood and this would be such an environmental and economic catastrophe for the whole shire.I oppose the expansion and believe if it is to stay operational at its current capacity truck movements should be monitored closely and restricted to reduce the impact on the village and population both human and wildlife . The village is also a hub for transport services where school children wait and change busses to go to and from school and to attend after school activities and they need to cross the road safely. I don’t believe the dpie report covers or creates good solutions for the community at all . There is other sources of rock at quarries that can cater for the quantities and transport needed . The Martin’s creek quarry does not need to expand , And the current operations should be made to use the rail system not the roads for transport. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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22/11/2022 |
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As a new resident to the area I feel the quarry will negatively impact the area. We have small children and extra trucks on the roads will make it difficult to go for walks & walk to the park crossing Paterson road. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
magic starfish |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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I am opposed to the quarry expansion for many reasons . Just because it has been mined since the early 1900s doesn't mean it should continue or be expanded. My family and I will be impacted by noisy trucks , excessive trucks on the road making crossing the roads difficult and hazardous , extra damage to roads , toxic silica dust in the air , extra noise (from increased rail movements , loss of house value , general quality of life will be diminished if the quarry is expanded. I have lived in Paterson village for over 20 years and remember the bad old days when the quarry trucks rattled and often sped through the village , the noise and added dust was truly awful . Attending the local shops and post office and crossing the road became increasingly dangerous , even parking opposite the shops ( IGA and butchers) was challenging as it is a narrow area and you are likely to get your door swiped . There were increased potholes/ flat tyres and chipped windows , even if Daracon agree to pay for road upgrades it will be a continuous road repair drama with traffic held up . Paterson village roads and historic homes / buildings are not designed for extra gravel trucks hour after hour . The areas of Bolwarra and East Maitland are already at capacity in peak times so added extra trucks will cause immense issues in Maitland as well as in Paterson. Living with ongoing noise and unhealthy dust when you have no power to stop it will be devastating to everyone's mental and physical health , let alone the stress of house values falling. With Silica in the gravel this is a major health concern as the air is full of it , not only at blasting times , even though the trucks are lightly covered it still seems to get out and go everywhere as the particles are so small . Silicosis is an incurable lung disease that is caused from inhaling very fine dust particles over many years . Our whole local population is at risk of this should the quarry expand and operate again . Surely a class action that Daracon and the Government would like to avoid . I am also concerned about destruction of the koala and native habitat and have attached a photo of a koala taken on 16.11.22 by a local at Black Rock Rd Martins Creek and shared to the local Facebook page . Land clearing and blasting will affect many local species . The local river will also have added run off which apparently runs white when the quarry is operating . We need to save as much local habitat areas as possible and use what ever natural areas we have left to our advantage for sustainable eco tourism . As an area of frequent flood and occasional fire we must use our land wisely . Being perfectly located as an area for tourists from Sydney to visit the peaceful location , more and more visitors come to our area . They come during the week as well as weekends with many elderly groups and clubs coming from Newcastle , Sydney etc to enjoy our picturesque peaceful village . This will all be ruined if the quarry is expanded and reopened . Since Covid the world has changed with many people ( myself ) still working from home ,our society is moving away from that 9-5 Mon to Friday mindset . We also have an aging population so more retirees going out and about .So the hours of operation proposed by Daracon don't take this into consideration , slowing down operations at 3pm for school pick up , forgets about the morning 8 - 9am drop off etc. There is never really a good time to have an extra 280 trucks on the road . 24 hr rail loading will also be awful for those living near the tracks . We also hear the trains despite being hundreds of meters form the tracks . Extra continuous trains will mean the rail crossing In Paterson and north will be closed for many more times a day , Daracon have said there is a need for the quarry for gravel and jobs . Currently there is no shortage of jobs for truck drivers in the state , but a huge demand . There are other quarries that are in better locations and have better access to rail and motorway for transport , that possibly could be more sustainably set up and have a better history of corporate community responsibility. Local people do not trust Daracon at all ,and have concerns about how any breach of conditions be policed and sorted out should the quarry reopen . Should another company make a similar application I would also object . I believe the site should close and be regenerated ( if possible) It could be a showcase and and the area would attract more visitors enjoying the beautiful area . The locals will enjoy a better quality of life . I am also concerned about any Aboriginal artefacts that may be destroyed . This was and always will be Aboriginal Land , A spear tree was found in 2015 and documented in an EIS . Unfortunately much more was probably blown up and destroyed before 2015 . Reckless and unnecessary destruction of aboriginal land should cease . I do not believe that all the proposed conditions will offset or mitigate adverse impacts. |
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Attachments |
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Nicholas Lodo
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New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Traffic for myself and my family |
Name Redacted
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of Paterson , I oppose the expansion of Martins creek Quarry. I believe Martins Creek quarry should only continue to operate as per the current consents. Any increase in the amount to be blasted, extracted, crushed and transported will have a negative impact on health and safety for the residents of Martins creek village, Paterson Village and the rest of the suggested transport route to East Maitland. The community (except for all the new residents and business owners) have unfortunately had the lived experience (illegal operations) of the suggested increase in extraction volume. It was unlivable. There are still unresolved road safety issues, impacts to village activity centre function, loss of rural amenity, loss of village amenity and unacceptable residual social impacts. There is also the culminative impacts of trucks from Brandy Hill quarry at the Bolwarra intersection. As has already been pointed out to you at the public hearing, the Hunter Valley already has its fair share of quarries, and there are more in the proposal stages. The location of Martins Creek quarry was well suited as a rail ballast quarry, but NOT as a mega quarry. The best location for mega quarries is right next to main state roads and highways, NOT through historic villages. I also believe the submissions that are in support for this project appear to be mainly Daracon employees, that like previously, have been asked to support the project with a submission. I believe their submission should not have the same amount of weight as an affected resident. My family will be the ones affected for the next 25 years not the employees. You as the Independent Planning Commission should read all the previous submissions that have been lodged with the planning department. You would then understand why the community has no trust in this process. How the planning department has not done their job, communities have been neglected. Profits before people. How did the planning department recommend this for approval??? They have not addressed our concerns. PLEASE read the all the previous submissions, you too will find that the planning department are incompetent and negligent. Daracon repair/build roads and highways, think about the monopoly they would have on every road upgrades they put a tender in for. I foresee that they will undercut other companies due to the fact they can supply their own gravel. Daracon profits, all at the expense of our communities. I have 4 children that will all be getting their licence over the next 8yrs, it concerns me that you are willing to add risk to their lives by introducing more heavy vehicles on our local roads. I fear community backlash if this project goes ahead. In the words of Thomas Sowell: It’s hard to imagine a more stupid or dangerous way of making decisions than putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong. As far as I’m concerned, the public are sick and tired of public servants and politicians making decisions that ultimately affect us, but they will not have to not through the consequences. They are never held to account for their decisions. They just move on and get their yearly pension whether they did a good job or not. If approved, as far as I am concerned, these names below will be responsible. Department of Planning Team-Clay Preshaw, Jessie Evans and James McDonough IPC Panel - Chris Wilson, Clare Sykes, Snow Barlow The politicians that signs it off For the next 25yrs. |
Chris Pillidge
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear I.P.C. Members. As a regular road user of sections of the proposed development, I express concern regarding the negative impact that it will cause for now and into the future. As urban development increases and expands, more pressure will be felt on the existing roadways which even now are under considerable stress to cope. Some areas have experienced major flooding twice this calendar year and as a regular road user in the area, I can witness the damage and the increase in repairs as departments strain to keep up with repair demands. The proposed increase in heavy haulage to my mind will make the situation even more unattainable. Traffic congestion especially at peak hour times will increase. Safety for all road users, be they Heavy Haulage, Car or Motorcycle, Bicycle and Pedestrian users, Residents and Visitors, all have expectations of a safe road environment to allow them to commence their journey and arrive at their destination safely. The existing road environment is already under considerable stress coping with traffic loads. Increased Heavy Haulage numbers will not assist this situation. The boundary of the Martins Creek Quarry appears to be in close proximity to the existing railway line from Maitland to the South and Dungog to the North/East (map attached). What is the feasibility of quarry product being transported to a siding located on the quarry site which then could connect to the existing rail line for transportation? |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the quarry expansion. Paterson is my home. It is a beautiful community that many far and wide enjoy. Please don't destroy it! |
Eric Werkhoven
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of East Gresford who regularly use the roads to Maitland. The condition of roads in the area is already extremely bad, with the added stress of all the quarry trucks it will become dangerous for locals traveling to Maitland. The many extra huge trucks will will make driving in family cars more dangerous, as the trucks will dominate the roads. The tourist village of Paterson, I often shop at will become a nightmare to cross roads, park your car etc. Tourism in these areas will diminish, property values will plummet. Noise and polluted air will greatly increase. It is sheer insanity in this day and age and environmental awareness for the development of the quarry to proceed in this manner. Far better alternative is to transport by rail way. Re-new the old railway from quarry. |
Jodie Cox
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. The original application was extremely unsuitable for the site and surrounds and the Amended Development Application has done little to reduce that unacceptable burden. The increase in road movements is unsustainable in this tiny community and dangerous in the outlying areas. The impact on the wellbeing of people living around Martin's Creek and Paterson alone make it unsuitable, it will greatly impact on their social amenity and sense of place, as trucks rattle down the street, clunk over the railway crossings, take over the roads spreading dust and fumes in their wake. How could anyone comprehend that a truck through the main corner of Paterson every 90 seconds is ok? How can Daracon justify the impact on our community? The impacts of this will be felt for generations. The safety of other road users is also at stake, as someone who has shared the narrow roads around the area with haulage trucks, I know how dangerous those roads can be just for cars. Let alone trucks with other trucks, cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife. Whilst I currently live at Hinton and am impacted by truck noise along the road to Hinton Bridge, I am also a landowner at Duns Creek and a part of the community, with a view to moving soon. I know what a valuable eco-system we have in the area, with dwindling areas for vulnerable Koalas any impacts on the environment and our native fauna cannot be underestimated. We will look back at this time and ask how could we ignore these impacts... |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The decreased amenity for the community, resulting from noise, dust, traffic issues and the destruction of the natural environment, are clear by any measure. The true consequences on individual wellbeing and the social fabric can be ascertained, with accuracy, by the lived experience - the detrimental impacts of the increased trucking movements have been voiced plaintively and specifically by the local community and their representatives. The company’s appalling track record of ignoring and overstepping previous restrictions, in breach of the consents granted, along with attempts to justify the same, suggest that we can only expect an ongoing disregard for the boundaries of approvals in the future. That is, whatever is granted in terms of scope of operations is highly likely to be exceeded. As a rate payer, supporting the building, maintenance and repair of local roads, I will now be subsiding transport infrastructure for a company that has shown itself to be untrustworthy in their dealings and contemptuous of the local community. This submission is undeserving of support. It has not only the potential for highly destructive environmental and social outcomes, but given the applicant has shown flagrant disregard for the limits of previous approvals, these outcomes would actually seem likely. I object. |
Brent Eslick
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the quarry. If you allow for the proposed number of trucks to come through the historic township of Paterson you can kiss the town goodbye. |
Tara Carter
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Website |
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Submission |
I believe that expansion will be detrimental to the environment, the flora and fauna and the local residents. |
Robert Booth
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I object to the Martins Creek Quarry Upgrade Project in its present form. The essence of my objection relates to the transporting of quarry material by using the road infrastructure in our community. The increase in traffic by the haulage truck & dogs will cause many issues to the community including the historical township of Paterson. The Proposal outlines major modifications to the intersection of King & Duke Streets in Paterson which alter the road alignment (not profile) within the active section of the township with no consideration for the pedestrian use of the businesses within the busy township. There is no provision for safe crossing of the thoroughfare by Children, Aged & Disabled and active Residents. The increase of "backed up" traffic at he corner of Duke & King streets due to the railway crossing gates closed when a train passes through is a concern for any pedestrian who wishes to be visible to cross the road. The "dogleg" road alignment at the intersection of Duke/Maitland/Prince streets is also of major concern due to lack of sight and awkward vehicle movements at this intersection; especially for the number of extra truck & dog traffic both directions. The adjacent new Public toilet facilities is a cause for concern including a safe point for road crossing due to it being a distraction to road users, including truck & dogs. My prime point of issue against the Quarry Upgrade Proposal is that haulage of the Quarry product utilising existing local public roads is not an acceptable outcome for the population of our region. Either the Proposal examine and construct a new dedicated road haulage way OR: That Quarry product (can be despatched in larger lumps by Primary crushing) be transported by Rail from Martins Creek to, I suggest, the Bloomfield Mine at Fourmile Creek at East Maitland into the existing rail loop and unloaded, stocked and able to be reloaded into rail wagons or truck & dogs for disribution. I note that the Bloomfield Mine is reducing their operations due to the reduction of coal reserves. I would also suggest larger wagons be utilised for this duty. The current rail loading loop serves as a product outloading facility for export Coal ( -50mm x 0 ). There is incorporated within the rail loop profile an unloading facility which can be recommissioned to take bottom dump wagons. The existing rail loop system would require a conveyor to outload and stack the quarry products into a stockpile. Should a coarser Quarry product be produced and transported then the stockpiled material at the rail loop could be further treated by further crushing and stored into discreet stockpiles awaiting despatch. Loading the haulage trucks within the stockpile area could be effected by front end loader or storage bin. The utilisation of the rail network by Martins Creek Quarry to an offsite storage & loading facility such as the Bloomfield rail loop would would enable the Martins Creek Quarry to increase their effective weekly processing timeframes. |
Graeme Dally
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Organisation |
Neighbours of Winfarthing Inc. |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As President of our community group, Neighbours of Winfarthing Inc, who are dealing with a State Significant Development application for the proposed Marulan Quarry by Global Quarries Australia Pty Ltd, we have found that they have repeatedly made false claims, obfuscate, mislead, and make contradictory statements and submitted inaccurate documentation to State Planning, that we picked up and informed State Planning of these. We have also identified pages of documentation submitted to State Planning, for another SSD which has be directly copied from the Global Quarries/ GHD paperwork. We have lost all hope of a genuine and honest Environmental Impact Statement, whenever that may be. So far 3 years and 9 months and counting. This is by the proponents as well as State Planning. How can we trust either? If the Martins Creek Quarry had operated for years unlawfully as stated in the Land and Environment Court decision by J Dugan on 23 September 2019, how can they be trusted to now lawfully follow their conditions of operations, if approved? What guarantee have they given? How will the locals know that they have not followed their conditions? Will the state government be regularly monitoring them? Their application for SSD should, at least, have not only minimum requirements but best practice to show that they intend to now operate taking the community into account and account for their previous behaviour. From my readings it doesn’t appear that they have. The local community must have some iron clad guarantees from both the State Government as well as the proponents, if approved. This obviously didn’t happen in the past and these guarantees must be put in place in an open and transparent process, to ensure the proponents are following all conditions and the Department of Planning accurately monitoring their compliance. On a personal level, both my wife and myself have family roots going back to the earliest English settlers in the Maitland, Patterson and Dungog areas. On our frequent visits to the area we have always admired the historical, social and cultural aspects and want them to not be destroyed by this proposal. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My husband and I have lived in Paterson for almost 20 years. We moved to the area to provide a rural, tranquil environment for our small family of 4. We remember the devastation the last quarry movements of circa 2014 created in our beautiful rural community. I was at the time working in one of the small businesses in Paterson and the noise and disruption to the business was extremely disturbing, (found it very difficult to hear on the phone) as well as the dust that was created. The greater traffic was also of concern for the families attempting to do extra curricular activities. I now work at another small business in Paterson and am greatly concerned about the affects these truck movements may have on our community. If they go ahead and take out the corner in front of the post office and then remove all on street car parking, all the small businesses of Paterson will suffer. I know for a fact that if our older community members cannot get a close park to the business they'd like to visit, they more than likely won't stop! Also it needs to be pointed out that the proposed increased truck movements will affect the safety of pedestrians, both young and old, it will be dangerous for them to get in and out of local businesses whom they have supported over many years. The socioeconomic and cultural status of the village would be severely damaged. A profit making enterprise should never be able to override the needs of a long standing community which has extremely strong ties, where many families over many generations have settled in and around the township of Paterson. The Martins Creek quarry seems to be at an impractical position in regards to their desire to increase their production schedule as there is no direct connection to a major transport hub - the roads of Paterson/Martins Creek etc and surrounds will not handle these excessive proposed laden truck movements!! It only stands to reason that if a business wishes to expand their operations, they can only do so, when they can avoid doing harm to the majority of people living in the area. This obviously is not the case with the current proposal. Thank you for your consideration |
William White
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The following statement is in regard to the proposed approval of the Martins Creek Quarry. It highlights key impacts the current plan for the quarry will have on residents all throughout the community but more specifically the town of Paterson, in which I grew up. When this mine previously operated it was done so illegally and more trucks were passed through than Daracon were allowed. The constant rumbling and banging of trucks could be heard all the way from the top of the hill on which I lived. This constantly disrupted sleeps and activities carried out through the day. It was extremely unpleasant and took away from the beauty of being surrounded by so much nature in this small little town. Not only did it have an impact on the mental wellbeing of residents, but it also damaged the roads to a point at which it became unsafe for regular cars to drive on at times with so many potholes. This volume of trucks also meant that drivers were having a slower commute in and out of town, this can result in tension for drivers and possibly lead to unsafe driving which can have severe negative impacts on the community as people may get injured or even worse die in a car accident. This number of trucks moving through the community will also mean local businesses will suffer at an alarming rate due to the proposed removal of kerbside parking and the unpleasant nature that trucks will pose as they pass through the country café, both pubs, doctors, and chemists along with the renowned Paterson Service Station. These shops cater for the needs of 500-1000 residents and the closure of these due to lack of business ensued from the chaos of 40 trucks an hour will wreak havoc amongst the lives of many community members. Another issue is the illegal nature at which this company previously operated, Daracon are a large entity and from past dealings have no issue operating illegally and what’s going to stop them this time? There is no limit at which this company will go to boosts their profits as they destroy the lives of communities, they have no regard for. Just like every other large mine in NSW Daracon should ne forced to build a bypass road to traffic their mined materials, use of the rail line also makes much more sense than the roads which barely stay in good condition from cars driving on them. All in all, the approval of the current plan for Daracon to traffic their mined materials is utterly ridiculous. They have tried to ruin the community once before with these outrageous amounts of trucks and are trying to do so again. If you approve this mine, you are putting big corporations ahead of the working class and destroying the future of so many towns which foster many nostalgic and current memories for so many citizens. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This will have lasting effects on the community and environment. The unique biodiversity will not recover if this goes ahead. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Bolwarra Heights I am very concerned about the impact of trucks on the roads in my area. There are already a lot of trucks using Paterson road and Tocal road and the situation has become quite dangerous at times. In fact one morning when I was walking my dog a truck swerved to miss a car turning into the service station and according to onlookers only missed me and my dog by a matter of centimetres. I have witnessed a number of incidents and near misses involving trucks on these roads. With the number of new developments and people moving into the area it is inevitable that the roads are going to become more congested with a greater chance of serious accidents occurring. I am also concerned about the impact the expansion to the quarry will have on the environment and wildlife in the area. Australia has a terrible reputation as far as managing its own natural resources and the number of species that are now extinct is testament to that appalling situation. The quarry expansion will also undoubtedly cause a lowering of air quality and environmental pollution that will have a far reaching affect. I feel that this is a very short sighted project that will have serious and long lasting consequences for the community with very little financial and material benefit involved, and I urge council to not approve this project. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposal as a local community member. The amount of trucks estimated to travel through town are astronomical. They will cause significant damage to the roads, create traffic hazards, increased risk of accidents, increase noise. These trucks will travel directly past my house causing significant disruption. |
Christopher Thornton
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Organisation |
Managing Director |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The traffic currently on Patterson Rd is very high and the additional trucks that this development will add to this traffic is completely unacceptable. There are schools and daycares along the road and having a high number of trucks passing past these zones also allows for a significantly increased safety risk. Therefore based off these two points we strenuously object to this expansion going ahead. We would only remove our objection if the amount of trucks passing through the community were greatly reduced or completely removed by as a parent of a young family the risk to trucks passing so close to the schools and daycare to where our children go is too dangerous to accept. |
Sam Bean
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Location |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This will have disastrous ongoing impacts to local wildlife and the outstanding natural biodiversity currently found in the area. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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My family home is located on Martins Creek Road. Over the years we have witnessed time and time again the impact on the natural environment with dead and half-dead animals along the roadsides, the dangers of trucks barrelling along roads of concealed driveways with no footpaths where school children catch busses. The endless potholes and road edges kept frayed by the heavy use. The noise of the quarry works already carries across the valley and the long term environmental impact is of great concern for local property owners. The Paterson valley is a beautiful place and needs to be kept that way. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
In my opinion the significant increase in heavy vehicle traffic will have a negative impact on residents wellbeing, access and local traffic in Lorn and Bolwarra. |
Joanne Herbert
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The impact on the community, the environment, the load and the safety impact of the roads , the impact on residence directly effected and as if anyone needs more stress than we have all endured over the last few years. The word Development doesn’t mean improvements anymore , it means destruction . Think environment and people before $$$$$$$ |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear Officers of the IPC, As a resident of the Martin's Creek area (living on property to the east of the quarry on ⬛⬛⬛) I write to present my objection to the proposed changes to the existing quarry site, the increases in production, and the resulting negative impacts. Whilst it is abundantly clear that we need transport infrastructure and materials with which to build it, it is even more clear that the proposed increases in production will result in some really poor outcomes for the local community. The most significant of these is the impact of traffic (resulting directly from road freight to and from the quarry site as well as, indirect traffic caused by those seeking new routes via Martin's Creek and surrounding roads such as Paterson road to avoid the additional traffic caused on Dungog, Gresford and Tocal Rds) to anyone traveling or living along any of the listed routes that will be used by road freight accessing the quarry and any adjacent that will be impacted by the aforementioned indirect traffic. These increases in road usage will result in an increase in noise and physical pollution, the destruction of a vibrant and historic agricultural and tourist economy, as well as posing a significant threat to local native fauna and other road users. This includes a small but not insignificant local koala population, which is based throughout the Martin's Creek, Dunn's Creek, Butterwick, Hilldale, etc. areas. Similarly, Tocal Rd and almost all of the other roads involved feature a wide array of users, including multiple busy school bus routes, with considerable numbers of school-age pedestrians. The addition of the proposed additional number of freight movements will undoubtedly have an impact on the safety of all of the aforementioned groups and stakeholders. Given the proximity to and existence of a current railhead to the quarry site, is there any reason the quarry operator has not explored the potential of replacing the proposed increase in road freight with rail freight that might transport quarry products to a more convenient, efficient and safe secondary loading depot closer to the Hunter expressway/highway that would have less adverse and manifold impacts on the Martin's Creek and surrounding areas? I appreciate your consideration of this submission and thank you for your time in considering all others. Yours sincerely, Angus Morgan |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The number of heavy vehicles going through the township of Paterson then travelling along Tocal Road is simply too many. They will have a negative impact on local businesses. The road will struggle with the weight and volume of vehicles. Passing a b-double on that road at the moment can be terrifying as they go too fast and often swerve across into oncoming lanes or cut corners with little regard to other vehicles, including cyclists. As a frequent user of the road, and visitor/customer at local businesses, this will impact my decision whether to shop locally or travel to Maitland to shop away from the noise of the trucks and the need to cross the road in Paterson, but still needing to deal with the heavy vehicles when driving, whatever I decide. Though I live along the rail line and the noise would have more impact on me, I think the use of rail for all transportation of gravel would be a better option for the development |
Bernadette Showman
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We are writing to object the application to expand the Martins Creek Quarry. My daughter and son in law and grandson live on the proposed ⬛⬛⬛to this quarry. My husband and I are in our late seventies. We visit our daughter most Friday's and enjoy a meal at one of the local Cafe's or Hotel's. We look forward to coming to Paterson and often use the local Butcher. I am afraid if that many trucks are approved to travel this route, we will have to forgo this outing. It's just so sad to think that a beautiful historic village will be over run by a massive company that want to haul rocks and gravel. Paterson has a long history of early settlement and beautiful heritage homes and buildings. I hope we can protect this very special village and surrounding areas from such a disturbing project. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. Stop destroying my country. |
Hugh Craig
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed development entails destruction of a substantial area of woodlands. This would occur in a surrounding area which is becoming more and more closely settled, and in which any further undermining of biodiversity is particularly retrogressive. The proposed increase to levels of heavy vehicle traffic is damaging to the safety of local residents and will result in sharply increased noise and diesel particulate pollution. The quarry operators have previously committed to reversing the degradation of roads caused by their vehicles but have failed to honour their promises, thus any new promises in the current proposal should be discounted entirely. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to this development because of the environmental distruction that will happen if it goes ahead. Secondly, because of the chaos it would cause to the towns/suburbs near the development. The roads would be clogged with trucks and it would be dangerous, dirty, and noisy for local inhabitants as well as local wildlife. |
Peter Rees
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Please see attachment "Submission on SSD 6612." |
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Attachments |
ssd-6612-final-submission-to-ipcpdf.pdf (PDF, 1.17 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Do not go ahead for the sake of going ahead, think of the lives you will affect and harm |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Sustaining the Williams Valley Inc |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We are opposing the development on the grounds of the adverse environmental impact the expansion will have on the area. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to SSD6612 as per my attached document. |
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Attachments |
ipc-submissiondocx.docx (DOCX, 8.3 MB) |
Robyn Werkhoven
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of East Gresford who regularly use the roads to Maitland. The condition of roads in the area is already extremely bad, with the added stress of all the quarry trucks it will become dangerous for locals traveling to Maitland. The many extra huge trucks will will make driving in family cars more dangerous, as the trucks will dominate the roads. The tourist village of Paterson, I often shop at will become a nightmare to cross roads, park your car etc. Tourism in these areas will diminish, property values will plummet. Noise and polluted air will greatly increase. It is sheer insanity in this day and age and environmental awareness for the development of the quarry to proceed in this manner. Far better alternative is to transport by rail way. Re-new the old railway from quarry. |
Wayne Stedman
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposal being the owner and occupiers of a residential home at 22 Maitland road Paterson. The huge amount of truck movements past my home has in the past created excessive amounts of noise and created continuous amounts of dust from poorly maintained trucks. Myself and my son are both shift workers and are continuously woken during the day from the noise generated by the continuous movements of trucks along Maitland road Paterson. My wife and my son are both asthmatic and suffer from the airborne dust created from the trucks driving past our home continuously. We are long term residents and have experienced this type of traffic in the past. We also have grave concerns for the safety of pedestrians that walk past our home during the day trying to access the the council owned Tucker Park, trying desperately to cross Maitland road with children. We have at times witnessed many near misses from speeding trucks who recklessly disregard the speed limit. We also believe this proposal will have a significant negative impact on the village residents and business owners turning tourists away from our small town. We also believe this will have an impact on our property and it’s value. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of the Morpeth community, I am deeply concerned about the safety of our friends and neighbours as a result of the additional proposed heavy truck movements. With the truck movements, we also don't welcome the additional noise and possible traffic holdups and the subsequent deterioration of our roads. I’m am also concerned about the wild life in the Hunter Valley regions which will possibly be affected by this project. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
The preferred route is to turn off Paterson Rd on to Flat Rd and join the New England Highway via East Maitland therefore avoiding Belmore Rd through Bolwarra and Lorn. A strong enforceable condition on the quarry needs to be included other than a statement of preference. This will ensure the quarry is responsible for the route taken by quarry customers and that adherence to the Flat Rd route is monitored and able to be audited. Rogue truck drivers and goodwill of the quarry operator alone can not be trusted. Please require an strong and enforceable condition on the use of Flat Rd. |
Margarete Ritchie
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Organisation |
VOWW (Voice of Wallalong and Woodville and surrounding localities) Inc. |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We strongly oppose the expansion of this quarry and in particular the use of the rural road network. Please refer to written submission in the attachment. |
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Attachments |
voww-submission-re-martins-creek-quarry-haulage-route-2-pdf.pdf (PDF, 201.05 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Risk to locals and the native flora and fauna |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of Vacy and would like to OBJECT to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion proposal. My reasons are as follows: 1. The significant numbers of truck and dog movements on our roads will degrade our roads further and will increase the likelihood of traffic accidents. Local roads should not be used to transport large amounts of gravel. It is unacceptable for both road users and pedestrians in Martins Creek, Paterson and along the haul route all the way to East Maitland. I am 22 and drive every day on these roads. I also have a younger sister and brother (both on their P plates) and I worry about their safety on the roads with an extra 280 truck movements between Martins Creek and East Maitland and back. 2. The noise, dust and diesel fumes caused by this level of truck transport is completely unacceptable to all the people who live in this area and tourists who come here to enjoy the rural beauty and (normally) clean air found in the Paterson Valley. 3. The expansion to 1.1 million tonnes of gravel per year for 25 years will require frequent, large scale blasting and other significant levels of quarrying noise which will have a negative impact on the quality of life of residents around the quarry area. Having a large scale quarry operating in a rural residential area is a ridiculous proposal. 4. The dust (silica is toxic) and water pollution that will be generated by expanding this quarry operation to these levels will effect the physical and mental health of the residents living in this area. 5. The current and future money generated by tourism will be significantly affected as people will just stop visiting this area. House prices will also drop significantly. We have seen what mining has done in other areas and we don't want the same for our thriving towns. 6. The destruction the the environment caused by blasting and excavating that much gravel out of the local landscapes will be irreparable. We have Australian native animals and plants in this area that are endangered and need to be preserved at all costs. Think about the future generations of people and animals that will suffer if you allow this totally stupid expansion proposal to go ahead. Daracon can make money elsewhere. The people in these communities must be allowed to live safely and happily without the constant threat to wellbeing that will result if you allow this mining expansion to go ahead. |
Jillian Stibbard
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I spoke to the IPC when they met community members at Tocal and my main issue was increased traffic through Paterson if the recommendation of the DOP is adopted. I have many other issues with the DOP proposed conditions of consent. Firstly, I was astounded to read that Daracon had been consulted and agreed to the conditions of consent proposed by the DOP. How can such a process be considered open and transparent. Referring to page 19 (para 72) of the assessment report, Gostwyck bridge is not a 2 lane bridge for anyone. Trucks travelling to and from the quarry will create a log jam on both sides of the bridge; even though trucks should leave the quarry with minutes between each load, a build up of traffic at the bridge will result in bumper to bumper trucks and other vehicles at busy times. That bumper to bumper effect will be exacerbated when a train crosses the road at Paterson. Whilst sitting here writing this submission, I can easily imagine the resulting traffic chaos. There is a very short overtaking space after turning onto Gresford Road from Dungog Road. Any vehicle which cannot pass the trucks on that very limited space will be stuck behind a row of trucks and other vehicles until well past Paterson at Tocal. In relation to Road Safety at page 22 & 23 of the Assessment Report, I submit that the recommendations accepted by the DOP will not provide a safe environment for other road users; cyclists, pedestrians and other drivers will be at risk. The consultant’s reports in relation to traffic were prepared years ago. Maitland is one of the fastest growing areas in the State. The intersection of Flat Road and Melbourne Street, at East Maitland is already extremely busy and will not cope with the additional truck movements proposed by the DOP recommendations. It is my position that all material should be moved from the quarry by rail and not until the rail extension works have been completed by Daracon. This will result in no material being extracted until that work is done which it seems may be some while. The Commissioners may not be aware that the Applicant closed the quarry for some months during this application process. The world survived without Martins Creek Quarry material which the Applicant purports is essential for industry. I submit that the quarry should be closed again and until the rail extension work is complete. At page 8 of the recommended development consent document (A28) the Applicant is required to establish a Community Consultative Committee. A29 provides for evidence of consultation. Such recommendations are insulting to the local community. They are simply ‘motherhood statements’ which will put the applicant to some insignificant expense and inconvenience but achieve nothing since there are no enforcement provisions. At B38 such truck movements records should be published weekly and where does one go if Daracon is not complying? Road Upgrade conditions are nothing short of ridiculous - the burden for those upgrades can fall on the Council and in the meantime, the Applicant is doing what it wants - shifting very large quantities by road. At B44, the traffic management plan does not achieve anything. There are no penalties and how are the conditions to be enforced? Of course Daracon would agree to them. Any impact on the Paterson River (into which Martins Creek flows) is far too important to the local farming community to allow the proposed development as recommended by the DOP. Over all, I say that the proposed conditions of consent are woefully inadequate and the Development Application should be rejected so that Dungog Council’s 1991 conditions of consent stand or that all material extracted be removed by rail. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Lorn since my childhood, the difficulty of entering and exiting the suburb and accessing my home during various times is already magnified by the number of trucks passing through. On top of this, the danger that they pose to pedestrians along Belmore Rd is a great concern, given the presence of the infants’ school and village centre on that road. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
• impacts to biodiversity such as koala and glider population through clearing of trees. • increased truck traffic and transport through small towns • reduce air quality from quarry expansion |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the Martin Creeks Expansion. This is a trucking hell for all residents of Bolwarra, Paterson, Bolwarra Heights,Lorn, East Maitland and surrounds. Our roads are already ridiculously congested and not designed for such huge activity. The current congestion at both Hunter Glen and Bolwarra Service Station is an accident waiting to happen, to add to this large numbers of huge barrowing loaded trucks will result in absolute mayhem and possible fatalities. I personally have witnessed numerous near misses that literally takes my breath away. The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and school children MUST be taken into consideration currently there is no room to overtake a bus picking up children due to newly installed island and pedestrian crossing. Surely commonsense and a duty care must prevail and ensure this ludicrous proposal does not go ahead. These trucks would further deteriorate already unsafe roads, create further congestion, endanger residents, cyclists and school children, put existing wildlife in further danger, plummet real estate prices, effect noise and air pollution, contribute to even greater stress and mental health issues to hardworking tax paying residents. The quarry has existing established rail infrastructure designed to remove trucks from our community roads this fact further frustrates us all. Common sense and a duty of care to the residents surely must prevail. No to Martin Creek Quarry Expansion. Save our community, save lives and save our wildlife and environment |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I absolutely object to any quarry expansion at Martins Creek I chose to live in the Dungog Shire for its beauty, peace and natural environment and on average drive to Maitland via Martins Creek and Paterson once per week For me the socioeconomic impacts mentioned above pertain to the businesses in Paterson and not to the limited employment opportunities offered by the quarry and its activities Paterson is a very charming little village that attracts lots of visitors who then travel on another 25 mins to places like my town of Dungog However the constant rumble of big trucks causing lots of dust has completely ruined the idyll. Since the quarry has had to operate legally the difference has been immense and a huge improvement on the roads, the town, residents and visitors It's so obvious that the quarry should not be expanded....it's unbelievable that Government is willing to ruin the lives and livelihoods of innnocent residents There almost seems to be more emphasis these days put on koala habitat. So perhaps I should protest the expansion on behalf of the koala's and other innocent fauna and flora that will be uprooted if 21ha of native bushland is cleared. We can't survive without each other and are equally as important Put people and nature first and learn from past mistakes |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the SSD6612 application. Please see my submission in supporting file. |
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Attachments |
rm2022martinscreekquarrysubmissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 3.44 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live at Bolwarra Heights and will be directly impacted by the increased production at Martins Creek Quarry. I will list my concerns by sections as detailed below. Capacity of the Quarry The road transfer of material indicated on the application indicates 500,000 Tonnes per Anum. The application indicates 20 trucks per hour. At 20 trucks x 10 hrs x 5 days x 50 weeks this equates to 1,500,000 Tonnes per Anum. Clearly Daracon intend to breach the applied for capacity. The rail transfer of material on the application indicates 600,000 Tonnes per Anum. This does equate to two trainloads per day. However, the information supplied by Daracon informs us that this only applies to " the operation of modern aggregate or ballast trains because of the shunting times involved in loading" In other words if we don't require to access that material on that day then we don't have to abide by the rail rules. Daracon have no control, It is ARTC who control the rail schedule. In summary for this section Daracon already have an application in to exceed the annual capacity of their "Cover" application. The last and final statement of the authority which closed the quarry last time was that the owners had deliberately and knowingly excavated $100 million dollars' worth of illegal product from the quarry. Road quality As has already been seen with the roads used by Brandy Hill Quarry the roads have deteriorated completely. These where never designed for the size and number of trucks that are currently using them. In addition, they cannot be repaired without major costs. The amount that Daracon offer for road up care is embarrassingly low. Noise This is the area that effect my wife and I the most and is totally unacceptable. We live at Bolwarra Heights and bought the property some 20 years ago with a view to living in a "rural" setting. When Daracon operated the quarry previously the noise from the trucks was unbearable. It starts at 6am with empty noisy trucks going to the quarry and continued all day with returning trucks using compression breaking to slow down. We have contacted Maitland Council to ask for permission to install sound retention fencing but this has been refused as they say that the area is still listed as residential and requires post and wire fencing. In summary for this area if you permit the quarry to operate under the applied conditions then it would appear that it leaves me with no other alternative but to ignore the local council ruling and build a new fence. Which i do believe should be at Daracons expense. Safety I do not wish to repeat myself traffic quantities as this should be obvious by now what the general public's concerns are. There are many road hazards on the proposed routes including Paterson itself. I will list below the ones local to me. Junction between Paterson and Tocal roads. This is a filter road access and is currently inadequate in its design to cope with normal car traffic. This is where the Martins Creek and Brandy Hill Quarry trucks converge. Number of trucks plus size Both weight and dimension) equate to an inevitable disaster at the junction. If we travel South some 200 meters, there are two unmanned school crossing. Again, with the volume of trucks form both quarries that are traveling down that road a catastrophic event is waiting to happen. East Maitland traffic lights. Currently during school drop off and pick up there are long ques at this intersection. Addition trucks, in both ways, will bring the area to a grinding halt. Maitland Bridge Both quarries have been told not to use this route. Brandy Hill trucks are using this. Both quarries will ignore agreed routes if it effects their profit margin. Lorn and South Maitland will come to a grinding halt due to the limited slipways at this intersection. Jobs Martins Creek, when operating, employs thirty-two personnel. The numbers of two hundred plus jobs are fictitious. The existing truck drivers will still be employed as they are today. General Summary Whole rural communities will be totally destroyed if the quarry is approved. The only winners will be financial and that will be Daracon. Final note should be that if any of the issued highlighted in my Safety section come to fruition then I will be sending a copy of my concerns to the press. Regards in anticipation |
Laura Beaumont
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The Martins Creek Quarry has existed for over a century, with developer, Daracon, now seeking approval to further expand the project at the existing site. Whilst this would be of some economic benefit to the local area and beyond, the social impacts of the project have been inadequately addressed within the amended project proposal, and I object to the future development. Within this submission, I will comment on the issues of transport and traffic, the social impact upon local communities, biodiversity implications, a zoning infringement, and the disproportional representation of improved local employment opportunities and community funding. This submission has been informed by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s ‘Martins Creek Quarry Project – State Significant Development Assessment’. First, addressing the issues relating to transport, traffic and road usage. The proposed expansion would see 500,000 tpa of materials (of a 1.1 Mtpa site-total) transported one primary road-haulage route, equating up to 280 truck movements per day. These planned movements are approximately a three-fold increase on current numbers and also a significant increase to the currently-approved road haulage limits, which are restricted to approximately thirty-per-cent of a much lower annual production volume. Furthermore, these changes would result in one truck passing through the small community of Paterson almost every two minutes during operating hours (7am-5pm, Monday-Saturday). Aside from significantly disturbing the quiet country town and detracting from its heritage feel, I struggle to comprehend the conclusions that have been drawn, stating this immense increase in traffic volume would not contribute to more rapid degeneration of local roads. Dungog Shire Council has acknowledged that paving conditions along a portion of the proposed primary haulage route are already poor to very poor, and it is my opinion that the proposed remuneration offered by Daracon for the destruction of the community’s roads by their vehicles is severely deficient. Further heightening my concern is the pre-existing knowledge of Daracon’s prior disregard for legislated haulage limits, which resulted in legal action in 2019 for acting outside the approved scope of the operation, in which they were found to have been adding more trucks to our roads than their legal limit. Additionally, the current access road to the quarry is from within the township of Martins Creek itself. The proposal outlines a plan to build a new access road on the far-side of the site, however this is not planned to undergo construction until two years after the commencement of the project. Given the sheer volume of trucks entering and leaving the quarry, road upgrades should be enforced prior to the commencement of the increase in road haulage activities, if the project is to proceed. Further along the primary haulage route, the issue of traffic congestion in East Maitland is encountered. Sidra modelling has demonstrated that the Pitnacree-Melbourne Street and Melbourne-New England Highway intersections will be virtually impassable by 2028, with subsequent waiting times of 9-and-a-half minutes and 16 minutes at each set of traffic lights during peak times, in immediate succession. Allowing additional quarry trucks to further contribute to these dire congestion levels is unacceptable, particularly when considering the proximity of these locations to both primary and high schools and the significant effect this will have on facilitating the movement of children to and from school in a timely fashion. The planned use of road haulage along this route is also in complete opposition to the Future Transport 2056: Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure plan, in which a key priority is the road bypass of regional centres. Daracon have not made a commitment, nor even an indication, that they would support the development of a bypass or an upgrade to the roads in this area, despite the Sidra model demonstrating a worsening of the conditions with the addition of their haulage fleet, in comparison to the level of congestion that would be expected if the project does not proceed. Also, within the Future Transport 2056: Regional NSW Services and Infrastructure plan is the proposal to establish an improved rail freight corridor in the Lower Hunter. It is planned for 600,000 tpa to be transported from the Martins Creek Quarry via rail, however the condition of the current regional rail network will limit rail transportation from the Martins Creek site to an estimated one train per day. The amended proposal puts forward negligible improvements to the Lower Hunter rail network, raising the question of the capacity of the system to cope with the targeted transportation volume. Second, the effect on the local community of this project, if it is to proceed as proposed, will be significant. In contrast to The Department’s belief, as a local resident I do not believe that the extent of actual and perceived social impacts have been appropriately considered, nor managed. Aside from the Social Impact Management Plan lacking indication of any consultation with affected community members, as-of-yet, the consideration of some key factors appear to be missing from the report. The areas of ‘tourism’ and ‘historical character’ have not been appropriately addressed, and as a small town known for being a traveller’s rest-stop, I am exceedingly worried that the expansion of the quarry will wreak havoc on local businesses. Tourists will no longer stop to enjoy lunch or a coffee out the front of our local cafes, with the ambiance of the small country town ruined by the insistent thundering of trucks along the main street every other minute. In response, Daracon are attempting to highlight the positive impact of the development, spruiking words to the effects of “a vast expansion of the local workforce” and “financial contributions to community events and initiative to promote social cohesion” … Twenty-two jobs and a $40,000 cheque each year to the Council’s Community Benefits and Wellbeing fund is realistically what these promises entail. In my opinion, it is a poor attempt at compensation that falls drastically short of the impact that the project will inflict upon the local community. Third, like many locals I am concerned of the environmental effects occurring secondarily to the destruction of more native bushland. Of upmost importance are the implications the quarry expansion will have on local koala populations – an area severely lacking acknowledgment by the developers. The Dungog Shire Council have previously requested a formal Koala Management Plan however this is yet to be provided. I urge all stakeholders in this project to ensure adequate planning is undertaken in this realm to keep our cherished fauna as safe as possible. My final point pertains to the zoning of the proposed project site. The Martins Creek site incorporates an area zoned as RE1 Public Recreation, under the Dungog Local Environmental Plan 2014, and as such, development of the proposed nature is prohibited on this site. Despite recognition of this, as the development will not resulting in active quarrying on this land, The Department have deemed it “acceptable”. Not only are our roads looking to be overrun, our wonderful communities spoilt by incessant traffic noise and our koalas left without homes, but now the very spaces, the ‘protected sanctuaries’ that we are supposed to have to escape it all, are also being compromised. The Martins Creek Quarry expansion is set to cripple our beautiful community, if left to proceed as proposed. Having had the privilege of growing up in the wonderful town of Paterson, I have no choice but to say “NO” to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion. |
Name Redacted
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21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The traffic coming through bolwarra, lorn, east Maitland and Maitland is already ridiculous during peak and school times. Children trying to cross the road at Lorn already struggle on the crossings during busy times where cars don’t stop, let alone large trucks coming through there. They are a noisy hazard and are completely unnecessary in our area. We are a small town with one laned traffic and no place for large trucks travelling through our beautiful quiet streets. The local cafes and restaurants will struggle to keep business as no one will want to sit and enjoy a meal or coffee in such a noisy area. It is a disgrace that this is even being considered in such small, quiet, established suburbs. |
amorelle dempster
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a user of the road from Maitland to Gresford and have to navigate through the New England roundabout at Maitland, Maitland train station roundabout, the Belmore bridge or have to take the third river crossing (flat road) to simply get onto the road to where I am heading or returning. I object to the increase of heavy traffic associated with the expansion of the Quarry as I do not believe the current road infrastructure is suitable for the 40 gravel trucks an hour associated with moving the mines output each hour. The impact on the small towns and the people that live in this peaceful and idyllic part of the world would be great from sheer noise pollution and common access of the roads. Moreover, I do not believe that the bridges that are in the townships were built for the volume of heavy trucks., Is it possible that if this expansion was approved that the greater transport option is rail not road. Improvements that can come from improving facilities to address transportation of the material should be considered. Is it possible that the developer Daracon is asked to fund improvements to all the road infrastructure before the commencement of the expansion operation. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion due to the additional truck movements not only through Martin's Creek but also the Port Stephens and Maitland LGAs, which will destroy road infrastructure, also the destruction of vegetation/biodiversity and the continued dust and noise affecting residents of Martin Creek as extraction will continue when high winds, I acknowledge that they will be required to use water carts but this will not always happen as no Government authority can check regularly due to the location same as with noise, also notification of blasts don't always happen and the destruction of vegetation which will affect wildlife/birds as revegetation is not always undertaken to the standard that is required by Government agencies and the government does not have the staff resources to inspect sites. If this expansion is approved it will be very disappointing. |
Sandra Tumbers
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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I object to this development as the amount of trucks passing through Paterson especially will totally ruin the village atmosphere and create a dangerous area for cars and pedestrians who use Paterson for business and pleasure. The loss of trade to our local businesses will be huge as no-one wants to have to hear trucks passing through the township or contemplate crossing busy roads to access our shops. People have settled here to enjoy a measure of peace and we already put up with poor roads throughout the district but this will be made worse once heavy trucks travel our roads. The infrastructure is not place to cope with the scale of the proposed operation. I would not want to use Paterson for my local shopping or post office services when trucks were working at peak capacity The processing noise and dust from the quarry will make the area unpleasant to live with. The “bypass” road to be constructed will only benefit a few residences but the quarry will impact land values, amenity and safety for many settlements along the trucking route. We have koalas in the area and based on their poor population numbers, any development should be as least disruptive to their habitat as possible. I think the hours of operation should be restricted to 9-5 5 days per week with the majority of quarry material moved by railway rather than trucks. Finally, the proposed scale of this operation is so big, it will impact the population of Martins creek, Paterson, Bolwarra and East Maitland for many years and cause hardship mentally and physically for those unlucky enough to live here. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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I am a local resident of Bolwarra and am deeply concerned with this expansion for our environent and wild life. Traffic is alreadt congested due to over development in the local area. There is also a high Koala habitat near this expansion and if our generation do not take a stand to stop projects like this then our wildlife will die off. The amount of trucks on local roads now is already damaging such roads as they have not been built for constant truck usage. The noise would also impact our way of life here. We moved to ths area many years ago because it was semi rural and the expansion was never on the cards. I object to this expansion because of the way it will change the area, our living conditions and for our wild life. Please think of the bigger picture. Do NOT let this project go ahead |
Rob Beaumont
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a local community member and live on Butterwick Road, I live between the quarry at Brandy Hill and the Martins Creek Quarry. I object to the expansion of the quarry for the following reasons: 1. Having previously lived through high volumes of trucks travelling along Butterwick Road, I do not wish to see a return of the un-necessary truck volumes and associated road noise, road damage, increased pollution, and associated traffic dangers. 2. I live on a small acreage and for many years never saw a koala on my property. With the recent expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry, I now regularly have koala resting in my trees as they pass through my property. The expansion of the Martins Creek quarry will only negatively increase the impact on our local wildlife. Our endangered native animals will be driven away from the quarry area increasing the likelihood that they will be injured and killed on the local roads. This is especially true with the proposed increase in the volume of trucks proposed by Daracon. 3. Living between both quarries, we are subject to significant dust as well as noise, as the quarry operates. These pollutants have increased since the expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry and will increase further if Martins Creek expansion is approved. Increased dust and noise has increased health implications, both physical and mental, on myself, my family and all of the local residents in this area. I urge the Independent Planning Commission to give serious consideration to the health of locals and prohibit the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. 4. The Australian Government - Climate Change Authority state that road transport accounted for around 85% of transport emissions in 2018. Rail transports half of Australia’s freight but produces only 4% of transport emissions. If the NSW Government and the Independent Planning Commission are serious about protecting the environment and stopping climate change then there is no justification for allowing Daracon to use trucks to transport material coming out of the Martins Creek Quarry. The use of trucks is a convenience for Daracon and as a result should lead to the denial of the quarry expansion. |
Lucy Wonders
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
The current proposal is absurd. The local roads as they are are poorly maintained and already struggle to cope with the traffic load esp at peak times. This was further evident as the Bolwarra-Lorn flat road was the main thoroughfare for the entire community during recent flooding -The threat of which is increasing. The addition of 40 heavily laden gravel trucks per hour over 25 years will surely degrade these country roads to a poor condition quickly. The tranquil nature of this area - one of its most atttractive qualities will be permanently and irrevocably damaged. Please stop this proposal and save our local community. One of the asp |
Rachel Lawrie
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Organisation |
Equine Encounters Australia |
|---|---|
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Location |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a facilitator who supports Equine Encounters Australia on Merchants Road, we run Trauma Recovery programs for veterans, abuse victims and cancer survivors. The purpose of the program is to provide much needed support for veterans, abuse victims and cancer survivors. The program relies on a healthy, quite environment free from noise pollution. Many participants travel to the property, and I understand that 280 trucks per day will be travelling from east Maitland to Paterson making it stressful and difficult for them to reach their destination to partake in programs to heal. The quarry will run 24/7 causing much light, noise and dust pollution - not an environment that is conducive for those that are trauma affected. The program is a much-needed program for those that have served in our community and those that have survived traumatic events in their lives, this quarry serves to destroy the program from running due to the pollution mentioned above, also serves to destroy the natural habitat of many animals and a beautiful part of rural NSW. Participants of the trauma recovery programs gain so much from being in a natural bush setting, far from chaos and noise - this offers them to opportunity to be still and safe. If this quarry is extended it will destroy the programs run by Equine Encounters Australia on Merchants Road, thus leaving many trauma affected veterans, abuse victims and cancer survivors without an option in the Lower Hunter area to attend these unique and effective programs that are currently been run for healing. |
John Palmer
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live at Chisholm. There is not a day that you travel on the main thoroughfares in and out of my suburb and Maitland in general that one does not encounter trucks with trailers transporting gravel, soll, fill or combinations of such. I encounter dust from trucks depositing fill in the estate and have done so for five years. All main thoroughfare s are impacted as this is the method employed by quarry owners to minimise impacts. As a result all roads suffer and are in need of repair which is not forthcoming or not repaired often enough. My understanding is that repairs if any are the responsibility of local government and so the quarry owners are getting a cheap way of transport without paying for the damage they cause. Furthermore,as a cyclist I am constantly having to dodge spilled gravel on road verges with implied safety concerns. The source of this gravel comes from quarries in the vicinity. The main problem is the sum total of all transport of fill from quarries and any decision should be decided from that point of view. If transport was to take place through more affluent areas, then political pressure would succeed to not allow any more movements. This area deserves the same consideration. No more addition to truck movements. If this not the desired result then a review should be held every five years on the impact. Martins creek was never set up to distribute fill in this matter. Ask the quarry owners if they are personally impacted by the added noise and detrimental amenity caused by additional movements. Added truck movements do nothing to mitigate noise, dust or road hazards and any arguments to the contrary are false. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
ROAD DESTRUCTION AND CONGESTION!!!!! ……::,,traffic and transport will destroy Patterson roads and the roads into Maitland and will also affect residents all along the roads to Maitland and through Pitnacree/Melbourne Street with 280 loaded trucks per day. INDUSTRIAL??? |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The financial gain of a select few is no valid reason to impact the local environment and community to such a degree. Please consider that any silence on this issue likely reflects a faith in the prevailment of common sense - that the development is so clearly detrimental to the community, how could anyone possibly allow it to go ahead? We implore the Commission to honour that faith and act in the interest of community over industry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I strongly object to this proposed development. My objections are due to list above. We have moved from the city 1998 and noticed huge changes. Paterson Vacy and Martin’s Creek are not “Escape to the Country” destinations no more. Only thing I would like to change is to Scrap the plan. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
i object to this proposed development. It was bad enough before with the amount of trucks on the road. causing traffic problems and damage to our road. The pollution from the noise and air from these trucks and there loads will have a major impact. The environmental impacts to this area and its surrounds are just not worth it. Only the company and its share holders will be happy. The socioeconomic impacts will far and long reaching. Some peoples life will change for the negative to the point where they will leave these lovely communities. the mental and emotional damage this will cause our community is simply not worth it. All the rate payers and council will be paying for this company's profits while we as a community will have to clean up their physical , mental , emotional and environmental harm it will cause . this proposal will not benefit our community, the cons far out way the pros. |
John Gollan
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern, My family and I have lived in the local area for generations. My immediate family has been unlucky enough to witness the Martin’s creek quarry grow from a small railway based ballast supplier to what it illegally evolved to over the years immediately before it closed most recently. The Presland Bros were a small haulage company who prided themselves in looking after the local community whilst they had the contract rights to transport the small amount of gravel made available through the ballast process. They hired local, they spent local. I do not recall anyone complaining when it was run in this way. Whilst we are not so nieve to believe we will ever see the world run in this way again I do believe there is a stronger community feeling about things like this throughout our community. I feel, with younger, smarter, stronger heads living in my house the future looks better then ever and god help those people who make decisions today that impact these people adversely in the future. Having had experience in getting run off the road, awoken by flagrant trucking companies operating out of hours/tonnage limits, who is going to be in charge of holding the quarry operation to account? The same people who are supposedly taking care of the coal mining operatives, who hire the same company to defend them helping them pay fines that could only be regarded as farcicle. We just hope more time could be afforded to the governance of this application to ensure that if it is approved the access to the stone is fit for purpose. |
Myree Valentine
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I my name is Myree Valentine I live on ⬛⬛⬛and I also work at the local servo.. The impact on our little town is huge with all the extra trucks coming through our village the noise , just crossing the Rd, my grandchildren catching buses here in town It is already very busy at certain times the town cannot cope with any extra,quite often you cannot get a park any where close to shops,iam all for any extra to be taken out by rail. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have attached our concerns in a submission which includes : Concerns about traffic safety The nature of the corridor through which the route passes Environmental impacts Economic impacts on housing values Failure to listen to legitimate community concerns. |
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Attachments |
martinsckquarrysubmission201122docx_redacted.pdf (PDF, 223.43 KB) |
Jordan Keppie
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I understand that the quarry has been there since 1914, everyone is aware of that. The issue I have is the expansion and money being the objection over the environment along with the neighbouring residents that will be deeply impacted with further expansion. I have footage along black rock rd martins creek of a koala sitting stunned by my lights in the middle of the road and would not walk of till I escorted him off the road. A semi trailer would not of been able to pull up for him even if they wanted to. Not to mention 21 hectares of land being bulldozed, I have quite a few pictures of koalas with the tagged location in the martins creek area. If money becomes the root of all decision making in 20 years kids will only be able to see them in a enclosure. This is not just a issue with the traffic that will be going through east maitland, bolwarra and paterson but also the residents living alongside these roads whose pockets will be impacted due to the fall of house prices. |
|
Attachments |
6e7ad8c247fe406bb81e633970c89be5pdf.pdf (PDF, 110.42 KB) |
Name Redacted
|
Organisation |
Tocal College |
|---|---|
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Location |
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Date |
20/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My understanding of this is that Tocal College students will be impacted by the noise levels that will be cause by the constant traffic flow of trucks day and night which will make learning and sleeping for the students very hard and distracting, it will also make it unsafe for the students when they have to cross the road when they need to be attending class that is being held on the other side. |
Mark Broadbent
|
Organisation |
Rite Angle Media |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Objection on the grounds of destroying a famous heritage town. By widening roads excessive noise and truck traffic. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of Dungog and I object to the Martins Creek Quarry because of the environmental impact on the community, on the local water quality. There is also the effects on the air quality for the local people of Martins Creek and Paterson. I also object to the damage done to the road pavement and the hazard it is to the other traffic on the roads. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The mere fact that members of the public are having to so actively object to this proposal is, in and of itself, a disgrace. The area in question is a beautiful rural area - as yet not ruined by developers and so-called "progress". Anyone who drives the relevant roads would instantly know that to increase heavy traffic on those roads would be to court disaster. The roads are simply not suitable to carry heavy vehicles of the type and number referred to. The standard of road pavement in the Dungog LGA is already deplorable. Quite aside from that, native bush will be destroyed. It is Koala habitat. With the series of natural disasters that have befallen these animals in the last 5 years, only a fool would endorse a project that was to remove yet further pristine habitat. When are planning authorities going to have the guts to simply say: "NO". Mark Preece ⬛⬛⬛ |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I have lived in Dungog for 50 years. The quarry expansion should not be allowed to go ahead. The reasons I object are the danger of having these large trucks on the road to drivers and pedestrians. The damage to road surfaces with many more trucks over 25 years. The environmental damage would also be extreme. |
Gregory Danvers
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I object to the fact that a town like Paterson is impacted. I don't object to the quarry but the number of trucks going through the village and on rural roads not designed for the heavy trucks volume and frequency. Its untenable. Smacks of greed. Agreeable to all transport by rail but not road. This option could be and should be worked out. The congestion at Melbourne St East Maitland and Flat Road is already terrible. Roads are already damaged and could do without anymore potholes. |
Charlie Bell
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission |
As a long-time resident of this region, I wish to object to the Daracon proposal for the expansion of Martins Creek quarry. The proposed expansion of quarry activities is completely incompatible with the region and will have very negative impacts on the local community and environment. Of particular concern is proposed dramatic increase in truck movements and the impact on the natural environment, both locally and more broadly through the carbon emissions from road transport over future years of operation. As a resident of Paterson for fourteen years we experienced first-hand the impact of truck movements through the village and the constant damage to road infrastructure. Noise from truck movements commenced before dawn and continued unabated all day. Paterson should be an idyllic rural village, an attractive place to live and attractive to tourist visitors. Unfortunately, the environment has been severely impacted by the constant noise of truck movement and the social amenity of the village is severely impacted by the frequent and rapid truck movements. The centre of Paterson village has attractive retail and service facilities, and the amenity of this area is compromised by the heavy traffic which makes pedestrian movement hazardous. The proposed increase in heavy truck movements through Paterson and along Tocal Road through Bolwarra and Lorn, will have severe impacts along the entire haul route from Martins Creek through Maitland and beyond. The entire haul route is currently not of a standard to accommodate heavy haulage and the quarry operators are not currently or proposing to make any meaningful contribution to the maintenance and upgrade of the roads. Residential and commercial traffic is currently quite heavy and the roads along the entire haul route are inadequate for the proposed increase of 40 trucks per hour. This will impact the quality of life and amenity of many thousands of residents of the Dungog, Maitland and Port Stephens local government areas. As an employee at Tocal College, I commute by pushbike daily from my current residence. The current level of traffic, and particularly heavy trucks, is already quite heavy and I do not consider an additional 40 heavy truck movements per hour to be acceptable. This will make commuting by pushbike more hazardous with the current status of the road. The proposed increased truck movement will also have a severe impact on road safety as the haul route passes through a number of school zones and will contribute to already heavy traffic congestion through Lorn and on Flat Road approaching East Maitland. My main objection to the proposed expansion is the use of road transport for an additional 410,000 tonnes of gravel annually. Martins Creek quarry has existing rail infrastructure which could be easily upgraded to facilitate the movement of the majority of the proposed increased tonnage of gravel via the North Coast Railway line to more centralised distribution depots at suitable locations adjacent to the railway system. Suggestions for gravel transfer to road transport at Hexham and also in the Sydney region, have a great deal of merit when the full cost of road transport is factored in. The North Coast Railway line which passes within metres of the Martins Creek Quarry has the potential to easily accommodate the additional freight movement and it would be far more environmentally sustainable with reduced truck movements. The economic cost of road transport and the increased carbon and particulate emissions from diesel are not being adequately considered. There is no suggestion that the additional cost of road maintenance and upgrades will be met by the quarry operators. I ask that the Independent Planning Commission take a much broader view of the long-term impact of the proposed Martins Creek quarry expansion and properly consider: 1. The full social impact of traffic movement and noise on the local communities and along the proposed haul route 2. The full economic cost of road maintenance and upgrades which will be required to accommodate the proposed increase in truck movements. 3. The Carbon emission impact of the proposed increase in truck movements and the potential reduction of carbon emission if rail transport is utilised to move gravel to a depot closer to the end use destination. Full and fair consideration of these issues and the adoption of a rail transport strategy will result in considerable economic, social and environmental benefits and has the potential to make the Martins Creek quarry expansion an example of sustainable development. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a new resident moving to Vacy, I believe the roads will not handle the amount if trucks everyday being driven on them. They already don't receive the maintenance they deserve. Peak holiday times is a struggle with the variety of drivers along the road, throw in the amount of trucks you are proposing to be included in the mix and it's only going to cause more issues. The proposed train loading and maintenance time frame is unfair. You are offering residents not relief from hearing your operations. I believe your proposed operating hours needs to be reduced further. These conditions you offer are permanent, it's not like your neighbour is building a house and your only effect for a few months, this is years long!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion. The increased truck movements will impact on the environment and the noise seriously affects peoples lives. It is not safe Tom drive with these numbers of trucks and the roads are in not good enough condition. The damage these large scale quarry mines cause the the environment is significant and long term. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Don’t wreck the small towns Maybe use some trains instead Try do this through Morpeth . It wouldn’t happen . |
Julian Hodges
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
It should be banned. It is outrageously detrimental |
Phil Watts
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I think its ridiculous, the impact on the locals is going to be excessive. All options should be reconsidered. The congestion at Melbourne St East Maitland is already heavy and will make the general traffic conditions worse. Roads are already in poor condition and excessive trucking will make it worse. We need to protect koala habitat at all cost and the quarry site has had koala sitings. |
John Beesley
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Please be advised I object to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry primarily due to the increased number of trucks on local roads. I do not object to the expansion of the quarry in principle, provided ALL conditions and environmental impacts are strictly adhered to. Martins Creek Quarry has the luxury of having a rail siding within the property. The expansion of the quarry must be conditional upon all materials removed from site to be by rail only. This includes all current materials currently despatched via road. The quarry owners civic responsibility should be to minimise their impact on the local community and all those adversely affected by their operations, including residents and road users on the proposed route from the quarry. Removing all hauled extracted materials from road transport will show the quarry owners are aware of the impact their quarry has on the local community and that they will endeavour to minimise this impact by removing this substantial concern of increased heavy vehicle traffic for many residents and road users. My house is approximately sixty metres from Tocal Road in Bolwarra Heights. Not only will I be directly affected by additional road noise but there are a number of sub-standard intersections that need to be taken into consideration during the approval process. There are two major intersections, Tocal Road - Patterson Road and Patterson Road - Hunterglen Drive, that would become extremely dangerous with the additional number of heavy vehicles proposed. The intersection of Hunterglen Drive and Patterson Road is currently very dangerous and should have traffic lights now. Increased traffic, especially in the form of heavy vehicles increases the risk of a major accident substantially. The intersection of Tocal Road and Patterson Road has a serious blind spot for drivers coming from Patterson Road. It is not possible to see any traffic coming from Tocal Road until after turning the corner and merging into Patterson Road. I do hope the individuals responsible for approving this quarry expansion put themselves in the shoes of the local residents near the quarry and residents and road users along the proposed heavy vehicle route when considering this application. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to make my submission and I hope it will be considered in its entirety. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object because it is damaging the environment. Endangered koalas are losing their habitat and are located on the site. There is no recompense for road damage. |
Denise Magennis
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the trucking the volume and frequency on our rural roads. The destruction of the environment and koala feed trees. The noise and dust created both at the quarry site and on the roads. It will have a negative impact on people’s emotional wellbeing. Negative effects to tourism to Dungog. The council doesn’t have the money now to fix the already damaged roads. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The number of proposed trucks using paterson, tocal and other local roads is way too high. Those roads were never designed for the purpose proposed by this development expansion. The impact on local traffic would be very detrimental, as traffic during peak periods on those roads is already congested. The added noise from the trucks would have a negative effect on the quality of life for residents along the route. The large number of trucks passing through residential areas also could pose a safety risk to the young children who ride bikes and use those roads. The recommended conditions of consent do not adequately mitigate the above considerations. |
Frances Blandon
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object because the increased truck traffic on the already damaged roads. The environmental impact will be large and there are endangered koala habitat on the quarry site. |
Ian McKenzie
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
COP 26 Leaders' Declaration clearly identifies land clearing as a significant climate impact that must stop. No more land clearing should be approved. Every bit of forest cleared adds to climate impact. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The project will be detrimental to the environment. Resident of Dungog for 8 years. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Not a fair go to locals. The roads cannot support the proposed level of trucking. |
Gavin Fry
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
While there might be sound economic arguments in support of the quarry expansion, the local road infrastructure does not have the capacity to absorb the high density of heavy vehicles proposed. The Hunter Valley is already severely constrained because of limited river crossings and the rapid expansion of residential developments in the region. This was highlighted at an extreme level with the recent flooding where communities were isolated for days at a time. What with happen with a large number of heavy trucks added to the mix is simply not viable. Yes, we do need the raw materials to allow the development of major infrastructure, but not at the expense of the communities surrounding the expanded quarry. One only has to see the build off of traffic through Bolwarra and Lorn to gauge the already inadequate road and bridge network. Adding a large number of heavy vehicles into the mix will cause traffic chaos, danger and stress to local residents and the destruction of the charm and atmosphere that attracts people to the region in the first place. Certainly develop quarries, but only when the local roads are capable of handling the increased traffic ... and we are not talking cars and light trucks - this is all about fully laden B-Doubles at maximum capacity. |
Amie Illfield
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
In consideration to the issues outlined above, I urge you to reconsider this project. I also urge you to make this a part of a bigger process of how we are to continue growing in population and as a community while divesting our society from reliance on extractive materials that compromise Aboriginal cultural heritage, ecological communities, and local people. Let's start that process with this decision. Additionally, I am a regular user of the roads that will be most heavily impacted by this development. I cannot fathom how they will cope with the library in traffic that this would result in, both structurally and for the communities they would pass through. And lastly, the integrity of Daracon has duly been called into question. While there are legal specificities on what can be considered as part of this review, corporate integrity is a fundamental issue that the NSW government should be serious about. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry for the following reasons. The danger of many additional trucks on the roads to Maitland to drivers and pedestrians in the towns along the haul route. The damage these trucks will cause to the roads. The negative impact this quarry will have on the environment, particularly the koalas who are now endangered. The negative impact it will have on the socioeconomic of the Dungog LGA as a whole. Also the permanent damage 25 extra years of massive quarrying will have on the landscape in and around the quarry. Please don’t allow this expansion. |
Jeremy Neal
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
19/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The impact on the roads in the proposed area through multiple school zones at school times and along school bus routes is absolutely preposterous. Having a bus pick up/drop off children whilst large trucks also on the road which is single lanes is down right dangerous. |
Catherine Craig
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am very concerned about the effects to the local wildlife populations. I have frequently seen koalas, bandicoots, phascogales, and redneck wallabies in the vicinity of the mine, to name just a few species. Development in that area is destroying habitat for these animals. There is already too much roadkill and too much land development in the area. We have to think about biodiversity, not just development and economics. It is at present a very rich area of biodiversity. Do not destroy. I also value Paterson as a town retaining character and charm, Constant traffic will destroy it. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have lived in martins creek for 35yrs in Grace Ave i totally object to this going ahead the blasting and dust and trucks were relentless for years how can a company who deliberately quarried outside the boundaries for years with total disregard for anyone be rewarded. The damage to wild life including koalas in that time will never be known. There already are several quarries in the area .the intersection at grace and station street into the quarry is a sharp turn in between rail lines not built for truck movements and the trains 24 hours a day will make life in our town unbearable the quarry was only ever to supply ballast to rail. daracon have operated for years doing whatever they want the attitude if you don't like it move is disgraceful why should so many peoples lives be impacted just for pure greed and that is exactly what daracon are brandy hill quarry already has been expanded our communities and wild life deserve better daracon think they are are law unto themselves. Untrustworthy they made money from quarrying the land outside the limits for years . |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Impact of Australian wildlife. We do not need extinction of the koala |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I understand that the quarry has been in existence for a long time however the impact additional expansion will have, especially to traffic on already congested (and mostly one laned) roads is just not acceptable. You cannot overtake these trucks on the local roads and traffic is already increasing, particularly with incoming traffic through Bolwarra, Lorn, Maitland and East Maitland during peak and school times. It's just going to ruin the lovely areas in this government area and drop housing prices down. Just not acceptable. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The proposed Martins Creek Quarry expansion will have a significant impact on my property and potential property value, as well as significantly impacting local traffic. With the proposed addition of 40 trucks per hour to what is country and residential roads I and the community will be impacted as follow: 1. Noise - these trucks both empty and full will significantly impact on my property at the start of Maitland Vale Rd. . Empty trucks rattle and make considerable noise. Trucks going up the hill make significant engine noise. The specific impact of this has not been shared by Daracon with local residents. Exhaust braking as trucks enter the corners going north will also be considerable. How will property values along the route be monitored and what compensation will owners be provided with by Daracon? 2. The intersection of Maitland Vale and Tocal roads is a busy one. Since realignment, accidents have decreased. The proposed level of truck movements will likely increase the risk associated with this intersection. If there is an accident or fatality due to the increased traffic movement, will the project be terminated? How many accidents or deaths at this or any of the other intersections would be required for a reevaluation of project permission? 3. The intersection of Tocal rd at the BP is already a treacherous merge. A truck every 1.5 minutes in peak times will see an accident at this intersection. How will this be managed post approval should the impact be significant? 4. Traffic in peak times is considerable at the Flat Rd roundabout and Melbourne street lights. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get through the roundabout in an expedient manner in the mornings and through Melbourne street lights in one phase. This congestion point will not cope with this level of truck movement. It can take up to 4 or 5 phases of lights to get through this intersection in the afternoons due to the favouring of Melbourne street. Added trucks will further aggravate this situation, adding to travel times, carbon emmisions and likely safety at the intersection. 5. Road surface upgrades have been much appreciated along Tocal road. The impact of each truck is many hundred times that of each car. What levies are in place for daracon to maintain roads during the project and to return to current condition at the end of the project? This level of truck movement will impact what is a high class road surface. 6. With a railway nearby, why is Daracon not moving its goods via rail as per coal mining expectations? The impact of the local community, my house noise and value, travelling times and safety will be significant, hence I object to the road based impacts of this project through village and residential communities and believe that train based transport alternatives should be put in place. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The expansion of Martins Creek quarry will add too much heavy vehicle traffic to local roads which will impact the amenity of the local area. The additional truck movements will also pose an increased road safety hazard to other road users and the community. The expansion will also adversely impact the local environment affecting biodiversity and natural habitat for birds and animals and other wildlife. It will also cause extra noise and dust pollution. The recommended conditions of consent do not adequately prevent, mitigate or offset these impacts. |
Ewan Fitzpatrick
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Make the already poor quality roads even worse and turn the local area into an industrial area |
Lyyne Buckley
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We lived in Marquis Street Paterson for 23 years 1996-2019. We are fully aware of all the impacts on the village including the noise, safety, damage to historic buildings, impact on the local shops and businesses, impact on tourists visiting Paterson and the area. This will also impact all the people that live on the whole transport route which is how many thousands of people. From our previous experience the quarry trucks started coming through the Paterson village at 4.30am and you could hear the empty truck and dog trailers from 6 or 7 kms away going through Tocal - how are you expected to sleep? Ever heard an empty trailer bounce over the railway lines?? The intersection of Gresford Road and Church Street is dangerous at the best of times, even worse with the railway gates in operation, let alone having fully loaded trucks attempting sudden stops. Church Street is the access to the public school and kindergarten as well as the Bush Fire Brigade the number of cars stopping to turn into Church Street will increase as the population of Paterson and surrounding areas has grown increasing the risk of fatalities. The 60t trucks sped through town with utter disregard for the safety of other users especially past Tucker Park, which has just been upgraded to encourage further use by children and others. Economic advantage, nil, truck drivers will not stop in Paterson for fuel or food but will create havoc with convoys streaming past the cafes and shops, outdoor eating has been encouraged at a number of Cafes, want to sit there and eat diesel fumes and not hear yourself think? How do children cross from the Tae Kwon Do hall to the opposite side of the road, how do pedestrians cross to the shops? Paterson - what a precious little part of the valley it is and you are happy to destroy it for the sake of Daracon's profits and 22 jobs. There are other quarries that are better located to major road infrastructure and do not travel through residential areas that could provide the hard rock resources required. These quarries should be expanded if required. Martins Creek quarry operating for 100years doesn't make it right to expand it - there has been huge changes in how the quarry is now operated making it far more noisy and having far more impact. Plus at the same time there has been huge growth in the number of rural residential subdivisions meaning there are a lot more people living in the Paterson area. The roads surrounding Paterson have not been built to cope with the heavy traffic, as evidenced by the road reconstruction at Tocal having to be repaired within days of the previous truck convoys carting rock. From experience we know Daracon cannot be trusted and will do whatever they want to do. So inconclusion given the numerous and one would think obvious negative impacts on so many ratepayers and voters, how this proposal could be considered appropriate is really beyond belief. Especially given the communities affected have all been here before. What a ridiculous waste of everyone's time and energy. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We don’t want any more of these trucks impacting small residential areas! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The towns will be greatly impacted by the truck propsal our country roads were not designed for this. The town couldn’t cope with the flood traffic impact this will be the same impact on traffic and the town. How are the small streets of lorn Ment to deal with the extra columns of truck traffic. Every day we see someone at the crossings on belmore road nearly get hit by a truck or car that doesn’t stop at the crossing image the stress of locals trying to cross with all the extra traffic. No we don’t need this and I think you know the local government already said no just a greasy greed driven company trying to back door for there own gain |
Mark Brady
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am deeply concerned that the quarry expansion submission has actually got this far My biggest concerns is the huge increase of trucks on our local roads The more traffic means more accidents, more deaths, more noise and more damage to road surfaces This in turn will devalue the price of houses in our community Being a recent house owner in Bolwarra Heights I did not move here to see my future and my children’s future to be compromised by a quarry I am not opposed to progress but I do oppose the aggressive nature of the quarry expansion |
Terry Paull
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I object to this proposal. Recently purchased a property in the country for a quiet life only to find that this quarry is considering a huge increase in its footprint on the landscape including having hundreds of truck movements each day through a little country town on country roads not built for this type of traffic - how ridiculous. The increase in traffic, noise and dust in this small community is not only unwanted but it's been heavily objected to for years and despite all these objections, the project is still progressing and given to the IPC for a verdict. I recognise that the Quarry provides employment and has been there for a number of years, however this latest increase in the extraction rate makes it a full-time very large mining operation and it simply does not fit in well within the local community. It is also noted that the company had breached their approved construction rate for years and the community knows only too well how unworkable this increase of road transport is. Consideration must be given to the locals of Paterson, who can't even cross the street due to the number of trucks coming and going. Let the quarry operate within the means it was created for and not at this massive increase in production. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am opposed to pristine land areas being consumed by a development that could easily be located in a more remote area. I understand the extra cost to the developer, but that’s the price of caring for communities, especially small townships. People I know live in these areas to provide a better quality of life, especially for their children, etc and these sorts of developments never seem to take that into account. I have lived near such developments and they always encroach more and more and push every boundary they can despite the promises. Say no! |
Helene Leane
|
Organisation |
Gallery on Dowling |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
My primary issue of objection is one of environmental impact on our Shire. I live in the Dungog Shire and one of our primary industries is tourism. Visitors deliberately visit our Shire for the benefits of nature. The less environmental damage to our Shire the more we will attract tourists, and the ensuing fiscal benefits. As a community we need to value our natural environment and Martins Creek offers such a diverse range of flora and fauna species, many of which are endangered , like the koala. I believe that if this expansion is approved valued koala habitat will be blasted and destroyed. Where will they go? Looking for new habitat usually means an increase in roadkill. This should be a criminal offense. The increase of truck movement would only add to the amount of dead animals. I believe there are other quarries in NSW that can provide natural resources without creating such environmental damage. Please consider the voices of the public, and also the voices that cannot be heard. We have a responsibility to protect our environment if possible, and I believe in this case, it is possible. |
Les Buckley
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
We lived in Marquis Street Paterson for 23 years 1996-2019. We are fully aware of all the impacts on the village including the noise, safety, damage to historic buildings, impact on the local shops and businesses, impact on tourists visiting Paterson and the area. This will also impact all the people that live on the whole transport route which is how many thousands of people. From our previous experience the quarry trucks started coming through the Paterson village at 4.30am and you could hear the empty truck and dog trailers from 6 or 7 kms away going through Tocal - how are you expected to sleep? Ever heard an empty trailer bounce over the railway lines?? The intersection of Gresford Road and Church Street is dangerous at the best of times, even worse with the railway gates in operation, let alone having fully loaded trucks attempting sudden stops. Church Street is the access to the public school and kindergarten as well as the Bush Fire Brigade the number of cars stopping to turn into Church Street will increase as the population of Paterson and surrounding areas has grown increasing the risk of fatalities. The 60t trucks sped through town with utter disregard for the safety of other users especially past Tucker Park, which has just been upgraded to encourage further use by children and others. Economic advantage, nil, truck drivers will not stop in Paterson for fuel or food but will create havoc with convoys streaming past the cafes and shops, outdoor eating has been encouraged at a number of Cafes, want to sit there and eat diesel fumes and not hear yourself think? How do children cross from the Tae Kwon Do hall to the opposite side of the road, how do pedestrians cross to the shops? Paterson - what a precious little part of the valley it is and you are happy to destroy it for the sake of Daracon's profits and 22 jobs. There are other quarries that are better located to major road infrastructure and do not travel through residential areas that could provide the hard rock resources required. These quarries should be expanded if required. Martins Creek quarry operating for 100years doesn't make it right to expand it - there has been huge changes in how the quarry is now operated making it far more noisy and having far more impact. Plus at the same time there has been huge growth in the number of rural residential subdivisions meaning there are a lot more people living in the Paterson area. The roads surrounding Paterson have not been built to cope with the heavy traffic, as evidenced by the road reconstruction at Tocal having to be repaired within days of the previous truck convoys carting rock. From experience we know Daracon cannot be trusted and will do whatever they want to do. So inconclusion given the numerous and one would think obvious negative impacts on so many ratepayers and voters, how this proposal could be considered appropriate is really beyond belief. Especially given the communities affected have all been here before. What a ridiculous waste of everyone's time and energy. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I have lived in Vacy for 15 years. Although The expansion may be good for employment. It will have an effect on community. The roads in this whole shire are so poor. You have pot holes everywhere. It is seriously dangerous as is. Let alone put more trucks on the road. I worry about air pollution majority of vacy area and all new subdivision going in only have tank water. It concerns greatly to think what we will be drinking with all the partials from blasting landing on roofs and then into our tanks. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The impacts on the the neighbouring communities, environmental impacts and ongoing socioeconomic effects will be extremely detrimental to the community. |
Daniel Hespe
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
|
Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The trucks are not meant to come through Lorn on Belmore road. But this is what happens. The quarry owners do not ensure the correct trucking routes are abided by. The trucks thunder down Belmore road sending vibrations which can be felt through the heritage houses of Lorn. These are culturally significant and the vibrations cause damage to the heritage homes. This is the same for Paterson, Bolwarra and surrounds. The amount of truck runs proposed is astronomical and not fair for residents of the area who choose to live in what is meant to be peaceful quiet areas. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am concerned about the impact this expansion will have on our native wildlife. Martins creek is home to to endangered koalas. The expansion would destroy habitat. We need to be protecting our natives. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
This area is a thriving housing area it isn’t designed for mining. The roads and current housing requirements are meant for rural living not mining. The roads will be destroyed within weeks with all the extra traffic. Why mine in heavily populated residential area’s, head west where the impact to housing and communities are far less |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We have only recently moved to Paterson and we did for a reason that it is a small quiet town and what is being proposed Paterson will no longer be this town. Who would want to visit this town with hundreds of trucks driving down the main road every day. Businesses will suffer if not collapse and close. Dungog council cannot fix the roads in their current state let alone with 100’s of daily quarry trucks. Our roads will become unsafe and almost unusable with the proposed amount of trucks. I pleas with you to block this from happening. Concerned mum Paterson |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The increased traffic on Flat road by the trucks will make Belmore road traffic increase due to people avoiding Flat road. Belmore road is already at capacity with vehicles most of the day and it's dangerously busy for pedestrians. The traffic light on the Maitland side of the Belmore bridge already backs up into Lorn daily. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am opposed to the extension of this quarry as it directly impacts the local wildlife including a koala population. Given the recent decision to list koalas as endangered in NSW, I see any loss of habitat as unacceptable . |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I feel that the road standard is just adequate for the local traffic. The community as a whole would be severely impacted by noise. There very few options for passing in that area, so there would be many more travel time delays which would mean travel times would be impacted negatively by a large proportion of the population who have no other option but to travel via that route. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a resident in the local community the volume proposed is excessive for the roads and small community. I don’t want the noise or traffic ruining the feel or compromising the safety of the community. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am concerned for all the above reasons. We know koalas are endangered so why impact on more natural habitats. The noise and traffic congestion from heavy vehicles pose a threat to community both in safety readons and noise impacts. Haven't we understood anything about climate change and the constant disregard for the natural habitats being partially responsible. Please be on the right side of decision making - you be the change. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
N/A |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I live locally on a main road within the area. Local traffic has increased significantly over the last 10 years, this will have a major impact on roadways, congestion and families living in the area. The recommendations do not prevent, mitigate or offset the above issues. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Objection due to the above factors and community safety, with great impact to children and teens. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The number of trucks is already high on the proposed route, increasing this will not only burden the roads significantly but also mean that alternative routes will become congested as cars attempt to avoid the large numbers of trucks. The road quality is already poor and will be much worse having such a large number of trucks traversing it daily, and the regular roadworks that will be needed to fix and maintain it will additionally slow traffic and cost taxpayer dollars unnecessarily. The infrastructure simply isn’t there to support this endeavour without major impact on the surrounding towns for a long time to come. Especially in recent times of flood when traffic came to a standstill and there was only one way in and out of Lorn/Bolwarra the addition of a large number of trucks and workers in their own vehicles coming to and from the site is a burden the current road system cannot carry. The current proposal does not adequately meet these issues at all and requires significant alterations. |
Tahlia Corrigan
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Protect or koalas! This is a joke there's so many of them there I can't believe this is even thought of so so sad. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
No |
|---|---|
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Location |
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I believe that the community and the environment will be adversly impacted by the increase in trucks via pollutents from exhaust and noise. Plus the roads in the area are not good enough for the increase in traffic. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly disagree with the expansion the extra trucks on our road going to destroy our roads and infrastructure will drive property prices down. Environmental impact can never be restored to its original value and will drive wildlife away. Being an aboriginal I fear the destruction of artefacts and sacred ground will be destroyed. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The amount of increased traffic will cause problems for resident’s with noise , pollution and property prices will decrease. Surrounding routes will see an increase in traffic as people will alter their driving routes to try to avoid all the truck traffic, in turn creating traffic problems in more residential quiet areas! So many families in the area have already been hit hard with inflation and rising cost of living, a further decrease in property value would be a big financial blow to many families who are heavily mortgaged. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a indigenous resident of the dungog Shire and a member of Karuah land council I am opposed to the quarry due to loss of cultural significance of the land, environmental impacts and the the health and well-being of people and endangered animals in the area |
Robert Mansini
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Traffic movements through the Paterson and Bolwarra area would be unsustainable. Intersections that are already difficult to negotiate would become unbearable with the large amount of additional heavy vehicles on the road. These are local roads designed for light vehicles and the occasional heavy vehicle. Not sustained use by trucks full of materials. I oppose this project as a local resident of Bolwarra |
Name Redacted
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Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Noise in our house at lorn |
Lorraine Wiseman
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Destruction of the habitat of endangered species such as koalas is a criminal act for which the approving body for this quarry extension should be held responsible. |
Frances Ng
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
|
Submission |
I am worried that the local roads will not handle the volume of trucks and their impact on pedestrians |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The housing in the areas where the quarry trucks will pass through are home to many culturally significant houses with important heritage aspects. With trucks already using Belmore road in Lorn, which they aren’t supposed to, the road is backlogged and very busy. This route is also unregulated by the quarry owners as the drivers are sub contractors. The proposed number of additional trucks will destroy the tranquility and community of these areas while also causing vibration issues which can lead to damage of these significant buildings. Not to mention dust and dirt left as debris on houses and buildings as the trucks pass through. As I live on Belmore road, with small children, the impact of the proposed number of trucks daily will greatly impact noise and our ability to sit in our front garden. We have spent a lot of time making our front garden beautiful and know the quiet times to sit amongst the garden with little traffic noise. The proposed number of trucks will likely ruin this tranquility and negatively impact us wanting to spend any time out there. |
Christine Moore
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Koalas are endangered and need all the protection we can offer tge remaining numbers. Expanding a quarry to not only take away part of their habitat but increase heavy truck traffic is incomprehensible. Money is NOT everything |
Kerry Sullivan
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am a local resident of Martins Creek, having relocated here earlier this year for a more rural lifestyle with space to keep my dressage horses at home. Since moving to the area we have firstly been confronted with the Brimble Rail development opposite our property and we now find ourselves with the added stress of the quarry expansion. The local roads are already in disrepair and certainly will not withstand the extra truck movements. It is not unforeseeable that accidents will ensue as a result of people swerving to avoid the potholes. Further to the state of disrepair of the roads, the route of the road through the village of Paterson and on to Bolwarra and East Maitland is highly inappropriate for that volume of heavy vehicles. These are residential areas where people should be able to live peacefully, without the rumble of trucks all day, not to mention the congestion that will occur around Melbourne Street, East Maitland. This area can already take up to 3 sets of light changes to get through the junction at busy times, without adding multiple trucks to the equation. Paterson is an historic village and it's charm must be preserved. There are always tourists milling around, bringing money to the local economy and it will be a devastating blow to the local businesses if these tourists are put off visiting because of the trucks and state of the roads. |
Name Redacted
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
My family visits this area often . This development raises safety concerns. I believe the concerns haven’t been taken into account, the roads can’t have 280 trucks a day around the shops and schools. Too much traffic is a major safety issue. |
Adrienne Tuck
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to this Quarry devopmemt due to the wildlife it will affect, the air quality we breath and the cultural impacts. Human and animal life should be first priority, looking after the land should also be made a priority. |
Ruth Gaal
|
Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I have had my letterbox taken out & my front yard damaged by a truck & dog coming back from the quarry who had to hit the breaks & swerve to miss the car in front of him as well as a pedestrian walking his dog, the driver didn't even stop I had to find the driver on my own & report to the police. The trucks drive extremely fast on Paterson Road not giving way to cars on the road, I have nearly been hit numerous times trying to turn into my driveway. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
|
|---|---|
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Date |
17/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Local roads do not have capacity to handle high volume traffic as demonstrated in recent flooding. Please consider rail route |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a resident of Paterson I have grave concerns about the amount of trucks that will pass through Paterson. Not only will it impact the quality of our roads it will also impact their serenity of our beautiful little village which is a unique and special country community that is visited by tourist Borge local and further afield. The quarry will impact our community significant in a negative way. Although I object to the quarry expansion if it does go ahead use of rail would be a much preferred option than trucks |
John QUINN
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Organisation |
John Quinn Projects |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
My wife and I have owned our property in Bolwarra Heights since 2007. Our property is located⬛⬛⬛I objected to Daracon’s 2016 proposal and again in 2021 to their revised proposal, primarily on the basis of Traffic and Transport issues associated with the historical and proposed operations of its Martins Creek Quarry. Daracon is nothing if not persistent in its efforts to pursue this development, despite the protests and objections of affected Patterson and Bolwarra residents along the transport route. I am a retired Civil Engineer manager and consultant with direct experience with both civil construction and extractive industries in the Hunter, and with Daracon. I am also a dedicated road walker, with a daily ritual including a 3km section of Tocal and Patterson Roads through Bolwarra Heights. The Transport Recommendations B38 to B46 of the Draft Development Consent offer no reprieve for Tocal and Patterson Road residents from the current unacceptable public road operating conditions imposed by quarry haulage. DPIE Assessment Report (October 2022) states that: 104. The Project seeks approval to transport up to 500,000 tpa of quarry products via road out of a total production rate of 1.1 Mtpa, with the balance to be transported via rail subject to market demands and network availability. It also seeks approval to undertake train loading 24 hours per day, seven days per week and to extend the existing rail siding by approximately 360 m further to the northeast to enable loading of longer trains. These measures represent a commitment by Daracon to maximise the use of rail transport wherever feasible within the identified network and market constraints. 105. The Department acknowledges the constraints associated with the use of rail transport by the Project to supply the Hunter Region. It also recognises the efforts that have been made by Daracon Martins Creek Quarry Project (SSD 6612) | Assessment Report 30 to maximise the use of rail transport, wherever feasible. The Department considers that an appropriate mix of road and rail transportation options have been incorporated into the Project to balance road haulage related impacts on the community with the viability of the quarry. Daracon is obviously more interested in ‘market constraints’ and economic feasibility than the social and emotional well-being of affected residents, but the Department should not be. Additional rail haulage is indeed both possible and feasible, but not economic for Daracon if it wants to undercut the hard rock supply market. Daracon supplies hard rock for its own projects, giving it the ability to subsidise its own tender prices for large construction projects both public and private. Daracon’s marketing and profit motives should not feature into the Department’s or the Independent Planning Commission’s assessment or recommendations. As noted by numerous other objectors, including some notably presenters at the 7-8 Nov 2022 IPC Public Hearing, Daracon has such a poor historical record of haulage compliance and contractor monitoring, that it cannot be trusted to monitor and audit its own consent conditions. There can be no subjectivity in any consent conditions, such as ‘take all reasonable steps’ (SSD 6612, condition B43). The recommended ‘Driver Code of Conduct’ (B44.(d)) and ‘self-imposed 40km/hr for trucks travelling through Paterson’ (B44.(c)) are more than ridiculous, as any seasoned compliance officer or Local Government planner or engineer will know. Compliance can only be effective with independent monitoring and audit, with absolute objectivity. The suggestion that Daracon should fund a Compliance Officer position to Dungog and Maitland City Councils, with the sole carriage of a Martin’s Creek Quarry Development Consent, is an excellent one, with the proper setup and controls in place. Failure to Comply will not deter Daracon or satisfy residents unless it comes with a mandatory cessation of quarry operations, stockpiling and road haulage. This should be enshrined within any proposed Conditions of Consent. I suggest a few possible outcomes for SSD 6612, for the good of the affected haulage route communities: • If Daracon cannot or will not commit to a progressive elimination of all Martin’s Creek quarry road haulage (within 5yrs of a 25yr extraction period), then the IPC should refuse the Proposal. • If the Proposal is Approved, in some form, the recommended maximum extraction rate of 1.1 Mtpa should be drastically reduced to 600,000 tpa, which appears to be Daracon’s selected ‘economically feasible’ rate for rail haulage. There would be no quarry product haulage by road. • If the Proposal is Approved with some arbitrary minor level of road haulage not nominated by Daracon (for example 100,000 tpa), there should be a commensurate reduction in the frequency of truck haulage movements per hour and per day, rather than satisfying a short term market need within a two-month intensive campaign. |
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Attachments |
objectiontossd661216nov2022pdf_redacted.pdf (PDF, 380.8 KB) tocal-rd-bolwarra-heightsjpg.jpg (JPG, 353.74 KB) |
B Beaumont
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am a local community member and live on Butterwick Road, so I live between the quarry at Brandy Hill and the Martins Creek Quarry. I object to the expansion of the quarry on a number of reasons as follows: 1. The current condition of our local roads is far from ideal, with extremely large potholes and poor condition of the roads in every direction of both the quarries in this local area. The number of trucks which use these roads presently is significant in the degradation of the road system, without consideration of even more trucks planned to be using the same poor roads. This is costly to us personally, as we have to pay for damages to our cars, caused by both the poor quality of the roads as well as from the pieces of road which the large trucks flick up when they use the roads. The increase amount of traffic will also lead to a higher likelihood of road accidents and incidents. 2. We have already noticed an increase in the detriment of the local wildlife's habitat due to the Brandy Hill quarry undergoing expansion, with common sightings and visits to our small acreage by the local wildife, for example the koala community, as they struggle to find safe havens to live, due to their natural habitat being cleared. As the crow flies, the two quarries offer a small relief to the native habitat as they continue to struggle to find new locations in which to live, thus face extinction in this area, which will have a resounding effect on the populations Australia wide. Please consider the livelihood and existence of our endangered species who live in and around the proposed area of expansion of the quarry, as they are unable to speak for themselves but are a most important part of the Australian environment. 3. Living between both quarries, we are subject to significant dust as well as noise, as the quarry operates. This has increased since the expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry so is again likely to increase further if Martins Creek expansion gets the green light. Increased dust and noise has increased health implications, both physical and mental, on myself, my family and all of the local residents in this area. This should also be of major consideration when determining the costs of expanding Martins Creek Quarry. 4. While Daracon will look to win financially from an expansion of Martins Creek quarry this will have the adverse effect on the local community, both personally and collectively. As already mentioned there has been increased cost to having car damage fixed, increased cleaning costs and health related costs with Brandy Hill operations expanding. On a community level, the cost of maintaining the local infrastructure, primarily the roads and bridges, will come at a substantial financial cost for the councils, as well as the personal opportunity costs of local residents, having to allow additional travel time into Maitland or Raymond Terrace as we are stopped for lengthy periods of time while the roads are being repaired. I run a small business and this has caused me to miss at least one hour per day of late, of time which I could bill for, over the past six-nine months. If the amount of truck traffic increased, leading to increased road damage, leading to increased road repair time this will cost me more than this time each day, which over a longer period of time adds up significantly and personally has a detrimental effect on my own financial position. 5. Consideration must also be given to the nasty "scars" left on our natural lands as the quarry expands. They are eyesores and while there are requirements in place to "restore" the land, history has demonstrated it is not possible to return the environment back to its natural state and allow original ecosystems to return. Human intervention damages lifecycles of our fragile animals and environments forever. The current size of the Martins Creek Quarry has damaged our local area sufficiently without the need to further damage. All this for a huge financial gain to a large company whose profits are not even sown back into the local community and which comes at such a huge price for the residents of this local community. NO NO NO to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I live in ⬛⬛⬛ and regularly drive through Paterson. The road infrastructure is simply not up to the impacts of this level of industrial development. Especially through small, quiet country villages. I oppose this proposed development. Use the rail infrastructure if the increased production really has to happen. Does it? |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I live in Bolwarra Heights and I have since the last time the Martins Creek Quarry was fully operational. The trucks were coming through the town at high numbers and at a fast speed. The noise and traffic issues they caused was horrendous on our country roads and bridges. The entry and exit from Hunterglen Estate is already hectic with many accidents occurring at this intercection of Hunterglenn Drive and Paterson Road. The traffic build up throughout the day to leave this estate is already a long wait time and to add the large number of trucks using Paterson road the delays would be even longer. It would also be dangerous with the speed the trucks travel. I strongly object to this proposed development |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
More road trucks on regional roads equals more more accidents - simply a fact! The proposed traffic route is not meant to service the number of heavy vehicles that will traverse them. In particular Flat Rd- Pitnacree Rd-Melbourne St-this route is already regularly gridlocked. To simply say that these roads will deteriorate to F/F anyway is just not acceptable. There is no measure lower than F and it’s going to get there anyway so that’s ok? There is no way to improve this particular piece of infrastructure. When this area becomes gridlocked are the Daracon trucks then going to redirect themselves through Lorn to beat the inevitable traffic snarl? There will certainly be more cars moving through Lorn not willing to deal with the mayhem of dozens of trucks every day and the long wait to get through the lights at Melbourne St. What restrictions will contractors have when they haul from the quarry? Will they be bound to all proposed routes/times/loading etc? |
Tara Neal
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly object to this proposal- I have lived and worked in the Largs / Paterson and Maitland area for 22 years and regularly use these roads. I worked in Paterson the years that Darracon illegally used trucks to transport through the area- I have seen the detoriation of roads - backlog of traffic and unsafe driving - these roads do not cope well with what we have now - there are no safe verges for school busses to pull off road. The road the trucks will be travelling are full of day care centres schools bus stops small round about school crossings - that are already over loaded and unsafe. The recreational bike riders and walkers are huge in the area - the impact will be enormous and unsafe |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Objection to this project, Due to the massive increase in trucks on roads that are not able to cope with the increased traffic of heavy vehicles. Noise and pollution this has on our community. Impact on locals living in the area, from increased blasting, noise, traffic and polution, which effects the health of people and the integrity of housing and devaluating properties in the vacinity/area. Strongly believe the high court decision made not allowing further development of the Quarry be applied to the land title. Therefore eliminating any business or same bussiness applying to devolop the quarry under other names and putting this small community through further stress. The quarry should only operate between the hours of 7am and 4pm weekdays and not at all on weekends. Blasting should be limited to once a month and only one blast. Greed should not come before community. |
Jamie Grace
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
This is⬛⬛⬛. Not only will it cause traffic problems and delays in my direct travels every day it will cause road damage stress to the already overcrowded traffic areas. We as a community do not need this. |
Anja Schneider
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Location |
Queensland |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Quarries will destroy the vulnerable ecosystem. Often endangered species, for example koalas, will be driven away or killed and their and other wildlife habitat will be destroyed. I oppose the quarry. Documentation of wildlife , rescue of wildlife must be secured and no Aboriginal places must es destroyed. Save the nature! |
Judi Gurd-Chapman
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Organisation |
Mind Mechanics P/L |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the proposed development of Martins Creek for the following reasons:- Excessive offensive Noise- My business is in Mental Health. I am Judi Gurd-Chapman of Mind Mechanics Pty Ltd. My business is on Belmore Road in Lorn. Presently trucks, especially B-train trucks and mining trucks with equipment disturb the noise level on the road outside my house/business constantly interrupting my therapy sessions. I literally have to stop speaking while the trucks pass. I have had painting fall of the walls and constant shuddering as each large truck passes. My house is a 100 plus years old. A recent quote for noise reduction to my windows and doors was $17,000. Is this a price one has to pay to live in a country town in NSW for calm and quiet work? From a mental health point of view noise pollution can cause loss of hearing, stress levels to rise and sleep disturbance . Noise pollution is a health hazard. Frequent or loud noise can trigger anxiety, stress reactions, tinnitus or distorted hearing. People living with noise pollution may feel irritable, on edge, frustrated, or angry. If a person feels they cannot control the amount of noise in their environment, its impact on their mental health intensifies. Sleep deprivation- Excessive noise contributes to sleep deprivation or interrupted sleep especially for those who work shifts, sick and the elderly. A major factor in accidents and slow reaction times for events and incidents both at work and on the roads. Every time of the day is valuable for good mental health. Sleep times are not necessarily between evening and early morning. I am reticent to believe that noise from motorised vehicles will improve with more car and truck traffic diverting through Lorn, particularly during peak times trying to avoid Melbourne Street East Maitland, which sits in bumper to bumper traffic each morning already. Extra truck traffic would make the nightmare and stress even more unhealthy for all the surrounding towns. Neighbourhood security and safety- I have personally witnessed a number of trucks fail to stop at the crosswalk near Nillo Infants school. Children's safety is at risk from excessive traffic in school hours, believing fewer trucks will make it safer is an unreliable dream. I note in particular those trucks who will avoid traffic build up in other areas and cut across Belmore Road to the New England Highway. Who will monitor them? Will camera positioning really help stop trucks from diverting or will that idea contribute to another issue, lack of privacy . In my opinion anything or anyone that contributes adverse impact on mental health to people and animals, and which can be avoided or subdued should indeed be investigated. We all have a right to live undisturbed lives. |
Angus Duguid
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the proposed development because our local roads are already in a state of disrepair. One only needs to look at the truck movement on the Bingleburra Road near Gresford to see what destruction the movement of trucks carrying gravel does! It is clear that these heavy trucks destroy roads much quicker, especially when the road base is so damp under our current weather pattern. Will they fix the roads?! With more potholes, debris from potholes and more gravel on the road the damage to car windscreens will increase for locals. I have been the victim of rocks falling directly out of a truck and onto my windcreen on Butterwick road, smashing it completely. I can attribute two occasions where I have had to replace my windcreen thanks to local gravel trucks. Paterson town is not suitable for large scale movement of trucks, especially with its right hand bend near the post office, regardless of how they 'try' to amend this. In fact school kids always congregate near that corner and often cross the road. The increased volume of traffic which is already higher due to many property developments in Vacy and Gresford will only serve to make Paterson an ugly place. Lastly, I can't see how they didn't get the message the first time! How can any changes 'they' make appease locals. This should have been put to bed the first time! And how can someone out of this jurisdiction have a say, that doesn't make sense? |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
The constant traffic is not only an environmental impact to the community, it is absolutely affecting the businesses in Paterson and the enjoyment we have dining in the area. The fear of a serious accident is always on our mind when we dine there. They absolutely fly around the intersection at Paterson and an accident is something that will happen |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am a local resident representing our family in objection to the proposal. Our family had made a conscience, well thought out, researched and concerted plan to re-locate to the historic village of Paterson after experiencing the demoralising effects of a similar large scale operation to that of the one proposed by the proponents of the Martin’s Creek expansion. The historic village of Paterson is unique, provides a sense of security - in terms of traditional small town familiarity, ease of navigation for all members of our family - from ages 8-16 - via any means they wish - walk, ride bikes, skateboard - in a safe and familiar environment. Daracon’s industrialisation of the village will erase that. We also regularly use the same road network Daracon proposes to saturate with fully laden trucks - this is an unacceptable burden for a small, tourist focussed and community orientated village to accommodate. The benefits of maintaining Paterson’s unique historic presence and appeal far outweigh any perceived benefit for quarry products which Daracon say must be primarily transported through the heart of Paterson. Paterson brings with it a 'sense of place' and identity which cannot be found easily - see the historic village of Morpeth for instance. Daracon’s proposal will force Paterson and its many visitors to be exposed to negative environmental change. This will cause a communal negative affect which will be exacerbated by a sense of powerlessness or lack of control over the unfolding change process. The Independent Planning Commission and Daracon are in an enviable position to be able to strike a balance between the needs of resources and those of the community and would be embarrassing at best and a tragedy at worst for the IPC to not enforce that solution upon Daracon’s proposed operations. If this solution is unable to be accommodated by Daracon then perhaps the IPC needs to decline Daracon’s proposed changes. The solution would be to ensure that at least 90% of all resources extracted from their proposed operations be transported by the existing rail network; a network literally on Daracon’s doorstep. Thankyou. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Noise level ! Traffic , generally quiet environment Pollution level increases , damage to roads and environmental disruption..Increased risk to other traffic as roads are not up to standard . Recent wet weather has increased the deterioration of local roads that trucks will be travelling on,which adds to risk of other road users . |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object the proposed expansion of the current operation on the basis if the road transport which directly impacts me - I live very close to ⬛⬛⬛ and travel this road on a daily basis if the movements of trucks is increased and the hours of operation are increased it will 1) Effect the road surface and potholes - at present the road surface is bad - with increased truck traffic it will become even worse and make it a hazard to normal car traffic 2) Safety when travelling on the road - truck make for dangerous situations on the road - it will increase significantly the likelihood of accidents 3) traffic congestion during peak periods - the roads they have to travel funnel into 1 -2 exist from the are - at peak period the line up to get into Maitland or east Maitland is not good - it will be come even worse 4) Safely of children waiting on the roads for school buses will be impacted by the increased flow of trucks 5) Noise of the truck will be increased if the level of trucks is increased 6) Local wildlife will be impacts and potentially killed due to the increased road traffic It is the the increase in the road traffic and transport I really am against - I hate travelling on road where there are large number of trucks and this will be the case if the expansion of the quarry is approved - I moved from the city 8 years ago to try and avoid this very situation and now with this proposal I am facing the same issues as when I lived in the city The community has to be considered and the impact on the residents in the community have to taken into account when approving projects like this - allowing operations 6 days a week from basically light until dark is not what I would consider in the best interest of a rural community and the fact that it has to go through Patterson Village is even worse - it will now mean I will no longer shop in the village as the my safety will be severely comprised due to the impact of increased road traffic If all the mining from the quarry was moved by rail I would have no object - it is the moving the good by road and the increased truck traffic I am against very strongly |
Terry Holdom
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I have had the misfortune of witnessing the death of a young ptimary school boy after he was run over by a truck. It was not the truck drivers fault but the boy's fault. The truck driver was going slow and he couldn't stop in time. Excess traffic in a highly populated area is a dangerous mix no matter how many rules you put in place. And once the decision is made to allow the extra trucks to go through the highly populated areas the decision makers are nowhere to be seen. The community is left to pick up the pieces and the anger escalates. As decision makers are hounded by money makers the community fractures and the peace and tranquility they built around them has vanished and their house value diminishes but they still have to pay the high rates andmake ends meet. Sound familiar? Yes..the easiest way to fullfil the wishes of the big companies usually endsup being the most costly and destuctive for the community and the government. Thank you Terry Holdom |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I have elderly parents that live on Paterson Road Bolwarra and I am concerned about the impact of all the extra trucks on the road regarding movement with their house, noise and also the danger of the trucks and extra traffic. I live in Hunterglen estate and also am very concerned with the traffic and safety issues. Traffic will be held up and this will cause more accidents on Paterson Road. There is also a bus stop in front of the Bolwarra Uniting Church on Paterson Road, which causes blockages at times. Traffic at stand still. I feel this is another example of an accident waiting to happen if these extra trucks are added to our roads. Maybe more use of the train lines and less of the trucks on our roads. |
Margaret Grace
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am an elderly 80 year old who walks these main roads daily. I do not drive but I will be too scared to walk to the bus stops provided on paterson road to catch public transport with so many trucks on route. I feel my safety will be in jeoprody with the roads that are still not fixed from all the rain damage and further more the damage the trucks will cause to the roads that the council can’t upkeep. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
How any puppet in a suit can happily sit back and approve of the inevitable destruction of such a beautiful small community is so far beyond me. The fact that even after plenty of the Paterson/Martins Creek locals have made it loud and clear how horrific it was when a similar thing happened all those years ago It’s simply not fair. The community that we have all worked so hard to make what it is today is about to be culled because apparently for the folks behind this project, history is nothing to go off This is a mistake, more than a mistake actually, it’s a blatant and pathetic decision made by people who have no idea what life is like out here I can only do so much, but I just hope you all realise that the approval of this project is going to end in a bad way, and it isn’t going to end anytime soon |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
Good morning, Having grown-up in the area & being a frequent visitor I am appalled that this proposal could even be thought-of as going ahead. It is totally & utterly out of step with the community & surrounds. This is a peaceful, serene location that is impacted enough as it is by this quarry. My heart bleeds thinking of the residents & how their lives will be transformed by the impositions that this proposed development would present. Many of the residents have moved to this area specifically to escape the rumbling of trucks, to breathe clean, fresh air & to retire in the peace & quiet the area has to offer. I would wholeheartedly & strongly suggest that any persons being in a position to adjudge this proposal, go and spend some time (not just a fleeting drive through) in the area to see for themselves how this would be not in keeping with the natural beauty of this area. I am appalled by the proposal & cannot object strongly enough. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the plan for a number of reasons : * I live on and travel on the roads planned to be used for the truck movements. The number of proposed truck movements will cause increased congestion and increase risk and danger to everyday drivers. * Increased truck movement will mean increased noise, increased dust shedding from the loads, and increased shaking of my house as the trucks travel past. This will cause the price on my property to drop and the cost of maintenance to increase. Will I be compensated for this? * The number of truck movements will increase wear and tear on the roads, and with the amount of strain our local & state govts are already facing in repairing potholes, road conditions will go backwards unless there's a huge increase in costs on upkeep. * Increased truck movements means increased toll on wildlife along the roads. There's already too many animal carcasses on the roadsides due to traffic collisions as it is. * If the quarry is to go ahead, I think more should be spent on rail infrastructure and the rail be leveraged to replace the proposed truck movements. |
Scott Campbell
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As a professional engineer of 40 years standing and a resident of Bolwarra along the proposed route of the road transport option, I would like to strongly object to the road transport of material from the quarry. There is an existing siding available to take all the material from the quarry by rail, saving truck noise and local road damage that would result from the road transport. I have no objection to the quarry operation, but a strong objection to the road transport. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We live in Duns Creek and feel the ground movement from the quarry work already. Increasing this activity would be quite concerning for us, not just for our family but the overall impact of the earth if this activity was to be increased. Another concern is the amount of increased transport activity on our rural roads. We chose to move to this beautiful rural area away from suburbia for the peace, tranquility, quiet and connection to the earth. Having an increased amount of loud, heavy trucks on these roads would be an inconvenience due to sound pollution as well as the hazardous potholes created, especially after all the rain we’ve been having. Expanding the quarry would also impact on the wildlife, driving them out of their homes and killing many of them which is very saddening. I write this submission to encourage the consideration of all of these concerns and I hope the decision made is in the best interest of our planet, wildlife and humanity not financial gain. |
Simone Grace
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
16/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
This will have a major impact on myself and my family with regards to traffic and safety conditions on the roads the trucks will be travelling upon. Mainly the corner of paterson road in both directions at the service station. Traffic will be congested and the roads will become damaged which is already an issue. The safety of my children are my number one priority! |
Ben Crebert
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Organisation |
AHPRA and APS |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my opposition to the scale of the Martin’s Creek Quarry Expansion and the means by which Daracon intends to transport material extracted from the quarry. As a resident of Paterson and Clinical Psychologist in Maitland, I am concerned that the Daracon proposal and the Unwelt impact report have failed to adequately address the mental health of residents surrounding the quarry and the transport corridor that will be utilised by trucks. Numerous residents have made submissions that detail mental health diagnosis, or distressing psychological symptoms that have either become exacerbated ( due to a pre – existing condition ) or developed as a result of the lived experience of previous illegal operations. All mental health diagnoses are biopsychosocial phenomena that crystalise within an individual perceptions, behaviours, mood, affect and cognitions. What is clear that those cases previously described are clearly contextually derived. In other words, there is a relationship between the Daracon operations and my fellow community members changes in perceptions, mood, behaviours, cognitions and capacity to carry out activities of daily living. There are hints of such changes happening within individuals and the community, again, now. What concerns me both professionally and personally, is that whilst it is clear that amendments and details about attempts to review or consider alternatives to the proposal have been made, it is not clear that the proposed annual scale will be less than the historical unlawful operations. It is not clear that the hourly and daily intensity of trucking operations (and the annual total extractive scale at the facility) being sought approval for, will be less than past unlawful operations. It is not clear that monitoring and various safeguards have been committed to. However, what concerns me, is the limited attempt to understand, or address the mental health impacts of the development. With little to no actual change of the proposed extraction rate, transportation methods and by extension, truck movements I have witnessed the anticipatory responses ( stress) within my own being, that of my children, my wife, my extended family, friends, neighbours, local business people, and educators within the township of Paterson and surrounds. Yes, there is anxiety. Yes there is anger and there is sadness a sense of loss that is both mine and that of my fellow local citizens ( I have talked to many local people ). This sadness is marked with a kind of resignation as to what feels inevitable – a done deal. This sadness is linked to a feeling of betrayal, of being let down, under – represented and feeling un - protected. I particularly feel vulnerable when I think of my children and others who I now see riding bikes and walking the streets safely. I particularly feel sad when I think of lost habitat for Koalas and Regent Honey eaters etc. I feel disappointed and frustrated when I read that the roads are fit for purpose. I feel scared when I think about silica dust and noise filling the air. I feel one among the ignored, the overlooked, the unrepresented. We have voiced our dissent. It has been coherent, unified and consistent. We have seen little changes that reflect genuine accomdations despite such efforts. These emotional sentiments I have described could be characterised as a personal failing. However, I don’t see it that way. As a mental health clinician I ask my clients what is happening or what has happened to you in order to understand their perceptions and experiences? In the context of the relationship I and my community have with Daracon, and now the state government. I see the painful feelings, this distress, is the result of the impact of: • the poor relationship that Daracon has with my community, • the capacity of a powerful company, to legitimately ( through financial and legal means and access to levers of power ) rebrand a previously illegal operation as now a state significant project, • the capacity of Daracon to characterise the current proposal as having reduced extraction and transport rates, when that does not appear to be the case • to capacity of Daracon to suggest that this quantity of material is needed when nearby quarries have also increased their extraction rates ( What are these state significant projects ? ) • the lack of adequately measuring the relationship the community has with rural amenity, and the relationship to wellbeing. • there is a lack of genuinely interrogating the measurement of loss of sense of belonging and place and it’s impact on wellbeing. This is incredibly disheartening, when we have an expert on such matters living locally and such a tool of measurement has been a yardstick for other proposals to be measured against ( Bulga and Gloucester mines ) • the proposed mental health solutions reinforce the broken relationship between the community and Daracon, where the distribution of risk of operations is placed onto individuals within the community and Daracon offers counselling to address a difficulty that their proposal has in effect created. I am not against the quarry operating, however, I vehemently oppose the scale of operations that Daracon has proposed. I request that this current proposal be rejected. |
Name Redacted
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STOK Marine Pty Ltd |
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I object to this quarry expansion. The area is becoming 1 big mine. An absolute disgrace to the local amenity of the area. The local community suffers again while big business screws the environment. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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As a home owner in the affected area I oppose to the extra traffic in the area. The affect to the land & environment and any impact to aboriginal cultural heritage. |
Name Redacted
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a53013cadb3ce8906d9b32e43a96194f |
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am very concerned about the level of traffic on the roads already, if there is an increase in trucks using the roads it will be very dangerous for everyone else who drive or walks/ rides along the roads. The houses near the road ways will suffer from increased noise and will be like living in sydney. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposed expansion on the basis of the significant impact to the road network by transporting 500000 ton of gravel via road. The road network in the area from both Maitland and Raymond Terrace is not suited to a significant increase in trucks. This would pose an unnecessary risk to public road users, and adversely affect the amenity of the communities along the road corridors. The recommended consent conditions covering transport operations (A10 to A15), hours of operation (A16 to A17), Noise operating conditions (B4) and Transport (B38 to B46) do not adequately prevent Material Harm to the community from the development. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am not against the quarry operating. I do have concerns about the amount of material they want to produce daily and the truck movements that will be transporting that high volume output via road I have lived in the Maitland and Paterson areas for fair amount of past 45 years. I was resident in maitland during the late 1970's & 1980's when the roads were full of Coal Haulage trucks. The report issued about the proposed operations mentions that two intersections (Pitnacree Road and Melbourne Street and then the Melbourne Street New England Highway) are already at capacity. Additional truck movements at these intersections will have impact to residents and regular users of these roads, at peak times such as school drop off and pick up The alternative routes are also busy (through Lorn, or from the eastern side of Martins Creek) the proposed truck movements will have impact on many roads and suburbs. The remediation offered by Daracon for road works is NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH for the impact the trucks will have across all the affected councils areas. The feeder roads from the Newcastle expressway are in poor condition since the March 2022 and July 2022 flood events. Additional loaded truck movements will damage these roads further The impact to Paterson CBD that the volume of trucks will cause is far reaching. The safety of other road users at multiple spots, the safety to pedestrians in the area, the impact to local businesses and residents with 200+ trucks traversing through the township. proposed road/corner modifications near post office will not reduce impact, it will increase negative impact to locals by removing parking and access for local residents to the post office and other businesses. (noting that not all residents in this area get to the house mail delivery) |
Peter McFadyen
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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To whom it may concern. I am writing to express my objection to the proposed Martina Creek quarry expansion. I have lived in the Bolwarra, Largs area since 1986. I have seen a lot of growth and expansion in this time, but the I would still classify the area as semi rural. As a resident who travels the local roads frequently I feel that the increased truck movements on the local roads will have a massive impact on both the physical state of the roads, the noise pollution created for those people who live directly on the roads the trucks will be travelling on and also on the increased transport times travelling into the East Maitland from Bolwarra via Melbourne Street and the same in reverse. To transport 0.5 million tonnes a year by road in the form of 280 trucks per day to me is nothing short of ludicrous. At the moment travelling to East Maitland in the morning between 8.00am and 9.30am it can take anywhere between 4 to 6 light changes at Melbourne Street to get through the intersection, and that is is you are headed straight. If you are turning right into Melbourne Street towards the New England HWY it takes longer. If you add 40 more B double trucks per hour into that existing scenario that is a massive impact on transport times and also the safety aspect of the increased traffic movement and numbers. The same situation is the case when turning into Melbourne Street from the New England HWY. The curtailing of the road transport from the quarry over the last few years has made a noticeable difference to the condition of the local roads ( for the better) and even though I do not live directly on Tocal Road the noise pollution from an empty or full B double truck hitting a pothole is still audible from my residence. Surely it is more feasible to transport the quarry material by rail rather than road. I feel that little if any consideration has been given to the concerns and thoughts of the local residents like myself and many others in the area who will be adversely affected by the proposal going ahead. I once again stress my strong opposition to the Martins Creek quarry expansion going ahead. Regards. Peter McFadyen |
Gareth Curtis
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Dungog Shire Council |
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Please see attached submission from Dungog Shire Council |
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dsc-submission-to-ipcpdf.pdf (PDF, 2.68 MB) |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am a local resident of Paterson. I and my children visit the retail premises on Duke Street, Paterson and King Street, Paterson. I am gravely concerned about the continued safety of attending these premises should the proposed truck movements be approved. There is limited on-street parking on both sides of the road for those attending the retail premises. The two-way street and on-street parking are narrow and it is already difficult to exit my vehicle safely to enter the shops when there is oncoming traffic. If the proposed truck movements are approved it will become vastly more dangerous for myself and all all our local residents and their children to park and exit our vehicles near the retail premises. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Very concerned about the increased truck and dog movements in the main street of Paterson and tocal road |
Connor Nash
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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If this is approved it will show how out of touch and ineffective the government is, you know clearly how this community feels about the matter and the fact it wasn't rejected earlier is a absolute joke. Truck drivers are in high demand, they can work elsewhere. Don't ruin our small village for a outdated quarry that should be shut down. You should all be ashamed of yourselves |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am worried that people and children will be affected by the quarry traffic there in time will be undoubtedly be an accident caused by these trucks and blood will be on the hands of those allowing this traffic. The airborne dust contaminants from the quarry will also vastly be a negative affect on the community near the quarry and also the trucks transport routes. Please do not approve. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Martins Creek Quarry • Before I start I’d like to acknowledge the land on which we meet, the Wonarrua Nation and the Gringai Clan … particularly paying my respect to elders past and elders who may be joining us today. • I’d like to thank the commissioners for being with us and their huge amount of patience. • I’d also like to welcome and thank all members of this community of STATE SIGNIFICANCE !!! Let me introduce myself … my name is Margie Plain and I am the great great great granddaughter of John Kidd the convict … he stole a horse and was sent out to this very place of Tocal in 1827 … I know right … horse thief deported out to a horse stud … go figure !!! Let me tell you something … them roads back then weren’t built for truckin … and to be frank … these roads now ain’t really built for trucking either !!! If you want to visit John Kidd … he’s in the cemetery behind St Paul’s Paterson which is on the main drag … you can go and visit him if you can find a park !!! My husband Brett and I live in the ⬛⬛⬛ which means that … as the crow flies … the quarry is about 3.4 km south east of our place. There’s just soooo many things to talk about concerning this proposed quarry expansion … but I am limiting myself to 3 major points. 1. Geology and vibrations from blasting 2. Protection of Flora and fauna within the quarry site and 3. The rehabilitation of the site NOW and into the future. *** Next fun fact … our property overlooks a bit of a mountain … and we were sitting on the veranda having a drink and I passed the question to Brett … I wonder what rock that mountain is made of … and being an amateur geologist I rang the then owners of the quarry with the hope that they would know with some confidence the geology of the area … after a little hold on the line, I was politely told “Sandy Loam” … to which I replied … don’t you think it would have washed away by now if it was made from sandy loam ??? I then asked them what was being mined at the quarry … again after a little wait I was informed that alsynite was being mined. Now if you’re not aware … alsynite is a form of roofing material. This conversation was about 16 or so years ago. My faith in the geological knowledge of the some of the quarry proprietors over the years has sometimes been questionable. The quarry of course mines ANDESITE (Blue Metal) which is a volcanic/igneous rock which is used for road, bridge, rail and housing infrastructure. We are told that the high quality of the andesite in the Martin’s quarry renders it a “Quarry of State Significance”. My first concern lies with the rock stratigraphy or rock layers and how those rocks may translate significant vibrations to our homes after blasting. Think of it as like flicking a ruler on the edge of a desk … flick one end and the vibrations travel the length of the ruler. Folk who live in the Martins Creek community or in the Paterson Valley Estate or somewhere geographically close to the quarry often report not only hearing a blast but feeling quite sizable vibrations. These vibrations usually last a couple of seconds … small cracks in walls, windows, pavers and tiles have appeared over time have been reported and discussed at several public meetings involving quarry representatives. Our concern is the long term impact of these “vibration events”. If the resultant vibrations are impacting our homes … the question lies as to their impact on surrounding rock structures and potential fault lines. If the quarry is to continue operations, then a detailed geological survey must be completed of the wider community surrounding the quarry. This survey must also provide information concerning any fault lines or potential impact to hydrology … water flow above and below the ground. This information may prove imperative in the construction of houses, sheds and dams. Continued regular and independent seismic monitoring would also be recommended. My second concern lies with the protection of the flora and fauna in and around the quarry site. Yesterday, Jessie Evans from the Department of Planning and Environment eluded to the fact that there were several species found in and around the quarry that may be classified as endangered or threatened. In jest, at a public meeting many moons ago, I suggested that the community should be on the hunt for a super rare species of animal … such as the blue arsed wombat. Sadly, no wombats filling that description have been found !!! Listening to Carmel Northwood from the Koala Koalition Eco Network yesterday highlighted that WE DO have an animal of state significance. It was announced in February of this year that the koala would be listed as an endangered species for the first time in Eastern Australia. It’s estimated that fewer than 100,000 koalas are left in the wild … maybe even as low as 43,000. We heard from Carmel how koala habitats continue to be under threat. Stress levels in koala populations as the result of blasting, land clearing and extreme weather events may impact their health and breeding cycles. Koalas have been seen within the quarry site plus in the broader community. The suggestion of a fence to keep them in or out of the quarry site is questionable. Perhaps chatting with Kenny the Carmelo Koala about fence climbing would be more successful … seriously !!! If we have koalas present in our community, then I feel it is our obligation and privilege to protect, monitor and care for that population. Independent environmental surveys of all species MUST be a priority !!! The presence of a variety of threatened species of flora and fauna within quarry boundaries may be considered a significant marker in the decision making process as to quarry expansion. Here’s a question … what will the koala population be in Eastern Australia in 25 years ?? My third area of concern lies with the rehabilitation of the Martins Creek Quarry site. Rehabilitation cannot and should not be considered an afterthought. Upon speaking with friends and relatives who work on mine sites, a sod a soil can’t be turned without an action plan being put into practice. Where are you gonna put that dirt … what are you gonna fill it with … watcha gonna plant on top ??? This might sound funny, but it’s reality !! For an operation of this significance and size … the very same questions must be asked !!! That’s a big hole … how you gonna fill it ??? That’s a whole lotta water in that hole … where’s it gonna go ?? That’s a big pile of dusty rubble over there … what’s that gonna be … a new garden ??? Driving past the quarry and observing the site does not necessarily fill one with a sense of joy … maybe I was looking in the wrong spot. Letting lantana grow wild over piles of scree and rubble dust does not warm ones heart. Allowing water levels to rise in said blast holes encourages uncontrolled runoff into the neighbouring community … this is especially evident during rain events. Planning for the rehabilitation of the site must begin ASAP. Waiting 25 years and passing over the responsibility to the new owners is NOT an option. Guidance, consultation and collaboration with other quarry sites must be a priority … with or without approval. Rehabilitation must consider all environmental aspects of the site. A quick trip to Bunnings isn’t going to necessarily fix it !!! Current plans of rehabilitation need to be considered and assessed in light of the community consultation process and independent reviews. Before I finish, I’d like to end with a quote: ENVIRONMENT is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect. Mohith Agadi Thankyou. BTW the comments made by Mr Clay Preshaw when asked about community concerns was disgraceful ... to quote "There's always collateral damage" ... seriously ??? His body language suggested that he really wasn't listening and couldn't care about our concerns. A total disgrace !!! |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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My concern is the safety hazard posed by the number of trucks on the road. When the quarry was operating previously there was numerous incidents of hazardous truck behaviour. The quarry opened at 7 am but from 6.30am multiple trucks would park on the northwest side of gostwyck bridge on the grass verge and encroaching onto the road itself . They would also park in the very tiny layby past Horns Crossing rail overpass bridge again encroaching onto the road. The trucks travelling from the quarry on gresford Rd would travel under the speed limit but in convoy making it unsafe to pass them. I have witnessed these circumstances numerous times in the last year the quarry was operating. With even more trucks I would anticipate this situation becoming even worse. Gostwyck bridge struggles already with normal road traffic |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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I live in the Hunterglen Eatate. Hunterglen Road intersects with Paterson Road. Currently traffic backs up down Hunterglen Drive as traffic waits to enter Paterson Road turning right, having to give way to significant traffic from the left and the right. It is very dangerous and their is significant risk trying to turn onto Paterson Road. I oppose the additional heavy vehicles that will be using the road making it even harder to exit Hunterglen Drive. Perhaps lights need to be installed? |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Increased traffic, air pollution and danger to growing kids in a quiet neighbourhood |
Thomas Compton
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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This expansion would impact on the health and wellbeing of my community of Paterson and all connecting areas . It is to big for this area . Should be considered to be put closer to a main highway without travelling through small communities. Do they already have a quarry close by at Karuah that is close to a major highway somewhere like that would make more sense. Thanks Tom Compton. |
Venessa McFarlane
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I wish to raise my concerns regarding the proposed Martins Creek Quarry expansion. I will not be directly affected as I live at ⬛⬛⬛, but family and friends, who live in the Paterson, will be. I certainly understand the lifestyle impacts. Besides the obvious of excess trucking movements, from 7am until 6pm, noise, difficulty even crossing the road in Paterson, i have other points to raise. Air quality and dust pollution. Most of Martins Creek, Paterson, Butterwick road are dependent on roof top rainwater collection for drinking water. There are no other options. Official health recommendations advise against drinking water collected from rooftops. Another concern is the single lane Gostwyk bridge. The "give way" sign is from the Martins Creek approach. There will be excess braking and noise, especially as the 1st 10 trucks are loaded and ready to go at 7am. Then, there are the residents who live along the 27 km rural route to the New England Highway. Huge impacts on our lifestyle choices. And, who will actually "police " the routes that the contracted truck drivers choose to get to the NEH? |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission: Martins Creek Quarry As a resident of ⬛⬛⬛, I would like to make this submission to oppose the application for the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. We moved to Bolwarra Heights 13 years ago for its quiet, leafy rural lifestyle. Despite living on the main traffic route, the cars, bikes and moderate amount of truck traffic went unnoticed. It wasn’t until Daracon ramped up its output from the Martins Creek Quarry, to what we later found was way beyond its then current DA allowance, when we took notice of the devastating effects of Daracon's operations on our suburb and quality of life. Daracon's approval to increase the output of Martin’s creek quarry would drastically affect my household adversely in the following areas: Noise If approval is given for the quarry to operate from 7am that would allow empty trucks to bang and crash past my house as early as 5:30 am and from past performance at speeds way over the 60km/h limit making it dangerous and unbearable as they engine brake at the bend before the BP petrol station. We have tried to remediate this with double glazing, but it didn't make things any better and is useless in summer when the windows are open. Dust As a person with a respiratory condition, I am sure that any increase in truck traffic will influence my health. We will have no choice but to seriously consider moving, something we cannot afford. Road congestion The proposed haulage route is along narrow country roads through quiet leafy towns eventuating up at the Flat Rd / Melbourne Rd intersection in East Maitland. It will impact 13 intersections between Paterson and East Maitland, for which many residents are already calling out for the installation of traffic lights to help during peak hours. The Flat Road /Melbourne Rd intersection is already heavily congested during morning peak hours with 1km long ques to the traffic lights. I envisage that this will enrage many more residents once they realise the extent of the approval. Road quality The section of Tocal Road in front of our house was resurfaced approximately 4 yrs ago after a lot of lobbying from residents to Maitland Council. This road has since been patched many times and currently has large pot holes along it. With Council rates currently going up by incredible amounts, how much will now have to be offset away from other local improvements to maintain the roads destroyed by extra truck traffic from the quarry? Road safety Most of the trucks do not slow down to 60 km/h in residential part of Tocal Rd. The stretch of Tocal Rd in front of our house is 4m wide with a 3 m verge/path running along many solid residential fences. One truck at speed is intimidating enough but the likely hood of 2 passing each other is high and any incident leaves a pedestrian nowhere to escape too. Daracon has no control over sub-contractors driving to and from the quarry and cannot guarantee any so-called Code of conduct. Any increase in the volume of trucks on Tocal Rd would dramatically reduce the safety of pedestrians and other road users, including the many motor bike riders and cyclists. Property Value If my house is currently worth X amount, due to its leafy quiet location, how much will it be worth with trucks passing every minute, 5 days/week? We have worked very hard on our 1 acre block to create a tranquil experience, spending thousands of dollars on plants and improvements to attract a variety of wildlife and increase the quality and the value of our property. It would be all jeopardised with any increase in truck traffic. Detriments vs Benefits Looking at the number of people disadvantaged by the proposed expansion, compared to how many people would benefit, where is the rationale? In Daracon’s application it reads “overall, it is considered that at full capacity the proposed works will create an estimated 16 ongoing positions” - as opposed to the thousands of people inconvenienced daily by the way of their physical health, mental wellbeing, quality of life, economic loss, safety, environmental damage, just to mention a few. The hundreds of homes devalued, compared to the wealth of one man increasing. The quarry owner / Executive Director David Mingay, when asked at a public meeting `How would you like living on this haulage route’ replied` I would move’. I think it sums it up. |
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e8d5c85299454bbebc8d2f13de2cacefjpeg.jpeg (JPEG, 1.09 MB) f2ed4929e875497a8536c95facb9b23bjpeg.jpeg (JPEG, 1.08 MB) f61f4cfbdc5c4981b844f1500873927bjpeg.jpeg (JPEG, 1.41 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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As resident of Martins Creek, Living within 2km of the Martins Creek quarry I object to the proposed application on the basis the proposed impacts are greater then the proposed benefits. The impacts to myself, my family, neighbours and greater community between Martins Creek and East Maitland cannot be reasonably and satisfactorily avoided, mitigated, or managed through proposed conditions. Regardless of the method of haulage the significant impacts on one sector of the community or the other (either those affected by road or those affected by rail) is completely unjust. Environment & Wildlife The suggestion the department would allow environmental vandalism of an established ecosystem that supports the survival of an endangered species, Koala, is beyond comprehension. The NSW Department and of Planning and Environment states its literature for the NSW Koala Strategy 'The NSW Koala Strategy - the biggest commitment by any government to secure koalas in the wild' and yet we are still fighting to stop this happening within the Martins Creek Quarry. Being a resident who drives past the quarry daily I can confirm the Koala's existing and have been sighted all around the quarry fence. They are a breeding colony as I have personally sighted Koalas with young. Alongside the Koalas we have an abundance of wildlife around the quarry, Eastern Spotted Quolls, Wallabies, Bandicoots, Echidnas, hundreds of bird species - the list goes on. The number of wildlife and species has signicantly increased dramatically since the illegal operations of the quarry ceased in 2019. I personally believe not only the clearing of land will have impacts on the wildlife but the operations itself has impacts that have never been assessed, the noise, vibrations and explosions no doubt negatively affect wildlife - we only have to consider the reaction of pets to these instances to understand it does impact them. There are no mitigations that can reverse or compensate the damage to the environment and our wildlife. Noise, Air Pollution and Related Concerns If I may paint a picture of our lifestyle at Martins Creek - As mentioned earlier we live approx 2km from the quarry and 250m above the quarry. We wake everyday to the sound of birds, the thumping of wallabies making their way to rest under the trees and the last morning calls of the Koalas, we go to sleep at night to the sound of the bush, frogs, possums screeching and Koalas calling. Our family and friends visit regularly and comment on the feeling of breathing in clean, crisp air, ourselves and our neighbours have a beautiful community - we all care for the bush that surrounds us, we live in harmony with our surrounds. This proposal will, regardless of how it is operated, under the proposed expansion, completely and irreversibly ruin this amenity - I know this because we have already lived through it when the applicant was operating illegally. The staring up of crushers and machinery before the operating hours have began, the non-stop hum throughout the day that is so disturbing we have to play loud music to drown it out, the explosions, the dust that covers the trees and the balloon of air pollution that is often visible as you approach the village of Martins Creek itself. Add to this the incredible loud noise that comes from the coal loading and train haulage and we are living in hell. In a time when we are all concerned about climate change an operation like this seems to disregard everything we know. It is not necessary, there are other quarries nearby and the applicant itself already operates another 6 quarries which surely allows them all the resources they need without taking everything for the future. These resources cannot be replaced and if the quarry continues to operate under its existing development consent there will be recourses for future generations. Transport Whilst I support the communities concerns with regard to road haulage I would like to point out the extreme loss of amenity that will be caused by 24 hour a day, 7 day a week rail loading and haulage to the village of Martins Creek and Vacy and all those towns and people along the rail network. This is completely unjust - how can the financial and emotional investment of a community be disregarded over a companies wish to be more profitable. General I purchased my property knowing the quarry operated under certain parameters that I was prepared to live with and support the operation of the quarry under the development consent that currently exists - not the illegal operations or any subsequent applications for expansion that seem to be the benchmark for the applicant. Not only does the application completely disintegrate the general amenity of my and the communities lifestyle it also disintegrates my financial investment in property and business. I do not agree with the recommendations of the DPE and feel very concerned that this department would make recommendations allowing an applicant who has already been held to account for illegal operations to have such large time limits on conditions that do not seem to have any validation for accountability. The impacts on the social, visual and environment amenity of the proposed expansion is incomprehensible - regardless of modes of transport. The quarry is located in a rural village, surrounded by other rural villages all supported by local roads - this is not the place for a mega quarry. The application should be rejected entirely, the applicant allowed to operate under the existing approved DA whereby they still operate under the known compliance boundaries for which the applicant knew when investing in the quarry , the community continues to function under the known boundaries in which we knew when we invested in property, lifestyle and businesses and we all live as a functioning community the way it did in the past, before the applicants illegal operations began. I believe the best precedent for this application is that of the Gloucester Resources Rocky Hill case whereby Chief Judge Preston held that the mine should be refused due to its significant and unacceptable planning, visual and social impacts, which cannot be satisfactorily mitigated and also the ICP decision on the Southern Highlands Coal whereby impacts could not be reasonably and satisfactorily avoided, mitigated, or managed through conditions. The proposed application to expand the Martins Creek Quarry will have severe social, visual and environmental impacts that cannot and will not be managed through conditions. The community as a whole will be adversely impacted by any decision in favour of the application despite proposed conditions. I would be happy to discuss my concerns further at any time. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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As a resident of Martins Creek for the past 20 odd years I have witnessed first-hand the ups and downs of the quarry's workings. None of which have impacted on the residence and community more so than since Daracon have taken over. Not long after taking over Daracon took on an attitude that they could do as they pleased with regards to the amount of material, they could remove in a given period of time. With no respect to the legal requirements of their license. I cannot see this attitude changing anytime soon. As a local, I am extremely concerned for the safety of residents and customers of the businesses in Paterson. There currently is not one pedestrian crossing in the small township and thus creating considerable danger to all but in particular, the school children and the elderly. This issue not only affects Paterson but all towns leading to the M1. As far as the ecological effects that the additional outgoings of the quarry are very concerning. We have the creek running through our property and have, since the Daracon takeover been extremely concerned about the safety and standard of the water being pumped out from the cut into the local waterway and then into the Paterson River. Noise and dust are obviously of concern with the additional output. These concerns are being voiced widely within the community and i believe that Daracon have not adequately addressed the problems arising from its current proposal. Thank you for your time and consideration. |
Andrew Robards
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Paterson Lodge, 19 King Street, Paterson. |
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am the proprietor of the Paterson Lodge which is a small guest house and cafe in the main street of Paterson and on the very corner that every truck is going to have to break and turn. I am deeply concerned about the impact that the movement of truck will have on our business. The building is of local historical significance and we have spent a great deal of time & money to ensure that the building can be enjoyed by locals and visitors to the area. I am just starting to imagine the significant impact that the number of truck rattling around the corner from morning to night will have on guests staying in our accommodation and those trying to enjoy breakfast or lunch on our patio. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful little town in which to live and that pursuit of profit at the expense of community is hard to justify. Being a small business, we work so hard to keep our doors open with ever increasing costs and simply to not have the resources at our disposal to reduce the impact that the noise and dust will have on our business. The only way that I can see we can minimise the impact is to double glaze the doors and windows and install blinds to help with dust control into the building. These are expensive options for any building and is not a burden I feel we should have to carry when the impact is forced upon us by a profit making entity. If this planning proposal is to go ahead, it would appear to me to be appropriate for the quarry to pay our community $1 - $2 per tonne for each tonne transported through our town by truck so that our community can use those funds to minimise the impact of the quarry. A monthly payment will allow us to build community amenities and return to us some of the enjoyment that this quarry will take from our lives. $1 - $2 per tonne for each tonne transported through our community by road is a minor cost to a mega operation focused on profit for shareholders at the expense of our local community and would work to offset the impact that they are imposing upon us. I am very much against allowing large organisations to disadvantage the community for the profit of shareholders without due compensation. |
Elena Williams
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I would first like to note that many elderly and those with no access and/or poor knowledge or technology and internet are immediately disadvantaged by this system of uploading submissions. There are no doubt many submissions (probably from both sides), but mainly from residents in the immediate vicinity that are not able to have their concerns and personal experiences heard, and this fact should be kept in mind by viewers. We are in close proximity to the Martins Creek Quarry, and can see it from one of the paddocks at our property. I distinctly remember when we first moved in the quarry wasn’t even visible. Now it sits, sprawled out, a huge eyesore carved into the landscape, visible even from ground level. The proposed extension to Martins Creek quarry is the not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the Federal and NSW governments have favoured greed and the promise of economic growth over local environmental impacts and the safety and wellbeing of current and future Australian residents. This is particularly evident in the 2021 case of Sharma v Minister for the Environment, where then Minister Susan Lee appealed to the Federal Court and won, that she did not owe Australian children a duty of care to avoid causing personal injury or death caused by climate change events when granting approvals for fossil fuel projects. Following this, she went on to approve extensions for three coal mines in the space of a month, despite Australia’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. I will not use my time to discuss the catastrophic effects of increased mining activity on the environment, which should be one of the primary concerns, because the successive NSW and Federal governments have shown time and time again that they simply do not care enough to act on this alone. The fact is that the roads in and around Paterson and along the haul route are simply not built to withstand the barrage of trucks that Daracon is proposing. I cannot fathom how the Department has declared that Duke Street will remain safe for citizen usage under Daracon’s amended application. With the proposed truck movements, people will not be able to safely cross the narrow street and enter their cars, especially with the added complication of carrying groceries and small children. If you sat even for 10 minutes and watched the bustle of activity that occurs in the mornings and afternoons around the bus stop at the café, afterschool activities at the school of arts, and people coming and going from the IGA and butcher, you would see how it is positively absurd to suggest that the 280 trucks per day will not affect the safety and wellbeing of individuals or the livelihood of businesses. The proposed changes to the roads at paragraph 88 of the Department’s report, particularly the upgrades to Gostwyck bridge and the King street & Duke street intersection, will irreversibly degrade the historic charm of the town, which has over 4 heritage buildings and sites on Duke street alone. Paragraph 76 of the Department’s report identifies that the peak road haulages will occur around the morning and afternoon periods, which is without doubt the worst possible times of day for traffic. I have personal experience with the frustration of being stuck behind a line of Daracon trucks, making a journey into East Maitland that would already take 35 minutes easily stretch into over 45. Also, I have had my windscreen chipped twice from rocks flying from the top of Daracon trucks with improperly secured coverings, and have witnessed truck drivers taking corners at speeds unsafe for the conditions of the road and the size of the vehicle. In particular, they often cross over to the wrong side of the road around blind corners, and have on more than one occasion forced me to move onto the edge which is often riddled with potholes and in close proximity to trees and steep banks. These experiences happened in 2019 when the quarry had begun scaling back operations, so they pale in comparison with the current propositions, and I can only imagine how much more common incidents like this will be. Furthermore, at paragraph 94 of the report, the Department identified that they are quote “satisfied that the Project would pose an acceptable level of risk to road users”. In response to this, I would love to know what the Department deems an “acceptable” level, and would contend that any level of unnecessary risk is inherently unacceptable. The interests of the residents of the affected suburbs and road users of the haul route have not been adequately considered. This amended application falls embarrassingly short of community standards of safety, enjoyment and living expectations. I know that the interests of the small individual over the large corporation are hardly ever prioritised by our government, however I implore you to repudiate this trend and for once consider the long-term environmental, economic, and safety implications and the destruction of the historic charm of these beautiful rural towns that we are lucky enough to call home. |
Steven Larsen
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I object to this quarry extension as; !. I feel the quarry is not required as the needs of the community are currently being satisfied by other quarries in the area. 2. The native animal habitats need to be protected as illustrated by the foreseen extinction of koalas by 2050. 3. The use of trucks will further damage the local roads in the access roads in surrounding local government areas of Maitland and Port Stephens 4. Many residents have stated at public forums that the dust, noise and vibrations have adversely impacted on their health and lifestyle 5. Given Daracons previous histopry at teh site I do not feel the company can be trusted to honor any agreed conditions to operate. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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The long term success of the area will depend on the ability to attract people. The area is located close to the coastline which naturally attracts population. This population will also be attracted to areas such as Paterson for day trips, weddings, holidays and discretionary spending. Paterson residents will benefit from ecotourism such as those in Berry and Bowral. If these quarry conditions are approved, the potential for ecotourism will be significantly eroded. Ecotourism provides a sustainable economic benefit to the community. This will be eroded for the benefit of the quarry operators. I oppose these proposed quarry operating conditions. |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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I OBJECT TO THE EXPANSION. We (our family) will be directly affected in the following ways. - Reduction in social and community amenity. - Reduction in property value. - Road safety (We have two young children who cross that road daily). - Infrastructure deterioration. - Loss of amenity in activity centers. - Early morning impact due to sleep disturbance from truck noise. - Truck diesel fumes. - Silica dust. - Loss of residential scenic amenity. - Impacts to historical buildings. - Impacts to pedestrian and cyclist road safety. - Impact on native habitat. The proposed route is in no way suitable for the amount of proposed truck movements, it barely copes now. For anyone to suggest otherwise would have ulterior motives. I HAVE NOT MADE A REPORTABLE POLITICAL DONATION. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Lived experiences. I live along the haul route, the number of trucks using Tocal Road concerns me greatly. This is a rural community, cattle trucks, horse floats must exit our driveway into a 100kilometre/hour zone, and we have had cattle escape onto this road. It is becoming dangerous to enter and exit our property. I frequent Paterson village, to shop and enjoy a coffee at the cafe, the noise and pollution from the trucks make this unbearable. I am aware that Martins Creek is a koala habitat. This endangered species have had habitats destroyed at Nelsons Bay, Brandy Hill Quarry expansion and now Martins Creek will destroy 21 hectares. When will the government realise the cumulative destruction of native habitats will cause extinction of the Koalas and other native species. Silica dust is emerging as a threat to lung health in the Hunter Valley, even with a short exposure. Do we have guarantees that loads are covered? These health concerns, together with air quality, ( I live with the railway line, coal and cement trains already), and the noise of the railway carriages shunting, stopping and starting day and night, our water which is collected off the roof, further impact my health concerns. Our country should be moving away from fossil fuels. 280 truck movements (double that because they must travel one direction empty) is not helping greenhouse gas emissions The least invasive solution is using the rail network, with covered loads, or at the very least impose more restriction, to this expansion for example keep the same number of trucks on the road, add more by rail. My absolute preference is for you to refuse this expansion. |
stephen bower
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Steve Bower, ⬛⬛⬛ I am entering my submission a little bit late for a very good reason. After sitting through 2 days of verbal submissions to the commissioners of the IPC at Tocal and then listening to the DPE hand down their report i am somewhat confused. Some very well qualified people, professional people and those whose life has been built around the Paterson Valley spoke in favour of not allowing the Martins Creek Quarry to be upgraded from a ballast quarry to mega quarry status. But all these submissions and the real lived experiences they produced are apparently all fabricated according to the DPE. They see no physical, mental, social community, environmental or infrastructure issues with the upgrading of the quarry. Something everyone at the meeting and i believe the commissioners were a little bemused by. Personally i have a number of issues with the upgrade. Last time Daracon were mining at this capacity, illegally, my children and grandchildrens physical health were heavily impacted by the continuous cloud of slica laden dust eminating from the quarry, causing breathing difficulties and problems such as dirty washing, dust covered furniture and gardens and grazing paddocks littered with this fine dust. Suggestions of Daracon initiating suppression blasting, noise walls, truck marshalling yards and improved water runoff treatment methods all fell on deaf ears. Continuous incidents with cowboy trucking companies, repetative noise blasting and the rock hammer working all day impacted greatly on our mental health as well. This time around same problems will apply but my neighbour and i now face the difficulty of not being able to access Dungog Road heading South due to the newly planned entry to the quarry. We would have to negotiate four lanes with minimal line of sight in order to head South. Nobody has bothered to explain how out here in the Paterson Valley we can"t make a right hand turn out of our drive without risking serious injury. The other major issues lay with the approach to our single laned Gostwyck Bridge, a recipe for disaster. Trying to pull up a fully laden truck and dog at the Give Way on the northern side is relying on hope. Then we move onto the historical village of Paterson. Absolutely absurd to think you can move that amount of trucks through this communal village without destroying peoples professions, tourist and communal ambience and all the time trying not to impact on peoples physical and mental well being. Daracon have given the community little faith to work with. They have misrepresented the truth about rail sidings, truck management, blasting severity and social and communal impacts. So given the application of so many new quarries in the Hunter Valley why is it so important to destroy peoples physical, mental, communal and professional well being in an environment that is totally unsuited to this size operation. Regards Steve Bower |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I was unable to attend the public meeting held at Tocal on 7th and 8th November, but was able to watch some of the proceedings via the live stream. I would like to take this opportunity to submit my opposition to proposed extension of the Martins Creek Quarry. I live in the ⬛⬛⬛which has the postal address of Vacy but is in fact a rural residential area 5 kilometers east of the village of Vacy, along Horns Crossing Road. The estate is situated around the area where Horns Crossing Road joins the Dungog Road and some properties have the North Coast Railway as part of their border. By road we are about 3 kilometers from Martins Creek and the quarry. As the crow flies, we are much closer. This estate now has 31 occupied homes. We moved to the area just over 36 years ago. We bought our block, built our home and looked forward to a quiet, peaceful and healthy lifestyle. Our children were born and raised here and attended the local primary and high schools. My husband and I taught in local primary schools before our retirement. When we moved into the area the quarry was operating sustainably and lawfully as a small rail ballast quarry, with no impact on the community. Daracon and Unwelt’s application to transform Martins Creek Quarry into a mega scale general construction aggregate quarry will make it incompatible with, and cause disruption in, both the immediate area and a much wider community.These negative impacts have detailed in many written submissions and again at the public meeting. I have many road safety concerns as an increased number of trucks travel on a haulage route that has many roads which certainly are not designed or in any condition to carry the proposed volume of truck movements. These concerns have been raised not only by other residents along the routes but also by Dungog Shire and Maitland City Councils. Traffic and safety will be impacted along the Dungog and Gresford roads, in Paterson and for residents along the haulage route through Tocal, Mindaribba, Bolwarra (where trucks from another quarry will join the fray), and along Flat Road and Melbourne Street to Maitland. A trip to Maitland or East Maitland, which is necessary when you live in a small rural area, will come with an increased level of danger and annoyance as you are caught between trucks which tailgate along the flat stretches of road or have to slow down when travelling uphill. Gone will be the relaxed, peaceful trip for appointments, shopping, meetings or work Since retirement and the COVID-19 epidemic I find I am using many of the amenities of the Paterson village regularly - the doctor, the chemist, the supermarket and fruit shop, the butcher and the coffee shops. The thought of driving into Paterson along the quarry haulage route and contending with 40 truck movements each hour fills me with dread. There will never be a quiet, safe time to travel and trying to cross the road in Paterson to get to the shops will be a major safety issue. As a resident who lives in close proximity to the proposed reallocation of operations from Martins Creek, I have many concerns: • While this move may benefit the residents of Martins Creek there are many more people who are going to be impacted. Moving the quarry operation sites to another area will not magically solve the problems that exist now. Residents around the new entrance directly onto Dungog Road, along the haulage route, and those living along Horns Crossing Road and in the Paterson Valley Estate and beyond will be impacted even more than at present by noise, dust, truck movements and environmental impacts that will still be occurring • Many people along the balance of the haulage route after Paterson have called for all product to be moved by rail and while I agree that this is a solution to get the trucks off the roads, please spare a thought for the people who live in the vicinity of the quarry. Daracon is proposing 24-hour rail loading! Loading the quarry product will not be something that can be done quietly. The area around the quarry is a quiet peaceful area without a lot of background noise, even during the day. Any noise in the surrounding area carries and can be heard for many kilometers from the source, especially at night. How are people supposed to sleep or enjoy their days if there is the constant noise of 24-hour rail loading and increased truck movements between 7.am and 6pm each Monday to Friday? • At present when there is blasting at the quarry our windows vibrate and rattle. As the area is on a rock shelf, I am worried that more damage, as outlined in submissions of those who at present live closer to the quarry,, will occur in our home, and many more, if the quarry is expanded. • I have been towards the top of our road when the quarry has been operating and the noise is unbearable. Moving quarry operations will impact the whole estate and beyond. The noise and dust will increase to a level where people can no longer enjoy recreational time outside. This project, which may look good on paper, was recommended for approval by people in an office in Sydney. Their recommendation does not properly consider the impacts of the proposal and the effects it will have on peoples’ lives. It also fails to address road safety issues and the consequences for public safety, Given their past indiscretions, how can we trust that Daracon will adhere to the criteria they have put in the proposal to try and alleviate any problems that will arise? In our present environment of staff shortages and overworked people, how quickly will outside departments and agencies be able to assess and act on complaints? Those people proposing the expansion project of the quarry, and the members of the NSW Department of Planning who recommended that the project be granted, do not have to live in the area and face the lived experiences that the residents in the area of the quarry and along the haulage routes will have to face and live with every day. For some of us who are in the older age group the proposed extension of these operations for 25 more years means we could be living with this impact and disruption for the rest of our lives! It just doesn’t seem fair. Our homes will decline in value as people decide buying into the area is not as desirable as it once was. I urge members of the Independent Planning Commission to refuse the Martins Creek Quarry expansion. Like one of the speakers at the meeting I would be happy to see the quarry closed. Its location in a rural area is incompatible with the surrounding residences and land uses. Why should the safety, the physical and mental health along with the lifestyle and livelihoods of so many residents over a wide area be placed in jeopardy in order for a small amount of product, that is available in other quarries which are much more suitably situated, to be extracted from Martins Creek Quarry? What is more important – the well-being of so many or the increased wealth of a few? |
Name Redacted
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I have had family members living in Paterson and Vacy during 2007-2019. and have seen first hand the negative impacts of increased quarry trucks on local roads. During this time, we all noticed and experienced truck noise from very early morning, impacting not only ourselves but our animals too. I noticed increased diesel residue in the air and dust from the truck loads. The roads are always quick to get damaging pot holes and are not repaired in a timely fashion, indicating they cannot cope with increased traffic load, particularly industrial trucks. The appeal of Paterson village has declined, directly due to the increasing number of trucks coming through the town: with the trucks, the air quality, the dust, the noise and safety in crossing the road were all issues. In the last 6 months we purchased a house in Bolwarra Heights/Largs and moved here to raise our family in an area with rural views and quiet lifestyle. With two school children, I am very worried about pedestrian and cyclist road safety with an increase of trucks on the road. Traffic is already bad around school time. An increase in industrial traffic will not only increase noise pollution but add significantly to traffic congestion, as well as making it difficult and dangerous to simply cross the road to get to school on foot. This is a residential region. Please do not permit the Martins Creek quarry project to expand. |
Michael Keith
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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we will lose endangered ecological community as well as endangered Koala,Regent Honeyeaters, swift parrot and spotted eastern quoll. Let alone the increased impact on climate change close to home. |
Name Redacted
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I have read the latest draft submission and remain concerned regarding the number of truck movements being far too high for the existing local roads, the impact to peak hour traffic 7:30am-9am and 2-5pm and the renumeration to council for the excess damage which will definitely occur on the local roads being insufficient. My final concern involves the excess noise pollution coming from the increase in haul trucks along the transit route adversely affecting my own personal enjoyment of my back yard which is separated from Paterson road by a 7.5m nature strip |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am against this proposed development going ahead as it impacts the community, amenity and environment greatly. Martins creek, Paterson and the surrounding areas are incredibly special places to me and others, it holds great sentimental value. If this proposed development proceeds, myself and many families would be impacted daily, as would surrounding towns. |
Stephen Callaghan
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am the owner of an historic house in the main street of Paterson. I strongly object to the proposed expansion of Martins Creek quarry and to the proposed haulage route for this huge increase in production. Based on economic grounds, this expansion should not go ahead. The value of $56m to the State seems a small win for the Government considering the cost to the residents of Paterson and the surrounding small villages. If all affected landowners were to be compensated for loss of value of their properties, and the loss of potential earnings of local businesses, then I suggest that the pool of $56m would not go far. Moving wealth from the population of Paterson to a private company should not be condoned or approved. There is a dedicated train line right at the quarry's doorstep. How ridiculous to think that 40 trucks per hour through a small village with narrow streets and several traffic pinch points (solutions which have not been satisfactorily addressed by the Planning Department) is a better plan than to use a convenient rail line. Use rail to transport quarry material and maintain the current (approved) production of the quarry. Paterson was a significant contributor to the early settlement of NSW and should be treated with respect. |
Name Redacted
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Increased traffic leading to higher risk of accidents with animals and humans alike. In addition, the roads will be damaged as well |
Craig Hill
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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If the proposal where to go ahead, it would have an irreversible effect on not only the town of Paterson but surrounding areas lifestyle/ socioeconomics that many have enjoyed for generations. Not only that but just take a minute to look at the state of the roads already, without the additional truck movements each day. |
David Whiteley
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I strongly object to the proposal after my lived experiences as my property is directly on the haul route. Having lived here when the trucks were running the proposal put forward by Daracon fails in every aspect of addressing concerns raised with the increased amount of trucks each day and the whole range of safety issues that arise with this, the noise from the quarry and the trucks, the dust from the quarry and the environmental issues with the endangered animals being misplaced. The first issue is with the ridiculous amount of truck movements proposed to go through a single lane timber bridge (Gostwyck bridge) and then along an already congested road network and around a 90 degree bend outside Paterson post office and through a town that is not designed for any truck movements. There can not and must not be any trucks allowed to pass through the township of Paterson. The whole range of issues that arise from safety of pedestrians crossing roads and dodging trucks to the safety of kids utilising the Paterson school of arts hall for dancing which is meters from the road. The financial impacts on local business and the whole impact of the trucks running has in the community as a whole. The safety issues with my kids catching a bus on the haul route on an already busy and not fit for purpose road. Daracons response to these issues was to remark some lines on some intersections and the round the approach angle to the Gostwyick bridge, They also recommended that the drivers carry out some awareness training and code of conduct in times in which they can travel through the town and with some self imposed speed limits. None of this can be enforced as the majority of the drivers are subcontractors and only abide in good faith and is not controlled by the police. With the safety concerns regarding the school bus which Daracon contacted local bus companies and no incidents were reported. The problem lies with the near misses that are unreported or not seen by the bus driver who is concentrating on the school kids and there bus stops. Does the bus company even have a procedure to report near missus or just accidents? I currently work in the mining industry and know how important it is to capture small events before they turn into large ones and cause fatalities. I have seen the near missus that occur with my own eyes with the trucks on the road weekly when they were running and its only a matter of time before a fatality happens if they start running again. In my opinion Daracon has failed to address any of my concerns with the transport of material by road and i disagree with any approval of any truck movements on this road. With regards to the noise from the blasting and machinery operating from the quarry. The only way to minimise this is to have the product transported off site by train to a location that causes no hinderance to any environmental or social impacts and have it resized in that location. If by some reason that any truck moments are needed they should undergo strict 3 monthly emissions and noise testing to comply with current standards and should all have to cross a weigh bridge with number plate recognition and be monitored by an external company to prevent any overloading of vehicles leaving the site. Any machinery operated is to undergo strict noise reduction protocol like sound suppression testing and exhaust testing similar to what coal mines in the hunter valley undertake. I believe that Daracon should have to purchase any properties inside a determined buffer zone before any operations can continue and not just build a visual bund which was there response which has minimal impact on noise pollution in which they failed to recognise. Noise sensors should also be placed around the site and be monitored by an external company and all operations should cease if the criteria is not met. Dust and wind should be monitored from numerous sensors surrounding the site and should be controlled by an external company and the operation should be shut down if wind speed and dust conditions are not met. In my opinion the proposed expansion should not be approved and stay with the same 300 000 tonnes of railway ballast that the quarry was approved for. This process has highlighted a major issue with the Township of Paterson, Martins Creek and Vacy areas that have had a population boom that the quarry is not able to transport any material on our road network with the ever expanding towns and subdivisions that are in process. Therefore the only safe way is to transport the product as railway ballast by the current rail network to a location where it can be resized and distributed accordingly. With the population boom of the surrounding Townships i also believe that an expansion of the quarry is not possible and should stay within its 300 000 tonne footprint and operate only with strict criteria with sensitive issues. With the recent approval of the expansion of Brandy hill quarry and other quarries at Karuah and Alandale i do question if this is actually a state significant project at all and if so why has a very limited amount of product left the quarry when it could still operate. With over 96% of the community against this proposal surely this has to say that something just isn't right. |
Name Redacted
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Traffic and pollution :( |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Apart from the: Traffic, noise, dust, environment, cultural, etc is the fact that this project has already been approved. To not conclude that its a already done deal, would be naive. Democracy and the rule of law does not vanish overnight, it is eroded, piece by piece. NOT ONE study has been called for prior to the approval. Asking the community to submit reasons to object after the fact, is just a reason to say: Well we went through the process correctly. Its anything but correct. !! Gravel can be sorced much closer to the projects in Sydney / Newcastle etc. The railhead must be used for ALL movements. Trucks only destroy the roads, (and they are shocking now), the council has no money to fix them. Noise of these trucks is shocking. Dust from the quarry plus from the passing trucks and the residue on the roads, washes from the roads after rain. Allergy suffers beware !!. This quarry project has already been through the courts and found to have been working illegally for years. Expanding their area of mining more than double. Now they seek to have the Government approve it as a special project. That type of behavior does not change. Traffic safety of the huge number of truck movements would be compromised, especially travelling thru towns. One recent truck driver rolled his vehicle and the driver got out and laughed about it. Why should this company have 250 truck movements/ day and NOT pay for the roads. I feel the company is trying to push a small community around, where they feel it wont matter. Not enough people to make a noise. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Firstly, the amount of trucks on the Dungog Shire roads is going to cause untold damage to roads that all already effected with potholes due to wet weather and normal traffic use. The Shire is already increasing shire rates which affects all the community. Apparently Daracon is making no contribution to road maintenance . Secondly, with such heavy truck movements threw a small village as Paterson, with no traffic lights and/or pedestrians crossing, it is only a matter of time before a child is going to be serious injured (or killed) trying to cross the main street. Thirdly, with the proposed amount of rock being extracted the dust into the air is going to create an environmental disaster and severely affect local people with poor health. Fourthly, with the amount of Daracon existing employees who will be redeployed there will be no additional employment for the local area I would like to see no increase in tonnage production which has been much more than was previously approved, and all the ore is transported by rail only, NO TRUCKS |
Frank van der Merwe
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I object the proposed development as an increase in truck movements will jeopardise the safety of residents in Paterson and on our small and already degrading country roads. I object the proposed development as it will cause further noise, dust and air pollution in our beautiful country town. I object the proposed development as it will have negative environmental impacts on our water resources. |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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I was born in Martin's Creek 90 years ago today. The impacts of the mining of today is vastly different to when I was young. The scale is just enormous and not suitable in its location with the rural residents and the Paterson village. Due to the high volume if noisy trucks. Not appropriate and very dangerous for those living and visiting. I strongly oppose the expansion. |
Steven Pryor
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Martins Creek Quarry Expansion- Objection Submission Impacted Risk Address: ⬛⬛⬛ - Zoned as a Rural Residential subdivision 35 years ago. - Resident 35 years Objections to Proposal –I strongly Object to the proposed change from a Ballast Quarry to a General Construction aggregate Mega Quarry. ALL 32 small acreage lots in this estate will be directly impacted by every aspect of this proposed expansion in a most negative way. • By Noise & Vibration – impact to our sleep, rest and recreation when a mega quarry is operating for expended hours, including blasting, shunting and crushing - This is a direct impact which creates stress and anxiety for animals, wildlife and people • By Devaluation of Property and re-sale. - Financial impact - This limits the choices available to our family, as in our older age one depends on their property value for a comfortable retirement. • By Dust –This impacts personal medical conditions of the lungs. - This also impacts the quality of life to our pets and livestock - An expansion of the Quarry will definitely mean more dust, and this impacts our family’s health directly. By Increased Road congestion due to increased road movements- increased safety concerns whilst entering or exiting any of the further impacted properties from Vacy, Martins Creek, Paterson, Tocal, Mindaribba, Bolwarra, Pitnacree and Maitland and surrounding areas . • Our Roads are not designed for Large trucks and Dogs, particularly through the small Historic Village of Paterson. The Historic Towns Business’s will be severely impacted – both financially and the personal lived experiences of both Staff and Patrons. • Patrons & Staff will not be able to “safely” cross the road to enter the business • Business‘s will have difficulty receiving & making deliveries due to the road congestion. • Patrons will not want to dine outside with the noise and dust created and the fear a truck will come ploughing through injuring those dining. My family’s lived experience is we had a peaceful location to build and enjoy our home 35 years ago, amongst nature with the small Martins Creek ballast quarry close by , but not compromising our personal health and well -being. ** Our situation changed in a most negative way when the mine site expanded and was operating under Daracon control. • The negative impacts being dust, noise, vibrations of blasting, increased traffic, compromised road conditions with the increased truck movements -ALL directly impacted our everyday lifestyle I strongly oppose EXPANSION of the Martins Creek site to a General Construction aggregate Mega Quarry due to these impacts. There has already been an expansion of the Hanson site nearby at Brandy Hill; our community does not need a further expansion of Martins Creek quarry in such close proximity. Our Roads are not designed for this increased traffic, the only suitable & guaranteed risk control for the community’s health and safety is elimination- Please, do not approve this proposal. Submission from: Steven Pryor |
Michelle Wright
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New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to submit my extremely strong OBJECTION to the change in activities and proposed development of the Quarry at Martin's Creek. These objections are felt by the community of the Paterson and its surrounding areas. The development will KILL the Community of Paterson. My objection is on many levels and these are all listed below. Objection based on Mental Health Impacts of the Community Our community is a rural community with not many local facilities. We generally do it tough in terms of having access to good shopping, healthcare and secondary education. The proposed development of the Quarry at Martin's Creek will directly impact our ability to access our local services that we do have - in that we will not be able to park our vehicles safely and we will not be able cross the road anymore. We all have to cross to get from Post Office to Chemist to Hairdresser to supermarket and we all do this constantly. All high school students catch the bus either in Paterson or on Gresford Road and at Martins Creek. They will not be able to safely cross the road anymore and get to cars to walk home. All this will directly impact the mental health of families who are already struggling post COVID-19. There are many elderly people who will struggle even more as they rely on the rural community. Objection based on Economic Decline of the Community As a result proposed development of the Quarry at Martin's Creek we will have massive decreases in our Property Prices/Values. Who wants a tree change and live in a rural area that is no longer rural. Objection based on Economic Loss to Local Businesses Local businesses will cease to exist as we will not be able to safely access them due to our ability no longer safely cross the road. Much of Paterson's income comes from Tourism. People come to Paterson for coffee, food and to the beautiful Tucker Park and to see the river. Cyclists ride in each morning. Aged care bring their elderly here each week on a bus. The students walk to the park from school. My 2 elder boys ride their bikes into Paterson. This will cease - This will KILL THE COMMUNITY OF PATERSON. Objection based on Safety Concerns of Children and the Community Paterson is a busy rural town full of people moving about their local business - the School of Art Hall is used constantly - we eat there and do our Groceries there, go to the Dr, The Chemist, get out mail at the PO and get out hair cut. To do this we park in town and move over roadways. We will no longer be able to safely do so. My 2 sons along with man, many others catch the bus to high school in Paterson near the Post Office. They have to cross road to so do and will no longer be able to. Objection based on Welfare of Nature and Endangered Local Species Paterson has many rare rock wallabies and koalas. Our block on Boulton Drive which backs onto Gresford Road has a protection zone for these wallabies. Trucks wont slow down for these animals. Objection based on Road Safety Concern Our roads barely cope with the current traffic level and large amount of chicken and cattle trucks that we currently have let alone the increased amount of proposed traffic. We often have to cross to the other side of the road on Gresford Road on the way to Dungog Road due to massive post holes now. The trucks will decimate the roads further. Objection based on Future Population Increase There is a increase in population in the local area. New housing estates have opened in Paterson and Vacy in the last 2 years and there has been an increase in council approved land releases and subdivisions. There is a new million dollar pre school development happening also which will draw more families. All these people do access and will access the town of Paterson for facilities. When the quarry kills the town due to the trucks it will end in a lot of depression and difficulties for the township. Objection based on the Fact that there is a perfectly fine rail line through Paterson that passes the Quarry at Martins Creek Use the rail - not the road. The rail is up to standard as ARTC keep this going One company should not have the ability to cause this much destruction within a peaceful community. It must NOT HAPPEN. Darcon is sneaky and operated outside its allowed capacity for a long time and should not be able to carry on like that. THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED. Overall Kind Regards, Michelle Wright B.Math, Dip ED (Secondary Mathematics) |
Nancy Knudsen
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Many areas have already been covered by others, so these are only the responses I wish to make separately 1. Amenity (noise and air quality): This is a very poor title for the fact that so many residents, both those who are children of generations of local families and those who have come to live in this idyllic area because of its beauty, silence and country lifestyle, escaping a noisy urban environment, will be - and have already been - sorely affected by the horror of the traffic that is being proposed. As a Councillor for five years, it was heartbreaking to hear of the residents whose roofs rattled, whose walls crumbled, with each thunderous passing truck, day after day after day, starting at 6.00am (not to mention the degradation of the heritage-listed buildings)... to observe for myself the 'middle' of town - where people came to meet, attend the post office, buy their groceries, chat with their neighbours, unable to hear each other speak as truck after truck roared past, the peacefulness completely destroyed. There was no policeman to watch their speed. I have myself watched them speeding. In an operation the size of this - how could this be checked? On the question of Noise, I have not found it mentioned that a fully laden truck is one thing, but an unladen truck, while perhaps not as hard on the road surface, with its clattering and rattling, is doubly noisy for the surrounding residents – and these are the ones that start at 6.00am. 2. History: “The Quarry was established in 1914 by the NSW Government, primarily for the purpose of supplying ballast and other quarry materials to the rail industry. It was operated continuously by various NSW Government entities until late 2012, when Buttai Gravel Pty Ltd (part of the Daracon Group, Daracon) commenced operations at the site.” What is NOT said here is that the amount of ballast was limited to 300,000 tons and it was all TAKEN OUT BY RAIL. It is also not mentioned that by error, accidental or purposeful, in the contract between Railcorp and Buttai, the necessity to remove the gravel by rail was omitted as was the quantum. Hence Daracon by 'accident' had never agreed to the original intent of the arrangement and was able to pursue their interests in a way that therefore disregarded such intent – to the detriment of the local community from there on. 3. Policing of the contract: Multiple reports by many many residents and over a long period of time, have alluded to the exceeding of allowable tonnage in times gone past. However, neither the Paterson community nor Dungog Council have had the spare manpower or facilities to be able to police the number of trucks leaving Martins Creek. Daracon has always paid lip service to ‘listening to the community’ but this has, time and time again, proved to be mere window dressing for their flagrant contravention of the limits of their contracts. With this in mind, how can Daracon be trusted to adhere to whatever capacity (and speed) limits are put in place, and where, I ask here, in the Assessment undertaken, is a process of checking? Once the current process is over and the dust has settled, what will prevent Daracon from exceeding all their limits once again? 4. Traffic and Transport into Paterson (for instance): The incredible complexity of the issues surrounding getting these huge, laden contract trucks from the quarry up a hill and round a bend while approaching the 50 zone, while having to contend with the rail line, then immediately arriving at a central part of town where pedestrians mingle, then turning in the middle of town to the right at 90 degrees, all within a few minutes - and this being repeated itself every few minutes, should flag even to the most casual observer that this is a hellish proposal, bent only on increasing profitability of the company in question and destroying the lives of the people of the village. ALL of this could be avoided, if only the material were to be transported by rail and let the company which wants it to be a profitable venture make it viable using the available railway. 5. The profitability of a corporation, vs the lives of an entire community. If the quarry is not viable removing the gravel by rail and must destroy the lives of the local residents in return for profitability, then surely there is somewhere else in a land of the size of Australia where gravel can be found that will not destroy an idyllic heritage-listed village in the process. No common-sense view could possibly come to a view that it is up to the people of Paterson to create the profit for Daracon. |
jodi pender
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Organisation |
Tartan House Pty Ltd |
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Please take the time to consider the condition of the town and the roads before deciding to add a significant amount of traffic to the town. Perhaps come to visit and try t find a park or cross the road wit small children with the crossing. Money must not always be teh singulargoal |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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As a local resident I already struggle with my local commute due to the growing areas of Bolwarra, Largs, etc. With the proposed addition of God knows how many trucks per day, not only will our commutes become even longer but, the roads we travel on daily will become more degraded and dangerous. I am strongly against this proposal simply due to the massive impact it is going to have on the local traffic. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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As a home owner on⬛⬛⬛, any increase of heavy vehicles on the road is of concern. Not only for the safety aspect, but also the deterioration of the roads along this route as heavy haulage increases. Given the amount of money that council has spent recently on this road, it would be an undesirable cost for constant repairs. Also the effects on our house and land value, and as previously stated, safety for our children around busy school times. Tocal and Paterson roads are already busy roads given the expansion of the community over recent years, and there is little opportunity for children to cross the roads in a safe way. Add to that the proposed increase in truck movement, is just asking for a fatality! |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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1 - The 40 heavily laden trucks passing the front of our property every hour is a completely unacceptable level of impact to our rural community. 2 - The constant loud noise from the trucks, road damage, threat to our rural wildlife and domestic animals is unacceptable. 3 - The location of our property on the bend of the road creates a blind spot that will become an even greater road safety issue, with the additional trucks fully laden with quarry rock travelling at 80kph diminishes their ability to stop in an emergency and could add greater risk and road accident fatalities to family and friends entering or leaving our home. 4 - The current roadway along Gresford Road between Dungog Road and the Paterson Township fails to meet Ausroads standards being too narrow and does not allow 1.5m for my family to safely walk or ride push bikes along the front of our property and to Paterson. The additional traffic especially from large trucks increases the risk of accident and injury in trying to safely navigate the journey to the Paterson township. I have not made a reportable political donation |
TROY IULIANO
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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It is my opinion that the Martin's Creek Quarry expansion will have a negative impact on traffic congestion and road surfaces in multiple council areas including Dungog, Maitland and Port Stephens. As a resident of Paterson, in the Dungog Shire, we already experience extremely poor road surfaces. The volume of heavy vehicle traffic outlined in this proposal will significantly deteriorate those road conditions to potentially a state of disrepair. Also the immediate impact to Paterson Village in terms of road safety is a major concern to me and my young family. As experienced in the past it can be almost impossible to cross the road with so many heavy vehicle travelling through the town. Living in the centre of town, we are severely affected by the obscene noise levels we empty trailers are travelling, to the point that our windows and light shades rattle. I also great for the many local businesses and the negative impact it will have on them. With the above concerns and the added fact of the removal of street parking. Realistically, who would want to visit a small town when they will be greeted with all of these trucks. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I have lived in the Paterson area for over 40 years and have always appreciated the quaint, historical atmosphere of Paterson township. The constant ferrying of gravel through this village, which was never designed for such traffic, is both dangerous and offensive . It is noisy; increases traffic movement insufferably; and has a deleterious effect on the roads, which are already bad enough! It is also a great risk to pedestrians. The small businesses in the village are highly valuable to the local community, and their livelihoods are negatively impacted by this cavalcade of trucks. Why not take this material by train? |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Positive Negative |
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I live in this area and to have another quarry with hundreds of trucks coming up and down our main arteries all the time day and night would be unbearable. Even though the Brandy Hill quarry is supposed to have a curfew they often start rolling at 5 am and I can hear those directly. This quarry is obviously in the wrong place and I think that you should make them put it somewhere where it doesn’t affect people rural communities farmers etc we object strongly sincerely yours |
Peter McFadyen
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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To whom it may concern. I am writing to express my objection to the proposed Martina Creek quarry expansion. I have lived in the⬛⬛⬛ , Largs area since 1986. I have seen a lot of growth and expansion in this time, but the I would still classify the area as semi rural. As a resident who travels the local roads frequently I feel that the increased truck movements on the local roads will have a massive impact on both the physical state of the roads, the noise pollution created for those people who live directly on the roads the trucks will be travelling on and also on the increased transport times travelling into the East Maitland from Bolwarra via Melbourne Street and the same in reverse. To transport 0.5 million tonnes a year by road in the form of 280 trucks per day to me is nothing short of ludicrous. At the moment travelling to East Maitland in the morning between 8.00am and 9.30am it can take anywhere between 4 to 6 light changes at Melbourne Street to get through the intersection, and that is is you are headed straight. If you are turning right into Melbourne Street towards the New England HWY it takes longer. If you add 40 more B double trucks per hour into that existing scenario that is a massive impact on transport times and also the safety aspect of the increased traffic movement and numbers. The same situation is the case when turning into Melbourne Street from the New England HWY. The curtailing of the road transport from the quarry over the last few years has made a noticeable difference to the condition of the local roads ( for the better) and even though I do not live directly on Tocal Road the noise pollution from an empty or full B double truck hitting a pothole is still audible from my residence. Surely it is more feasible to transport the quarry material by rail rather than road. I feel that little if any consideration has been given to the concerns and thoughts of the local residents like myself and many others in the area who will be adversely affected by the proposal going ahead. I once again stress my strong opposition to the Martins Creek quarry expansion going ahead. Regards. Peter McFadyen |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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As a resident of Lorn, this development will create an unacceptable impact to amenity from the significant increase in throughput of trucks in an already congested thoroughfare, increased noise pollution from trucks, dust pollution from trucks, potential damage to houses due to significant increase in vibration from trucks. This would be the same for surroundings suburbs such as Largs, Bolwarra, and Bolwarra Heights. Any approved submission should ensure all quarry trucks divert around such suburbs for all days and times. |
Ben Mulhearn
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15/11/2022 |
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I wish to lodge an objection to the large increase to extraction at Martins Creek Quarry and the negative impacts to our community and infrastructure. The lived experiences of previous over extraction, increased road transportation impacts and congestion to the communities of Paterson, Bolwarra and associated suburbs on the road networks was negative in the past. With the planned increased quarry yield stated, this would be immense. As a Paterson resident of 23 years, my children travel to school via both car, bus and at times on foot and frequent the local village socially as well. Many local parents’ primary concerns are the safety of our families from a pedestrian perspective in daily community interactions. Paterson’s tight roads and 90’ degree turn through the village are not conducive to large heavy transport of the magnitude that is being projected, and its haulage via our local roads. It’s also very concerning as regular users of the road network between Martins Creek, Paterson and greater Maitland with the Hundreds of increased truck movement associated with this submission. The area has a unique beauty and serenity from the rural lifestyle from the converging valleys that people seek out and rarely leave from, amenity and lifestyle wise. People live here for the hills, rivers, peace and quiet that this quaint village and surrounding areas provide. I have yet to meet anyone locally who broadly supports and thinks hundreds of truck movements are what the area needs. Socioeconomic wise, there are substantial financial impacts to property values that align the road network from the increased volume and timings affecting the noise and safety of the proposal. Potential buyers will be put off by the truck volume and noise during the day, let alone considering this empty haulage noise in the early morning hours of being a potential new resident, bar the impacts to the existing area residents. Infrastructure cost wise, local tax payers from multiple LGAs would bare the burden from damaged and congested roads associated with the proposal. Whilst Dungog councils logo should arguably be one large pot hole synonymous with the terrible local road conditions that council can barely maintain, having such a large geographical road network footprint, with a small population base rate revenue wise. This proposal will heavily and negatively impact these existing appalling road conditions, costing the community in the hip pocket, endangering their safety and impacting their areas amenity. My concerns are also to the process of providing approval to a site that historically has operated outside of and in-excess to, their extractive licencing requirements in the past, precedent wise. An approval of planning to the full request in the proponent’s submission would send a message to future operators wishing to ignore state licencing rules, is that these past indiscretions can be ignored, accepted or even legitimised under higher level state planning instruments like the NSW IPC, over and above the rational concerns of residents, rate payers, local infrastructure impacts, amenity and safety issues plus multiple councils submissions against the dramatic increases. I present these concerns in good faith, in the interests of my family and local community for consideration. Ben Mulhearn Paterson NSW |
Jennie Curran
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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I object to this proposal on the basis of the increased traffic through the residential areas of Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and Paterson. With the amount of increased traffic proposed on Paterson and Tocal Roads, there will need to be additional safety measures put in place to ensure public safety on these roads. There is currently no allocated road crossing for pedestrians at all on Paterson Road. I live on Tocal Road and there is currently nowhere that my children can cross this road to get to the local NSW Government public school (Bolwarra Public School). Bolwarra is zoned for residential use, with heavy residential development in recent years - this is not compatible with the proposed increased use of heavy good vehicles on this stretch of road. If this proposal is granted, there must be consideration given for a change to the traffic management plan, including reduced speed limit (from 60 to 50) and/or traffic lights. Many children use these roads to get to school, with currently NO safe road crossings in place. In my opinion, the current proposal does not mitigate the potential road safety issues that will occur in the residential areas of Bolwarra and Paterson. |
Maree Amos
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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This submission is to complete the points that time constraints did not allow me to make as a speaker during the public meeting on 7 November 2022. (Attachment 1) I remain vehemently opposed to the granting of a lease under the proposed conditions. |
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Attachments |
ipc-submission-15-nov-22pdf.pdf (PDF, 162.39 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The traffic at Hunterglen Drive and Paterson road intersection is already congested each day, especially in the morning and afternoons with work and school transportation needs, entering and existing the estate is a current issue. They should have considered a route away from residential areas, not through it! Students cross Paterson road to walk to and from bus stops etc. It is an unsafe risk for many along with causing more unnecessary traffic havoc and stress on the local residential community and surrounding areas. |
Jarryd Wear-Rolfe
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am strongly objecting to the quarry expansion. The beauty of the land will be greatly impacted. The air quality and thus the health of community will be affected. The roads are already in dis-repair due to the current volume of traffic (incl the large quarry vehicles). The community does not want this expansion to proceed, please listen. |
Christine Pike
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion I strongly object to the proposed changes for Martins Creek Quarry. This proposal changes it from a ballast quarry to a mega general quarry and tertiary processing business. These changes will cause harm to residents, community and environment. I request that the department refuse this application to Daracons Martins Creek Quarry on the grounds they can not prove they will not harm the residents, community or environment. Please see attached file for issue details. |
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Attachments |
cpipc-2022-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 16.99 MB) |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The perceived economic gain can't be justified with regard to peoples health and safety, and environmental damage |
Norman Sage
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Please see the attached PDF file. |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-submission-nov-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 64.57 KB) |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I OBJECT TO THE EXPANSION. We (our family) will be directly affected in the following ways. - Reduction in social and community amenity. - Reduction in property value. - Road safety (We have two young children who cross that road daily). - Infrastructure deterioration. - Loss of amenity in activity centers. - Early morning impact due to sleep disturbance from truck noise. - Truck diesel fumes. - Silica dust. - Loss of residential scenic amenity. - Impacts to historical buildings. - Impacts to pedestrian and cyclist road safety. - Impact on native habitat. The proposed route is in no way suitable for the amount of proposed truck movements, it barely copes now. For anyone to suggest otherwise would have ulterior motives. I HAVE NOT MADE A REPORTABLE POLITICAL DONATION. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the proposal for the expansion of Martins Creek quarry. After previous lived experiences living directly on the haul route Daracon has failed in every aspect with the said so controls of a ridiculous amount of trucks running past my property and through the township of Paterson and Bolwarra. They have also failed in addressing any of the issues with road safety, noise, dust and socio economic damage it will do to the townships of Paterson, Vacy, Martins Creek and Bolwarra. In my opinion there should be no trucks at all running from the quarry as this process has highlighted major issues that have not been rectified. The only option is to keep the quarry as it is in producing 300 000T of railway ballast and have that transported of site by railway. If 96% of the affected community disagrees with this expansion then i hope that it will be rejected and the beautiful township in which we live in is not ruined by a not needed major quarry considering all the other options of existing quarries in the hunter. |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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I am opposed to the expansion of the quarry as I believe it will directly have a negative impact of several aspects of my life as a resident of Paterson. * my number one concern is the increased volume f traffic which poses a serious safety risk, particularly to my children, who are getting ok and off buses and crossing the road before and after school. *increased traffic will also have a flow on effect to further down tocal road at bolwarra where intersections are already dangerous with the current volume of traffic - this will get significantly worse * property values are likely to decline due to noise and dust pollution and people do not love to small country towns to have trucks rumbling by every couple of minutes Lastly - if the quarry is approved with conditions - who will hold them to account? The approval of this expansion is not in the best interest of the community - the only people who will benefit are the owners and shareholders |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Our local roads are not capable of withstanding the proposed level of heavy vehicle traffic. Many of the local roads are already in poor condition. The additional noise and air quality is also a problem and will effect hundreds of local homes in our area. I object to the proposed Development. |
Andrea Sage
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My objection is attached |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry--objection-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 64.88 KB) |
David Stein
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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I am deeply concerned about heavy vehicles travelling along Paterson Road, especially during school bus pick up and drop off times. The intersection of Paterson Road and Hunterglen Drive is already extremely dangerous without additional heavy traffic. A fatality at that intersection is inevitable if heavy vehicle movements are allowed along Paterson Road. There is no traffic lights or zebra crossing anywhere along Paterson Road; from Bolwarra Heights to Bolwarra, presenting extreme danger to children crossing that road when accessing School transport. Heavy vehicles will exponentially increase the risk of a fatality, especially children lacking road smarts. Whilst there has been a small refuge recently installed, this in no way will protect anyone from heavy vehicles. It will only be a matter of time that we have a fatality along this stretch of Paterson Road if this were to become a heavy vehicle thoroughfare. I pray this won’t be a child! Paterson Road presents too great of a risk to the lives and well being of local families, particularly children, by allowing large volumes of heavy vehicle movements along the Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra sections of Paterson Road. I appreciate commercial enterprise helps employment and economic stability, but not when it carry’s this level of risk to the lives of people, especially our children. Then there is the social impacts and consequential knock on effects which are obvious, and I don’t need to go into here. I’ve spent a number of years working in Corporate Risk Management for Local Government, and a decade working as a Highway Patrol Officer before that. I present this to you from experience, real outcomes which have occurred in similar environments. A vote in favour of this project, where Paterson Road is used by heavy vehicles, will result in loss of life. I’m speaking up as I don’t want to see that, nor do I want to see blood on the hands of those who would want to otherwise promote or approve this dangerous Project. Say no, the risk is too great for our community. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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As a member of the Paterson community I welcome this opportunity to make a submission strongly objecting to the proposed expansion of operations and extraction at Martins Creek Quarry. After submitting an objection in 2016 and again in 2021 to the amended proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry I feel more than frustrated and angry that my key issues of concern are still relevant namely the social & economic impact on the local community of Paterson, the traffic & transport implications and the rehabilitation of the quarry site. In fact the executive summary of the Department of Plannning’s assessment report states “the Department considers that the key assessment issues relate to traffic and transportation, noise, air quality, and social impacts … rehabilitation and final landform impacts are also important assessment issues for the Project.” Paterson is a picturesque and historic rural village located on the Paterson River. It services the surrounding localities of Duns Creek, Martins Creek, Butterwick, Woodville, Tocal and Bolwarra Heights. At present I’m very pleased to say that Paterson is a lively and attractive hub for community activity and a welcoming destination for visitors. The local community has access to an impressive list of goods and services - for food and accommodation there is a local supermarket and a butcher, two hotels with bistros, the Country Cafe, Paterson Lodge and The Servo cafe. Health needs are taken care of at the Medical Centre, Pharmacy and Pathologist. There is a hairdressing salon and a barber! There is a stockist for all agricultural and irrigation needs, a Post Office and a country clothing shop. Paterson has a primary school, a preschool, a sportsground, a golf course, a large hall, churches, a service station and mechanics and a train station. There are a number of active community groups and charities that meet and operate in Paterson including Rotary, CWA, Red Cross, Garden Group, Historical Society, Rural Fire Service, Progress Association, fishing club, sporting groups and church groups. Tourists have a variety of accommodation choices and venues to visit such as the Courthouse Museum and Rail Museum. Our monthly newsletter, the Paterson Psst, is informative, well written and widely distributed. This list provides an example of what’s on offer but is by no means exhaustive. With regard to social impact, concerns have been raised that the proposed Project would impact the rural amenity, historical character, the sense of community and social cohesion experienced by residents of Paterson. It’s insulting to read in the assessment report and Conditions of Consent that measures such as a Community Contributions and Sponsorship Program OR financial contributions to council OR a Community Consultative Committee OR employing a dedicated Community Liaison Representative (BTW already an employee in that role) would be effective measures against the negative social impacts associated with the volume of heavy truck haulage through Paterson proposed by the applicant. Since retiring from full time employment I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel and explore some of the country areas of NSW. My preference is to travel mid week, avoiding weekend surcharges, minimum stays and high demand. I’ve found many other people take the same approach so the notion that heavy truck haulage through a tourist destination during the week won’t affect tourism is baffling. In the age of social media, negative reviews can make or break a business - if I was looking for accommodation and read something referring to truck route/noise, it would raise a red flag and I would look to stay elsewhere. The community of Paterson must not be expected to sacrifice their rural amenity and lifestyle. To read in the DPE assessment that this project is in the public interest is galling - it shows total disregard for the people of Paterson, those living in the vicinity of the quarry and along the haulage route. The only way to avoid/minimise/mitigate the negative social impacts associated with the proposed project would be to adhere to the current legal consent for the operation of the quarry which residents are living with now and have done so knowingly in the past. This is especially relevant when there are six other approved hard rock quarries with the capacity to provide significant volumes of high strength aggregates and construction materials within the Hunter Region. (Karuah, Karuah East, Seaham, Allandale, Brandy Hill and Teralba Quarries) I am outraged to read in the assessment report statements such as “The Department also recognises that the proposed annual road haulage limit of 500,000 tpa represents a rate that is not dissimilar to historical road transportation rates undertaken by the quarry over an approximate 18-year period between 2002 and 2019” Let’s be very clear that this represents a level of operation that was illegal and outside the consent conditions. The heavy truck movements through Paterson created unbearable living conditions, initiating the formation of the Martins Creek Quarry Action Group and ultimately the case brought by Dungog Shire Council in the Land and Environment Court. I also want to emphasise that the baseline for comparison is the current legal consent for the operation of Martins Creek Quarry- the 2016 application and the 2021 application are both proposals. The Mayor and representatives of Dungog Shire Council have presented a very clear position on the unsuitability of the roads and bridges for the proposed heavy truck haulage through the shire and the council’s inability to assist the applicant with completion of any roadworks if they fail to meet their conditions of consent in the suggested timeframe. Again this shows that the DPE has completely disregarded the local government input, the cost to the local ratepayers and even the words of the State Government representative, Dave Layzell, in parliament! It is also noted in the consent conditions that any proposed road upgrades will require further approval under Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993. It is obvious that the small rural village of Paterson is not suitable for heavy truck haulage. If the Martins Creek Quarry product is of such demand then another way to transport it must be found. There are a number of recommendations regarding rehabilitation of the quarry site but it seems that they are all to be implemented after consent for the project has been given. Why isn’t the applicant required to submit a Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan before consent? As the applicant is already operating the quarry do they have a current Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan? (In my searches I have been unable to find one to understand what is currently happening at the site.) Consent is being sought to operate this quarry over a 25 year period so why is the Rehabilitation Bond to be determined by: “ calculating the cost of rehabilitating all existing and immediately proposed disturbed areas of the site (taking into account likely surface disturbance over the next 3 years of quarrying operations);” ? It’s apparent that Paterson and Paterson River are areas of great concern because they’re mentioned 54 times in the Assessment Report in reference to proximity, historic & scenic values, site visits, local roads, bypass, rural amenity, heavy truck haulage through the village, Paterson River catchment & proximity, tight road alignment on 90 degree bend Duke St, pedestrian footpaths, traffic flow impacts, pedestrian safety risks, tourist destination, truck speed limit, road noise impacts and loss of sense of community. Repeatedly the document states in reference to Paterson that the Department recognises/ acknowledges concerns/people most affected. It is most alarming that Paterson is only mentioned 6 times in the recommended Conditions of Consent in reference to the time quarry trucks can commence driving through Paterson, trial of a self-imposed speed limit through Paterson, preparation of a Social Impact Management Plan including a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and a Community Benefit Plan. I would urge the commissioners to look closely at the written submissions offering support for this project - namely the content offered and the addresses of the submitters. Having attended the two day public meeting at Tocal College I know that the presentations were predominantly objecting to the application and that the supporting presentations were made by the applicant and the Department of Planning and Environment representatives. The full effects of the decisions made now will be felt by future generations of the Paterson community and for many years - in fact 25 years. The timeline for the proposed conditions of consent by the DPE are very generous to the applicant. I would suggest to you that if the applicant is permitted to transport their product by truck through the village of Paterson, at the rate they have applied for, that it will slowly destroy Paterson as a thriving community hub and an appealing tourist destination. NOW is the time to make the appropriate and the right decisions for the future of our area! |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I believe the traffic on the road through bolwarra would be too much |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
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Name Redacted
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Location |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The environmental effect it will have on the local native areas and the local community |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The noise of truck,no foot path. I notice council is widen road so must mean going ahead regardless of the locals issues and devalue of home on the main roads. In 7 years I live near the last 2 I noticed the traffic has double alrady |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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I am a resident in Bolwarra and the traffic is ridiculous now, I don’t even want to imagine the noise and difficulty getting out of my driveway with all the extra heavy traffic. Noise pollution will increase and roads will deteriorate and the safety of the children in the area will be at risk. Keep the trucks off our roads. No quarry expansion please. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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We are writing with great concern over the proposal for a 25 year approval to quarry and transport material from Martins Creek Quarry. We live locally in Paterson. The concerns relate to the completely unbalanced impacts of a single business over many communities including not just Paterson, but Bolwarra Heights and other residential hubs along the truck routes. In our experience of living in this area, the road conditions are frequently a hazard and it would seem to be a threatening decision to give a long term approval to the quarry beyond that which had been originally approved. The only change which has occurred since the original approval is an increase in population, particularly in the Maitland LGA. The current proposal seeks to revert to the type of quantities and traffic movements which were previously deemed untenable. It is unacceptable that credence be given to a company which has previously proven to break the law, and in doing so, severely impact on the broader community. There are extreme impacts on safety and livability for the area, in addition to native animal exposure and harm as a result of an increase in heavy vehicular traffic. . The operation is entirely out of scale with its location. We would request that a quick and sharp end be put to the mine expansion proposal. It is even more untenable to consider truck usage in the context of the availability of rail expansion. This surely is the only responsible option. Operations should have neutral impact on the community infrastructure which is currently generally considered to be the case. There is no reasoning for anything but. There is no right for such an operation to impact detrimentally on the conditions that my family live in on a daily basis. Of particular concern is the danger that 250 trucks a day will have on our school community. School buses travel on the same road as the trucks. There is a particularly dangerous intersection near the police station from the Paterson Primary school road. I am aware of at least one truck, overturned near this corner just on 3pm. There are no doubt other incidents. Imagine if another truck and a school bus were in the vicinity at the time. It could easily have happened, and been an incredible and avoidable tragedy. Again, it is absolutely unreasonable to place these pressures on a tiny community whose infrastructure has been developed exactly for that – a tiny community. The proposed operations are ridiculously out of scale with what Paterson can service. In addition, any road alterations near the Post Office and main store are entirely inappropriate, and remove the ability to access our services with trucks given the go ahead to engineer turning circles, just for their convenience, speed and for the profit of one business. They should not be placing these pressures on the village. Major concerns are additionally raised regarding the clearing of 21ha of native vegetation. Living in natural bushland ourselves, we are fully aware of the local native habitat home to important species including koalas and many birds – all of which also live on our land. Terrain is not highly fertile, and native habitat has evolved over a very long time. We need to maintain areas of native habitat for the good of the community, and not remove for commercial short term financial gain. The road network clearly cannot sustain the impact of 250 trucks per day, let along the increase of movements proposed. Why should the community have to suffer the inconvenience of major delays which occur throughout the year, to keep the roads in one piece? This, for the profits of one company, who bring no benefit to Paterson. These concerns must be taken seriously, and the expansion proposal not supported in the interests of the entire locality, households and surrounds where the quarry is located. |
Lintje Tjahjadi
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New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Re : Martins Creek Quarry Project SSDD 6612 Dear Sirs, I’m writing to you as a resident of Bolwarra Heights and this letter will be at least the 3rd objections letter I have written with regards to the Martins Creek Quarry Project SSDD 6612. The proposal was rejected twice and we are still objecting to the proposal. Martins Creek has been a safe corridor for many wild life in the area and the expansion they are proposing will have a significant impact on the safety and welfare of the wild life we are proud to be part of. As a resident of Bolwarra Heights in the last 24 years I also have noticed a significant increase in the traffic along Tocal Road through the third runaway. I walked my dogs every morning and the amount of trucks and school busses and motorists already congested the area in the last 10 years. An increase of the propose 280 trucks will only make the traffic even worse. In the last 10 years it has taken me longer to go to work which is only about 17 km from where I live and at present it took more than between 15 to 30 minutes to drive this 17 Km so you can imagine if the proposed application is approved with this extra 140 trucks during morning peak hours I don't how long more do I have to drive to work and I was not the only motorist ising the 3rd run way. Safety of school children and pedestrians are also at risk as Daracon’s contractors have no concerns of safety by driving their trucks well over the 60km limits flying through a narrow pedestrian paths, it is just a matter of time for accidents to happen. The impact of this proposal will be so significant to the well being of the greater community in this area in the long term. I asked therefore for the Minister to consider all these issues and the long term impact of your final decision. Thank you for hearing the voice of the community, I remain. Regards Lintje Setiawaty Tjahjadi ⬛⬛⬛ |
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Attachments |
8c47532f4b384c7d9999f2b0ad3e26dbjpeg_redacted.pdf (PDF, 228.76 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The Paterson Road Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra area are dangerous to use and cross with so many heavy trucks on the road. They are terribly loud and dangerous to other vehicles being used in an already heavily populated area. It is hard to cross the street. |
Rafael Williams
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New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Where I live, as soon as I walk down my paddock, the quarry is already an eyesore. If this is allowed to expand, it will destory even more of the natural landscape and become increasingly unattractive. This quarry expansion is also concerning for the local wildlife as their habitat is reduced further. Where will they live? Will they live or will they simply become roadkill? Speaking of roads, the road into and out of Martins Creek is too narrow, which means residents and road users will have to pull over and wait for trucks to pass. This is unsafe and adds additional travel time for road users and locals. I am a P plater, new to driving the road myself, and the increased volume of trucks would increase stress levels of young drivers such as myself on our local roads, which we should not be expected to tolerate. I am also concerned about the damage to other vehicles on the roads that will inevitably be caused by the obscene amount of proposed truck movements. I have worked extremely hard to buy and put the work into restoring my ute and I have already experienced chips in the paint work and windscreen from trucks flicking up rocks as they drive by. This will only intensify with the proposed expansion. I hope my concerns have been noted and will be taken seriously in the application for the Martins Creek Quarry expansion. |
Bronwyn Larsen
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New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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I object to this quarry extension as; !. I feel the quarry is not required as the needs of the community are currently being satisfied by other quarries in the area. 2. The native animal habitats need to be protected as illustrated by the foreseen extinction of koalas by 2050. 3. The use of trucks will further damage the local roads in the access roads in surrounding local government areas of Maitland and Port Stephens 4. Many residents have stated at public forums that the dust, noise and vibrations have adversely impacted on their health and lifestyle 5. Given the applicants (Daracon) previous history at the site I do not feel the company can be trusted to honor any agreed conditions to operate. |
Andrew Wright
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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The Assessment Report (94.) states “The Department is satisfied that the Project would pose an acceptable level of risk to road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.”. I strongly object to this assessment. Paterson village is a small village, with roads originally designed for horse and carts, not heavy haulage. Whilst the revised proposal includes improvements and restrictions, these do not go far enough. The Paterson business precinct is the hub of the area. It includes several small businesses including the Service Station, Post Office, Grocery Store, Doctor Surgery, Chemist, Hair Dresser and Barber. It includes School Bus Stops, Cafes, Pubs, Accommodation, Churches, Community Halls. Most of these amenities are located directly on the Primary Haulage Route, including the areas shown in Figure 6-3 and further south along Duke Street. These amenities are used by the broader community including Paterson, Vacy, Martins Creek, Dunns Creek, Gresford etc. During peak times, both vehicle and pedestrian on the Primary Haulage Route is unusually high. It is common to park in one place and visit several amenities, crossing the road to get from one to another and back. Parking is limited so again it is common to park on one side of the road and cross the road to get to the business or amenity. There are no pedestrian crossings and visibility of approaching traffic can be poor, especially near the intersection of Gresford Road/King Street/Duke Street. In recent years we have seen the population of these areas grow and this trend seems likely to continue, placing further pressure on the business precinct. Heavy haulage through the village centre poses an increasing level of risk. Whilst the Assessment Report discusses changes as per Figure 6.3 as well as driver education, these are only passive solutions. It is often unsafe to drive a small vehicle through the precinct at 40 kph, let alone a heavy vehicle at 40 kph. Furthermore, it is a gross oversight by all involved to suggest that these vehicles can safely navigate the intersection of King and Duke streets at speeds up to 25kph. These limits need to be reduced and independent monitoring needs to be in place. The road through the Paterson township includes three key changes in alignment:- • Gresford Rd near Church St. The bend at this location is a blind approach to a level rail crossing. It is also an intersection with Prince Steet which is a route for local school buses and other heavy vehicles that serve rural industries. In recent years, there have been several accidents with south bound cars crashing onto the embankment on the opposite side of the road. The assessment report does not mention the risks inherent with this section of road. • Gresford Rd at the junction of Duke Street / King Street. Current line markings are worn as many heavy vehicles fail to navigate the bend without crossing the double lines. As the line markings are work and not maintained, many drivers are unaware that any demarcation exists. The solution presented in the Assessment Report in Figure 6.3 appears to consist of painted lines only. As the current line markings are worn by heavy vehicles cutting the corner, I suggest that this solution will not be effective and the heavy vehicles present an increased risk to road users. • Duke Street to Maitland Road also includes two changes in alignment. Current line markings are worn as many heavy vehicles fail to navigate the bend without crossing the double lines. As the line markings are work and not maintained, many drivers are unaware that any demarcation exists. The Primary Haulage Route is a main road for commuters between Dungog shire and Maitland Shire. It includes a Level Rail Crossing that causes consolidation of traffic. There are few opportunities to pass slow vehicles along this route, especially during peak times with oncoming traffic. Heavy vehicles can impact commute times which leads to frustration for drivers who may then take unnecessary risks to overtake one or multiple vehicles. The Primary Haulage Route must include adequate overtaking lanes to make it safe for all users. The Assessment Report describes Gostwyck Bridge described as a Two-Lane bridge (Single Lane for Heavy Vehicles). This description is not accurate and all traffic is controlled by a give way sign on the quarry side of the bridge. The approach to the bridge includes a blind corner and downhill grade with the give way sign located after the bend and before the bridge. The approach presents a significant risk of accident when heavy, laden haulage use the bridge. Whilst traffic controls may assist in improving safety, these would increase commute times and cause unnecessary delays. As noted by the report, alternate routes are possible, however these alternate routes would impact other village communities. The Assessment Report discusses the Primary Haulage Route but does not discuss the Secondary Haulage Routes in any detail. I have seen many trucks over the years using secondary haulage routes on a regular basis. These include roads such as Paterson Road and Butterwick road which are not of the same standard as Tocal Road. The Assessment Report shows haulage rates up until 2019, arguing that the proposed haulage rates are consistent with recent years. What the report does not mention is that residents were discontent with the haulage volumes during this time. Daracon were in breach of their operating conditions during this time and were ordered to reduce haulage volumes. Since this reduction in haulage volumes, there have been many improvements for Paterson including safer roads, less noise and more tourists. Since the reduction in Haulage volumes in 2019, the Paterson business precinct offers a more relaxed environment outside of peak times. I see groups of cyclists, motor-cyclists, car enthusiasts and retirees all enjoying a quiet coffee or meal at the cafés, a beer at the pub and maybe a hair cut at the barbers. I see elderly cyclists out for a morning ride in the country, on their way to the café for morning tea. People visit the cafes, pubs and accommodation to enjoy the peaceful environment. A return to the previous heavy haulage volumes will adversely impact road safety, business revenue and the wellbeing of the community. Approval of this proposal as it stands would be detrimental to our community. |
Carolyn McIntyre
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object |
Alexis McIntyre
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I disagree with the proposed development for the quarry. The negative impact on this quiet and beautiful town would create permanent changes. Concerns include: Damage to the land and animal habitats, environmental impacts including air quality and pollution, dramatic increase of heavy vehicles on our quiet roads, noise pollution. |
Murray Wilks
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We are a young family living in Bolwarra Heights which is located along the haul road for the intended 280 truck movements per day/40 truck movements per hour. These proposed increase in freight numbers are astounding and to be concentrated on local residential community roads is unbelievable. Our roads currently don't cope during morning and afternoon peak times with limited bridge access over local rivers bottlenecking into surrounding suburbs. Congestion is an ongoing issue, which will be further compounded by the proposed truck movements. School aged children walk along road shoulders and wait at bus stops along this route. The drastic increase in proposed truck movements will be a massive safety concern, both for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Merely crossing the roads to shop will become an issue. Waiting for multiple trucks to trudge through traffic lights will become an issue. etc etc. Personally I find the mentality of the typical truck & dog driver to be the scourge of the heavy trucking community, they typically drive erratically and at speed and are considered cowboys of the road. The intended massive increase in truck movements is not inline with community acceptance nor expectation. Please do not approve the increase in truck movements, it will impact our historic communities, pulverise our country roads and create an ongoing serious risk & danger to our community for the next 25 years. |
Stan Hart
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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To Whom It May Concern: 14/11/2022 I OBJECT to the proposed Martins Creek Quarry Expansion on the grounds of the disastrous outcomes for the local communities and environment should this proposal be approved. As a resident domiciled along one of the roads that would serve as a route for the haulage trucks, this matter directly affects my family and myself. I am not alone in voicing my opposition as at the recent public meeting held at Tocal, the Independent Planning Commission saw a large number of people in attendance stating objections to the proposed Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. My objections are based on the following: 1. Traffic congestion. Paterson Road is already a busy thoroughfare as a result of the expansion of residential housing estates on the Northern fringe of Maitland. 2. Road surface damage. The proposed route is currently visibly deteriorated from the existing volume of traffic, compounded by recent flood events. Allowing more haulage truck movements will greatly exacerbate the damage and the associated cost of repairs. 3. Noise pollution. Permitting more heavy vehicle movements will created excessive mechanical and exhaust noise pollution to the detriment of citizens residing along the route. 4. Air pollution. Permitting more heavy vehicle movements will contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), an air pollutant that is a concern for people's health when levels in the air are high. Furthermore, there will be increased CO₂ emissions. 5. Depletion of a natural resource. The hard rock of Martins Creek is an important resource material, and if extraction is allowed on the scale of a “mega” quarry, it could potentially be used to the point of exhaustion. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
1 - The 280 heavily laden trucks passing the front of our property every day for next 25 years is a completely unacceptable level of impact to our rural community. 2 - The constant loud noise from the trucks, road damage further intrusion into native bushland is a considerable threat to our rural wildlife and domestic animals is unacceptable. 3 - The location of our property on the bend of the road creates a blind spot that will become an even greater road safety issue, with the additional trucks fully laden with quarry rock travelling at 80kph diminishes their ability to stop in an emergency and could add greater risk and road accident fatalities to family and friends entering or leaving our home. 4 - The current roadway along Gresford Road between Dungog Road and the Paterson Township fails to meet Ausroads standards being too narrow and does not allow 1.5m for my family to safely walk or ride push bikes along the front of our property and to Paterson. The additional traffic especially from large trucks increases the risk of accident and injury in trying to safely navigate the journey to the Paterson township. I have not made a reportable political donation |
Edward (Ted) Nobbs
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This project, if approved, will impact the villages of Paterson and Martins Creek with many transits of heavy trucks which will cause noise and vibration in the community and immense damage to the road surfaces as it is recognised that one fully laden B-double truck has an impact on road surfaces equivalent to many thousands of normal cars and light vehicles. The increase in traffic through these villages will impact greatly on the tranquil rural environment enjoyed by the residents. The vibration caused by the passage of of these trucks through the villages will cause immense damage to the historic masonry buildings. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Mavid Properties Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I and my family reside on ⬛⬛⬛ and have done for 10 years or more. Over that time we have seen the traffic flow on Belmore Road increase significantly to the point where it is now extremely busy with traffic to and from new housing development in adjoining suburbs, including Bolwarra Heights and Largs. Further down Belmore Road there is already significant community concern regarding 2 very dangerous pedestrian crossings where drivers regularly struggle to see pedestrians (who are often school aged children) trying to cross the road. I myself am shocked that there has not been a serious accident or fatality there to date. In addition, on a daily basis we witness vehicles, including heavy vehicles, speed down the road well in excess of the 50km/h speed limit both day and night. While the road may lend itself to a higher speed, residential houses are close to both sides of the road. I for one am very concerned about the safety of my family and our extended family and friends who visit us and have to park and get in and out of cars on the main road with traffic speeding by. It is my submission that to add any additional heavy vehicle movements into this already overcrowded and dangerous traffic situation would be a recipe for disaster. It is my understanding that there are alternate methods of transporting quarried materials from the site which may be more suitable for the community. I urge the panel to hear residents concerns and restrict the road transport of quarried material from this proposal |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This will destroy our town. The noise, traffic and emissions will impact the entire community |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The volume of truck traffic along with the noise created in these quiet villages and streets is of great concern.Also the loss of habitat for endangered animals including koalas is of immense concern. The duration of 25 years for the work to be done is ridiculous. Attempts to improve or reduce the proposed development would not be adequate. The proposed development should not go ahead at all. Development is not the word I would use to describe the proposal. Destruction is. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am writing to you as a concerned member of the community about the proposed expansion of the Martin’s Creek Quarry. Numerous issues arise from the proposed plans in particular the drastic increase of quarry truck movement through the community. Obvious issues include the increase in noise pollution, affecting these small towns which often rely on an income from tourism, but I’d like to focus on the increase in traffic. Having up to a truck every minute passing the doorsteps of homes and small businesses in these small towns is an obvious safety issue. In the town of Paterson where I often frequent, the local IGA will have customers in and out with families and kids crossing the street which is a blind corner on one end. Further down, that section of Duke St and King St with its cafes and shops has a lot of foot traffic which is dangerous enough already without an obscene number of trucks passing daily. The other issue with traffic is the traffic jams that already occur during peak hour at king St and church St. Having an increase in truck frequency would compound this issue. I feel like these issues have not been properly addressed by the expansion and therefore object to the plans. Sincerely, Caitlyn Hennessy |
Mark Cridland
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I believe the proposed expansion will have a catastrophic impact on my local community and township of Paterson. The significant increase in truck movements will pose a serious threat to the safety of those utilising the town, a town with limited footpath access which generally requires people to drive. Increased noise will have a significant impact on the whole community. Increased truck movements will also have a negative impact on the economic growth of the community due to its impact on road congestion and it’s effect on ease of access to businesses. It will also making driving on the already poor roads more dangerous. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern, I am a resident of Bolwarra Heights in NSW, adjacent to the proposed transport path for the Martins Creek proposed expansion. When the Martin’s Creek quarry previously operated outside of the bounds of its consent, I directly experienced the excessive noise, dust and property impacts of the quarry’s operations while in my home. The types of trucks utilised, all being double axle, create a disproportionate noise compared to other vehicle movements on the road. I personally experienced social impacts while in my home with truck drivers stopping and witnessed antisocial behaviour such as public urination in full view of my property, excessive noise due to the quarry operation’s disregard for community impacts or the restrictions of their operating approval and significant deterioration of road surface conditions around my property, to the extent that the road was dangerous. Further, Tocal rd narrows to a width and proximity to the footpath which makes the road unsafe for hundreds of heavy vehicles every day (in the 2-3km stretch from the corner of Paterson rd to Lang drive). Pedestrians are required to walk within centimetres of the road and at busy times, this is extremely dangerous. The noise the large number of trucks makes has a significant impact on daily life, preventing sleep and completely eliminating any amenity of being outside due to the excessive noise and dust. Further, the intersections at Humterglen Drive, Belmore rd and the Flat rd to Melbourne Street already experience moderate queuing at peak times. The addition of this number of large vehicles will cause traffic chaos in Maitland, with currently no other alternative in place. The proposed quarry operation has the option of utilising it’s rail siding to transport its raw materials to a more suitable site for further transport, and it would be consistent with the operation of other extraction industries (coal) if the product were exclusively transported to blending and bulk transport facilities by rail. This quarry has operated illegally, created disproportionately negative community impacts for the benefit of its operations, and again seeks to destroy the amenity of multiple communities to provide what is now proposed to be a large scale extraction industry operation, without the level of investment in protecting the communities within which it operates when compared to similar coal operations such as the Bloomfield coal mine, and previously the Austar coal mine near Cessnock which are in similar proximity to community, but operate exclusively using rail sidings, an evolution from operations in the 1990’s, and taking account of their social responsibility. The Martins Creek quarry should be held to the same standards as other extraction industry operations, particularly given its proposal to expand to a general quarry operation, proximity to a rail siding and the disproportionate community impacts should it be allowed to run excessive truck movements as it has proposed in the submission. The quarry has proposed to reduce its previous road operations to 500,000 tonnes per annum, but has immediately then requested to run truck movements at a rate higher than this annualised, indicating that their assertions that they have considered and adjusted to community feedback is not accurate. Daracon have continually acknowledged, but not responded to, community feedback that their operations have a significant and detrimental impact on their surrounding community. It is this lack of care which has eroded their social licence with the community to the point where it is untenable that they be allowed to operate by road. I would be very grateful if you would therefore consider restricting the quarry’s operations to only include rail transported material. This allows the quarry to continue to operate, but in a manner which reduces the harm to the multiple communities their operations impact. This would contain noise to the quarry, and with a single train movement carrying potentially between 100 and 400 truck movements (depending on size) rail operations would not have anywhere near the operational impacts of road movements in the community. The submission of Daracon does not adequately address the safety concerns, traffic issues and significant noise issues caused by the road transport of their operation and it is for this reason their submission should be rejected. Yours Sincerely, {name included in submission} (Bolwarra Heights resident) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I do not want the quarry to go ahead! I live in this area and would like the area to stay as it is as thats why I moved here for my children. Not for it to become a highway of trucks, noise and pollution. If you need to develop something like this do it where it is less populated. There are more properties being built here to make it a community not a quarry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Paterson, living near ⬛⬛⬛, I would be directly impacted by this proposal. While I am not opposed to quarries in general, the proposal is for a very large expansion of footprint and operations. Having up to 280 truck movements per day would have a devastating impact on the entire haulage route and ruin the unique character of Paterson village. As I live near Martins Creek Road, I am certain that the majority of non-Daracon vehicles will take the quickest available route from Tocal Rd to the Quarry - which means going via Martins Creek road. There is currently a sign on load limits at the Tocal end of this road that is 100% obstructed by tree branches. Likewise signage at either end of this road that are supposed to raise awareness that it is a school bus route with unmarked stops are almost black with grime and unreadable to the passing driver. If this quarry is approved it is absolutely essential that modifications are put in place to STOP trucks using this unofficial route which is narrow and badly marked and already quite hazardous to local vehicles. I cannot understand how the government could consider approving of this quarry that is sited adjacent to a major rail corridor with existing access, without insisting about rail transport being 99% of operations. This would be easier to monitor for compliance (and given Daracon's track record on compliance this is vitally important). Rail solution is required. Daracon needs to work with Transport for NSW and ARTC to develop a workable solution if they want to go ahead. ANything less is putting a private company's desire for profit above the rights and interests of the local community including our local fauna which is numerous on this road (turtles, lizards, wallabies, echidnas and even koalas) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Traffic, noise and dust |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am extremely worried by the increase on road usage by trucks through the small communities in this area. I will be affected as I live within this zoning. The area is not designed to handle this amount of traffic from large vehicles. The development is an excessive upgrade in scope for a community that does not have capacity. Further changes should be made so that rail is the priority not road. The rail line should be maximised and the quarry materials should be shipped to a more centralised location for further handling. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Even though lifestyle is important to me, safety is an even bigger concern as it's hard to enjoy your life if you've been injured or killed. In the 14 years I have lived in Paterson, the corner post of the old CBC bank verandah has been demolished 3 times by trucks. Luckily no one was trying to cross the road there at the time, or sitting at a table on the verandah of the CBC cafe ( now called Paterson Valley Lodge ). When I see tourists sitting there at that corner table, I feel like going up to them and warning them of the danger. It is hard enough to cross the road there safely sometimes, let alone with all the intended truck movements if the quarry goes ahead. I am especially concerned for all the school children who alight the bus there near this dangerous corner. I can imagine the damage to the roads that all these trucks are going to make. Roads which are already in a bad enough state, with the Dungog and Maitland councils struggling to maintain them now. Some of the potholes are really dangerous, especially at night when it is hard to see them until you are on top of them. One day when travelling to Maitland, my windscreen was smashed by a stone that was flicked up by a Daracon truck as it passed me. I don't need to tell you how scary and financially costly that was ! The traffic light intersection at Melbourne and Lawes Street in East Maitland is already choked up a lot of the time, but I totally avoid it and the surrounding streets at school drop off time when it gets super busy. I don't want to think what it would be like with all these trucks added to the congestion. I moved to a small rural village for the quiet, slower paced country lifestyle. I would not have moved to Paterson if I had known that potentially hundreds of trucks were going to go through the village on most days. The noise these trucks make, even more so when they are empty and turning the corner near the post office and old CBC bank ( which is only 50 meters from my house ), is very loud and disturbing. The thought of noise from multiple truck movements is very depressing and not conducive to a peaceful village atmosphere. Also the pollution from the fumes of these trucks and the dust they they cause and even the rubber particles that come from their many tyres, is very unpleasant and also a health hazzard. Lastly but just as important, is the impact the quarry and these trucks has on the environment, both now and in the future. Surely the flora, fauna, water systems and the land itself deserve better than the damage these trucks are going to cause. Thank you. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The impact is wide spread to the immediate community and the broader area the infrastructure is insufficient major health and well being concerns |
Sian Ineson
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern, As a community member who will be impacted by the Martin’s Quarry project, I strongly object. My objection is on the basis of: • the impact on the safety of our children when using and crossing the road, especially in Paterson with no traffic lights, zebra crossings and a hair pin turn. • the impact of increases traffic along the 28 kms of roads, with multiple bottle necks and overall lack of road infrastructure • the dramatic impact on road without any significant contributions to road upgrades or maintenance. The statement below extracted from the NSW Government’s Report (State Significant Development Assessment SSD-6612) highlights how credibility for its author and contributors should be strongly questioned: “While some deterioration in intersection and road network performance is predicted during the life of the Project, this would mostly result from broader regional traffic growth and would be expected to occur with or without the Project” Up to 280 trucks per day through a small country town is a dramatic change to road wear and tear, it is an outrageous lie to claim otherwise. I have completely lost faith in the current NSW Government because of its demonstrated history of repeatedly choosing to support corporate interests over people, or in this case, even common sense. If this does go ahead, as is indicated by the language used in the report, it will not take long for practical consequence to appear that allow the people involved in its approval to be held accountable. I just hope it’s not a child that pays for that lesson. Regards, Dr. Sian Ineson |
Vicki Priest
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Organisation |
CB Alexander Foundation |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Submission – Objection to the Martins Creek Quarry Project The CB Alexander Foundation (the Foundation) would like to lodge a submission of objection on in response to the proposed development of the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion that is currently open for comment. The Foundation owns the land of Tocal College which contains 2,200 hectares of farming enterprises including 650 head of beef cattle, a 320 cow dairy, 100 Australian Stock horse breeding enterprise, 92,000 free-range egg production, Honeybees, 300 Dohne sheep flock and cropping/hay making. The College hosts, hundreds to thousands of people each day (depending on specific events) including students, staff, contractors, and visitors. The main entrance to the College located at 815 Tocal Road Paterson is also the main route for trucks going to and from the Quarry. Each year there are around 100 students aged from 16 -20 that live on site. There are 118 staff on site to support this training, run the farms, and deliver the work of NSW Department of Primary Industries and Hunter Local Land Services. The residential facilities, classroom and offices are on the western side of the road. The dairy, motel-style accommodation and Local Land Services are on the eastern side. The College is also a community resource with groups using the facilities on a regular basis for events such as cross-country athletics carnivals, craft workshops, conferences, and other gatherings. There is also a pool that is available to the local community. On average 54,000 people visit the site each year. This does not include the annual field days, which drew 28,000 people to the site from Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May 2022. The proposal for the Martins Creek Quarry to change from a ballast quarry to a general construction aggregate quarry is a major concern for students, staff, and visitors to the College and Homestead noting that the increase to 1.1 million tonnes of material extracted per year would lead to an increase of up to 40 trucks per hour using Tocal Road on any given week day equalling up to 280 trucks per day. Whilst the Foundation notes in the Assessment Report provided that traffic volumes generated by this project would not result in a change to the existing levels of service for roads along the primary haulage route, the Foundation strongly disagrees and believe that this amount of increased traffic will become a major issue for the safety of students, staff and guests entering and leaving the site, farming operations including the effects it will have on livestock and crops, and the social impacts to residents and students due to increased noise and air pollution. Students and staff operate large farming equipment on this road to move between various farmlands operated by the College on both sides of Tocal Road for thousands of hectares spread across both sides of Tocal Road Paterson which will become incredibly challenging with the proposed increase in trucks travelling on the road. Students are also required as part of their formal study to work in a variety of aspects of the farming operations including the dairy, which they access by crossing Tocal Road on foot twice a day. There is accommodation and offices located across from the College at 815 Tocal Road, and the entrance to the Tocal Homestead at 957 Tocal Road Paterson, that has up to 20,000 guests per year, has vehicles including buses, horse drawn carts, wedding cars and guests that are entering and exiting through to Tocal Road without a dedicated turning point in place. The Foundation strongly objects to the change of use of the Martins Creek Quarry. |
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Attachments |
cbaf-sumission--objection-to-martins-creek-quarrypdf.pdf (PDF, 152.22 KB) |
Alex Simmons
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live at Bolwarra Heights and cycle from the intersection of Corina Avenue and Paterson Road through to Lorn 4 times per week. This involves merging at the intersection near the Bolwarra BP, and then turning right at a roundabout at the intersection of Flat road and Paterson Road. In both situations there is no safe gap for motor vehicles to overtake me, and specifically, when I turn right at the roundabout I must assess the road situation, use a hand signal and merge. I particularly fear the increased risk for my life, and this could be mitigated by quarry trucks using an alternative road corridor - for instance via Raymond Terrace/Heatherbrae. Further the increased dust and noise will effect the value of my home; and, I am likely to replace cycle trips for car usage on the basis of increased road presence and visibility. I know of 12 other cyclists who regularly ride on this same portion of road, who will also be at increased risk because of this increase in truck movements. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am objecting to the proposal due to the traffic / air and noise pollution / pedestrian impacts it is going to have on myself my wife and 2 young children. Also the toll it is going to take on the roads with all the rain of late they would be blown out in a day with constant stream of trucks. The jobs this proposal creates is going to affect the jobs/livelihood of the businesses and employees already established along the proposed route. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am very concerned about my children with the extra traffic on the road & our future health with air quality. |
Barry Prasil
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
While I don't have any objection to expansion of the quarry in general, I am very concerned by the proposal to significantly increase the use of trucks (rather than trains) to transport the materials. As a resident of Bolwarra Heights I already find it difficult and risky to turn out the estate onto Paterson Rd. The increase in trucks without improving the intersection will make it even more dangerous and will inevitably result in a serious accident or even a fatality. There is a strong likelihood there could be multiple incidents before something is done to improve the situation. I am also concerned at the loss of koala habitat. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
A member of a group VOWW but this is my personal submission |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
MAIN points. As proposed the Development fails the test of acceptable social, economic and environmental impacts, on the following grounds • It’s gross approach to put profits before the social and potential negative economic impact of the citizens of Martins Creek and Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra, and East Maitland citizens • It’s very negative impact on the safety of all road users on the proposed road haulage route, inclusive of Martins Creek and Paterson, Tocal Agricultural College, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra, and East Maitland citizens. Fails to explore a potential rail option for all product with a facility at Hexham for local rod distribution. This option will give a significant reduction in emission's by petro chemical (diesel) power engines. • It’s the failure to listen to and response with empathy to those residence both in Martins Creek and Paterson, • And it’s attitude “If you don’t like it move out” As such the development is contrary to the community’s expectations and is totally unacceptable, and I Strongly Oppose the Development Proposal. It is attached in full below. |
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Attachments |
ipc-sub20221114pdf.pdf (PDF, 1.65 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Major concerns about the impact of truck movements on local roads. The degradation of roads due to truck movements on roads that are already in poor condition. The safety of other road uses. The safety of children, school bus runs. The major impact on Paterson & it’s small businesses. The impact on parking in Paterson. The safety of all pedestrians in Paterson, particularly the young & old. The noise impact on residents & businesses. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Paterson is such a small country town It's a beautiful place that will be destroyed by all these truck daily They will destroy the roads-even more than what they already are They will travel in concey which is unsafe for motor vehicle drivers They don't follow the designated routes that are meant to be taken ie use butterwick instead of paterson road Wildlife-the koalas would be in even more danger |
Olivia Wills
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Organisation |
Bolwarra community group |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
It is extremely unsafe to even pull out of our driveway at the moment let alone just having a new park built for kids and families. Tilly’s being on the main road there are kids walking with the preschool. Our roads can’t even handle it now let alone that many trucks. It is to unsafe. Coming out of hunterglen is horrible when visiting my brother and family in there |
Matthew Curran
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to this proposal on the basis of the increased traffic through the residential areas of Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and Paterson. With the amount of increased traffic proposed on Paterson and Tocal Roads, there will need to be additional safety measures put in place to ensure public safety on these roads. There is currently no allocated road crossing for pedestrians at all on Paterson Road. I live on Tocal Road and there is currently nowhere that my children can cross this road to get to the local NSW Government public school (Bolwarra Public School). Bolwarra is zoned for residential use, with heavy residential development in recent years - this is not compatible with the proposed increased use of heavy good vehicles on this stretch of road. If this proposal is granted, there must be consideration given for a change to the traffic management plan, including reduced speed limit (from 60 to 50) and/or traffic lights. Many children use these roads to get to school, with currently NO safe road crossings in place. In my opinion, the current proposal does not mitigate the potential road safety issues that will occur in the residential areas of Bolwarra and Paterson. |
Ann Longley
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live in Martins Creek and last time the quarry was operating I had several issues, The back log of trucks on our local roads and damage done to then, made my transfer to and from home terrible, I’ve suffered several broken windscreens and found that on my way home in the morning as I’m a shift worker there was so many truck and dogs driving at 40 km an hour and lines of them so they could get in the line on go to the quarry, no where to get around them, they were everywhere. I fear for people lives in the township of Paterson it was not built to have hundreds of trucks on those narrow streets and think it’s only a matter of time until there is a serious accident especially at the corner near the post office and the Paterson lodge considering these is a heritage listed buildings and that corner is not made for two trucks to pass. Also I have a problem with the blasts which shake my house and has made my concrete and plaster wall crack, while I understand I quarry was there when I purchased my place but I have lived here for over twenty years and to begin with it was only mined for the railway now it has been sold they want to mine it 24/7. With no respect for the local community. I also think it will destroy or local environment and contribute to the death of many of of local wildlife and make a declining effect of our already struggling koala population. Considering I pay nearly 3000 a year in land rates to a struggling council who already can’t keep the upkeep to these poor local roads. I understand that this quarry has always been here but never was it meant to have this amount mined and previously didn’t have a problem with it being used for its purpose but now you are just being greedy I feel you don’t even care about the local close community we have here and this community is why I stayed here and think money should never come above the people and the place who live here. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My main concerns are around road congestion heading to and from Maitland at Bolwarra heights service station intersection with the combination of Brandy hill quarry trucks and Daracon trucks |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am very concerned about the Martins Creek Quarry expansion and the impact bit will have on the village of Paterson and surrounds. The economic stresses to the local businesses caused by the constant movement of quarry trucks will have a significant effect, these businesses employ local people and are patronised by locals, visitors, passing tradesmen, bike rider clubs etc. Pedestrian safety is a real concern in the village. If people don't feel safe to cross the road or park on the street local businesses will suffer. Trucks will be coming through at school drop-off and pick-up times endangering children. The damage to local roads which are already in ordinary repair will be enormous as well as dangerous. The road road on the northern side of the railway gates is already in a horrible state of repair. Traffic lining up through town will be a major problem when railway gates are down. The constant rumbling of trucks with empty dog trailers, trucks fully laden, 24 hour a day railway loading,blasts from the quarry will cause obvious noise and dust issues. Historical buildings will be in danger of damage due to vibrations caused by heavily laden trucks constantly coming by. Personally I moved to the Paterson Valley in 2015 for the lifestyle and amenity of the area, the idea of that all changing is very disappointing. I also work at East Maitland and drive daily to and from, the idea of having to contend with so much extra heavy traffic on my daily commute is not a good thought particularly going through Bolwarra across Flat Rd to the traffic lights at Melbourne St East Maitland. Unfortunately I have no faith whatsoever in Daracon/Umwelt operating to whatever guidelines are put in place as they have a history of ignoring such things at Martins Creek Quarry in the past. Should a companies greed be put above the lives and lifestyle and safety of many affected people, I would ask the commission to please take notice to the many objections put in and voiced by the local communities in regard to this expansion as this will have a major impact on peoples lives not just here in Paterson but all along the transport route. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Traffic and dust will significantly impact neighbouring properties. |
Stuart Fullerton
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Thank you for the opportunity to hear the assessment parameters by which you measured this application as we were surprised by your apparent tacit approval for this application. With some minor changes it is the same twice denied and completely inappropriate plans to overdevelop a minor rail ballast quarry into a mega size general quarry delivering by road nearly thirty (30) kilometres from a suitable road network. None of our specific and ongoing concerns expressed in our previous submissions have been addressed or mitigated. We continue to strongly object to plans to massively increase volume output of this quarry. A fully funded plan would need to be implemented to transport the products sustainably, effectively and equitably with due regard for local councils, business owners and residents’ concerns. 2016 we formed Bolwarra Heights Community Group due to our and neighbours’ common objections to the huge increases in daily truck movements along Tocal and Paterson Roads. These roads are not ‘truck nullus’. We have many trucks of all sizes every day, but this was completely new and confronting by the noise and other disruptions these large, loud trucks generate. We had private meetings with the owner David Mingay and his associates to voice our concerns directly to them. We’ve participated in every meeting regarding this project and taken part in the farcical process of ‘community consultation’, where the main issues could not be discussed and all of it for no result. In this new application for instance, the use of trucking numbers through the years of illegal operations as inputs to establish an average for instance, are preposterous and seems akin to using bank robberies to establish an average bank withdrawal. As a consequence of our dealings with this company we express no faith in the management. We live nearby the proposed haulage route along Tocal Road through Bolwarra Heights and have done so for more than 20 years. Maitland is a rapidly growing region and a major NSW growth area. This growth places great strain on existing infrastructure and road networks and sees quite significant and lengthy delays for pedestrians and commercial and passenger vehicles alike at key intersections along the proposed haulage corridor without any additional numbers of quarry trucks. Commuters already face excruciating delays behind more than enough heavy vehicles, traffic jams and roads well over their designed capacity. There are already significant pedestrian and road user safety issues and productivity delays with increasing population and traffic congestion along the proposed haulage corridor. Recent decisions by Federal Ministers on, most notably, the Hanson Quarry at Brandy Hill will see upwards of 600 daily truck movements 24/7 through Maitland and Port Stephens LGA. The Hunter Region and our LGA’s already bear a heavy industrial burden with our coal mines. Our LGA’s are designated state growth areas with entire new suburbs emerging from green fields and along transport corridors. I believe that this approval should not be a political decision and be based solely on merit. This particular quarry is not in an area which could easily accommodate expansion plans. We have a lived experience of just how intolerable life becomes, living with anything like these additional numbers of quarry truck movements during the many years of Daracon’s unlawful operations at Martins Creek. Their trucks generated significant noise and disturbance over and over again starting early and continuing all day. Assessment of these noise levels would find that they are significant, unreasonable and unacceptable. Our home is approximately 60 metres from Tocal Road and shakes a bit and the vibrations can be felt. Our section of Tocal Road was renovated/upgraded which for a time reduced some of the noise impacts but potholes soon reappeared. We found our neighbours also suffered serious disruptions with sleep deprivation and the inability to escape the constant noise and vibrations. We could spend no time in our gardens as they were too noisy to have a conversation or a phone call let alone enjoy some amenity. The cumulative impact of these disruptions and the constant and almost continuous nature of them became quite significant. People living under Sydney’s flight path face similar disturbances. All NSW residents have the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home and property without the intrusion of excessive or offending noise. Persistent noise has an impact on every facet of daily life while you are in your own home and has a debilitating effect on a person’s mental state of mind and ultimately physical health. No one should have the right to impact people’s lives in such an intrusive manner. Tocal Road is one of Maitland’s only streets with no on-street parking already reducing the available roadway. Through Bolwarra Heights the road is quite sloped and windy with telegraph poles inches from the road and no shoulder or verge and double yellow lines. Vehicles often speed through here at dangerous speeds. Police advised they had stepped up patrols but were hampered in their ability to effectively monitor speed limits due to the narrow road and many bends. Dangerous situations are common with sharp braking as vehicles enter or leave, the road wear pattern shows where vehicles are over the lines, busses turn off from the wrong side of the road, and people overtake the resource recovery vehicles emptying bins as well as speed. It is said that, “you can’t know what it’s like till you walk in another’s shoes”, well twice daily we walk along Tocal and Paterson Road as well as daily drives to and from work, etc, so are well familiar with these roads. We invite you to share our experiences so close to 50+ tonne trucks heading downhill towards you at speeds in excess of posted limits. We have major safety concerns walking these streets due to their narrowness, lack of shoulder and proximity to footpaths and fence lines. Tocal Road, especially, narrows just before it meets Paterson Road at a service station and now has a concrete centre line divider, metal post and sign in the middle of the road narrowing it even more and a blind exit from the service station! This intersection is where the other major quarry expansion project from Hanson at Brandy Hill and Martins Creek Quarry will meet. This is a natural pinch point in the haulage routes of the two quarries. From here to New England Highway their combined truck numbers would be massive. Quarry operations throughout the area need to be viewed and considered with regard to their cumulative impacts. Brandy Hill quarry expansion already substantially increased the burden of heavy vehicles throughout the area. The productivity losses suffered by the entire community along the designated routes and their interfaces with Melbourne Street, New England Highway would be appalling. Traffic Impact Assessment claiming the impacts of increases to truck numbers would have minimal impact upon the operation of key intersections along the primary haul route and not expected to have any adverse impacts on the safety of the road network appear impossible. If this were even possible perhaps Daracon could send these trucks to Sydney to help them clean up their traffic and safety issues? Along the proposed route there will be drastic and competing usage needs. Trucks use the road network as an industrial corridor or conveyor with time pressure to haul just one more load, whilst we merely wish to get on with our lives in safety and with some amenity. Daracon have continually expressed their inability to self-police driver behaviour as the majority of quarry vehicles are not their trucks or drivers. There would need to be effective and enforceable regulations of quarry operations and truck movements throughout the life of the quarry. Trucks from quarries, in particular, are causing significant negative impacts on quality of life and social amenity. We’ve witnessed the industrialising of our quiet semi-rural and suburban roads to an intolerable level that would be unacceptable in any other area or for any other product such as coal. The few jobs the proponent asserts will be created are more than offset by the loss of so many other jobs and enterprises most especially in the hospitality and tourism sectors. How can one company be allowed to take so much from so many and for so long? I think you should leave Daracon with the tonnage levels that they originally purchased i.e., 300,000 tonnes p/a with 75% to be shipped along rail network and Monday to Friday operations 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. At the time of purchase from the SRA the proponent knew full well the tonnage and operational restrictions on this sensitive site and area. There is no doubt Daracon have enjoyed substantial windfall profits given their disregard for any restrictions on their operations or tonnage since then. There needs to be a substantial reduction in truck numbers through greater use of the rail capacity of the quarry through the establishment of a rail distribution centre linked to major road infrastructure. Truck numbers need to reflect the actual truck numbers in and out of the quarry whether delivering material to site or moving material off site. There needs to be a limit on the hours of operation of the quarry with regards to its transport corridor through residential areas. Quarry open at 7a.m. would see, hear and feel trucks through Bolwarra at 5.30 am.to 6 a.m. Any and all trucks need to be suitable and fit for purpose giving due regard to the many kilometres of suburban and country roads they will traverse and suitably equipped to limit noise in residential areas and regularly checked by RMS. Thank you for your consideration. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The dust will make for terrible living conditions for properties. I object to the quarry being built |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am opposed to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry on the grounds that it will impact koala habitat which is incredibly valuable in the area adjacent to the quarry expansion. My second reason is that the increase in traffic is an extreme level of impact on a small community village. The route cuts straight through the heart of it and will ruin Paterson as a tourism destination and an attractive and quiet place to live. I live near Martins Creek road and drive this to get to work and it's already dangerous. Even though it is not mentioned as a traffic route for the quarry it obviously will be highly impacted by people following the signs to Martins Creek and their navigation apps like google maps and waze. I am a P plater in a cheap Hyundai - it's dangerous enough on these roads already without 240 extra trucks a day. |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
14 November 2022 This is a submission from the property of ⬛⬛⬛ to object to the expansion of the Daracon Martins Creek Quarry. Reason to object 1. Noise. When the quarry is operating the noise which starts early in the morning to late at night causes us stress at the constant loading machine noise, truck noise and grating and constant moving of machinery 2. Charges going off. The noise and the swoosh of the charges that rattle windows shake the house and cause the stock to run due to the feeling and the noise. You can actually feel the movement on the air. 3. Damage to the property. We have cracks in the floor and walls due to movement because of the blasting, quarry movement etc 4. Devalue of the property when it comes time to sell. The value and resale value of the property will diminish with a quarry so close to property is a constant worry and stressful. 5. Wildlife. We have Koalas, Brush-tailed phascogale, Bandicoot, echidna, black cockatoo, Quoll, Wedge-tailed Eagles and other wildlife that will suffer territory disturbance and reduction of habitat. We have a colony of Koalas that frequently use our property and surrounding land to live and if the quarry goes ahead it will disturb them and dimish their habitat then endanger the colony’s stability. Endangered Species in Australia In Dire Need of Protection... Koalas, Greater Glider, Regent Honeyeater, Eastern Quoll, Woylie, Wedge-tailed Eagles and Bandicoots are extremely vulnerable 6. Flora. Being an area of natural beauty the area has some small orchids, trees and other flora which will be impacted on with any more clearing or disturbance. 7. Railway noise. The constant train traffic will cause noise, rattling, loader going at all hours which will cause stress and disturbance to living and sleep and cause more mental health issues for all that live around the quarry 8. Truck on road. The amount of trucks hauling the product is too much. Load fall from trucks which causes damage to cars and property. Our car suffered damage when a large rock flew off a truck we were following and hit the car. Young son drives to and from to work and the amount of trucks are a worry from the trucks traveling too fast and over taking making it dangerous to travel from Martins Creek to Maitland. Trucks in the town of Paterson making it too dangerous to do any shopping or community dealings. Trucks turning in on the smaller roads making it dangerous to travel on those roads. Trucks lined up along the roads waiting to go into the quarry from early in the morning to late afternoon, night causes more danger on the roads surrounding quarry 9. Not employing locals as stated from Daracon they employ 20+ locals doesn’t weigh up against the thousands of people living and working in the area of Martins Creek, Paterson, Dungog and surrounding areas 10. No one from any place has come to talk to us about the constant noise, movement and going on 11. The new proposal state to run truck from 3pm that still doesn’t address the noise issue to us whom live around the quarry, the constant noise from night to morning still is too much 12. Pollution. The smell of the dust, charges and machinery can be smelt at our property and causes breathing problems to our family This area is a beautiful area from the rainforest of our mountain to the paddocks of the farm land. Daracon isn’t interested in the area and helping it grow. They are thinking money, money, money. The quarry should be turned into a wildlife corridor to ensure the survival of our endangered koalas eagles and other wildlife not to forget the flora. The majority of residents are against the quarry being there Wasn’t operating when moved to the area The residential and small acreages and families are more viable than the quarry |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
No thanks guys |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the Martin's Creek Quarry expansion as it will have negative impacts on the land, the local community and way of life |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident if ⬛⬛⬛for twenty-five (25) years I wish to object to the planned expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry and to allow forty (40) truck movements per hour from 7am Monday to Friday. Anyone with an ounce of knowledge of this area will tell you this decision by the Department of Planning is beyond ludicrous! As someone with a quarter century of lived experience on Paterson Road I have witnessed the negative effects that increased heavy vehicle traffic since 1997 has had not just on this area in general, but on my own home and existence. There are subsidence issues with my concrete driveway and cracking in my walls. There is bumper-to-bumper traffic outside my home every morning during peak hours to the point where it can take up to seven (7) minutes to get out of my drive. Residents living in the Hunterglen estate have an even longer wait to turn onto Paterson Road. During the day it is necessary to close windows and doors facing Paterson Road to block out the noise from the current truck and heavy vehicle flow. Also, Paterson Road is routinely flooded and potholed by rain “events” with residents cut off from Maitland in severe cases. Most of the time the surface of Paterson Road is barely maintained to a level to handle current traffic in these conditions it would never cope with the proposed increase of Quarry trucks. From a safety view point I’d like to know what how the Department of Planning thinks that increasing the current number of heavy vehicles by forty (40) an hour Monday to Friday will not critically endanger parents and children accessing Tilly’s the long day-care centre and pre-school situated on Paterson Road at Bolwarra, as well as the many students of nearby Bolwarra Public school who either walk or cycle to school each day. I have witnessed untold school children almost wiped out by “truck cowboys” and the installation of a traffic-island that is more dangerous than useful; adding more heavy vehicles to the mix will only further exacerbate both problems. How many fatalities have the Department of Planning factored into their proposal as being acceptable? Because there will be at least one (1). Will the Martin Creek Quarry pay for the erection of sound-proof fencing and the rehabilitation of private and public property negatively impacted by their financial greed? What compensation package is being offered to current residents? I ask these questions because unless this proposal is immediately stopped it will cause untold physical, emotional and financial loss to thousands of families. There is a railway at Martins Creek so the Martins Creek Quarry has an alternative transport option the IPC should insist they use it, rather than disrupt the quality of life of local families. |
Judith Henry
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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My Name is Judy Henry, my husband, Mal and I live on our property at⬛⬛⬛ . We are on the proposed haul road, 1.6 klm north of the village of Paterson. We have lived here since 1991 and I have experienced the changes to the quarry. When it was operating as it was designed to as a rail ballast quarry in the early 1990s it was part of the area and caused no grief to myself or the broader community. Once the quarry started operating outside of the licensed capacity the situation deteriorated until we reached the unbearable trucking peak before the operators were ordered to stop operating illegally. My husband and I have spent the last 30 years making our property a wildlife refuge, having planted in excess of 9000 local trees and shrubs, mostly local rainforest species, also creating a wetland with islands for waterfowl to breed. We are in our early seventies and we love to sit on our front verandah but when the trucks are running in large numbers we are driven back inside because of the constant noise. It is depressing to think we may have to spend the rest of our lives listening to trucks rumble past all day. I am totally disappointed with the DPE, after all the submissions and evidence produced hi lighting the negative impacts on the whole community and all those along the proposed haul road, to give this project the go ahead is so depressing. Has the DPE never heard of a win, win outcome, our people and community got nothing and Daracon all they asked for, no mention of reducing the quantity extracted or even suggesting they examine the rail transport to transport the majority of the product, no just go ahead and don't worry about the citizens, just the profit. My husband and I sat through the two days of the IPC hearings at Tocal, and felt the Commissioners listened to the people with interest and respect. Thank you for reading my submission. |
Anna Malskaitis
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to this development. This development is not wanted by the residents and the local community. The impact would be greatly detrimental to the area especially safety and effect on the infrastructure especially the roads |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Local roads and infrastructure are not made for the amount of heavy vehicle traffic Noise and pollution will affect our rural lifestyle, value of our properties will decrease |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
i am opposed to it because of traffic and the environment |
John Bambach
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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I would ask the judges making judgment on the Martins Creek Quarry to visit the route it takes through the little village of Paterson to start, then Bolwarra, and East Maitland to get access to the freeways. There is no doubt there is danger in this route it is a road that is already stressed at certain times at the day especially at school morning and afternoon times. Access out of Hunterglen Estate is dangerous and wrong there are many near misses and accidents in this location already. Some areas of Bolwarra is near impossible to gain access to the main roads as a local resident. The pedestrian island recently added to Paterson Road to the newly established Bus Stop corner of Canna Street is a fatality waiting to happen with the trucks and loads already coming through that route when the buses are stopping to collect children and elderly. A new road should be built from Brandy Hill to bypass Paterson these projects are allowed without making transport a priority one example the trucks from Bandy Hill are using a narrow quiet road Italia Road, destroying a quiet rural road, when these trucks are getting onto freeway this causes danger to traffic going 110kms going North coming from Raymond Terrace. A sweeping /blind corner close to the end of Italia Road you find a B- Double loaded with gravel very very slowly attempting to merge into the traffic. I have personally experienced this situation and believe this would severely implicate someone's driving confidence and ability resulting in crashes or at worst case cause death. If the people who hold the power for such things need to consider other peoples lives I propose building another rail line, use the gravel by all means from the quarry, do it properly ensuring adequate infarstructure. There are currently other such projects within Australia unlike this one these projects or businesses have had to build their own haulage road to gain access to the main highways. The railway crossing at Paterson (Major North Coast Line) even with adequate bells and barriers there is little lead up to the train line, which would be hard for trucks to stop safety at all times of train crossings The single lane bridge designed in the Horse and Cart days is now expected to carry the huge volume of trucks for coming decades- where is the Engineers Report of this supporting such loads, will this uphold for 25 years? I hold grave concerns of the negative impact this will hold onto small communities especially Paterson not having space on roads to stop and buy supplies as needed from local suppliers. The increased traffic this will surely bring to governing communities will result in fatalities bringing devastation to small towns/communities. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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The traffic has double in 3 years since we purchased in 2015. The current trucks and traffic is ample. Not to mention no foot paths, but it looks like may go ahead as whybis council widening the road??? For truck. |
Aleisha Long
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Adam and Aleisha Long ⬛⬛⬛2420 27.07.2021 Director- Resource Assessments Planning & Assessments Department of Planning, Industry & Environment Locked Bag 5022 Parramatta NSW 2124 Martins Creek Quarry Expansion-Application No SSD-6612 Dear Sir/Madam, We oppose to the proposed increase in operations at the Martins Creek Quarry. Some of our concerns are: 1. The quality of life and the safety of our child growing up on our property and in our community. 2. Property damage and devaluation 3. Quality of air and risk to health (silicosis etc) 4. Effect on roads and road safety 5. Increased dangerous traffic conditions 6. Loss of peaceful rural lifestyle due to quarry noise and truck and train operations 7. Concern for wildlife welfare, both fauna and flora Some personal experiences that we have had over the past 30 years living at Martins Creek are: 1. Speed of trucks through Paterson. As both a children and adults we have spent lots of time accommodating the way trucks travel through the town, in order to preserve our safety. It’s always dangerous getting out of the car to use facilities when trucks pass. 2. We have lived with trucks going too fast and veering onto the wrong side of the road on other roads in the area. We would hate to see this happen on our road or anyone elses, as we live right on the road and it disturbs our sleep and lifestyle of which we are highly invested. 3. We have lived with the deteriorating and unsafe conditions of the public roads caused largely to do with the movement of these trucks. 4. Noise and air pollution in and out of operational hours. Increased hours will intensify this immensely and change our experience of living a peaceful life. 5. The amount of dust in the air which settles on surfaces inside our house, has increased greatly over the years. 6. It concerns us that the quarry was allowed to operating out of their specified times and do not want this to continue We strongly oppose to the proposal of the increase in operations at Martins Creek Quarry. We have not made a reportable political donation. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, Adam and Aleisha Long |
Liz Gardner
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Extensive road damage to the already poorly maintained roads of Dungog council |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Our roads cannot handle any more trucks on the Paterson road. Let alone for the next 25yrs. Safety of our children in the hunterglen estate. |
Siobhan Isherwood
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New South Wales |
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15/11/2022 |
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Dear Panel members, My mother's property borders the quarry. We wrote a submission to the original proposal, we wrote a submission to the revised proposal, my mother spoke at the IPC hearing and I am also writing a submission now. At no point, and in no document that I can find have the proponents approached us to discuss the significant impacts of the quarry on our land nor to discuss remediation options for existing impacts or proposed impacts. How can a proposal possibly be approved without even a consideration of or conversation with the projects direct neighbour? The project has made direct impacts on the vegetation on our property, on our shared fence (or what is left of it) and on the threatened species that we are trying to protect. That no buffer zone or remediation of existing impacts has even been considered, and yet the project has been recommended for approval by the Department is beyond belief. I have appended my original submission and my follow up submission, both of which have been ignored in the response to submissions for your perusal. I would also invite you to come to our property and have a look at the beautiful native regenerating vegetation on our property and the destruction that has occurred on our land by the quarry operators before you make a decision. This quarry and Daracon has shown repeated disregard for their neighbours and the local community. An approval would tell them that they can do anything they like, get away with it and still build something bigger. It is the wrong project in the wrong place. Please do not approve it. |
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Attachments |
161123sisubmissiononmcqpdf.pdf (PDF, 169.15 KB) isherwood-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 90.77 KB) |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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I am opposed to the expansion of the quarry as I believe it will directly have a negative impact of several aspects of my life as a resident of Paterson. * my number one concern is the increased volume f traffic which poses a serious safety risk, particularly to my children, who are getting ok and off buses and crossing the road before and after school. *increased traffic will also have a flow on effect to further down tocal road at bolwarra where intersections are already dangerous with the current volume of traffic - this will get significantly worse * property values are likely to decline due to noise and dust pollution and people do not love to small country towns to have trucks rumbling by every couple of minutes Lastly - if the quarry is approved with conditions - who will hold them to account? The approval of this expansion is not in the best interest of the community - the only people who will benefit are the owners and shareholders |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My husband and I have noted a marked increase in the deterioration of the road network in our area due to the heavier vehicles now being used to haul from Martin’s Creek Quarry in comparison to several years ago. Heavier haulage and increased truck movements have severely affected the roads. Dungog Council is unable to keep up with required repairs. If this project is indeed of “State Significance” then the State of NSW should be required to fully fund repairs to roads used by trucks hauling from Martin’s Creek. We have noted that trucks are now coming via Glendonbrook Road, Durham Street and Gresford Roads at Gresford/ East Gresford, when this was not previously a common occurrence. We have had to undertake several repairs to our 4WD due to the state of the roads. Trucks turning at Paterson have almost collided with us on two occasions. There are koalas and other vulnerable native species that will be further impacted if the quarry is granted an expansion. Please do not grant an expansion to a company that has flouted the conditions of their previous approvals. Please consider the affect on the residents of this shire. |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Adverse impact on town of Paterson and surrounding areas of Maitland and Dungog suburbs and villages . I visit Paterson with family and friends regularly for meals and dining . With an increase in trucks rumbling through the town , this is noise will not be conclusive to a relaxed atmosphere. |
Name Redacted
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15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I do not agree with the proposed quarry expansion. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The current roads and infrastructure simply cannot support the amount of additional traffic proposed by Daracon. We have chosen to live in a quieter rural setting for a reason, and this is certainly not it. As it stands, the estate in Bolwarra Heights is impossible to exit at the best of times, not to mention dangerous. The addition of a truck every 1 and half minutes would increase this problem exponentially. The overall conditions of the road will be even worse. The serenity and charm of Paterson will be lost. It simply cannot go ahead. PLEASE!!! |
Rhonda Quinn
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. I live in Bolwarra Heights in a property that is about 80m back from Tocal Road. I have lived here for nine years and owned the land for another six years prior to building Please see my previously lodged objection in the attached document for background and reasons for my objection. Primary issues which directly impact me are: a) Increased traffic volume and congestion with increased risk as a driver and pedestrian b) Increased traffic noise and vibrations in my home c) Negative impacts on personal well-being, lifestyle and property values d) Deterioration in local road surfaces I find the report overall to be rather general and simplistic in its conclusions. I strongly object to this proposal as I do not believe the conditions of approval can mitigate the overall impact of transportation by road. The 280 trucks a day (in addition to those from Brandy Hill) will create intolerable traffic conditions and social distress for the residents of Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra and East Maitland in particular as well as other smaller surrounding villages. Nothing short of transportation by rail will fix this. The cumulative effect of these two projects does not seem to have been adequately considered. I do not think the Planning Dept. understands that, unlike Sydney, there are not a myriad of ways to get to the same destination for towns/suburbs on the haulage route. It is not possible for commuters to just use an alternate route as in many instances these just do not exist. So we will be forced to place our lives and our family’s lives in jeopardy on the roads just to undertake everyday activities. To leave my suburb of Bolwarra Heights for example all residents are exiting onto the haulage route. Logic tells me that having 280 trucks a day on an already very busy roads (plus Brandy Hill trucks) it is inevitable there will be accidents involving trucks and there will be loss of life. Given the volume of traffic, drivers trying to get to work, school drop offs etc. on time will have to take risks to enter traffic. Breaks will be few and far between especially in peak periods. Pedestrians including school children will have to take risks to cross roads, including rural roads to get to bus stops. This will be a fact of life for communities living with endless truck after truck after truck. There will be community outrage when a death occurs. There will be finger pointing at planning decisions so poorly made that blind Freddy could anticipate the outcomes. I can nominate three critical choke points near me that have not received specific mention of how the issues will be ameliorated: 1. The very dangerous intersection where trucks from the Dungog and Brandy Hill quarries converge near the Service Station in Bolwarra Heights at the corner of Tocal Road and Paterson Road. Tocal Road is very narrow at this point and trucks from both quarries would be merging here. Cars also enter and exit the petrol station at this intersection. There is a very short merging lane and this comes out close to the entrance of a busy children’s playground and scenic viewpoint. Cars are also turning across traffic to enter this area. This intersection will be an absolutely critical flashpoint for potential disaster. It is not mentioned in the report 2. The intersection of Paterson Road and Hunterglen Drive is one of only two exits for the whole suburb of Bolwarra Heights. This is already choked at peak times, especially at morning school time when there is always a long line of traffic waiting to exit onto Paterson Road. There is always queuing at peak times and traffic breaks are already limited as Paterson Road is so busy. Cars already take risks to exit leading to frequent near misses and occasional collisions. The likelihood of collisions with a truck will be greatly increased. 3. The intersection of Flat Road and Melbourne St, East Maitland is already at saturation point in all directions most of the day and especially at the peak times. This is an accepted fact. It already can take me three or four sets of lights to get through this intersection. It will be a total fiasco with the large increase in truck numbers using this intersection. Traffic will be backed up along Flat Road and Melbourne St with extensive delays and there is no reasonable alternate route for local motorists. Trucks will be caught up here and setting up a scenario where they may attempt to “make up time” by speeding, using local roads etc. Doubt the code of conduct is going to be much of a deterrent compared to delivery deadlines. Additionally as someone who is concerned about the environment and wildlife I am also greatly concerned about the potential build dozing of numerous hectares of koala habitat. Is the NSW Koala Policy just rhetoric? Surely the sanctioned destruction of koala habitat to expand this quarry makes a mockery of putting policy in place just to ignore it with the ridiculously simplistic recommendations in the approval. For example wildlife spotting before each tree is pulled down…Find it hard to believe that this would actually happen once bulldozers were onsite to clear land and working to a time frame. How will this be enforced? This whole report seems very weighted in the applicant’s favour with few significant requirements or consequences and even fewer requirements before work commences. There are a lack of tough conditions that have been seen elsewhere in the state. Why is this? Why is the economic future and well-being of thousands of local residents in Paterson and along the haulage route secondary to commercial profit? The economic outcomes for NSW are able to be met from other more suitable quarries. I do not believe that the social impact of this project have been given sufficient weight or validation. A local community committee etc is basically a tick the box exercise and will not likely have much positive impact in comparison with the devastation this expansion will create. The potential loss of tourist dollars, business closures, reduced property values and the incalculable toll related to the huge social, mental (and potentially physical) health issues for residents is surely greater and more important than increasing the bottom line for a private company. If this must be approved to satisfy whatever powers that be, please make any increased tonnage by rail haulage only. |
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Attachments |
objectiontothemartinscreekquarryexpansionpdf_redacted.pdf (PDF, 412.24 KB) |
Gerard Spinks
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern: I would like to add my objection to the expansion of Martin's Creek Quarry in the strongest possible terms. The expansion will greatly impact this area on the grounds of health, safety, social/economic, historic, environmental and morality. I can only see benefit for one group under this proposal. Daracon. HEALTH: Let's firstly look at the noise aspects. If the expansion goes ahead, this means that to get a greater quantity of material out of the quarry there will be need for more blasting to mine the product. This is not only a noise hazard to the surrounding area from additional blasting, but then you add into this a large volume of truck movements. I have experienced the truck movements that were generated in the past. Trucks start heading toward Martin's Creek Quarry from approximately 5.00am to get in their first loads. They don't all come on the proposed haulage route through Paterson Village either. They come from all directions. For shift workers trying to sleep through the day, this will be impossible. The noise from the trucks going to, and from, the quarry will have health and safety impacts on poorly rested shift workers who can't get proper rest. Let's now focus on the large volumes of dust we will be subject to if the quarry expands. When the product is mined there are large dust clouds generated. This dust also contains chemical residue from the blasting products and is an uncontrolled cloud. There are many residences in the immediate vicinity. They are on the front line of the blasting and the health impacts of this. I was given a first-hand account, just the other day, of a family who has been enduring frequent nose bleeds that they attribute to the recent illegal operation of the quarry. The inside of their house is constantly inundated with dust that carries over from the quarry. Then there is the dust that the truck movements create. Everyone along the haulage routes will be impacted by this. Not only near the immediate entry to the quarry, but the dust kicked up along the road and through towns (especially Paterson Village). This will impact on business in the area, as they try to keep the dust out and their shops clean for customers. SAFETY: The first thing I worry about in this section, are the pedestrians in Paterson. Whether they are local or visitors. Paterson and Vacy are growing areas, with Paterson being the main area visited by people because of what can be found there. It has two bus stops, a butcher, grocery store, take-away food outlets, café/restaurant, pub, rural supplies and a very popular public park on the immediate proposed haulage route. All of these things generate a reasonable amount of foot traffic, around a tight road circuit that is not suitable for use by large trucks. If the quarry expansion goes ahead, I have a real fear of a tragedy occurring. Paterson has quite a lot of elderly people living in the area. Paterson attracts elderly visitors, disabled visitors, families, cyclists, weddings, car and motorbike groups to it. Especially to Tucker Park. These people then move around the town on foot, and not just on weekends. There is a consistent movement of people 7 days per week. Now let's look to the road users. I have just mentioned that there are cyclists, cars, motorbikes visiting Paterson and surrounds. Throw in school buses, tradies, delivery trucks, caravans/motorhomes, etc., then throw in 200 to 280 trucks (each way) per day and you are now playing Russian roulette with people’s lives. But this doesn't take into account the unscheduled trucks that will just turn up for a load to go to anywhere. My past personal experiences of truck movements from the quarry when it was operating illegally aren't great. I leave home before 5.00am to work in the Muswellbrook area. I used to pass several trucks at this time of the morning on narrow country backroads. I have, on several occasions, had to take evasive action to avoid trucks travelling too fast on these roads. Trucks using more road real estate than they should have. Either on the straights, or more dangerously, they were cutting corners. I have also sustained damage to my vehicle and windscreens from rocks that they have thrown up when they go past. In Paterson Village I have, on several occasions, had to brake suddenly and/or take evasive action to miss gravel truck/trailer combos at the corner of King and Duke Streets Lastly, for this section, let's look at the road damage that will occur with the volume of trucks that Daracon proposes. Again, I re-iterate that Daracon plans to run 200 to 280 trucks per day. But as they admitted at the Commission Hearing at Tocal College last week, they cannot estimate how many private trucks will turn up to purchase their product, and which they fully intend to service this market. Trucks of all sizes. The Dungog Shire has quite a small amount of rate payers. It has a lot of roads and bridges to maintain and it can't keep up with current road damage. Adding a large number of heavy vehicles into the mix is going to amplify the problem to an unsustainable level along the haulage routes. Not just the main route Daracon proposes, for as we know there will be trucks coming from all directions that aren't contracted to Daracon. And the compensation that has been offered by Daracon is an insult to Dungog Shire Council and its rate payers. SOCIAL/ECONOMIC: The Paterson/Vacy area is a growing area, I have lived here for 11yrs, and continue to witness an expanding population. But it is of historic significance also. Paterson was a major business hub and river port. Many local buildings are of historic significance, and I fear the ground concussion from additional blasting and heavy truck movement vibrations could result in damage to our local history. But not just the historic buildings. This problem will be faced by every home and business owner in the area and along the haulage route. With the local population growing, this is putting more people into the shops and cafés. Motoring groups/clubs and cycling groups stop and visit. People have their weddings in Tucker Park, Tocal Homestead and at Mindaribba. Photographers use Tucker Park for portrait and wedding photos. If Daracon are allowed to expand Martin's Creek Quarry, the amount of trucking movements through Paterson is going to drive visitors/tourists away. This will have a devastating impact on our local economy. At present, they are enjoying good business which can sustain them and their families. Please don't allow this to be destroyed. These people work hard, and many of them are my friends. Because business is good, the streets are always full of parked cars. Daracon wants to take away some of this parking to expand the corner of King and Duke Streets. They propose to make an additional car park nearby, but this will increase pedestrian movement. With the addition of a pedestrian crossing will come additional noise impacts on business, their patrons and surrounds that will be incurred because of trucks braking, then accelerating away. Again, I foresee loss of business as a result. I have also seen truck/trailer combos parked on the streets as the drivers stop for a break or meal. These units take away approx. 6 car spaces when they do, and in doing so often block private driveways. I now focus on the impact to local real estate. As previously mentioned, the Paterson/Vacy area is steadily growing. People are moving here for the benefits of a tree change/rural lifestyle. For people who have bought/live here and want enjoy their rural life while their investment grows in value is what dreams and retirement investments are made of. Now throw in a mine and 600 trucks a day (300 each way) and see what happens to your dream and investment. Put yourself in this situation. Who would want this on their back door and/or running through the middle of their community. NO ONE! ENVIRONMENT: I am not an environmental expert by any means, but I don't believe blasting and trucks are going to be good for our native fauna. The blasting alone will be very disruptive and stressful to our wildlife, as well as domestic and farm animals. Then add the 600 or so truck movements along our roads, starting before sunrise and, in winter, finishing after sunset. There will be carnage. I see the victims from motor vehicles alone. Unfortunately, I have impacted with several different animal species since moving here, but I have managed to avoid many more. Trucks can't and don't have the same ability as a car to avoid such interactions. Nor do I envision they will stop to remove any victims from the road, which creates additional safety problems. I have touched on my concerns over dust pollution and the health impacts. Now I want to look at water pollution. I mentioned that I'm not an environmental expert. I am also not a geological expert. But I wish to shine the spotlight on ground water. What are the impacts of the blasting going to be on our ground water supplies? What are the impacts of dust from blasting and transportation going to be on our streams and rivers? Being a rural region, the majority of surrounding dwellings don't have town water supplies. We rely on tank water. What are the health impacts on me and my community because of the dust settling in our water storage tanks? MORALITY: My last topic now looks directly at the morality of Daracon and the contempt they have shown the to this area and my community. After Daracon bought the Martin's Creek Quarry a few years ago, they immediately began ramping up production knowingly going outside their license. And continued to do so while they were being taken to through the courts by Dungog Shire Council. They have also openly admitted to the Commission hearing at Tocal College that they will happily sell to private trucks that want to buy their product. Willingly increasing truck movements and not worrying about this impact to all and sundry in the community. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear Sir/Madam' I live on one of the transport roads -⬛⬛⬛, and I have major concerns with the amount of heavy vehicles that will go past my property especially when entering and leaving as there is no verge for vehicles to go around when my family and I turn across the on coming traffic and when coming from the other direction their is only a short window of time for other vehicles to see my vehicle turning in from over the crest and this is also an issue when leaving the property. I also find that a lot of the traffic that turns onto Butterwick road cut the bottom corner and also the corner of Duns Creek road and Paterson road as the roads are not designed for heavy vehicles to be using constantly. As it is now many vehicles overtake slower moving vehicles/trucks as they turn onto Butterwick road and I fear that with the escalation in truck movements both up and down the road that their will be an increase in risk of accidents. On my road we have a lot of cyclists that use the road throughout the week and with the increased truck movement will bring about convoy like situations as the road is not wide enough or provide many places that it is safe to over take these other road users. For pedestrians to walk against the oncoming traffic they must walk on the road as on one side there is no usable verge as it falls away into a large gully and on the other there is a grass verge for a few hundred metres before it becomes overgrown and I fear that there will be a rise in the danger of walking in our neighbourhood. The increased use of heavy vehicles decreases the roads integrity which manifests as large uneven sections of road. Our home is built to the front of our block and the noise from the continual acceleration as the trucks move up the hill with a load and then the deceleration and braking of the trucks as they go down the hill rattling and banging as they slow for the intersection. We find during the warmer months with this continual noise and smell of the exhaust fumes that we were are unable to have our windows open during the day to let the breeze through our home. I also have concerns with air quality in regards to the increased exhaust fumes and dust from the trucks landing on our roof and impacting the quality of our water which comes from tanks on our property. There is a great variety of wildlife eg. possums, echidnas, kangaroos that move around the area and across the roads and fear that their will be increased animal deaths from the increased road use. Within the township of Paterson our ability to cross the roads safely will be exceedingly difficult to gain access to the shops and this will increase exponentially when the train gates have been down and all the trucks back up and then move through in a procession. There are afternoon children's activities within the town and with more truck movement this will make it more difficult for families to access and cross roads. Having so many trucks moving through the town this will take away the small town country charm which people come to see and will impact on tourist numbers which will then in turn impact the profitability and livelihood of the towns businesses. Within our area we have the magnificent 200 year old Tocal Homestead, this also stands to be impacted by the dramatic rise in truck movements on Tocal road this will be through air and noise pollution, the access to the homestead and the general amenity of the area. Regards Philip Stuckings |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly oppose the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry for multiple environmental, social & amenity reasons. I am a past resident of the Dungog LGA & have a desire to return to this region upon retirement. My previous lived experience of the current truck movements, damage to road infrastructure & safety aspects when travelling local roads in the Dungog shire were quite unappealing & at times unsafe. Dungog council is unable to fund the necessary work to maintain current road infrastructure. If the expansion was approved, ,a further 280 extra truck movements/day would create an enormous amount of damage to the road network, which will lead to possible incidents/accidents as a result. Further concerns as follows- 1/ A loss of amenity in the rural villages of Paterson & Lorn, due to increased noise & diesel pollution 2/ Impacts to heritage buildings in Paterson/Lorn 3/ Removal of 21 ha of riparian forest, further impacting the deleterious consequences of climate change & negatively impacting fauna & flora 4/ Loss of vegetation capable of carbon capture Sincerely Stewart Bray. |
Ann Callaghan
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Organisation |
Paterson Rotary Club |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I and my husband are the current owners of the 117-year-old house, The Rectory, on the corner of Duke and Prince Streets, Paterson. It is a blind narrow intersection where there are frequent “near misses” with people crossing the road coming from the Paterson Tavern to go to Tucker Park and vehicles turning right out of Prince Street, illegally. The latest incident was a 10-year-old girl nearly struck by a car which fortunately could pull up quickly. There is no pedestrian crossing in Paterson. I see it all from my desk as I work from home. We moved to Paterson 5 years ago, aware of the quarry nearby and knew the conditions of the DA approval, but failed to ask the locals what Daracon was actually doing. It seems they were operating way outside of the 1991 consent at that time. Paterson is an historic village on the tourist route to Barrington Tops, where locals know each other and stop on the footpath to chat. It is a very busy area before and after school with parents dropping off and picking up children from the school bus and taking to dance classes in the School of Arts hall, popping into the shops, or whatever is on that day. On any day of the week you may see cycling clubs resting a while, drinking coffee on the footpath outside the café. Visitors take the “Historical Walk” around town to learn about Australia’s early history. You’ll see church groups running working bees in the church hall and every Thursday special needs groups enjoying Tucker Park and the town’s facilities. Residents in the village can walk around the town and get everything done, no need to get in a car and go “to town”. But it wasn’t always like this. Back in 2017 every morning we would hear the far-off rattle of the trucks. We would lie in bed listening, tensing as the sound got closer and the trucks headed directly to our front door, my husband cursing with his first words of the day. Arguments about living here would start before we had even risen. Trucks came through constantly, often three or four tailgating through Paterson. There was no stopping and chatting on the street with locals – no-one could hear you, and the dust and fumes made it objectionable. I would stand in my kitchen with the sun blocked out by the constant trucks passing my window 4 metres away with the old house shaking. In 2019 Dungog Shire Council took Daracon to court to make them stop their illegal operations which they did, un-penalised. The trucks finally came at the approved pace and peace became the norm. A reasonable amount of traffic, a reasonable amount of truck movements. We could relax. It has been suggested by Daracon that we should just move. But it isn’t that simple for us. Who would buy in Paterson, knowing that the trucks are coming at this rate? Our property will halve in value if this DA goes ahead. Our legacy to our children will halve. We moved here to retire in a close-knit community never imagining that the narrow streets of Paterson lined with historic buildings would become a major haulage route for a private company. But whether property prices drop or not, we would need a mortgage to buy another property elsewhere. We are 60 now and without Steve having regular employment no bank would give us a loan. But moving would be our only option. My husband said, “I don’t want to turn into an angry, bitter old man. I don’t want to be that person, but I will if those trucks come through.” So, in anticipation of having to move, he had to find full time employment. However, nothing was available locally so about one year ago, he went to work 2,000km away in North Queensland. We see each other for a week or a long weekend about every 3 months. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary this year apart. We have had a DA approved ourselves for a barn on our property. So far the cost to us is about $10,000 and we are yet to start the build. Of course, we had to comply with Council’s request for the streetscape and building to be in keeping with the “historic nature of the village”. Will 40 trucks an hour be in keeping with the historic nature of the village? Needless to say, we will not be investing in any improvements just yet. Yet another building construction that won’t go ahead in Paterson. I mostly work from home. I am the General Manager of an Earthmoving and Tipper Truck Association. I understand that construction must happen and that we need quarries. I get it, it pays my wage. I canvassed a few of the members and asked them what their thoughts were on this DA application. They all queried, not so much the amount of material being handled, but the haulage route. In their experience, quarries must not negatively impact local residents and they know what other quarries have had to do to get permission to trade. They couldn’t understand why they would have trucks with dog trailers driving through a small village, with narrow roads. In their words “It’s hard work, looking out for kids and pedestrians. There’s plenty of work in other places.” I had to stop all correspondence from Daracon coming into our house. It is not worth the anxiety, the sick in the stomach nausea that comes with it. If this DA goes ahead, we will lose our home, our financial stability and our mental well-being. Please don’t let this DA go ahead. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on the main route of the trucks and I am concerned about the impact the extra trucks will have. It will make getting in and out of my driveway dangerous and will make livestock trucks exiting our drive nearly impossible. I'm also concerned about the impact on the quality of the roads. They barely withstand current traffic, how will they hold up being used as main haul road. I have a small baby so I am also concerned about the extra pollution, part of the reason we live in a rural area is for the healthy life it will help our family live. If we were to move to get away from the expansion of the quarry we would cop a massive loss on the sale of our property as buyers are going to be deterred by all the same issues. |
Elizabeth Wills
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
I live on paterson road in one of the original homes built over 100yrs ago. Our house is now one of the closest in position to paterson road and we actually are impacted by any of the heavy vehicles already on the road. We feel the vibration through the windows and walls when any of theses trucks with loads go down from the quarry. Years gone by they headed out from 4.30am and we hear everyone of these rumbling through. The amount of near misses with parents pulling out from preschool in front of already busy traffic and from public school road(Bolwarra rd) is frightening. How are we to cope with this number of trucks every hour. This was a peaceful rural area in the day. There is no infrastructure changes to cope with this much traffic. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the scale of the proposed development which is not compatible with the existing local infrastructure. Situated within close proximity to residential family homes which would be adversely impacted by noise and air quality and physical safety that would be unacceptable for an unacceptable exceedingly long period of time. In my opinion the conditions fail to satisfactorily address these concerns. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
No |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
15/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Noisey enough, don't need anymore Trucks. No care for air brakes is hard enough to sleep now. I feel unsafe walk out if I have to park my vehicle our front now with the addional traffic the last year or more. |
Sharon Walker
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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The impact of the number of trucks on our roads will irreversibly effect the community, the environment and lifestyle of not only the local community but neighbouring suburbs. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed expansion will have a detrimental impact on the surrounding community. From increased traffic to air quality degradation. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My strong objections to the Daracon proposal are based on: 1…Gresford Road is in poor condition and unable to carry the heavy truck traffic proposed. The road is potholed, and the edges are falling away and collapsing. 2… The amount of heavy vehicle traffic is unacceptable through the small community of Patterson village with a rail crossing, one 90-degree corner, one blind left hand bend. The ability of locals to park near shops including the only supermarket and butcher, three cafes, the local hall, pharmacist, and doctor’s surgery will become highly dangerous with a constant stream of large trucks. Imagine reverse parking outside the supermarket with six large trucks and trailers bearing down on you. 3…Particulate Diesel fumes cause cancer. The diesel fumes from the constant truck flow will create a real risk of a cancer hot spot and a threat to citizen health. 4…If you don’t live in Sydney, you are a second-class citizen and if this quarry decision is approved it proves nothing changes in this state. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Paterson Progress Association |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As the name implies the Paterson Progress Association is entrusted by the community of Paterson to assist in progressing the wishes of the residents and those involved in business in the township. If allowed, the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry would inflict considerable regression. There are myriad reasons why this expansion should not be approved. The one in the forefront of the minds of those objecting is trucks. Quarry trucks represent noise, safety issues, fumes and dust for those taking part in the activity centre of Paterson. There are three hospitality venues in town that provide street-front seating for patrons on the haulage route. No one will wish to sit just a few metres from the haulage route. This is not a farfetched claim. It was experienced during the recent illegal activity at the quarry. It is a lived experience. An issue that the DPE did not satisfactorily address. Visitors staying at the Paterson Lodge (formally The CBC) will be subject to early morning truck noise a few metres from their window. This proximity will become even more acute if the proposed upgrade at the 90° corner of Duke Street and King Street was to be completed. I suggest guests won't return or recommend staying at this wonderful venue. This is not a weekend only locale. It has accommodation available and is occupied seven nights a week. The suggestion on page 22, item 85, of the DPE Assessment Report states 'a contribution of $180,000 towards pedestrian paths and crossings' (Please note the use of the plural in crossings). It is not for the applicant or the DPE to determine if and where a pedestrian crossing would be installed nor is it determined by Dungog Council. This would be under the remit of Transport for NSW. Have there been discussions with TfNSW? If a pedestrian crossing was to be approved and installed it should not be assumed this would be a panacea for safety issues on the haulage route through Paterson. If a retail shopper or someone wishing to attend the Paterson School of Arts Hall parks their car opposite one of those venues in Duke Street they are not going to walk back to the pedestrian crossing near the corner of Duke Street and King Street to cross the street. Humans generally take the path of least resistance. They will cross directly over the road from where their car is parked, trucks or no trucks. What up to forty trucks per hour does is increase the danger exponentially. A crossing, which may or may not be granted by TfNSW, will only minimally decrease the danger. Duke Street is a bustling street that can not safely accommodate both large quarry trucks and pedestrians. There are approximately fourteen retail and hospitality businesses on the haulage route in Paterson. In addition and currently before Dungog Shire Council is an application to establish a bed and breakfast at a site very close to the haul route road. Also, there is an application to greatly expand an existing hospitality business with street frontage to the haulage route. Nine of the fourteen businesses are either new or have had a recent change of ownership. I have spoken with all owners and they are justifiably extremely anxious and stressed about the outcome of the quarry expansion application and how their business will be affected. A number expressed concern that if patrons experience safety anxiety when parking their vehicle or exiting and entering their vehicle they will simply go elsewhere. Particularly for non-appointment or non-essential purchases and services. There is zero benefit and only negatives for business owners in Paterson. Quarry truck drivers do not stop in Paterson for supplies. There is no possible way a truck and dog truck could find space to park on this busy thoroughfare. Parking is often at a premium in Paterson, seven days a week. If the proposed Duke Street and King Street upgrade were to take place parking would become more difficult as a portion of the currently available parking spaces would be sacrificed to accommodate the geometry of heavy vehicle turn paths. There is mention of bus shelters in Paterson. Where would these bus shelters be constructed? On Duke Street with a resultant loss of more retail shopper parking? Adjacent to John Tucker Park? Greatly risking the safety of children as they walk up the hill to meet a parent at the shops along the very narrow pedestrian strip at the corner of Duke Street and Prince Street? The DPE assessment appears to be completely lacking in detail and makes a great number of throw-away statements and in the case of the following two important safety issues doesn't mention them at all. How does the applicant propose to solve the safety issue at the blind crested T intersection of Church Street and King Street? This is a particularly important intersection as it is the main thoroughfare to Paterson Primary School, the RFS and all sporting activities at the Paterson Sports Ground. A sports ground, including a golf course, which operates seven days a week. No solution has been offered. Also, how does the applicant propose to solve safety concerns at the blind intersection of Prince Street and Duke Street that is physically restricted by historic buildings? (The Rectory and Sunnyside). No solution has been offered. Page 6 of the DPE Assessment states: '14. The Hunter Regional Plan 2036 sets out the NSW Government’s strategic vision for the Hunter Region based on four key goals, which are to: establish a leading regional economy; provide for a biodiversity-rich natural environment; foster development of thriving communities; and create greater housing choice and jobs' Every single one of these four goals will be undermined if the quarry expansion is to be approved. There will be no sustainable economy in Paterson. A sizable portion of the biodiversity-rich natural environment will be removed and the community of Paterson will no longer be a thriving community. It will be a dying community. The attempt to compensate or sweeten the deal for the community via a Community Contributions and Sponsorship Program, a Community Engagement Strategy, a Community Consultative Committee and a Community Liaison Representative will not in the least reduce the effect of the proposed quarry expansion. The DPE considers that the mitigation recommendations strike a fair balance between protecting the amenity of the local community and meeting operational demands of the quarry. I would contest that these mitigation recommendations fall well short of protecting the amenity of the local community. Particularly in relation to social impacts. Did the DPE consider the SIA's submitted by the Martins Creek Quarry Action Group or Dungog Shire Council? While the DPE praises their own in-house social impact assessment experts, neither the Martins Creek Quarry Action Group nor Dungog Shire Council submitted SIA's were so generous in their praise of the DPE SIA. As part of the Community Engagement process I attended a number of meetings facilitated by Umwelt. One of which was the Collaborative Assessment Forum – Social Assessment on 12/02/2021. All were deficient in disseminating information. Not enough time was allowed to thoroughly answer questions from those in attendance. It became apparent that Umwelt's conclusion from previous discussions with community members differed greatly from reality .'Determining the consequence' in their SIA, mostly minor/moderate, were considered by those in attendance, not representative of the community. Which was major/catastrophic. The feeling by those in attendance was that Umwelt had 'massaged' the results to please their client and disregarded the opinions of the community. Essentially it was a box ticking exercise that could be added to satisfy the DPE submission requirements. Another consideration for the IPC is that some of the data presented by the applicant and consultant is six years old and to a degree irrelevant. There has been considerable growth in the district. Particularly in Maitland, which has had a growth increase of 16% - more traffic, more pedestrians. With an extraction amount of 8,000,000 tpa of quarry material from quarries in the Lower Hunter is there justification for inflicting the community of Paterson to twenty five years of noise, dust, pollution and safety concerns for just 6.25% of this 8,000,000 tpa which would be transported by truck. (500,000 tpa). So much hardship for the community for minimal benefit to the state. The claim by the applicant that twenty two full time 'equivalent' (whatever that means) jobs would be created is far outweighed by the loss of employment in Paterson as business revenue would surely decline as patronage of businesses in town would surely decline. Paterson will be known as a 'Quarry Town' not a 'Destination Town' as it is now. It is interesting to read in the DPE Assessment Report: 'Of the total supporting submissions, 1 (3.2%) was made from within 5 km and/or proximate to the haulage route, 24 were made from distances of between 5 km and 100 km and 6 (19.4%) were made from further afield'. Supporters do not live around the quarry area, nor do they live in Paterson and they do not live on the haulage route. They have and will not be negatively affected by quarry operations. It could be construed as selfish expecting the township of Paterson to bear the brunt of 31,000 trucks per year for twenty five years while supporting a privately run, family company. For the reasons outlined above the Paterson Progress Association strongly objects to the application to expand the Martins Creek Quarry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I have lived at my current address for the last 14 years and suffered through the last time the quarry was running at full capacity. I am a shift worker and a single father of four children If the quarry goes ahead I have concerns with the amount of trucks that will be on the Paterson and Tocal road. Being a single father and working shift work two of my children aged 14 and 16 often have to either ride there bikes or walk to Paterson to access public transport, shops and sport, boxing or dancing which are run locally in Paterson. Due to the condition of the road and having no footpaths the increase in trucking movements would increase the risk to my children that they would not be able to access Paterson for sports and public transport when I am unable to take them. Crossing the bridge on Paterson road / Tocal road intersection also posses a significant risk. To catch the school bus my Daughter aged 14 has to walk approximately 150m along Paterson road, this is a very narrow section of the road, with empty trucks returning to the quarry would pose a significant risk to my daughter. Empty trucks returning along Paterson road create significant noise, as they come down the hill along Paterson road on the approach to the bridge they use there engine breaks to slow down, with empty bins and the condition of the road and the numerous pot holes the noise becomes unbearable, from past experience this begins around 530 am and continues for most of the day, I am concerned how I will have quality sleep when I am working night shift . We shop locally and with the proposed traffic changes this would become very difficult to access the local shops, post office chemist and the doctors surgery, Currently it is very difficult to turn around in the main street with the only area to make a U turn is by accessing Kings Wharf Park, with the significant increase in local traffic over the last twelve months and adding the quarry trucks to this is would make it impossible to turn around in this location. For outlining properties in the Paterson, Vacy, Martins Creek area we rely on rain water as our water sauce, with the increase in production from the quarry the dust fallout will affect our drinking water. The numerous risks associated with the increase in truck movements far outweigh the benefits of this project. |
Robert Marsh
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I am making this submission because I am totally opposed to expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry predominately because of the negative impacts on life to people in the valley and around haul roads far from Paterson,Martins Creek and the quarry itself. I believe the assessment of this project by the NSW Dept of planning has failed to consider or address the issues and impacts of the proposal.Consequently, the approval of this proposal will impact seriously the community and surrounding areas for at least the next 25 years or more. My residence is situated on a non haul route so I am not directly affected by the operations of the quarry. However I am a regular shopper in the village of Paterson, and being a motorist I constantly use the roads to travel anywhere out of Paterson. As a volunteer, I am on a roster with meals on wheels twice per month delivering fresh meals to older needy residents of the Paterson area. All of these activities require me to travel on roads, cross streets and traverse narrow one way bridges that the large heavy trucks carrying gravel also travel on. I would like to share 3 concerning experiences that I have witnessed. 1) traveling towards Paterson at around 90 k/h along the Tocal flat and being overtaken by 2 gravel trucks traveling in convoy at a speed much faster than I was and certainly faster than the speed limit. 2) being passed by a gravel truck on a corner and having my car sprayed with loose gravel from off the rear of the truck which shattered my cars windscreen which needed to be replaced. 3) approaching the Post Office corner in Paterson from the North and being required to suddenly break hard to avoid a gravel truck traveling the other direction driving way too fast for safety through the village and having to cross onto my side of the street by a meter to get around the corner at the speed it was traveling. These 3 issues that I have personally experienced are most concerning to me from a safety point of view. There are also the issues of noise and dust. The proposal, if it goes ahead will incur devastating effects on the rural amenity of the area and along its haul routes. The impacts on road and bridge damage will be significant. Traffic congestion will be even worse than what it is already. House and land values will decrease substantially from their current levels. In particular the village of Paterson will suffer the greatest impact with severe negative effects on its businesses, heritage and tourism value not to mention the health of its residents who will be required from now on to breath diesel polluted and dusty air and put up with the constant thumping sound of empty gravel trucks winding through their village. My Conclusion As this proposal has already received NSW Dept of planning approval, I could already expects that the proposal will go ahead. I understand the significance of this proposal to the ongoing development of the NSW economy, which further supports the approval of the proposal As it is the NSW Government , and Daracon who will benefit the most from this proposal, I would like to see conditions included with the proposal that provide compensation in some form to the various communities impacted. A project that would provide tremendous benefit to the community of Paterson, for instance would be the elimination of the rail crossing by constructing a bye pass and on the western side of the village. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
That the proposed quarry expansion at Martins Creek should even be considered is an absolute travesty. There is a litany of broken promise, subterfuge, and underhanded, greedy dealings that Daracon have perpetrated in the last decade. I should see no reason why their previously selfish and unprofessional manner would not be continued into the future. It is quite clear that there have also been political side-dealings here that have potentially endangered governmental integrity, not to mention the immeasurable damage to roads infrastructure, socioeconomic loss to village communities that rely on the passage way of the Paterson, Tocal, Dungog and Gresford Roads, as well as those ajoining the communities of Bolwarra, Largs, Mindaribba, Tocal, Paterson, Duns Creek, Vacy, Gresford and Dungog. The proposed expansion indicates the clearing of nature bushland and a proposed road access point joining the Dungog Road at the crest of the hill near Grace Avenue. This area is rich in rare wildlife, particularly koalas, wallabies ring-tailed possums and a variety of rare and endangered native rodents, many of which frequently feed, nest and migrate across my own property, less than a kilometre from the site. Any form of expansion will clearly disrupt traditional breeding and migratory pathways, leading to the depletion and/or the extinction of native species in the area. The proposed access point is a dangerous position to have turning trucks enter a 100km/h zone. The existing access point at Grace Avenue provides adequate visibility for oncoming traffic as well as the ability to merge with safety. If Daracon intends to increase production, then the obvious choice for transportation of materials from the quarry site would be to employ the existing rail infrastructure at Martins Creek. This system is designed to haul the type of volumes that Daracon's projected targets are set for in the future. The impact of using road infrastructures to haul these higher volumes would be, in no less gentle terms, an absolute disaster. I am certain that the consequences of increased heavy road traffic will adversely affect road quality, traffic flow, noise levels, air quality, community well-being, road safety, tourism and economic opportunity of those areas mentioned above, as well as clogging such major intersections as Melbourne Street, East Maitland. Use the rail system that already exists - this is a no-brainer! I am not against the quarry - Daracon just needs to understand the delicate system in which it belongs, and to work with its community in a decent and transparent manner for the good of all. Nobody wants to start a war... |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Already our roads from heavy trucks are damaged and in poor quality. I lay in bed as it is and very Cleary hear the trucks travelling with their trailers worthier empty or loaded. The traffic as it is on our roads is hectic trying to get to work and school drop off let alone adding more trucks to the roads we travel |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I am objecting to the proposed, extended development of Martins Creek Quarry due to its impact on my suburb and the surrounding urban network of roads. Bolwarra Heights is primarily a residential/ semi-rural area. As more trucks are proposed to use these roads then the government departments and councils that represent the ratepayers of this area need to consider the negative impacts that it will have on the lifestyle of those who have chosen to live here. The extra trucks on our road network will- Generate greater risk of road accidents for traffic either entering, exiting or using the already over-crowded arteries through Maitland. This is evident when looking at the housing development that has taken place in the north of Maitland over the last 20 years. Each new residential block within these new estates represents 2 (minimum) cars to service the mortgage. Road damage and constant renewal from such heavy vehicles. Greater trucks , greater cost and more 'bottlenecks' to be dealt with. Noise and dust pollution spread throughout the community. Properties will be devalued considerably by the proposed number of heavy vehicles rattling by on our doorstep. There is currently a rail link attached to this quarry which surely could be utilised instead of trucks and trailers being driven through residential areas. The infrastructure in the north of Maitland and beyond to Paterson is not sufficient for the traffic that is now using it without increasing it's volume. In my opinion the Independent Planning Commission should deny this proposal. The citizens of north Maitland should not be subjected to any more traffic congestion. |
Michele Ellicott
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Find attached submission opposing the project from a very long term resident of the area. |
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Attachments |
mipcdocdocx.docx (DOCX, 13.49 KB) |
Anthony Huckstadt
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Firstly and foremost I live at 159 Gresford Road Paterson. As this is the No 1 haul route, my home can not be avoided by the proposed truck movements. I have been a resident of Paterson on and off for 45 years. My main concern is the amount of traffic movement through our area has increased significantly and the roads have not improved. I have witnessed several extreme near misses at the front of my property, with already compromised roads and the idea if adding up to 280 heavy haulage trucks to this is of great concern. Our country roads were never built to accommodate the proposed heavy haulage that this expansion is seeking approval for, most importantly though our historic village. As my house is on the main haul route to Martins Creek Quarry, aligned with the poor condition of the roads, when trucks are empty we have to wait to talk until they pass and when they return full, my house vibrates causing damage. My concern is our village businesses will be affected due to proposed removal of parking and the danger presented with the amount of trucks for pedestrians. Shopping and social activity will be compromised. The loss of attraction to the village, due to the truck movements will be devastating to local cafe's, pubs, Bed and breakfast's, riverside dining and access to the local Service station will be affected due to the excessive amount of truck movements. My current job as a Courier, I deliver to businesses and private addresses from Pitnacree to Gresford. This covers the proposed main haul route. As a Courier, I frequently stop to access driveways, everyday of the week. With the current amount of traffic along this route I find it very difficult to re-enter the flow of traffic. Adding the proposed truck movements this will make my job far more difficult and decision making crucial. This quarry is not the only one in the area and I attach a flyer outlining the proposed plans to Bypass Singleton and Muswellbrook, improve the M1 etc. Please take a look to see the concerns of the community and the responses. If the applicant is capable of this then make them Bypass our village. |
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Attachments |
daracon-infomation-sheet-4jpg.jpg (JPG, 1.86 MB) daracon-information-sheet-4-page-2jpg.jpg (JPG, 1.59 MB) |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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I am a resident of Brandy Hill, living on⬛⬛⬛. We already endure constant noise from the Hanson Quarry trucks, but add to that the noise as they start their braking downhill towards the intersection. The long drawn out howling of these brakes is not pleasant at any time of day especially very early in the morning. Surely the drivers would know that his or her brakes have a problem and are making this dreadful noise disturbing the peace, Hanson and contractors of Hanson should be required by law to have these noisy brakes rectified. Not all trucks have howling squealing brakes. Noise from these trucks is only going to increase when Hanson increases production and trucking in line with planning permission granted in Oct, 2020. If the Martins Creek Quarry is then also allowed to use Brandy Hill Roads for trucking of aggregate, I fear this quiet, rural area will be forever ruined. Residents of this rural community should not be woken in the early hours of the morning due to noise from quarry trucks. The traffic along Brandy Hill drive is continually increasing and currently the local council is planning on building a footpath that will require pedestrians [school children] to cross the road multiple times in order to follow the footpath the length of the road. With further increased traffic from additional quarry traffic, this just further increases the risk of a serious pedestrian casualty occurring. I oppose the approval of the Martins Creek quarry extension due to the impacts it will have on the residents of Brandy Hill and surrounding areas. |
Andrew Barnes
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I challenge the level of effort the proponent has afforded to engaging with the wider community and businesses and property owners along or near the haul routes. Being located along the haul route on Tocal Road, we received very little advice or information regarding the martins Creek Quarry expansion. None the less I make the following comments and objections. The proponent implies that the current state of quarry product resources is limited in the Hunter region and that the Martins Creek Quarry is of significant importance. The proponent seems to have changed the critical need of expanding Martins Creek Quarry output, claiming in their original application, the quarry material is critical for the Central Coast and Sydney regions growth and construction needs. The revised application now claims the quarry to be a significant state project. I believe the current number of quarries in the region, have enough capacity to provide quarry products, in particular road base material necessary for the construction of major road construction projects. The major quarries in the region include Brandy Hill, Seaham, Karuah, Teralba, and Allendale all sited directly near major road networks (Highways) with little or no impact on urban and minor residential road networks, in particular small rural village roadways such as in Paterson Village. Martins Creek has by far the greatest impact on public and community amenity because of significant trucking volume increases on a road network unable to and not designed for adapting to additional large trucking volumes. Additionally, the submission estimates 20,000 tonnes each year of blending agents will be brought to the quarry via powder tankers for use in the pugmill, this equates to an additional 606 laden semi-trailer trucks operating on the roads (1,212 total trips) an additional 25 large truck trips travelling through the Villages of Paterson and martins Creek each week. There are a number of hard rock quarries in the Hunter area quite capable of satisfying demand, adding Martins Creek Quarry as a high-volume quarry material supplier will stress to environmental and social impact on an already overextended infrastructure network system with very little to no community improvement or gain. The additional constant volume of trucking movements will ensure increased noise levels, increased pedestrian hazard, increased road deterioration and pavement failures, increased traffic interactions producing higher likelihood of traffic incidents and increased social amenity disturbance. Report by SMEC providing an assessment of the effect additional trucking will have on the existing road pavement (noted that the assessment was conducted in 2018 condition and not present day) suggests the pavements of the proposed haul route located in the Dungog Local Government Area (LGA) will require a higher amount of maintenance than the section of road pavement located in the Maitland Local Government Area (LGA). While I, in principle, agree with the report outcome identifying a large road capability difference across the two LGAs and hence suggesting the road conditions will need a variety of additional and significant scheduled maintenance, I would suggest the reports’ conclusion is plainly contributable to the age and construction of the various roads along the haul route. A major section of the Haul Route in the Maitland LGA is along Flat Road which is the most recently constructed section of road along the entire haul route and was constructed to strict RMS design requirements. This enables this section of the haul route to provide capacity to structurally withstand the increased axle loads and frequency imposed by the additional proposed heavy trucking. On the other hand, the pavement in the section of the haul route primarily within the Dungog LGA (and to a lesser extent the outlying Maitland LGA) is constructed to a lower standard that belonging to rural standards of road construction. It is therefore sensible to predict this section of the haul route in particular leading into, through and out of the Paterson Village and the greater part of Tocal Road will fail and deteriorate at a much greater rate with the increased wheel loading and frequency delivered by the high trucking volumes. The early and continual failure of these minor rural roads will require consistent maintenance more than is ordinarily scheduled by Councils to maintain a safe road network. This not only add significant cost resulting from direct road maintenance but creates indirect costs through constant disruption to daily commuter traffic, increased travel times during the more frequent road works, adds to an increased road traffic safety risk and diverts Councils resources away from other community maintenance commitments. It is noted from the proponent’s submission that “Other local roads may be used as required to service local projects on a campaign basis”. How will this be delineated and managed from the haulage limits proposed? It is claimed by the proponent from a commissioned report considering impact of the proposal on areas of public and private infrastructure resulting from the increase of continual trucking such as, Paterson Village, or the Gostwick Bridge will not be detrimentally damaged or adversely affected. Paterson Village was an early settlement in colonial NSW and contains many early and important buildings which will inevitably suffer damage from the proposed 25 years of continual and sustained vibration of large trucks (full and empty) passing at proximity on a road structure not designed or maintained to mitigate such damaging vibrational impacts. How is this a benefit to the local community and residents who will need to increase maintenance expenditure of their homes and other structures. Claims the changes at the intersection and the King Street and Duke Street intersection within the village of Paterson are improvements only relate to improving the function of this intersection to accommodate the large trucks that will be operating along the route. The intersection provides no benefit to the Village only serves to divide the main street. Turning right into King Street from Duke Street (currently functioning) will be disrupted and contribute to unsafe intersection. In addition, the possibility of several trucks queuing at the rail gates creates obstructions from several business affected along the short stretch of road from the intersection to the rail gates. Upgrades to the road infrastructure in the village of Paterson are not “improvements” as the proponent claims but rather a necessity of the quarry expansion and beneficial only to the heavy transport operations. The current village road network is conducive to the village amenity and road use. No benefit to the residents, visitors, or business operators. The proponent states in their application that their preferred intersection ‘upgrade’ option is for raised concrete separation barriers, off street parking and a pedestrian crossing on King Street (presumably on the western end) to provide pedestrian linkage at the intersection. This, the proponent claims during the Traffic CAF meeting this option was “not desired”. This severely changes the amenity of the Village and would need substantial road safety design evaluation and does equate to acceptance of a large volume of heavy trucks travelling through Paterson. It does not also connect the either side of Duke Street, in fact there is still very much a risk of school children entering onto the road from the various school bus stops along Duke Street. It is noted that the proponents’ submission does not include the proposed capital works to be implemented immediately rather to be constructed over a considered period, adding to the unsafe and disruptive operations imposed on the community. There does not seem to be a committed time frame to execute these works. Surely the tranquillity of the village with large frequently passing trucks on single lane rural thoroughfare will be disrupted. This will have the effect of deterring visitors to the village areas, residents who will consider vacating the area and property valuations falling. Other public structures such as the Gostwick Bridge built in 1928 has heritage significance as one of the few remaining representative examples of a steel Pratt truss. This bridge, with its timber platform and girders will be subject to repeated heavy axle loads from the large volume of trucks crossing it. It is assumed this will create a higher frequency of maintenance which it is assumed will be paid from government purse. On those occasions the Gostwick Bridge is maintained is it either completely closed or severely restricted which causes traffic to be diverted through Vacy Village. We access the proposed Haul Route at Tocal Road in an area that is designated at a speed of 100km/h at the bottom of a hill. The speed of empty trucks returning to and coming from the Quarry at 100km/h down grade at a peak frequency of 1 truck each 1.5 minutes has the potential for higher risk of interactions leading to accidents, at this speed potentially fatal. We have experienced the speeds and unfettered volume of the Quarry trucks during the previous Quarry unlawful and unrestrained operations. Consideration for alternative haulage routes while mentioned in the proponent’s application were considered, there is no detail for not progressing these. Daracon has submitted their stated reduction of quarry materials against their first submitted expansion application and NOT the current consent volumes of 1991, which is an increase of 350%. We implore the IPC does not approve this the expansion of the quarry which will destroy the local village communities not only surrounding the quarry but along the 28km haulage route. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Paterson living on the main road, the expansion of the Martin’s Creek Quarry directly and negatively affects my family and I. Maitland Road is already a busy road that many residents and visitors travel on a daily basis and the addition of 280 trucks a day would dramatically increase dust and noise in my home which will adversely affect the health and well-being of my family. A school bus stops on the main road and does not have a designated safe place for the students to wait, nor are there crossings and footpaths on the main road. I have two young children which are at danger with an increase in traffic, especially large trucks which cannot stop suddenly. Many people, myself included walk or run regularly along this road. It will become unsafe with large trucks going past stirring up dust and rocks and no where for pedestrians to walk or cross the road safely. In addition to this, because of the narrowness of my driveway and the angle of my garage, I have no choice but to reverse my car out of my driveway. There is already limited visibility due to the crest of the hill and parked cars on either side of my driveway. The increase of large trucks on the main road will be a danger for me and my family when entering and exiting our driveway. Even if pedestrian crossings and footpaths were installed through Paterson, it does not solve the noise and dust pollution. 280 trucks a day, five days a week is going to impact all businesses especially the cafes and hotels because Paterson will no longer be an attractive place to stop for a visit with the amount of noise, dust and traffic congestion the quarry expansion will cause. In addition to this, the roads through Paterson, Bolwarra and East Maitland are not designed for this many large trucks, and the road maintenance for these areas will have to be done regularly. The dust, noise and congestion this will cause can be completely avoided by stopping the expansion and allowing all residential land in these suburbs to remain a safe and peaceful place for people to live. If the expansion were to go ahead, I have concerns that the properties on this road would devalue rapidly. For the above reasons and more, I object to the quarry expansion. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have lived in Paterson for the past 50 years and support the local businesses on a daily basis and feel the proposal for a large scale mega quarry is inconsistent with the expectations of local land users and stakeholders. In particular I am concerned with the traffic movements through King and Duke Streets Paterson given the inadequacies of these streets to be able to cope with increased truck movements. The railway line, which is in very close proximity to the centre of Paterson, currently creates significant traffic congestion which impedes the movement of emergency vehicles - with extra truck movements this would make it impossible. I have witnessed at the corner of King and Duke Streets several vehicles come very close to colliding. This corner is inadequate for heavy traffic to negotiate at any time but with increased heavy vehicle movements it will become a disaster waiting to happen! I would appreciate you giving consideration to the construction of an overhead pass to bypass Paterson town centre as I believe this to be a win win for everyone concerned. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion. The noise and pollution that the trucks will bring will drive local residents nuts and the health issue this may cause is unknown and of great concern. The expansion will also drive out local wildlife and disrupt the ecosystem to no end. At the very least, the hours of operation should be limited, so as not to add to the already peak hour jam that happens through Lorn. The size of the operation also needs to be reduced to limit the impact on the environment. And I believe there will need to be an alternate route for the trucks to travel, rather than through these rural towns. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the proposed Martins Creek Quarry Project. I object on the grounds that this project will result in heavy vehicles (trucks) frequently travelling through the town of Paterson. There are alternative roads from the Dungog side of Martins Creek which could be a more viable option and the rail line is a feasible option to utilise which would not have an adverse impact on the town of Pateron and the local community. My key points are: - Paterson is a very quiet and small town. Heavy trucks travelling through the town will adversely impact the atmosphere of the town - Paterson attracts many visitors due to the historical significance and tranquility of the town which would be impacted by trucks travelling through and impact local tourism and hence local businesses that support tourism and visitors - There are many local cyclists (some of whom are older people) who use the roads in and around Paterson. There are elderly locals and school children who cross the roads. The trucks will pose a risk to lives not only to cyclists but also to pedestrians - Trucks will adversely impact the roads in the region - Trucks and the expansion of the quarry will impact the local environment including air pollution - The trucks travelling through the town will (and already is) resulting in stress for local residence who deeply care for their town. This project if approved would negatively change the town of Paterson for many years I grew up in the town of Paterson and my elderly mother is a local community member. I have great concerns for her safety but I also deeply care about my hometown. I have read the Assessment Report by the DPE and it seems clear that the concerns of the local community are not being taken seriously at all. There are many 'responses' from Daracon that appear to appease the local community members. For instance, they talk about Daracon investing in the local community, giving money to council etc. However in forming these responses they have not consulted with the community to find out if these are things they actually want. It is clear what the community wants and it is that this proposal in its entirety be rejected. Use other roads or the rail system. Thank you |
Margaret Young
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Organisation |
Martins Creek Quarry action Group |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Daracon mentions under a document titled 'Project changes' that Daracon are planning to expand rail markets and utilise rail more. This is in direct contrast to the meeting at Tocal last week. At that community consultation meeting, Daracon advised that rail is not an economical option, adding approx $3/tonne to the cost of using rail. Therefore I am confused on this subject. Is this to blur the reality? It was clear in that meeting that Daracon's preferred mode of transportation is by Road. https://umwelt.mysocialpinpoint.com/martins-creek-quarry/martins-creek-quarry-2020-projectchanges If by road, Daracon's trucks will be obligated to take the recognised Tocal Road Schedule A plan. But what of Daracon's significant use of third-party road haulage. Are these trucks also obligated to take Tocal Road? This isn't clear. Will these contracted trucks take the quickest route, as mentioned by a resident at the meeting who tried several methods of searching maps. The results provided a route on a far less maintained road as the quickest, and therefore more economical route on country roads not fit for purpose of heavy road haulage. As mentioned by James Ashton at the community meeting, if Daracon find using rail as 'not economical', given the quarry's direct access to the rail line, then Daracon have clearly 'picked the wrong hill' to invest upon. This should not come at the cost of locals to bear the brunt of falling property prices, and increased council rates for road repair. Last week I felt excited and honoured to see a koala crossing Clarence Town Road. What will happen to such occurances when the extra trucks wipe them out. Koalas, kangaroos, goannas and bird life? This is what we live here for. The rranquility, the animals and the peace and quiet..all of which Daracon intend to interrupt. The village of Paterson is a small thriving picturesque country town frequented by pensioners, NDIS participants, families and locals daily. The quaintness and ambience will be severely affected by truck movements every 90 seconds (as stated by Daracon) through the town. Housing prices will de-value, people will leave town and/or not visit due to the road noise and all business owners will suffer. In respect of Daracon's publication 'Information Sheet 4' dated August 2022, found on their website, they state that a single blast undertaken at the Quarry on 10 December 2022. This is of course incorrect given it is now only November 2022. This shows the lack of detail in claims made by Daracon. As is well known, Daracon has not been compliant before and there is nothing that will convince that they will do so now. https://daracon.com.au/storage/app/media/Enviro%20and%20Quarries%20Documents/Martins%20Creek/Martins%20Creek%20Quarry%20-%20Community%20Information%20August%202022.pdf I therefore ask that IPC instruct Daracon to invest its time and planning around haulage by rail for safety, security and common sense for the residents of our country towns. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Having lived in the Paterson area for many years and still working in Paterson daily, I will be directly impacted by the quarry expansion. The increased truck movements will cause no end of danger on the roads that I travel with my children every day. 40 trucks an hour will destroy the historic township of Paterson and make parking there and doing shopping at the local grocery store, butchers, service station, cafes a danger. No longer will I feel safe crossing the road and will avoid spending any more time than need be in the township. A bridge I have to cross near my workplace is very narrow over the Paterson River and is dangerous with 2 cars passing at the same time, and a complete nightmare with the continuous stream of trucks. I have very close friends who live in the village on on Gresford Road and the noise and vibrations from the trucks over the years are atrocious. An increase in ion numbers will destroy their family lives....families who have lived there for all their lives. I now live near Maitland and travel through Bolwarra, and East Maitland daily and an increased truck flow will only exacerbate current congestion at peak times to horrendous levels. An expansion should only be considered if the rail was to be used 100%. Leave the historic, peaceful village life of Paterson and surrounding areas alone! |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Timtrel Pty Ltd |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I wish to lodge my objection to the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry due to the following reasons: I have been a member of the Paterson community for the past 45 years and have been traveling to Paterson for family reasons for a further 15 years. The roads of this area are narrow and when shopping in Paterson, getting in and out of my car is a dangerous exercise, doubly so when I have my grandchildren with me. The traffic on any given day is busy and parking is most of the time of a premium with the main street generally parked out. There are business' in Paterson on the main street that were adversely affected by the truck traffic during the height of the Quarry's operations in 2015-2016 with a truck almost every minute of the day. There is a Post office, butcher, IGA supermarket, Bed and Breakfast, hair salon, two hotels, chemist, doctors surgery, takeaway, two garages and cafe, all clustered on or close to the main road ( the only road in and out of Paterson). As well as these business', there are several heritage listed buildings on and near the main road which with the loaded trucks passing are impacted by there constant flow of trucks. The main intersection of the street is narrow requiring the trucks to swing out and take the whole road to navigate the turn and with the parking on the street this is very hazardous. To recommend that the corner to be widened by acquiring a strip of land from the post office and bed and breakfast would greatly impact these business' and exacerbate the parking situation making the area just as dangerous as previous. If all these businesses are impacted, it could mean that they would have a drop in turnover and subsequently there could be employees who would lose their jobs and join the unemployed. Noise and dust, two major issues with the trucks. My husband is asthmatic and I have a diagnosed allergic reaction to dust. Needless to say the dust associated with the truck movements is an issue with us. When the truck movements were at their height in 2015-2016, I would travel to the gym in Maitland and see 6-8 trucks parked on the roadside at Tocal waiting for 6.00am and pass a further 15-20 trucks by the time I reached Maitland. All these trucks would hit Paterson at 6-6.30am. I also have family living along the road at Bolwarra Heights who are subject to this convoy of noise/dust. The intersection of Church Street and Gresford Road the I use to get into Paterson proper and travel to Maitland is tight and narrow. The school bus has to take up most of the road to enter Church Street to deliver the pupils to the school and there is oncoming traffic from Vacy, Gresford, Dungog coming around a long bend as well as the rail crossing and the very narrow Church Street. An accident just waiting to happen and with all the truck movements very dangerous to navigate. The intersection at Melbourne Street East Maitland is another issue with traffic from all the surrounding areas congregating on a regular basis. I could go on for a lot longer, however, I do feel that the issues have been well aired at the two days of hearings. For Daracon to think that they can put a vibrant village and all the residential areas along the route at risk for the sake of their bottom line is utterly inconceivable. Thanking you Gail Clements |
Matt Crockett
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Hi, Roads not suitable, especially through Paterson town centre and across Goswick Bridge. Our children wait for the school buses on the sides of the narrow roads where the trucks travel, the proposed large increase in trucks on the road will reduce the level of safety while our children wait for and get on / off the school buses. Multiple family members suffer from asthma, the increased dust / reduced air quality will not help with this. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I cannot just sit by and watch local government make decisions that will impact the locals living in this particular location. It is one thing for a government official to make notes on a spreadsheet, it is quite another to be a resident who is directly affected by those decisions. This area has a quarry and we know that they have a tendency to expand production. Enough is enough. I cannot imagine having to live on a street with noise, further increase in air pollution, not to mention the impact on the surrounding wildlife. One must make decisions with the longterm effects in mind. - What will happen to all the locals and their land values? - Where is the wildlife expected to go? Expansion of the quarry along with the ever expanding growth in the area, which involves beautiful habitat being constantly cleared by property developers, is leaving very few areas for the wildlife to inhabit. It is great for the government since they are cashing in from all angles, but there has to be more to this life and this community than 'fundraising' for the government. Please make the right decision in this matter and think of the quality of life in this area. Someone in politics needs to think of the longterm impact. The time is now! Kind regards Faith Hynoski |
Lana Tilse
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern, I am writing to let you know that I formerly oppose the proposed Martins Creek quarry expansion due to the following impacts: - Increased traffic on local roads including Paterson Road which already has significant traffic particularly during peak times associated with school and work hours (as outlined in the traffic assessment). As a local business owner and Paterson Road resident, the increase in traffic would be extremely hazardous to myself and my family trying to enter and exit our property, particularly as it is not uncommon for people to regularly speed in the area (again, as shown in the traffic assessment). With the current volume of traffic particularly between 6am-9.30am and 2-7.30pm it is dangerous to enter and exit our property with our vehicles that we require for our construction business. Any increase in vehicles will make these periods more dangerous and make entry and exit to our property extremely dangerous at other times during the day. Increase in traffic will likely cause accidents and fatalities. Our property is directly next to the roundabout on ⬛⬛⬛. We also regularly walk with our young children along Paterson Road to take them to daycare, it is already dangerous at peak travel times to walk them, so any increase in traffic, particularly large trucks, would make it more dangerous. Even trying to cross the road to go for a walk or bike ride is already particularly dangerous, so again, any increase in traffic would make this worse. - The truck movements will also increase noise, dust, exhaust fumes and damage to the road. This will most certainly impact our community and our property directly, as our property is next to the roundabout on Paterson and Flat Roads. The current traffic noise is already significant enough without the additional traffic that this project expansion will create. - the negative economic impact on housing prices would be significant. The areas along Paterson Road, including Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights, Paterson, Mindaribba, would see a reduction in housing prices, negatively impacting our community in an already difficult economic environment. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The destruction of our Town and our communities is paramount in this instance, the infrastructure is not suitable for this constant flow of trucks. the noise pollution as well as the safety of our citizens going about their daily business. The Rail Line already existed to transport the Quarie products so use it. Do not destroy our town. Mining had to slot in or build their own infrastructure to accommodate their requirements. The recommendations in this proposal in no way cover or compensate for the loss of our way of life our safety and our mental wellbeing. Progress is OK but not at the expense of our community. The alternative is using the rail system at Daracon's expense not the community's. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am strongly opposed to the expansion of Martins Creek quarry. I visit Paterson regularly and have had damage done to my vehicle from speeding Daracon trucks on multiple occasions, cracked windscreens and chips in paint. The noise through the village from the truck and dog trucks is deafening and totally destroys the amenity of the peaceful scenic village. They are also dangerous, and cross onto the wrong side of the road at the cafe. I thought they were going to end up on the footpath as the roads are no that wide. Also oppose the damage to the environment with the clearing of land with endangered species especially koalas. The roads in the Paterson area are already in a very poor condition and not designed for large volumes of heavy haulage trucks. No way should they be allowed to expand. |
David Atkinson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Bolwarra Heights, our area is on the proposed truck transport route for this mine. The streets in our area are narrow with no turning lanes. I, personally have already had a close call with a B Double truck not giving way to me at the corner of Tocal and Patterson Roads. With the increase in truck numbers proposed with the mine expansion, the danger will increase many times over. These are quiet suburban streets that were never designed for the amount of heavy traffic proposed. I do not believe the full environmental impact of the mine expansion has been taken into account. The example of koala habitat reduction, for example. I have not seen any evidence of reclaimation and revegitation happening on the present quarry site. This is typical of the short sighted attitude of companies and government. How are they going to fill in the holes created by extracting the rock ? What is to become of the area after mining. How much money is being put aside for rehabilitation ? Money should be set aside for rehabilitation up front into an account that the company can't touch, in cast they go bust or sell, to limit their liability. What is the carbon cost of destroying the forest and habitat ? Global warming is real. What is the environmental record of this company ? |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Transport by rail instead of trucks will not cause any of the problems the locals are against. The amount of heavy trucks per day will cause a traffic nightmare for local residents, like myself who shops and supports the small businesses at Paterson. This will make attempting to turn into or out of a street in Paterson very difficult, which will lead to traffic accidents. The traffic jam at Gostwyck bridge an historic one lane bridge will cause frustration and anxiety for all travellers if these heavy trucks take over the road. I have in the past been held up in the morning by conveys of these horrendous long and heavy trucks driving at very low speeds to queue up before they are allowed to start work, causing frustration at the lack of concern of these truck drivers for local residents. Dungog shire is a small rural council without the financial resources to repair the damage done to the roads these heavy trucks will cause, this will leave council no other choice but to raise rates to cover these costs. Dungog Shire has considerable small town and farm tourism potential, if approved this will seriously deter any potential tourists. I am at a loss as why Daracon do not use the existing rail line connecting the quarry directly to the rail network, which would seem the most logical solution. I am concerned the submissions of support for this proposal are from people who are not locals and will not be affected by the amount of trucks and are aligned with, or work for Daracon. |
Damon Power
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Please find my submission attached - I object to the expansion of the martins creek Quarry |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-expansion--submission-damon-powerpdf.pdf (PDF, 56.64 KB) |
Stephen Tennant
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed quarry does not protect rural lands, does not promote the principles of ecologically sustainable development and sustainable water management, does not protect, England and provide for biological diversity and does not protect agricultural land from the adverse impacts from non agricultural land uses. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern, I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Project (SSD-6612) Amended Development Application for the following reasons. The reasons are I and the others living at our property have lived experience of what it is like as we lived through unlawful period of Daracon running quarry trucks up and down Paterson Road from early morning till late into the evening. The relentless noise was truly horrible. All this will come back and more because Bolwarra has many more residents now. Noise from unloaded quarry trucks from 5:30am going past our place so they can get to the gravel mine in time for the opening at 7:00am. Then again relentless truck movements, both laden and unladen, and associated noise, including compression braking, up and down Paterson Road till 7:00pm as the last trucks leave the quarry at 6:00pm. The fine black diesel particulates will be back on the house, cars, garden furniture and anything else outside. Last time I had to clean this black muck off all of the above on a weekly basis or it would get out of control and would require heavy duty cleaning products such bleach etc. I have only needed to do a normal level of cleaning since the unlawful truck movements ceased. Getting in and out of our property is going to be far more difficult this time as Bolwarra and Largs has an increase in residents and associated vehicles and also there are trucks from the Brandy Hill Quarry using Paterson Road. Sections of Paterson Road are very narrow and have not been constructed to accommodate or with stand constant quarry truck movements for up to the life of the project, 25 years. The road damage will be much worse, as it has been in the past during the unlawful period of operation, so the argument we need a quarry to repair roads is counterintuitive. If truck movements do not increase them the road will not require frequent repair because it will have a suburban level of traffic made up of mostly domestic vehicles as it now and not once again become a gravel mine haul road. As a rate payer in the Maitland City Council area along with all the rate pays of Maitland, Dungog and Port Stephens Council areas why should we pay for the up keep of the roads used by the Daragon haul trucks yet again? This money would be better spent on providing sorely need community services. The damage to the roads was quite considerable when Daracon was operating unlawfully and will return again should they be allowed to increase their truck movements. In addition, we are constantly reminded that we must all reduce our carbon foot print. Governments are formulating legislation to reduce green gas emissions therefore how can this proposal be in line with community and to degree Government expectations to reduce green house gases from fossil fuels. The increase in truck movements will increase green house gas emissions from this project. This is contrary to the will of the community. Daracon are not a responsible corporate citizen and put money ahead of the community demonstrating that they care very little about the environment and the health and well being of the communities they are impacting upon. That is, they do not care. For the health and safety of all the people who will be affected by this project, please do not approve this project it was horrible to live with through its unlawful period making it lawful for 25 years is not going to improve the outcomes. Pros – gravel, negligible increase in local employment opportunities, Daracon Profits. Cons – noise, diesel particulates, dust, road damage, traffic congestion, damage to homes, road safety, poor mental health outcomes, hundreds if not thousands of people adversely affected. Please reject this project expansion now and for the future. |
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Attachments |
daracon-submission-november-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 223.34 KB) |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As residents along one of the roads that would be heavily impacted we are concerned about the negative impacts associated with the increase in volume of truck movements. This also includes the change to the peaceful rural character of the surrounding area, and will certainly impact tourism here. We feel further use of the rail services makes better sense. |
Alan Cory
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern: I would like to formally object to the Martins Creek Quarry Project (SSD-6612) amended development application, outlining some of the reasons why I think the application should be denied, and the extraction and transport targets should be set at the 1991 consent limits. • NSW infrastructure projects will not be impacted if this expansion does not go ahead. There are enough quarries in this area and the state to supply requirements. This expansion is an exercise in raping a resource for the profit of a company and persons who have neither a connection to the area, nor will be impacted by a decision in its favour. • The road-network on the proposed route is barely sufficient for the traffic using it now, and the proposed number of truck movements into this mix will exacerbate traffic bottlenecks and delays that are currently experienced, and compromise road safety along that route, including major wear and tear on the road pavement. • Dust from transported material cannot be fully eliminated by wetting prior to transport and use of covered trailers. Effects from this dust range from lung irritation complaints to carcinogenic depending on the product. Dust from empty returns is also considerable. The number of truck movements proposed will greatly affect air quality along the route. • The use of the rail corridor to transport quarry product raises the same dust and noise issues with the added issue of the wagons not being covered. I have lived in Paterson for over 30 years and have experienced the negative impacts of the Daracon operation when they were operating illegally from 2012. In my experience some of the ways the proposed number of truck movements in this application will adversely affect residents of Paterson and surrounds are: • Road safety risks, including – School bus stops; school children and pedestrians crossing the roads; parking up and exiting parked vehicles; poor visibility and narrow road at Tuckers Park S-bend and intersection; inability to safely access Maitland road; 90 degree corner at the post office poses a risk to all road users when being used by haul trucks & dog-trailers in the proposed numbers; deterioration and damage to road pavement. When Daracon was operating illegally through Paterson village, the main road was constantly in a dangerous state of repair and therefore it stands to reason that this will be so if the proposed number of truck movements through Paterson village are allowed. • Health safety risks, including – Air quality issues resulting from dust and diesel emissions from trucks and dust pollution from uncovered train carriage movements on the other side of the village. • Increased traffic noise and vibration from a constant throughput of loaded trucks and dogs and empty returns • Crippling effects on local businesses due to access and parking issues and loss of weekday tourism • Destruction of the rural amenity and social interaction within the village • Loss of real estate values in the area, especially along the proposed route, due to an unsustainable number of truck movements over the proposed 25 year period The proposal to extract 1.1 million tons of product per year from Martins Creek Quarry will necessarily entail a huge increase in blasting and the corresponding increase in health risks associated with the mineral dust produced by the blasting and increased noise pollution. This is especially so for the people of Martins Creek, but also, depending on a number of unpredictable and uncontrollable variables, a very large surrounding area. In addition, the clearing of the proposed 21 hectares will leave a scar that, for all intents and purposes, will be good for nothing and beyond rehabilitation. To reiterate, this application, if successful, will only benefit a small number of people who will not be impacted by the operations and who have no connection to the area, while it will greatly adversely affect the physical, mental and financial health of a great many people in the area and along the proposed route. This quarry expansion is not necessary. |
Lanah Watters
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My name is Lanah Watters. I have lived in the Bolwarra and neighbouring areas my whole life, as does my entire family. Whilst I encourage the economic impacts and furthering of infrastructure required to support the hunter and local population, I am opposed to the adverse effects of this expansion; the impairment of noise and air quality to the surrounding area and in turn its residents, the dramatic increase of traffic and transport throughout not only inner-city Maitland but rural areas and the irreversible damage to the local ecosystem in the area. With a focus on continued resources for general civil construction to support growth in the area the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion allows for a harmful increase of traffic, noise and air pollution, degrading the bustling yet peaceful areas of the rural and regional hunter areas. By way of this the increased number of trucks along the suggested route will cause heavy traffic at peak hours – school and work commutes etc. in all areas along the suggested route. Growing up, driving to school was frequently quite the effort with the Melbourne Street traffic lights causing line-ups that lasted 15-45 minutes (added on a 15-minute commute). With a severe increase in movement and added trucks along the roads this would grow to impact greatly on not only travel times for the wider community but as a direct result the already declining status of road quality around these areas would be affected. For the most part of my life the condition of roads in the Paterson area has been a concern and the rehabilitation of them has been a slow and steady progress, and they still have a way to go. However, a heavy increase in traffic to 280 trucks per day (although 50 days per year) is an excessive amount, reducing the safety and quality of roads for residents and commuters in these areas. Moreover, with the cumulative impact of both Martins creek and Brandy Hill quarries this would exponentially increase these issues. However, by maintaining extraction by road amounts to the existing approved limit of 0.3MMtpa, it would sustain the quality of the roads without seeing dramatic damage caused by more traffic in the area. Impacts also include damage to the local and surrounding ecosystem via doubling the project size of the quarry, in turn clearing the area of crucial native flora and fauna to the local ecosystem leading to an ecosystem imbalance and the exclusion of already endangered species that inhabit the area i.e. koalas. Clearing the area will also cause irreversible damage to the environment through clearing well established trees and in turn a loss of vital minerals within the soil inhibiting sustainability and welfare for the surrounding environment indirectly affected by the quarry expansion. Although progressive rehabilitation to the area is planned after the closing of the quarry, it will never return to its original condition, being irreparably changed. However, the anthropogenic and surface level positives, the irreversible detriment to surrounding areas and in turn its current and future residents via heightened traffic, an increase to noise and air pollution and environmental damage cannot be ignored. |
Nicole Eslick
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14/11/2022 |
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I strongly object to the number of truck movements planned for the local roads and through the township of Paterson. Also it comes down to a matter of trust, I do not believe that Daracon or those subcontracting will follow all rules, nor do I believe that they will work professionally or fairly with our small local council. I have concerns for the safety of myself, family and all those who use the local village to shop on a daily basis, the roads will be come impossible to use by pedestrians, parking and alighting from vehicles. Especially for the elderly and the young. I believe this will have a negative impact on our local businesses. I have personal experience of living just off the main road through Paterson in a heritage listed building, that is very sensitive to the vibrations from the trucks, increasing damage to the building and adding more expense to our maintenance budget. The noise of laden and unladed trucks adds stress to daily lives. Many of the 'For' submission state the increase of local jobs, I am not aware of any increase of Locals working at the quarry, not have I seen any jobs adverstised locally. Again I object to the proposal of the large increase in product being removed from the Martins Creek quarry and the increase in truck movements. |
Andrew Maher
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Young family safety in a area where there would be an increased amount of heavy vechile traffic will result in a possibility of s fatality, which will be 1 to many. The roads are in poor condition already so increased number of traffic will deteriorate them even more, increased traffic will decrease tourism numbers due to traffic pollution affect on surrounding environment.. |
Scott McFarlane
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have lived just outside the town of Paterson for approximately 12 years and have just finished building our family home on rural property within 2km of the Martins Creek Quarry. I am very concerns about the proposed quarry expansion for the following reasons: - increase in the number of trucks on local roads and the potential risk to me and my family's safety - the increase of noise from the trucks as I am able to hear this rumble from home but also whilst shopping or socializing in the town of Paterson - the risk to my children's safety within Paterson as they love to play at Tucker Park but I am concerned about how pedestrian safety will be ensure with so much traffic proposed to pass through the town - the increase of damage to the roads that I commute along daily with the increased number of trucks using them and how Dungog Coucil and Maitland Council will be supported to maintain such roads - the increase in potential damage to my vehicle through the rocks thrown up from the trucks and the potholes created by the trucks - the decrease in tourism within the town of Paterson and the negative impact this will have on businesses as tourists stop visiting the area due to the noise of the quarry and the constant truck traffic through the town |
Graeme Ferguson
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I feel that apart from the local supply of gravel ,the majority of the quarry output should be exported by train from the existing rail line. This would ease the effect of large trucks on our local roads and in particular the roads through Paterson and surrounds. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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The proposed development's road transport route to the various points in teh region teh quarry products would be used run through the area of the Maitland northern suburbs which are growing, and will share transport routes that these residents use. These roads are already stretched to their capcity at various times of the day and the numerous driveways and side streets already have difficulty in clearing. The increase in heavy vehicles is signicant and will increase safety risks on using these trnsport routes. Theese roads also are used by resident sfor cycling and walking in great numbers and the movement of pedestrians and cyclists aorind heavy vehicles of the number arising from this development will continue to amplify the safety risks beyond reasonable levels for residential environments. the transport imes will add to the noise levels through the residential suburbs along the transport route unecessarily. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The approval/expansion of the quarry in martins creek would be detrimental to safety and well-being of the local residents both physically and financially. From the safety of our children catching school buses and crossing the road in and around Paterson to the impact on our flora and fauna. The quarry well crush the small businesses in town And put more pressure on our already damaged roads, how many accidents will it take for our voices to be heard. The fact it’s gotten this far proves that corruption is alive and well! |
Grant L'Green
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Organisation |
Paterson School Of Arts Hall Committee |
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am the president of the Paterson School of Arts Hall Committee. This community hall is located right in the middle of the Paterson village in the zone that will be most affected by Daracon’s proposal. It is an integral part of the community and is used for everything from childrens birthday parties, weddings and celebrations, to funeral wakes, performing arts performances and local meetings. Most of these uses result in a high volume of pedestrians crossing Duke Street, which has no pedestrian crossing. Thrive Dance Studios has been using the hall 6 days a week for over 2 years and have just signed a new contract. Every afternoon from 3pm there are between 20 and 30 school age children negotiating Duke Street to get to dance class. In January the Little Eggs performing arts collective are bringing their five-day holiday program for young people to the hall which will involve around 20 school age children based at the hall every day. Paterson is a vibrant, creative community, not an industrial highway. Everybody that knows Paterson, loves Paterson, whether they live here or visit here. It is a beautiful friendly country village. A few years ago, when Daracon were operating illegally, doing what they are now trying make legal, I can recall hearing the trucks roaring past the front doors of the hall while we were holding events. While this was annoying to the hall users, I am more concerned about the dangers involved for our local children. Duke Street is already a busy road, and with the train crossing, Post Office corner, and the dogleg, it is already a recipe for disaster without putting all these trucks back into the mix. Even the 30 trucks per hour through this road after 3:00 PM is still way too many. I would like to remind the panel of a credo that is well known in the medical industry, “the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour”. Daracon have already shown this community that they are prepared to operate illegally and do whatever they see as necessary for them to make as much money as possible regardless of the consequences to people or the environment. It took a concerted effort from concerned locals, a long drawn out court case and a lot of public money for them to be held to account. Why would we trust them to do the right thing now ? |
Jan Ellison
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My name is Jan Ellison. I live at ⬛⬛⬛and have done so for the last 31 years. Over the years I have seen many changes and I do realise that change is inevitable sometimes but the changes that Daracon want to inflict on the poor people of Paterson, Dungog and the Maitland area is very unpalatable. I am a truck driver's daughter, I was a subcontractor's wife, then for the last 31 years I was a fleet owner's wife. I guess you could say that I have diesel in my veins. It is strange for me but I feel that I must stand up and be counted as I am so against so many large B Double trucks being added to our already congested roads. Our suburbs are now becoming seas of grey roofs, traffic everywhere that comes at you from all directions, on a mission to get to their destination and then try to return safely. Do you realise that stress is a disease that kills people in our society. Maitland is busting at the seams. Myself I would only leave my house before 8 am or after 9.30 and never attempt to after 3pm to any of the main roundabouts as the people who have to commute back to their homes after doing a hard day's work, picking up school children or taking them to after school activities. Unfortunately for these poor people, unlike me, have no choice. People can make bad decisions driving when they are trying to get somewhere by a certain time, tired from the daily commuting or frustrated concentrating on speed limits, light changes, people changing lanes and what in the hell everybody else might do at any given time, Not only is it bad enough you want us all hemmed in by more large trucks and believe me that can be very confronting on an hour or two commute, Really to be honest large B Double trucks and small cars don't mix but unfortunately to live we all need them to move things around that are a necessity to our lives. Last but not least it's the poor people of Dungog and Paterson. Poor Paterson.... here is a small town that has fought hard to maintain its survival and now here is Darcon trying to take them down yet again. I feel we all need to unite to fight Daracon as there is going to be a ripple effect all the way from the extraction of the gravel from the ground till these trucks reach their final destination. Everyone needs to stand up and help slay this beast from resurrecting again. Really, a 25 year contract to do this work. Wake up everyone. Hopefully we are not all that stupid to swallow that one. |
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Attachments |
martinscreekquarrypdf_redacted.pdf (PDF, 753.55 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Another failed approval seeking a sneaky second chance through the SSD virtual brown paper bag system. The quarry expansion would destroy the amenity and enjoyment of all landowners, residents and visitors any where near the mine or near the mine haulage route. The roads are already in terrible shape mainly from damage by quarry truck and dogs (or Racing Trucks as the transport industry calls them) they are not built for the axle loads nor the repetition of many more trucks. The expansion would benefit very few people at the expense of many. It is time to put the local community first over corporations and profit and reject this application. As a frequent visitor to Paterson this expansion will directly impact on my enjoyment of leisure activities in and around Paterson and if it goes ahead I would most likely need to reassess my need to travel to Paterson. |
Janice Haviland
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Thank you for the opportunity to comment again on Application SSD 6612 regarding the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion proposal after the public meeting conducted last Monday 7th -8th November. The proposal being exhibited is an amendment to the 2016 EIS and SSDA that was previously exhibited in November 2016 and follows on from the largest decision in the NSW Land & Environment Court history that in 2019 led to the operator of the quarry being restrained from unlawful operations at the site which it had been conducting since 2012. Please refer to our attached full submission. We strongly oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion for the following reasons: A. History of the company Output from the quarry has allegedly been illegally intensified by the current operator Daracon; from the 1991 EIS consent annual limit of 300,000 tonne to a 2014 record of +1,400,000 tonne. Daracon have presented their ‘Key Project Changes’ in the meeting last week with extraction up to a maximum of 1.1 Mtpa of quarry material over 25 years, transporting up to 500,000 tpa by road and the remainder by rail. Their ‘reduced peak’ daily is still 140 per day laden truck movements + 140 per day empty truck movements with a total of 280 per day movements on roads that were not designed for this action when the original quarry transport was totally by rail. Their original plan has not changed as they applied for last year 1,100,000 tonne per annum extraction for 25 years. They wanted 600,000 tpa transport of product by rail from the site and 500,000 tpa transport of product by road. Daracon’s past unlawful operations show they do not have a good track record and have been non-compliant with their license. The Martins Creek and Paterson communities have had their amenity and health negatively affected by excessive truck movements on the haulage routes along where they live. Daracon over time has continually wanted to increase the annual tonnes limits. The reality of Daracon’s proposal must be compared to the 1991 Development Approval restrictions to protect physical and social environments. This comparison shows that these protections have been eroded away and decreased immensely. The annual tonnage (tpa) in 1991 DA was 300,000 with current project proposal of 1,100,000 tonne, a 333% increase. Tonnage by road (tpa) in 1991 DA was 90,000, project proposal now is 500,000 tpa a 555% increase. Tonnage by rail (tpa) was 210,000 1991 DA now proposed at 600,000 tpa, a 285% increase. Peak day trucks in 1991 DA was 24 with the project proposal now estimating 280 trucks per day a 1,166% increase. Peak hour trucks were 2.4 in 1991 DA now the project proposal wants 40 peak hour trucks a 1,666% increase! Scale of the proposal is 40 trucks per hour means one truck every 1.5 minutes (90 seconds). B. The negative impacts on the community The accumulated impacts for the community include increased truck traffic including the 280-day truck movements, road damage due to the heavy trucks, extreme noise and air pollution/quality, continual blasting and habitat destruction around the site affecting the wildlife, the ongoing degradation of the environment and wildlife habitat, and the truck haulage hour after hour. The social impacts must be examined more closely- people relocating because it became unbearable, pedestrian movement restricted-simply crossing the road a challenge and dangerous, ongoing mental health issues and the community’s own commuting around the endless stream of trucks during peak hour. The loss of tourism income for the community businesses because visitors will stay away. The DPIE Reviewer must attend the site and review all submissions and see and experience for themselves the ‘living impacts’ of a normal day in this area–they cannot do this and fully appreciate these impacts from an office in Sydney! This proposal will have major social impacts (poor mental health and well-being) across a wide area for the community and major environmental impacts for our wildlife. Daracon must not minimise these impacts. It is suggested that the DPIE and ‘whole of government assessment’ has been based on an erroneous and misleading characterisation of the existing use and purpose of the Daracon proposal. The ‘lived experience’ of this Proposal will be unliveable for many in the community. C. EPBC Act regarding environmental damage and loss of habitats and threatened species The Impact Assessments should consider and address combined cumulative impact of both Martins Creek and Brandy Hill Quarries which has not be done. A discussion of Martins Creek Quarry involves the Brandy Hill Quarry expansion within this context. The haulage routes are used by both Martins Creek Quarry and Brandy Hill Quarry operations. Martins Creek Quarry is only 23.5 Km away from Brandy Hill Quarry which has impacted the wildlife there. How have the wildlife corridors progressed for this area? Brandy Hill Quarry expansion has had a significant impact on wildlife and koalas. ‘DESTRUCTION of 45 hectares of bush has had a significant impact on the national koala population,’ says a report from the NSW Department of Planning. The proposed Brandy Hill Quarry expansion was noted to "adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the koala species", which coincides with an Australian Koala Foundation warning that habitat destruction has left koalas "functionally extinct.” Impacts on critical habitats need to be examined further and without bias. Page 127 RAMSAR WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE The Guidelines for preparing Assessment Documentation relevant to the EPBC Act 1999 for the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion Project (EPBC 2016/7725: SSD6612) (AGDoE 2016a) have identified that the proposal has potential to impact on the Hunter Estuary Wetlands RAMSAR site and the level of potential impact should and must be further investigated. The Department of the Environment and Energy’s Environment Reporting Tool (ERT) identifies that 26 threatened species and communities may occur within 5 km of this proposal. Based on the information in the referral documentation, the location of the action, species records and likely habitat present in the area, there are likely to be significant impacts to: Slaty Red Gum– Vulnerable; Koala -combined populations of Qld, NSW and the ACT – Endangered; Regent Honeyeater– Critically Endangered; Swift Parrot– Critically Endangered; and Spot-tailed Quoll - SE mainland population – Endangered. The Koala is listed as endangered and is on an accelerated trajectory towards extinction by 2050 because we continue to destroy its habitat and this Quarry expansion proposal is yet another example of the negative impact on this species. In eastern Australia we might have 100,000 koalas but it could be as low as 43,000 koalas. We lost many in the catastrophic fires and continue to lose more through development and continual logging of their forest home. Daracon has already destroyed koala habitat, increased their stress levels due to blasting and extreme noise levels which then triggers disease in these animals. Many have already been displaced, moved on and died. We strongly oppose any future expansion of this Quarry because of the continual loss of wildlife. Under the EPBC Act there are Protected Matters relating to threatened species (Koala- endangered, Regent Honeyeater- critically endangered) and ecological communities that must be considered by the Proponent and the NSW government. There is substantial new information available about the impacts the action of approving this Quarry expansion proposal will have on koalas and other wildlife and potential impact on the Hunter Estuary Wetlands RAMSAR site. Firstly, Koalas have been up- listed since Feb 2022 to endangered and the Proponent’s proposal is based on a koala listing of vulnerable. Secondly, the EPBC Act is being reformed and is due to be released by the Federal Environment Minister next year due to its failings to protect listed threatened species and ecosystems. The State of Environment Report was released in July 2022 and represents an environmental crisis much worse than we imagined. Assessments and approvals have taken place with little or no scrutiny by state governments to protect our wildlife and their habitats. Thirdly, under the EPBC Act ‘Protected Matters include Ramsar listed wetlands.’ The Martins Creek Quarry Expansion Project (EPBC 2016/7725; SSD 6612) will result in a loss under the EPBC Act of threatened species habitats and corridors. On 21 July 2016 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) determined that the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion Project will impact upon the following matters of national environmental significance (MNES) protected under this Act: Wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Wetlands) (sections 16 & 17B); and Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A). So, if this was acknowledged back in 2016 regarding the damage to internationally listed Ramsar Wetlands and identified threatened species, why are we revisiting this proposed expansion again, especially when the same environmental consequences will result. Under the EPBC Act, the information must be substantial new information (first and second points above) available about the adverse impacts of the action on a protected matter. The third point is based on MNES protection under the Act as a Ramsar listed Wetlands exists and must be protected not degraded by this Quarry. The information must be real or of substance, and not trivial or inconsequential. In our considered opinion the information is new, real and relates to the adverse impacts of the action of the expansion of this Quarry. For the above reasons and all other information presented in our submission, we firmly oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion proposal. Yours sincerely Janice Haviland Martin Derby Marie Humphries Katie Wynter Ruby Hardie Lucia Smith |
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Attachments |
j-haviland-martins-creek-quarry-submission-after-public-hearingpdf.pdf (PDF, 307.27 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposed Martins Creek Quarry Expansion – Application SSD 14_6612 Having twice previously submitted my objections to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry I was devastated to learn that after having completed their assessment of the project the NSW Department of Planning has recommended that the project be granted an approval by the Independent Planning Commission. After having witnessed many of the submissions at the public meeting on Monday and Tuesday (7th and 8th November) I am feeling more positive that the Commissioners have had the opportunity to develop an understanding of the effect of the quarry on my community. I would like to take the opportunity to contribute my perspective to my community’s objections to the quarry expansion. I feel that the quarry expansion goes beyond what is a reasonable burden for any community to bear for someone else’s increased profit. If the project, on this increased scale, was being established from scratch preparations would be made to construct a road system that was appropriate to handle the volume and weight of the quarry trucks. Public access, whether it be vehicular or pedestrian would be excluded from this site and yet with this proposal these trucks, in boosted numbers, would be intruding at close quarters in my community’s everyday lives. People of all ages, from our youngest to our oldest citizens, are each vulnerable in different ways. As I’m now classified as a senior citizen and happily retired from my teaching career I should be able to make the most of Paterson’s village life. Unfortunately mobility issues are currently presenting difficulties for me. I live in close proximity to the businesses in Paterson but actually crossing the road safely presents difficulties for me. An increase in the volume of truck traffic through Paterson would completely prevent me, as a pedestrian, from accessing the Post Office and all the businesses on Duke Street. My experiences as a motorist navigating Paterson’s 19th century village infrastructure are worth mentioning. I modify my vehicle’s speed as I pass the local businesses to enable me to react in a timely manner to other community members’ use of our village’s facilities. One instance of an elderly gentleman driver’s miscalculation saw him pull out from the kerb straight into the path of my car. If this had occurred in front of a quarry truck (which don’t slow down) it would probably have resulted in a fatality. Tucker Park, which is used by locals of all ages as well as tourists and through traffic for its recreation and toilet facilities, is accessed from Maitland Road (Duke Street). The intersection is at a slanted angle and this, as well as signage for the park, prevents a clear view for motorists re-entering the main road. My husband and I witnessed a collision between two vehicles, one leaving the park and the other on Maitland Road as a result of this intersection’s flaws. Once again, substitute a quarry truck into the situation and the outcome could have been a fatality. Concessions have been made to put bus-travelling school children out of harm’s way by moving their pick-up location from beside the Paterson Lodge’s dangerous T-intersection to just beyond Tucker Park’s entrance. Obviously, parents drive their children to this pick-up point so an increase in traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, adds to the complexity of this daily routine. If the quarry expansion is approved more trucks moving through this area can only make this more dangerous for our children. At a different level, I was able to relate to one of the speaker’s submissions at the public meeting who mentioned the damage to their car. The front of my car has a significant number of stone chips which will affect its re-sale value. We have had to replace the windscreen three times. Two of these damaged windscreens can be directly attributed to gravel falling from a quarry truck because I saw it happen as I was driving. Driving brings its own set of concerns for me. I need to turn right out of Duke Street into King Street to reach my house. There is no turning lane for me or the main traffic turning left at this intersection. Add trucks into this traffic flow and it becomes an accident waiting to happen. I need to stop back from this turn if a truck is approaching the corner because it would hit my car as it has to cross the centre line into my lane. There is insufficient room to correct these problems. Daracon’s solution of modifying the corner by removing parking spaces is only of benefit to their operation. It is the Paterson community’s loss for this company’s increased profit. Air quality is another issue that is problematic in relation to the quarry expansion proposal. Dust emissions from the quarry as it exists are of concern to our health. The tangible evidence in the bottom of our rain gauge shows the fallout from the quarry’s production. Obviously the air that we breathe contains this same substance. The dust cloud pall which is visible above the quarry and its surrounds is an issue that needs to be addressed. A system of dust monitoring and mitigation must be established for the protection of the residents of Paterson and surrounds. Martins Creek Quarry’s expansion proposal is not in the best interests of the residents of our area. The damage already being caused to our safety, health and environment cannot be justified in the increased profits of the quarry owner. The quarry does provide employment in our area. It does not need to be expanded to continue this employment to the detriment of the area’s residents. The solutions and compensation that have been offered in no way compensate for the terrible imposition and detrimental effect that a quarry expansion would have on the Paterson community. Please don’t approve the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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This proposed quarry development will 1. Decrease property value of residential properties 2. Endandanger the community 3.destroy the roads that are already poor 4. This development proposal will destroy the local shops and businesses 5.destroy the serenity of the village live that is a draw card for people are attracted to the area for. 6. Money is not the be all of everything that these developments are the only priority not in the communities best interest. 7. The air quality is dramatically affected in the whole area 8. This development will dramatically affected the infrastructure of our community |
Penny Kendall
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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We have a farm outside Vacy which we have had for 20 years. The area that will be impacted by the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry is quiet farming/rural country with small village communities. The area is 2-21/2 hours drive from Sydney and even closer to Newcastle. So is very attractive for short breaks from both places. Why does it have to become industrial? It is an unavoidable consequence of the proposed expansion of the quarry that roads will become more dangerous. First, the roads are inadequate for current traffic. The road surface in many parts is in bad repair. More trucks will only destroy the poor road surface. The road infrastructure is horribly inadequate for industry on the proposed scale. Secondly, school children catch buses up and down the roads and have to cross the roads. It is challenging enough for them now. Imagine how dangerous it will be if the quarry is allowed to operate as it wants to. Thirdly, it is unrealistic to assume that truck drivers will always obey the rules. When faced with deadlines they will cut corners including speeding. Fourthly, we often go to Paterson to buy meat and groceries, or go to the chemist or doctor. How pleasant it is to pull up, cross the road, have a chat to someone in the street all with ease and without the background of passing trucks. Daracon’s trucks will destroy this sense of community. Just because there is a quarry doesn’t mean it has to be exploited to the fullest extent possible. We have to accept progress but unnecessarily forcing the effects of this proposal on small rural communities is completely obnoxious. There is a place for this kind of development but it is not here. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live in ⬛⬛⬛ and work in ⬛⬛⬛. I shop regularly in Paterson but during the periods of heavy truck movements when Daracon ran trucks illegally I ceased shopping in Paterson. It was just too difficult and unsafe to do so. If the increase in truck movements in approved I will do the same and the business that I currently support and their employees would suffer. The intersection at King street combined with the amount of foot traffic in Paterson makes it unsafe to run large trucks through the area at the volume proposed. It is a pleasant and historically well preserved town and it will be permanently diminished not just for 25 years that the quarry would operate at that capacity but past that because once the amenity of a place is destroyed it seldom recovers The traffic has increased enormously on Paterson Rd Bolwarra over the past three years and this renders Daracon's traffic report obsolete. It is difficult to turn right out of Hunter Glen Drive, Victoria Rd and Bolwarra Rd at any time of day but in the busy morning and afternoon periods it is really difficult already and with new development planned for the area it will only get worse and if the proposal for 280 truck movements is added in it will be very unsafe. I have witnessed numerous drivers do mis-judged rushes into the traffic just from the frustration of having to wait so long and the oncoming car has had to brake. I imagine with a laden truck that becomes a fatality. This is a huge risk and the proposed route is simply inadequate. Currently from my calculations about 8000 of Maitland's population live north of the Hunter River. Most of the town's facilities are on the other side of that river including importantly the hospital. Unless we tack across to Morpeth there are only 2 bridges across to the other side and on both the traffic already banks up by one kilometre at busy times. The junction of Flat Rd meets Melbourne St and form there it is a short distance of about 500 metres to the New England Hwy and this is what causes the bottle neck. Not enough cars can fit into the section of Melbourne St between the two sets of traffic lights but given that laden truck are slower than a car to get moving and at least 3 times the length to say they will have little effect on what is a growing problem is demonstrably wrong. It will render getting through to that side of Maitland really difficult. With some medical emergencies it is not prudent to wait for an ambulance. In rural and semi rural areas snake bite is a reality and accessing anti venom critical but for us the Hospital is on the other side of an already overburdened road. PLEASE UNDERSTAND we can't take a back road, we have to cross the river and our options to do that are very limited and this will make it much harder. The truth is that the quarry is in an unfortunate spot regarding access and road distribution and to increase its road use to the level wished for by Daracon is asking the community to accept the burden of noise, inconvenience and a much more dangerous place for us to try and live our lives. |
Alice Campbell
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Money must the drive of the individuals running the show. No care for individuals well-being in the area. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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The existing railway infrastructure should be considered as the best option for transporting the product. Use of the small and narrow roads through our small villages will only increase damage to the roads. Damage from heavy rains is always occurring and as I type this are still to be repaired. Massive potholes will be a danger during night time driving. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of Martins Creek and use the proposed haulage route as my primary access to Paterson, Maitland and Newcastle. I have concerns regarding the methodology adopted in the traffic impact assessment (TIA) to assess traffic impacts on the local road network particularly within the village of Paterson. The TIA does not include intersection analysis (ie SiDRA) of any of the intersections within Paterson, particularly the Duke Street/King Street intersection and the King Street/Church Street intersection. The latter of which is the only access to Paterson Public school from the main Paterson township and surrounding villages/localities (Martins Creek, Vacy, Tocal and Duns Creek). The TIA, Amendment Report and DPE Assessment Report also do not consider or assess the interactions between quarry trucks and the Paterson level crossing across the Great Northern Railway (the key rail freight and passenger corridor for the north coast). A queuing analysis is required to quantify the maximum potential queue length. Currently, without quarry vehicles, queuing due to freight trains can extend through the Duke Street/King Street intersection and up Duke Street southbound and out of the Paterson Village northbound. The impact of an additional 40 truck movements an hour on potential rail crossing queue lengths and associated impacts on access and amenity (ie accelerating and decelerating truck noise) has not been assessed. DPE note in the assessment report, that Daracon seeks a road haulage rate not dissimilar to historical haulage rates and infers this as a justification for the predicted impacts of the development. DPE does not take into adequate consideration the road safety matters that were clearly apparent during previous operations such as the behaviour of truck operators queuing up to 4 truck and dogs in the right hand turning lane into Grace Street off the Dungog Road as they were not permitted to arrive at the quarry prior to 7am. This also does not take into adequate consideration the broader population growth in the Paterson Valley that has seen background traffic volumes substantially increase. A peak of 40 quarry heavy vehicle movements an hour through Paterson Village during the morning peak, at the same time as school buses are picking up high school students, parents are driving their children to Paterson Public school and Paterson Preschool, commuters are travelling to work is not an approvable project. All these road users are required to use the same road (Kings Street) as the proposed quarry haulage route due to the Great Northern Railway crossing resulting in one through road through the village. As such, I do not support the development in its current form. I would like to see a substantial reduction on the peak number of hourly trucks permitted to travel through Paterson, particularly during the morning peak. |
Brett Plain
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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First and foremost, I would like to say that I was not impressed with the response from Clay Preshaw (Dept. of Planning and Environment) when asked by the panel about the concerns of all the residents and business owners (who are against the proposal in this application). His response was one of indifference and dare I say not very convincing with his rocking back and forth and not being able to look the panel in the face. His response when asked about the concerns of the community re. health and safety basically suggested there would always be collateral damage with any large projects. To think someone being seriously injured or killed in an accident on a country or suburban road by one of the trucks using the Quarry in this proposal is totally disgusting. I would like to discuss The Traffic and Transport issue, the amount of truck movements through the Historical Village of Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra, East Maitland, Brandy Hill, Butterwick and occasionally Lorn. This road network is all country and residential and definitely not suitable for this amount of heavy traffic. The trucks leaving the Quarry were always a danger with stones flicking out of the tyres and putting stone chips in windscreens when passing (no chips or cracks since the trucks haven't been running). Dungog Road, Gresford Road, Paterson Road, Tocal Road and Butterwick Road are not suitable for this number of heavy vehicles, it is not a question of if ... but when there will be a serious accident. The community of Paterson will be severely impacted like when the Quarry ran the trucks (illegally). The businesses suffered with locals going elsewhere to shop, and tourists not coming to town due to the noise and the danger of so many trucks passing through the township. As a person who lives close to the Quarry, the blasting and noise from the crushing machine is quite loud. When State Rail managed the quarry the blasting and noise levels were manageable. Before the Court Case the blasting was quite substantial, and the vibrations shook our home quite violently at times. Daracon always denied the blasts shook homes and had a demonstration for the residents in our neighborhood. It was interesting to note that the only people who said that it was a normal blast were the Daracon representatives, all the locals said it was not a false representation of a "normal" blast. I do not believe this Quarry proposal will be beneficial to anyone but Daracon as the people living on the route or near the quarry will have serious mental, health and safety issues that are far above just collateral damage. |
Lisa Lampe
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear Commissioners, I strongly oppose the Martins Creek Quarry expansion and exhort you not to approve the application. My submission is informed by: • My lived experience as an affected resident • My professional knowledge and expertise as a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Newcastle and Senior Staff Specialist in the Hunter New England Local Health District • Evidence presented at the public hearings chaired by the IPCN on 7-8 November 2022 • Reports and submissions tendered in the application process and publicly available online, and the draft recommendation of the NSW DPE In making a draft recommendation to approve the application by Daracon (trading as Buttai Gravel Pty Ltd) the NSW Department of Planning and Environment erred by: • Failing to give appropriate weight to the social and economic impacts on the community of the proposed development • Failing to properly consider evidence that challenged or contradicted findings of reports commissioned by Daracon into social, amenity and traffic impacts of the proposed development (e.g. expert reviews commissioned by Dungog Shire Council) • Setting arbitrary limits on truck movements and quarry activities not supported by evidence from either empirical or lived experience sources • Failing to consider the additional impacts on traffic of the increased haulage from the Brandy Hill Quarry: an additional 375,000 tonnes of product along the Paterson Road At the public meetings presided over by the Independent Planning Commission of New South Wales (IPCN) on 7-8 November last, the social impacts of the proposed development were detailed and compelling. The changes will destroy almost completely the amenity of Martins Creek and Paterson villages, and severely impact residents in other locales along the 28 km of roads that the Quarry seeks to commandeer for a haulage route. It became abundantly clear that there will also be major financial impacts on affected residents, who will see the value of their houses plummet; this will effectively preclude them from being able to afford an equivalent property elsewhere should they seek to sell and re-locate to escape the noise, dust and traffic, and loss of the village and rural amenity that drew them to the area in the first place. The traffic impacts will be enormous. The State Significant Development Assessment SSD-6612 states “Traffic volumes generated by the Project would not result in a change to the existing levels of service for roads along the primary haulage route. While some deterioration in intersection and road network performance is predicted during the life of the Project, this would mostly result from broader regional traffic growth and would be expected to occur with or without the Project” (p iii). Daracon provided a traffic assessment commissioned in 2016 which made this claim; it was based on tube counters installed in July 2015. Considerable delay at two Melbourne Street intersections in East Maitland were noted even at the that time. Since then, there has been a large expansion of residential housing such that traffic has increased significantly (and this would be the environment in which the total of 875,000 tonnes per annum of aggregate from both Martins Creek and Brandy Hill quarries would be occurring). However, as was obvious at the public meeting, tube counters and traffic impact assessments do not take account of the human impacts of noise, dust and danger to people, especially children, the elderly and infirm who need to cross or walk along the roads that would see up to 40 truck movements per hour. The impacts of noise, traffic, dust, and loss of financial security and social amenity were clearly described in sometimes heart-rending detail at the public meeting. In my professional work as a psychiatrist, I have seen the long-term damage that such experiences can cause. People can feel betrayed by the government they trusted to protect them from exploitation, which can diminish their capacity for trust and reduce the quality of relationships long into the future. Constant noise is a known psychological stressor which can result in stress, depression and anxiety. For those exposed to noise at night, it can disrupt sleep, and this in turn has major physical and mental health impacts. For those not directly impacted by nocturnal noise, the emotional distress caused by the social and financial impacts causes insomnia. When people are stressed, depressed and anxious their capacity to enjoy life can be severely impacted. In turn, relationships are affected, and thus the impacts can extend beyond the individual to their families. And as we heard at the public meeting, many people may be trapped in that adverse environment by the financial impacts on property values. Furthermore, some people, even once they escape a damaging situation, never fully recover their trust or capacity to relax and enjoy life. It is therefore clear that there will be negative, direct, indirect and cumulative social impacts which the 2017 NSW guideline for social impact assessment (SIA) requires the consent authority to consider: evidence suggests these impacts have not been adequately considered. I have attended two public meetings now and am concerned that no-one at either meeting identified as one of the individuals who had allegedly been consulted by Daracon in the early stages of planning. Has it ever been verified that local residents apart from the Community Consultative Committee were interviewed? The SIA merit review stated “There appears to have been a rigorous and inclusive community engagement program”. In my view, the evidence for this has not been substantiated . As a highly experienced mental health professional, I consider that the proposed social impact mitigating strategies, relying almost solely on the “reduced” truck movements of 40 per hour, are grossly inadequate. I also support the statement made by some speakers that “past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour”. The veracity of this statement is supported by ample evidence in the psychological literature and, indeed, is an important factor to be considered when assessing the risk of offending behaviour. Daracon’s past actions in acting illegally should be given weight; there is in addition the moral jeopardy of a strong profit motive. It is also well established that limits and restrictions are ineffective if behaviour is not monitored and there are no clear consequences for transgressions: this is relevant to any conditions imposed on Daracon’s operations at Martins Creek Quarry, and to voluntary codes of conduct it plans to implement with the drivers of trucks carrying its quarry outputs. It is unclear that there will be any monitoring of Daracon’s compliance with conditions if the application is approved. I wish to address the processes, reports and responses of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. It appears that the DPE has followed a “box-ticking” exercise – for example, the EPA’s concerns “had been generally addressed”1(p. 13), the Heritage Council of NSW “did not expect adverse impacts”, Crown Lands “had no objection”” et cetera, et cetera. There has been grossly inadequate consideration of the social and health impacts of the proposal as detailed by submissions from local residents (624 unique submissions, 75% of which were from residents within 5km of the quarry or haulage routes, in contrast to the miniscule number of supporting submissions, of which only one was from a resident within 5km). Proposed measures to address the safety of pedestrians and other road users are manifestly inadequate – reducing the speed of trucks to 40 km/h in Paterson village and providing “monetary contributions to DSC for works to improve pedestrian amenity … “(1S.93, P.23). What of areas such as Gresford Road, Tocal, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra? No measures proposed. When queried by the Commission as to how the figure of 40 truck movements per hour was arrived at, the DPE responded that it was a lower figure than had originally been proposed! Overall, the impression was that the DPE had made a superficial assessment of the application that placed undue weight on “box-ticking”, failed to appropriately consider the welfare and concerns of affected residents, and accepted all Daracon’s reports at face value. Perhaps most egregious of all is the equation balancing company profits and the demands for gravel products by the Sydney construction industry against the health and welfare of the local community. Daracon is a proudly family-owned company but as more than one speaker put it, why should the financial situation of one already wealthy family outweigh the financial health of hundreds, if not thousands, of other families? Importantly: • Martins Creek and surrounding villages have a rural amenity which attracted residents to live there: residents have been able to live in harmony with the quarry when it operated at 200,000-400,000 tonnes per annum and largely transported outputs by rail • A mega quarry will destroy this amenity • There are numerous other quarries from which aggregate can be sourced • Outputs can be transported by rail rather than road Please give appropriate weight to social, economic and health-related community impacts and do not allow the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. |
Evan Morris
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I am concerned that the local roads cannot sustain the addition traffic that will increase with the proposed 280 additional trips per day. The roads through Lorn already become heavily congested with standard commuter loads. I would seek a far greater % of loads transported by rail to help alleviate this additional pressure on the community roads. |
Kathryn Snell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Paterson area has always been valued for the peace and quiet - particularly the small village feel of Paterson itself. The amount of traffic and noise created by the increase in activity related to the quarry will remove the peace and calm. I was fortunate enough a few years ago to live in Paterson for a few months and the peace and quiet, and easy traffic conditions were some of the drawcards of being in this serene country area. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I understand and support the need for Martins Creek Quarry, but my concerns relate to the impacts upon the adjacent communities in Dungog LGA and those along the haul routes into Maitland/Port Stephens LGAs. This quarry has rail access that could be used to ameliorate these impacts and this should be required as a condition of consent in order to reduce the number of truck movements through the beautiful little village of Paterson and add to the traffic chaos in Maitland LGA. A substantial proportion of the output should be required to utilize rail transport. My second point is that all traffic impact issues and road/intersection upgrades should be affected before the quarry begins operations. It would be an insult to all concerned to have to suffer the proposed increases in traffic and reduced road safety for 18 months before Dracon began to take action. Likewise, Dungog Shire has a Contribution Plan to compensate for ongoing pavement damage and Daracon wants a discount. This Plan was duly advertised before adoption and is similar to, but less than that of Port Stephens LGA, so why should this be subject to review? By all means operate the quarry lawfully, but do so in an ethical and responsible manner. In other words become a good neighbour and stop trying to cheat a small rural community – the company should pay their way like everybody else. |
Clayton Brown
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Organisation |
Ivory Egg Australia |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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To Whom IT May Concern I object strongly to the expansion project for Martins Creek Quarry. I am a local resident of Paterson and I belive this project will adversly effect me and my extended family DIRECTLY. Having read the assesment I believe that it is incorrect, flawed, and worst of all written to support an outcome. "Traffic volumes generated by the Project would not result in a change to the existing levels of service for roads along the primary haulage route." I find it hard to believe that the hauling of 500,000 tonnes PA on heavy vehicles will not result in anything but severe deteriation of local roads and proove to be a huge safety hazard for other raod users. I do not believe that this statement has been made objectively. "The Department also recognises that the proposed annual road haulage limit of 500,000 tpa represents a rate that is not dissimilar to historical road transportation rates undertaken by the quarry over an approximate 18-year period between 2002 and 2019" Please remember that for a significant period the quarry was working illegally and was shut down for excessive production. I can see no grounds for rewarding Daracon breaking the rules by legalising what was previously unacceptable. "The Department recognised that the originally proposed road haulage rate of 1.45 Mtpa would likely result in an unacceptable impact to the community and requested that Daracon reduce the proposed road transportation rate" Given that the department recognised that the road haulage was excessive and would result in unacceptable impact on the community, why have they allowed Daracon to suggest the new proposed limits. It is a blatent case of anchoring, Daracon suggest a riduculous and unacceptable amount knowing that they will then get the oportunity to appear to reduce their numbers to an amount higher than required. They win by giving up the incredibly ludicrous for the merely ridiculous. That is a shell game. "The Department acknowledges that noise impacts have been a key concern for the community. Not withstanding this, the Department also recognises that the quarry has operated for over 100 years and it is evident that the community has been subject to noise and other amenity impacts for a very long time." Noise and pollution are a KEY CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY. The COMMUNITY! Hard to imagine 500,000 tones per anum of road haulage noise and pollution happening 100 years ago. What a ridiculous statement. Again this report appears to have been manufactured for a specific purpose. Dont forget Daracon where minging illegally for a period of that previous noise. Noise was a concern then and is a concern now. Daracon cannot be rewarded for their illegal behaviour. "The Department considers that noise impacts from the Project can be managed through stringent conditions of consent, which strike a fair balance between protecting the amenity of the local community and meeting operational demands regarding loading and dispatch times" What is a fair balance? How can it be fair, Daracon win, the community loose. How is that fair?. Even the wording "the proposed mitigation measures are feasible" "feasible" "likely; probable." What certainanty does probable give the community. Again, what an easy out for Daracon. This is not an objective report. How do you =balace the following two statements: "The Department acknowledges that there is a high degree of public interest in the Project and the range of community concerns is also broad, including but not limited to impacts on the safety and efficiency of the local road network, noise, air quality, socio-economic, water resource and biodiversity impacts. and "On balance, the Department considers that the benefits of the Project outweigh its residual costs" The benifits to whom? Daracon? Winton Property group? Are we the community to be reduced to "residual costs" Is that acceptable in todays more enlightened environment. Are you prepared to put profit above people. We do not need the material from this quarry. "In addition to the existing Martins Creek Quarry, there are six other approved hard rock quarries with the capacity to provide significant volumes of high strength aggregates and construction materials within the Hunter Region" This is NOT a required development. It doesnt have to happen. The report has been written to rubber stamp this expansion. It is not balance, This is not a project of State significance. This a profit grab that the community opposes. Clause "3.2 Hunter Regional Plan 2036" - The report writter has picked one clause to emphasise "Importantly, the Plan emphasises the need to manage different land uses in pursuit of complementary outcomes" Firtsly there is NOTHING complimentary about the proposed outcome. The author has chosen to highlight ""Importantly" one point to support their case. The report has been written to suppot a predetermined outcome. It was not "Important" that "They also aim to protect its diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecological systems,conserve its heritage values, and create thriving communities that enrich the quality of life andwellbeing of their residents." It is clear and demonstratable that the project is unwelcome within the community and that the report is written to not provide an in anyway balanced assesment but to support a predetrmined position. I ask that you deny that you as independant commissioners deny what is clearly a flawed project and overturn what is also clearly a predetermined and unsupportable report. I leave with one last point that I dont feel the report touches on. Community safety. What price are peoples lives worth. Up to 280 heavy vehicle movements a day on narrow rural roads. Through a historic town, past our local major learning institute. TOCAL agricultural college. These are roads that local people have to use to go to work, to shop, to take children to school. Can you honestly say that you are not endangering them by allowing this crazy road use. How long until something goes wrong with Daracons carefull road plan and trucks back up. A student late for school decides to overtake. BANG. Someones dead or badly injured. I ask you get out and drive this road, there are young people, old people, farmers, tractors. Drive the road past TOCAL where our young future is learning to care for our country not rape it. Put the community first, put safety first. Do NOT put profit above what is right. |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
If this proposal goes ahead it will significantly impact residence and the local environment negatively. Noise, air and water pollution caused by mining in addition to transport infrastructure being inadequate will reduce property values in the area as well as creating traffic and safety issues particularly in the townships of Paterson and Martins Creek. Stress to livestock in the area will disrupt the agricultural sector in the community and may impact farmers end product quality thus reducing the sell price of livestock and having negative financial impact to local farmers. Stress to local wildlife in addition to the disruption/destruction of habitat will result in declining numbers of endangered and vulnerable species in the area. This area is home to Koalas, Quolls and a number of other vulnerable/threatened species. Tourism is a major contributor to the local economy, a mine in the area will reduce the desirability of this area as a holiday destination which will add to the negative financial impact to local residence. Residence in this area have made it clear over the last 30-40yrs that they do not wish for any mining projects operating in this area, this area relies on agricultural and tourism dollars for income. A mine will not benefit the local community. |
Fiona Baker
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I have attached the speech which I delivered at the Public Meeting objecting to the proposal in it's current form, thank you for listening. I will now address anomalies within the DPE Assessment report SSD6612. The issues that have been put forth by residents, Dungog Council and various community and environmental groups have not been completely addressed. After listening to the various submissions the last two days and also listening to the response from Clay Preshaw and his associates I am absolutely gobsmacked at his lack of knowledge or understanding of the area, residents, situations faced and lack of human focus whilst trying to justify the Department's decision. I am absolutely disgusted at the dismissive way in which he attempted to do so. I don't want to hear about guidelines, Qualitative and Quantitative data, the standard measures within the Dept. I want someone to listen to our very valid safety concerns. The proposed car park will not alleviate any issues for businesses or the community, we will still have an intersection that cannot bear the traffic. We had an issue at Paterson lodge not long ago whereby a smaller truck had a mishap and whilst turning right it crashed into the lodge. This was an extremely lucky escape for our community as someone was sitting at an outdoor table just before the truck crashed. It will not take much for a life to be lost if this goes ahead under the current proposal. Whomever wrote the assessment report has stated they have applied risk mitigation strategies, where is the data that supports this? I would like to see the risk matrix and weighting criteria applied in this situation? Where is that data please, it doesn't address it within the assessment report. I find it difficult to believe that the number of submissions for this project can now be above that opposing and i would like to know if the 670 submission mentioned in SSD6612 will still be taken into account? People may not understand they need to submit again? The assessment report in section 5.4 Agency advice also states Dungog & Port Stephens Council do not oppose the submission, I heard very differently at the public meeting and was certain Dungog Council stated our infrastructure could not support the traffic by road? Figure 6.1 in the report shows an historical graph which you can really not count as truth as they were operating illegally and the data for residents has changed within this timeframe. On a normal weekday, the traffic has almost doubled just for residents and tourists, the data captured on the roads has also changed, in 2019 we were in drought and we have had almost 3 years of La Nina since with flooding which has decimated our roads. The proposed amount to Council will not cover the costs of repairs to roads already is disrepair. This proposal is a tragedy awaiting to happen and I for one would take all legal action to both the Department and Daracon if either of my children are injured or worse in an accident caused by the truck movements under this proposal. As a Government who supports lives over revenue i cannot for the life of me see where this proposal would be approved. The report has falsehoods in regards to key intersections and bridges, Gostwyck bridge is a one lane bridge for all traffic, not just heavy vehicles, the key intersection i have mentioned of Prince St & Duke St is not listed in the report and is a blind intersection. The public transport does state bus routes along the way but does not list these are mainly school buses that travel along this route and the bus stops along the main road various times with hardly any room for our kids and they will also need to cross the road to get to their homes, tell me how this is safe for our children and young adults? The proposal may include bus shelters in the township but our children deserve safety all along the route. Figure 6.5 in the report shows proposed upgrades to King St & Duke St intersection yet cuts off so you cannot see the danger of the Prince St Duke St intersection, I use this intersection daily and it is not at all designed for the proposed heavy haulage vehicles. The road is not wide enough, the left hand intersection is blind to oncoming traffic, I feel this has been left out of the report intentionally as this intersection alone would cause enough safety concerns to deny the proposal in it's current form. The anxiety I have felt for the safety of my family and fellow residents has cause health problems and I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Please consider the safety concerns I have mentioned in the final assessment and remember we are not just numbers on a piece of paper or assessment metric, I cannot see the sustainability and have yet to see a cost benefit analysis that measures off of the concerns we have put forth as a community. Please don't place revenue above our safety. |
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Attachments |
fionabakersubmissiontoipc07112022pdf_redacted.pdf (PDF, 239.97 KB) maps-for-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 167.67 KB) |
Jutta Bradley
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I have three concerns about this proposal that directly affect me. 1. Traffic – I am a member of the Hunterglen community in Bolwarra Heights. Hunterglen is accessed via Hunterglen Drive which in turn is accessed from Paterson Road Bolwarra. It is already difficult to turn right from Hunterglen Drive from Paterson Road and right from Paterson Road to Hunterglen Drive during peak work and school travel periods. I am concerned that increased truck movements from the quarry will make accessing and leaving Hunterglen even more dangerous than it currently is. This is also problematic for some other suburban streets intersecting with Paterson Road. 2. Amenity – some areas of Hunterglen are already strongly impacted by noise and dust from Paterson Road. Martins Creek Quarry material is essentially being transported over rural and suburban roads from the quarry until trucks reach the New England Highway at East Maitland. These roads, and a number of historically significant bridges, are not designed for use by heavy vehicles. Landowners and homeowners that live in this area do so because of the quiet semi-rural location and amenity. Those that live near the proposed routes did not purchase their properties with the expectation that their lifestyle to be further impacted by the noise, dust and fumes that will be created by increased truck movements from the quarry. 3. There have been community concerns about Daracon’s request to increase output (and the subsequent truck movements) for years. There is a view that if the proposal is unfortunately approved, truck movements could increase beyond approved limits. To mitigate this possibility, it would be appreciated if any approval has clearly stated maximum limits and identifies strong penalties if these are breached. |
Brian Watson
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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My primary objection is to the movement of Quarry Product by 27 kilometres rural and local roads. The details of my objections are contained in the attached document. |
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Attachments |
matins-creek-quarry-submission-nov-2022-docx.docx (DOCX, 18.38 KB) |
Elizabeth Agnew
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Many factors affect the local koala population. The dust from the quarry can make leaves inedible, the extra trucks kill koalas on the road and the disturbance from the quarry ruins the habitat of these shy creatures. The traffic through Paterson is horrendous when the quarry is operating. Elderly and very young residents are in danger from the trucks when they try to cross the road. All resident's lives are impacted by the noise and the dust. The local roads were not built to take these big, fast , heavy trucks. I consider the conditions of consent of little value in real life terms. |
Tim Martin
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Please do not approve commercial activity/Profit at the expense of (established, growing and positive) COMMUNITY, AMENITY, TRAFFIC FLOW,, not only for residents and business owners in Paterson itself but for residents up and down the Paterson/Allyn river valleys. I live in Torryburn 18 km north of Paterson and as for many other residents in the region surrounding Paterson, me and my extensive family value highly the provisions of Paterson 'village': For meetings and gatherings with friends and family at any of the 3 cafes located along the main street. For obtaining petrol form the garage in the centre of the village. For dining (lunch or dinner) at either of the two hotels at either end of the village. For convenient shopping at the butcher and IGA, both located along the main road. For collecting mail/parcels at the Post Office, located on the 90 degree corner in the middle of town. For accessing the chemist or attending medical appointments with our GP. The massive increase in the number of trucks (40 per hour) travelling through Paterson (as a result of this proposal) would be CATASTROPHIC to Paterson, to the ability for residents (both near and far) to access the services/businesses in the village (as listed above) therefore economically catastrophic to the associated businesses and therefore catastrophic to the role Paterson plays as an established and vibrant Social, Community Hub. Why cant 100% of the product produced by the quarry, be transported out of the immediate area by an alternative road route or indeed by Rail. |
Dave Cleal
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Location |
New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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As a member of the local community i strongly object to the expansion of the quarry. The entire atmosphere of the beautiful eclectic town that Paterson is will be destroyed by having over 250 trucks through the town every day. I have grave concerns for the safety of our children and elderly when trying to park, get out of car and cross the road. The roads are too narrow and there are no pedestrian crossings. Businesses will suffer a lot and so will everyone's house price in the town. There will be a massive increase in dust and noise and when it rains the roads will be riddled with pot holes. I cannot understand how ministers can come to town have a look around and think that 250 trucks a year will not have a massive effect on the town of Paterson but also Bolwarra, Martins Creek, East Maitland etc. It is a matter of time before someone is killed or critically injured with this volume of B Doubles on the road. Paterson is simply not built to handle this capacity of trucks. I also don't understand why a bigger percentage of the freight was not decided on to be done by rail not trucks. This would not fix the environmental issues but would help a lot with traffic dangers, socioeconomic issues such as shops losing business and destroying the feel of the whole town. I could not ever see this project being approved through a nice town in Sydney. It is fair that you have to destroy something to get your product. |
Belinda Tennanr
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Vegetation clearance poses risks Unsustainable water management practices Lack of heritage protection |
Gaile Witt
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Location |
New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I am opposed to the increased tonnes of aggregate extracted each year from this quarry as well as the hours of haulage. This expansion will significantly impact the rural community in which I live and to date have enjoyed very much. It will be a major disruption and a significant safety issue to me and my family. The traffic congestion and road safety will impact me enormously as my property is on ⬛⬛⬛. I am extremely concerned about the safety for myself, my family and the community and feel there will be major consequences. I cannot imagine living with 40 trucks per hour driving past my front door. Surely more material could be transported by rail to a central point in an industrial area and then dispatched by truck rather than on the local roads through rural communities which will be constantly be in need of repair. This approved proposal is a major safety issue and it will be a disaster waiting to happen. The route travels past several school zones as well as child care centres. This company has a history of ignoring what has been agreed to in their previous approval. It has proven it cannot be trusted to comply with the specified truck movements as per their approval. I cannot believe the Department of Planning's Assessment Report has recommended the change of use of this site and increased the amount of extracted material transported per year. I do not oppose the quarry operating but I definitely oppose the extension of the quarry. |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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I am a visitor to Paterson from Canada, staying with our daughter, son-in-law and sons. They recently moved here to enjoy the quiet and safety of the community. I have been here for a month and in that time, I’ve walked Maitland Road several times with my little grandsons. I have grave concerns with regards to the Martin Creek quarry project and the affect it will have on the safety and economic prosperity of the residents of Paterson. The road is very narrow and even if there was sidewalks the whole length of Maitland road through the town, it would not be safe for the residents. Residents living along Maitland Road have to back into our out of their driveways. With 280 more trucks a day it would be treacherous. In the townsite of Paterson there are three cafes with outdoor seating. There is also a heritage bed and breakfast right on the corner. With up to 40 trucks per hour, it will not be very inviting to sit and enjoy a coffee or meal. These cafes and the bed and breakfast will suffer economically. House prices will be driven down and it will be hard to sell a home here. The rural roads are already in great disrepair and the proposed project will complete their decay. I would ask that those with the authority to ok this project come and walk the length of this little town and try and imagine how this project will affect the lives of those living here. |
Bianca Simon
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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To Whom it may concern: I would like to formally object to all aspects of the proposal of the expansion and change of operations of the Martins Creek Quarry as proposed by Daracon. Before having moved into the village of Paterson in September this year, I lived on my property on ⬛⬛⬛ since 2007 and have enjoyed the rural aspect, peace and quiet and wonderful village community, which all contributed to me wanting to move here. During the illegal operations of the Martin’s Creek Quarry after 2012 I got a taste of what it means for the quarry to operate at the currently proposed high volumes. • Truck and dog vehicles passing my home every 90 seconds, often driving dangerously, creating noise, vibrations, diesel fumes and constant dust. • These big trucks are always in a hurry and have no real chance of stopping when confronted with cars pulling out of one of many concealed driveways, or worse, a group of recreational pushbike riders in one of the many bends. This is a popular route for bike riders, there’s no bike-lanes and nowhere to get off the road = fatalities are inevitable • There are numerous bus stops (marked and unmarked) across the haulage route, where young children get on and off their school bus and cross the main road. With more and more developments in the greater Paterson region, traffic is becoming more dangerous already. Adding these massive trucks into the equation makes this a gamble for every person crossing the road, every day. • During the high-volume operations, I could barely leave my windows open as dust covered everything in the house on a daily basis. Trucks are meant to be covered, but the dust comes off the trucks as well as out of the empty, uncovered trucks. Silica, the fine dust from the quarry, is carcinogenic. • If the fine dust finds its way into my house, it seems obvious it will also be on my roof and will get washed into my rainwater tanks – the only water source available to me – and contaminate my drinking water. This is just from personal experience. In addition, there are many more concerns. Paterson is a small rural town that, with its charm and rich history, relies heavily on tourist trade. With a truck and dog thundering through the small town centre, navigating the ninety degree bend past the café and post office, it will longer be an idyllic escape for anyone. Everybody, including the elderly, children and disabled, have to cross this road to access the service station, take away and cafes which will never be safe. The same applies to the supermarket and butcher. Every single business in the village will be greatly impacted, as will numerous others along the haulage route. In addition to the Silica dust there is the traffic noise, truck vibration and highly toxic NOx emissions from the trucks. As well as the economy being badly affected, the property values are set to plummet, and hardworking, honest people will lose a good portion their lifesavings. All that for what? So someone can take home even more profits? Further down the line there are bottlenecks where traffic holdups are already happening in peak times (school/work traffic). Adding this insane amount of haulage trucks will make this situation even more unmanageable. The infrastructure for such a burden is simply not in place! The roads are continuously torn up and damaged, but there has been a very clear improvement after Daracon was ordered to scale back their illegal operations to approved levels after the court case. Conclusion: There are many quarries in NSW that do not have these direct detrimental effects on their communities and can supply the materials needed for infrastructure etc. We do not rely on increased production from Daracon. The company barely employs anyone from this area and the community has no benefits from their operations. None of the profits are invested in this neighbourhood. The only people profiting from the operation is the company itself. Daracon has proven to be a greedy company with absolutely no regard for the safety, well being or interests of the community whose idyllic historic village and surrounds they are planning to rape, exploit and destroy. They have ignored the law in the past, arrogantly walked over people to get what they want and will lie, evade, deceive and whatever else it takes to make their profit. To approve their application is to condone and encourage this type of behaviour as even a compromise will not stop them from finding a sneaky backway to get what they want. Please set an example and show that, at the current level of operations, they can still make money without taking our health, safety and homes from us. Is adding another few million to Daracon’s net profit really worth risking the lives, health and property of our families and destroying one of Australia’s beautiful heritage villages? |
John Krick
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposed development for a number of reasons, the chief of which is the impact that the proposed truck movements will have along the haulage routes to road safety, and to the accessibility of small businesses and of public amenities, such as Tucker Park, in Paterson. I do not believe that the impacts on pedestrians and cyclists was adequately addressed in the Traffic Impact Assessment. In assessing the impact on road safety to pedestrians, the Traffic Impact Assessment briefly mentioned footpaths in Paterson providing connection between various commercial elements, however, no mention of some being on opposite sides of the road, with no pedestrian crossing, and the proposed number of truck movements effectively preventing pedestrians from crossing one side to the other. The proposed road upgrades do nothing to address this. I am a father of four, three of which attend Paterson Public School, and am aware of a large number of children who regularly cycle around Paterson, typically from their homes, to shops in the centre of town, to Tucker Park (on the opposite side of Duke St / Maitland Rd), and to a number of other areas around the town. The TIA did not address this. The impact on queuing at the intersection of Church St and King St in Paterson does not appear to have been considered, for either the AM, nor PM peak. I believe that the impact is worth assessing, especially given that this route is used to reach the Paterson Public School, Paterson Pre-School, and a number of sporting grounds and facilities. The impact of queuing at the Paterson train crossing does not appear to have been considered in the TIA, or DPE Assessment report. Nearly every aspect of this project will have a negative impact on my family and I, given our proximity to the project, however I wouldn't object to it so strongly if I felt that it were operating at a reasonable level, with truck movements not so excessive. I do not believe that the recommended conditions of consent adequately prevent, mitigate or offset the many adverse impacts from the proposed development. |
Ross Galvin
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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We live 50 meters from Gresford road, the traffic is bad enough without the substantial number of vehicular movements directly and indirectly proposed for the extension. The impacts of dust, blast and operation noise on the community Can not be put onto paper. How do you re-hab a mountain that has been mined after 25 plus years of operation? It would never look the same. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I object to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry details below: Professor Barlow asked a question re tourism during the week in the Paterson. Personally, we spend this time to meet with friends at the Riverside Café, to enjoy the valley views with local friends as well as friends and relatives from Maitland, Morpeth, Cessnock, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie etc who love to drive here and enjoy the serene country life style. We have to get there early to get a table or book ahead as it can be very crowded. We are mostly retired and love meeting Paterson. Numerous cyclists visiting the cafes during the week, all year round but especially in the warmer months. We have also meet for breakfasts in Tucker Park with the relatively new BBQ facilities and amenities. Vintage car and motor bike clubs regularly visit Paterson. Paterson will not survive the proposed 280 truck movements a day. There have been incidents with accidents at the corner of Duke and King St in Paterson. The businesses in Paterson will lose their out of area patrons who come to relax at the bed and breakfasts, cafes and art gallery. There are no pedestrian crossings in Paterson and when the railway gates are closed the number of trucks will build up on either side of the line meaning there will be a constant stream of traffic and convoys of quarry trucks when the gates reopen. Below are a couple of comments from past patrons at the CBC B&B, (now Paterson Lodge) on TripAdvisor. “take your earplugs: the train and large trucks were noisy early on Monday morning” March 2017 “If you want a night's rest do not stay here. We did for 4 nights and between trains and trucks the noise was dreadful” Oct 2012 Haul Route 1 – The Gostwyck Bdge (1877) a single lane heritage bridge maintained by the Transport NSW formerly RMS, has stated that it considers increased traffic volumes that a dual lane two-way bridge would be required at this location to comply with current design guidelines. There are several other heritage bridges in our “local” area. These include but are not limited to the one lane heritage timber Dunmore Bdge (lift bdge 1899) at Woodville, Morpeth (1896), Hinton (lift bdge 1901) and Clarence Town (1880, currently load limited to 40 tonnes and under). RMS had reservations re the proposed new access from the quarry which includes a new bridge over the railway line and new road intersection at Dungog Rd, as the intersection not complying with the Austroads Guide to Road Design, sight distance for all movements at the intersection and approach sight distance to the intersection, access to private properties, proximity to trees and property boundary fences. Primary Haul Route 1 – Dungog, Maitland and Port Stephens are maintaining Regional Roads on Haul Route 1. Current traffic, especially at peak hour, on Flat Rd, Pitnacree Rd, Melbourne St and the New England Hwy is at maximum capacity now. Currently long queues on Pitnacree/Flat Rd and Melbourne St in peak hour and Melbourne and Lawes St East Maitland, add 40 truck and dogs per hour will bring this traffic to a standstill and trucks will probably try and speed up their trips by using local roads in East Maitland, eg Lawes St. Primary Haul Route 1 - Tocal Rd meets Paterson Rd at Bolwarra and will combine with the truck and dogs coming from the Brandy Hill Quarry. From what I experienced at that intersection, its an accident waiting to happen. (I’m so pleased my grandchildren no longer attend Bolwarra Primary School and I don’t have to drop them to school and pick them up from school.) Daracon is not seeking approval for their earlier proposed Haul Route 2 (but it will be used for “LOCAL” deliveries) Butterwick Rd, Clarence Town Rd, Brandy Hill Dr and Seaham Rd, to Raymond Terrace. The condition of these country roads is not good, in particular Butterwick Rd and Clarencetown Rd. Haul Route 2 also includes the historic Iron Lattice Paterson River Bridge, south of Paterson (1887). Living on Butterwick Rd I dread having to slow down or stop on Clarencetown Rd when turning right into Butterwick Rd and having truck and dogs crossing the fog line and passing me on my left-hand side (this is not an overtaking lane). I hold my breath waiting to turn, hoping I don’t get side swiped and get pushed into the path of oncoming vehicles on Clarencetown Rd or out of Butterwick Rd. Follow the loaded truck and dogs travelling along Butterwick Rd and you will observe the dog trailer slipping off the left-hand side of the road even when the truck is travelling the correct distance from the edge of the road due to incorrect cambers in places along this road. This causes road damage. You will observe the failure of trucks to stay on their side of the road and comply with the speed limit. Often you will approach a blind corner only to be confronted with a quarry truck coming the other direction over the unbroken centre line at speed. Daracon state Haulage Route 2 is only going to be used to service “local” contracts. Who knows how many truck and dog combinations that will not only be from Daracon, but also contractor’s trucks who Daracon have publicly stated they would have no control over. The lack of approval means Daracon can run as many truck movements as it chooses along this route. Remember, Daracon has failed to abide by its consent conditions in the past and cannot be trusted to only use this route to service “local” jobs. Who is going to ensure Daracon comply with their conditions of approval? Health is a huge issue as air quality cannot be guaranteed and long term and short term exposure to Particulate Matter causes health issues. PM2.5 particles are small enough they can embed deep in the lungs and bloodstream causing lung and heart disease. PM10 particles are small enough to be inhaled, passing through the nose, throat and into to lungs causing serious respiratory diseases. Many homes in our area that don’t have access to town water and use drinking water from rain water tanks. Water running into tanks carries dust which can contain heavy metals which will contaminate drinking water, albeit in possible small quantities. Situated between Martins Creek Quarry and Brandy Hill Quarry, not good when the wind is blowing! Daracon will be emitting noise from the quarry: train loading 24 hours 7 days per week, general maintenance and environmental management control (unspecified). We currently have noise from the Brandy Hill Quarry crusher. Daracon specify that there will be no crushing or processing prior to 7:00am Monday to Saturday but will this work still finish at 10:00pm? It was unclear from the Revised Development Application when work ceases at night. Daracon specify there will be no pugmill mixing and binder delivery 7:00am Monday to Saturday but will this work still finish at 10:00pm Monday to Friday and 6:00pm Saturday? Daracon specify there will be no loading of product trucks prior to 7:00am Monday to Friday but will they still be loading them at 7:00pm? Will Daracon still be stockpiling for road transport from 5:30am to 7:00pm Monday to Saturday? Martins Creek, Paterson and Vacy and on clear nights possibly Butterwick, Duns Creek, Tocal could be exposed to this noise. Noise can have negative effects with loss of sleep and stress. Daracon, demonstrated they can’t be trusted to follow their conditions of approval. Land disturbance (whatever that cleared area may be), will have a devastating impact on Flora & Fauna. Former Federal Minister for Environment, Sussan Ley approved Brandy Hill Quarry clearing 52 ha of Koala habitat, other native fauna & flora habitat. A large loss of habitat in light of the devastation of bushfires 2019/2020 and will possibly contribute to extinction of fauna & flora. Direct distance from Martins Creeks Quarry to Brandy Hill Quarry approx 10km. On 20 May 2022, the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) published its final determination to list the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) as an endangered species under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) (BC Act). Granting approval for these changes for the next 25 years who will be responsible adherence to the conditions of their approval? The response from the Dept P & E to the IPC, 2nd day of the Tocal meeting, indicated it will be left to the community to report any “alleged violations” to DeptmP & E complaints dept. Daracon’s past performance has shown them exceeding their previous conditions of approval with little regard for the community, especially Martins Creek and Paterson, and those along the haulage routes. Daracon seem to have forgotten their current conditions of operation date from when Martins Creek Quarry was operated as a rail ballast quarry. Located in an ideal position for this purpose adjacent to the Main North Coast Rail Line. Not for the supposed superior quality of the rock as Daracon would have you believe. This is the same rock strata as the hard rock sourced from other hard rock quarries in our area. Daracon are guilty of “window dressing” when they carry out comparisons between the claimed operations of the new application and previous operations at the quarry. This is because the quarry was even then operating illegally outside of their license. These calculations benefit Daracon. When Martins Creek Quarry was operated by State Rail it co-existed with the local community with very little impact. I’ve experienced blasting while baby sitting in Martins Creek, feels like an earthquake. Mayor of Dungog Shire Council, John Connors, stressed the infrastructure required to operate under a new approval must be completed prior to the commencement of the new conditions and not in the ambiguous timeframe the application. He feels if it is not completed before commencement it will become the responsibility of the Council to complete. To approve the Martins Creek Quarry Project with the conditions applied for, for the next 25 years is untenable. |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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Major concerns around traffic in the local area! |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I used to live in Martins Creek and am well aware of the impact of trucks, noise, road damage etc . I was on the river and would hate to see the river quality and flora and fauna damaged by poor management and excessive activities. |
Adam Long
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I am a community member, I have a 3yr old starting pre school and have concerns that driving to and from pre school will now become dangerous as peek hrs will be in the morning , concerns also for wild life habitat, road deterioration, safety of sharing small roads with big trucks, elderly motorists are scared also of sharing roads with trucks may have freedom and self dependence taken from them, businesses will also suffer and degradation of heritage building due to large loads vibration, I have many concerns and see no benefit. We feel bullied which leads to much anxiety and health problems, also environmental impact on martins creek |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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I am a resident on one of the main roads for trucks to move from and to Paterson. I live on ⬛⬛⬛ This is an already busy residential road and is getting busier due to increased residential traffic. The properties along the proposed route are already subject to noise and air pollution. This would increase to intolerable levels, as it has in the past when Daracon used this road to illegally transport volumes of quarry materials that are comparable to what they want to do now. When this had happened, it took me up to 10 minutes to cross the road to reach mu school bus and then I had to run before trucks. The trucks started going past my house empty early in the morning and the noise inside the house could only be tolerated with closed windows. I could not use the outside at all due to the noise and the air pollution. The outside table and deck was always coated with a black layer and breathing difficulties were increased. If Daracon is allowed to run this volume of trucks again it will impact everyone living along the route and also in estates along the road due to traffic congestion and increased air pollution. Daracon has a ready build rail line from the quarry to Maitland and should use this to transport all their material. During a meeting years back the reason Daracon stated for not using the rail line was that they would lose A$ 1 profit per tonne. This says enough about the contempt Daracon has for impacted residents. In this time of increased environmental awareness I hope that the right decision for residents, the environment and the future is made and the proposal, as it is now, is declined. |
Kellie Brown
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Organisation |
K.J Brown Pty Ltd |
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I have read the assessment and don't believe it reflects the scale of the problems associated with this inappropriate and un wanted development. |
robyn burgmann
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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My Husband and myself are the owners of Paterson Service Station. We have owned the business since 1989 (33years). Description of business and what we contribute to our busy community. Mechanical repairs ,rego checks, tyre fitting etc. Supply animal products for all of our farm animals. Gas refils and ice. Cafe (Riverview Deck). serving breakfast, lunch and all in between. ( At present we are sometimes serving 50 meals a day and over 100 coffees). Gift room and small nursery. ( We purchase our plants, trees etc from 2 local wholesale nurseries here in Paterson). So as you can see we are a very busy hub of our town, road and foot traffic has doubled in the last 10 years. The introduction of 280 extra truck movements through our town and beyond is ludicrous and will create, Danger to children ( school pickups) both in town and surrounding areas. Crossing roads. ( the introduction of a pedestrian crossing will not help) Dust and noise. ( back in 2014 when Daracon were transporting through town you could not hold a conversation outside) you took your life in your hands just crossing the road. Traffic buildup trucks and dogs convoy through town and especially when the railway gates close to allow for trains passing through backing all the way to the blind corner of church street. The corner of Duke and King street, another danger zone. We have a doctors surgery and chemist in king street, parking now is at a premium the proposed car park will not help. The car park will be at a main T intersection where there is no where to turn except for people to take the easy exit through the bottom of King street through Tucker Park. Tucker Park is used daily and is the only playground for children. This proposal is causing huge mental health issues for all. We will be impacted both at work and home as we live outside the town of Vacy and we hear the blasting from the quarry. We totally understand the need for progress we would not have survived for so long without it. As the Martins Creek Quarry is one of the only quarries that are lucky to have a railway line right into quarry then the only way to transport should be solely by rail. Please do not allow any road transporting to occur and destroy our beautiful homes, lifestyle, business and towns. thankyou Robyn Burgmann * Rego checks. * Tyre fitting. * We sell animal products. ( So |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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My submission disappeared of the screens ? |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I will be affected in Bolwarra |
Michael Dooley
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I am absolutely apposed to the expansion to Martins Creek Quarry in regard to an increase in truck movements.. Paterson is a pristine country area where people like me have moved to for peace and quiet and a quality of life. I have lived experience with the proposed increase in Truck movements when Martins Creek Quarry illegally increased their haulage by road. During this time, at 645 AM, trucks were parking along Tocal Rd in every spare side of the road space they could find. Two to three trucks can be seen parking together all along Tocal Road waiting for their turn to enter the Quarry. I witnessed first hand, the amount of trucks using our local roads. It was mind boggling that this could be happening. The whole area of Paterson became inundated by trucks and the area depicted an industrial estate. This destroyed our local amenity and became dangerous for pedestrians in Paterson town. The local roads deteriorated rapidly and the bitumen crazed and broke up. Potholes appeared daily and avoiding more windscreen damage was a daily task. Driving in a 100 kilometer an hour limit along Tocal Road and having to go 30 to 40 kilometers an hour up the hills behind trucks is very frustrating and I have seen many people take life threatening risks to pass them. It is to my informed understanding that the proposed increase will imitate what our community has endured by Daracon during their total disregard for our community during the period they illegally increased truck movements. Our local Councils are apposed to Daracons application for increased truck movements as is the community here. I have watched the entirety of the IPC commission hearing and agree with the community members concerns raised to the commission also. If any expansion is approved then the haulage must be via trains. Paterson is 26 kilometers from The New England Highway.. Quarries and such need to be in very close proximity to highways and Freeways so they do not negatively impact communities. I also am very mindful of the socioeconomic impacts it will have if approved..It will have a negative impact on real estate in Paterson and along the haul route. Paterson is a gateway to the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops which is becoming busier with tourism each year. This area has increased in population and traffic significantly since I have moved here 12 years ago and is continuing to increase rapidly with the rezoning of Land by Paterson Council for small acerage subdivisions.. The current community and the expansion of population and a large quarry in this area cannot coexist. Our living standards must be upheld. I ask you sir or madam to please not allow our lives to be very negatively impacted by increased truck movements. Please listen to our community and don’t allow this to happen. Best regards. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Paterson is a rural village immediately affected by the quarry expansion in the following ways - pedestrian safety - school Child commute safety - school bus safety - village parking safety - proposed pedestrian crossing will severely restrict business function and parking capacity - many social expenses for no financial gain for the town businesses or occupants - downturn in town morale and esteem - noise and environmental pollution in a rural village not designed for such business I am a medical doctor with a sustainable farming business who lives and works in Paterson. The proposed development is against the values and beliefs of virtually all constituents of our town. This development offers no benefit to us, while coming with a vast array of drawbacks. Our infrastructure is not fit for this. The aged and the young of our communities safety is placed at risk, and the economic function of our town is cast aside in this development. The allure of living in Paterson is the quiet and peace this village provides us. I see no aspect of this expansion that has merit to our village or deserves our communities support. |
David Elbourn
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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My name is David Elbourn and I live on the corner of ⬛⬛⬛. However my wife and grew up in Martins Creek and in fact my father in law worked in the quarry for over 30 years when it was state owned. I am not against the development of the quarry and appreciate economic benefits of the development. The problem .... My concern is the mode of transport for the quarry product, that is by road when the quarry already has rail access. My direct concerns are as follows: 1. The majority of the trucks movements will need to drive past our home which is a suburban road that is definitely not designed for this level of heavy vehicle truck movements. 2. The Bolwarra school is located on Bolwarra Rd. Between 8.30-9.15 am and 3pm to 3.45pm these additional truck movements will present considerable danger to parents and children entering and exiting Bolwarra Rd from Paterson Rd. Of absolute concern will be stationary south bound cars waiting to enter into Bolwarra Rd with no dedicated turning lane at the bottom of a hill with fully laden gravel truck coming down the hill and limited ability to get around them. This will certainly result in a horrific rear end accident. As a Accountant, the developers focus on road transport is clearly about numbers. The use of road transport will be cheaper than using a combination of rail and road but at what cost.... What's the costs of the degradation of the suburban roads system and the associated noise pollution or the fatal accidents that may arise from heavy vehicles using these suburban roads? The solution ...... Wouldn't it be much smarter to use the existing rail infrastructure and transport the quarry product to a rail depot near a road network that is designed for heavy vehicles.....(like they did when my father in law worked in the quarry for 30 years ) By all means approve the quarry but the developer should use the smart approach to transport of quarry product not the most cost effective to them and let others pay for their cost savings. Thank you David |
Stephen Tennant
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed quarry does not protect rural lands, does not promote the principles of ecologically sustainable development and sustainable water management, does not protect, England and provide for biological diversity and does not protect agricultural land from the adverse impacts from non agricultural land uses. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
It would have a significant impact to the local community in maintaining a rural aspect and encouraging people to visit the area and move to the area. I have witnessed the dangerous driving of some truck drivers which will never be monitored. The road and general community is not suitable for such traffic. There are better options that make more sense and I find it ridiculous that in these times that they are not progressing to achieve a sustainable movement of products that have less impact on the community. An accident will occur and prevention should be priority rather than money. I am sure many of the executives involved in the application would not approve of this occurring in their own backyard. Let common sense and decency prevail. |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To Whom it may concern. As a long-term resident of Martins Creek, I wish to object to Daracons proposed expansion to the Martins Creek quarry on the grounds below: 1: Daracons previous compliance to license requirements. I believe, due to local experience in previous years that Daracons contractual supply obligations appear to outweigh license requirements and I have been given no reason to believe this attitude will not change regardless on the effect to the local community. (If a mining company had a similar disregard and massively exceeded the requirements in the license to operate, that license would be withdrawn) I believe it would be remiss to grant a license to a company who appears to publicly display total disregard to the previous license conditions that within they are required to operate, and a total disregard to residents' concerns raised regarding their noncompliance. 2: Traffic issues in Dungog Shire Gostwyk Bridge is a historically significant single lane bridge which requires high maintenance due to its age, this is only amplified when trucking levels return to Daracons allegedly illegal extraction levels previously encountered. When Gostwyk bridge has been under repair previously, trucks diverted through Horn's Crossing Road turning left onto another historic one lane bridge spanning the Paterson River leading to Vacy. This bridge also requires constant repairs that no doubt varies in relation to the amount of traffic that it encounters. The traffic issues at Paterson should be well documented though other submissions, so I will not expand. In closing, I personally do not disagree with the operation of Martins Creek Quarry and see benefits to continued operation by a responsible operator. From what I have witnessed in my time as a resident, I do not consider Daracon as a responsible operator of a quarry in this area. Thank you for your consideration Kind Regards |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT IPC assessment report is inaccurate in its description of historic mining tonnages. Previous maximum was 400 000 tpa and that level was rarely approached. During its period of illegal extraction Daracon demonstrated how onerous the proposed tonnage would be, namely damage to roads, congestion from 5am through the day, tailgating gangs of trucks, noise, dust throughout the route south from Martin's Creek towards East Maitland. Haulage directly effects: Martin's Creek, Vacy, Gresford, Paterson, Tocal, Mindaribba, Bolwarra, Pitnacree and East Maitland at least. Projects may expose neighbourhoods to the east and south. On those occasions Paterson and surrounds was akin to being inside a quarry. It was dangerous as a driver, cyclist & pedestrian. I feared for my health & safety, as well as for children & the elderly locally. Damage to roads impacts tourism (vintage cars, motorcycles, caravans) & locals' vehicles. The very appearance of the town suffered with grey dust coating everything. Conversation was not possible out of doors. In short, it was horrendous. SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS Due to the above environmental impacts, housing prices will reduce and it will be difficult to leave the area. RECOMMENDATIONS Approval be nulled. OR Maximum annual tonnage set permanently at 400 000 tonnes. Alternative haulage route be constructed. OR Independent pedestrian & cycle paths be constructed from Martin's Creek, via Paterson through to Easy Maitland. To be constructed before mining resumes. An independent ranger be funded to police compliance due to Daracon's history of non compliance. Under no circumstances allow 14hr train loading due to noise & dust pollution in quiet rural setting. Regarding Community Liaison by Daracon. I recently was visited by this officer, unannounced on my property for the first time ever despite residing on a neighbouring property. From conversation it was evident that this officer knew nothing of the history of Daracon's illegal operations, including quarrying & processing at 2am on a Monday morning. It was evident this person was glad handing the community & had a poor understanding of the impacts of quarrying. Daracon & Community Consultation are oxymoronic. It has been clear at all points that Daracon is interested in profit & has little regard for honesty or compliance with regilations. Self policing under these circumstances is laughable. Approving 500 000t per annum may well profit others, but will come at an intolerable cost to local citizens. Datacon will never cease trying to expand o once approval is given. Every effort should be made to limit their potential for destruction. NB: I am very concerned that the IPC has made a decision of preliminary approval despite massive and prolonged community opposition. Further, that the report seeks to portray Martin's Creek as already having been exposed to proposed increased tonnage while claiming employment will be generated. It is mut opinion that IPC has demonstrated deceitful & dishonest conduct. Further, IPC ignored a professionally ecological assessment of the likely negative impacts of increased quarrying. I conclude that the assessment report is biased & written too support the decision to support the application. I will agitate for legal action against IPC as had been spoken of in parliament. |
Chantal Redman
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Organisation |
STOK Marine Pty Ltd |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the expansion of the quarry at Martins Creek. I have the lived experience of living near a quarry, this being the quarry owned by Hanson at Brandy Hill. I live on the hill overlooking this quarry and I feel every blast as it makes my house rattle. My tank water is polluted. At times the dust emanating from the quarry is of great concern as I have 3 young children who have now developed breathing difficulties. I also regularly travel the road into and around Maitland. What an imposition it will be to all users of this road network. I face the extra dangers on the roads when I take my children to swim or tennis lessons. The added heavy haulage on our roads will also have a devastating affect on biodiversity. Koalas are regularly hit and killed along our roads and the numbers of these fatalities and injuries will only increase with additional traffic. The cumulative affect of expanding the Martins Creek quarry, along with several other currently operating and several planned quarries for this local area, will have a detrimental affect on the socio-economic appeal of this area, along impacting the social amenity of our home which we all hold so dear. This sort of development does not balance with current or future community needs. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads through this area have never and will never be widened or sturdy enough to tolerate this amount of industrial traffic. It takes in many residential areas of which are both rural and semi rural. These roads over the 19 years I have lived here have not substantially changed in design but yet the growth of residential traffic has changed and increased dramatically. The continued buildup of traffic, especially at certain locations and times is becoming quite a nightmare. I’ve seen numerous accidents and many more near misses due to the constant flow of traffic congestion. Adding to this with such large amounts of industry traffic will most certainly increase accidents as the ability to get in and out of estates becomes more difficult. Adding more trucks will also create more blind spots due to their size and mass. This also doesn’t take into account the continuing problems with potholes and therefore roadwork/road blocks this will then create. The limited road space and ongoing roadwork we are seeing now just due to localised flooding will become exponentially worse with the highly increased heavy vehicle traffic. The area was always know for its quiet peaceful lifestyle, but this amount of industrial traffic will certainly we notably louder and therefore creating a less appealing way of life for its residents. Hence the on flow effect on property value is bound to be substantially noticeable. I’m certain I wouldn’t purchase again in such a heavy traffic area laden with trucks constantly up and down its main thoroughfare. My daughter has also just moved out to martins creek Rd in Paterson. As I sat there last week I was feeling very blessed for the serene surroundings she’s lucky enough to live in. But getting there had been a horrible trip of dodge the huge potholes that could swallow a small vehicle. The amount of these obviously would not get better with such a huge increase on that road. The effect to the local waterways which pass near their home and the creek which runs through it worries me. They plan to add more animals to their lifestyle over the coming years and any kind of contamination of ground water and the atmosphere will definitely effect them directly and any future grandchildren i may have will therefore have both dangerous roads and poor air/water quality to contend with. Of late I have had discussions with many friends/family etc about the lack of indigenous education my generation was afforded by our past systems. I feel cheated of knowing more about more country’s true rich history and the correct ways we should address and honour our indigenous elders. This is something our country has not only taken from them but from people like me. I’m trying to educate myself on these things now and the disturbance of any type of cultural relic’s, activity’s and sacred areas offends me greatly. This can not happen. If there is even a small chance there are areas of cultural importance then this should never get a green light. Haven’t we lost enough? I understand that companies want to grow and expand. I understand that expansion creates jobs and wealth. But at what cost is money more important than our rural society. It’s getting more and more pillaged and the way in which it is replenished is noticeably underwhelming throughout the Hunter. Let’s not let another beautiful location be ruined beyond repair. Surely there is a better way to look at this situation. I fed that other options have not been given substantial enough consideration and the only way to force these options to be found and considered is to reject the current proposal put forward and lay down some bigger boundaries that must be met before reconsideration |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My objection to the proposal submitted by Daracon is primarily concerned with the increase in heavy vehicle traffic on local roads, specifically through Paterson. I am worried about the effect that the increase in heavy traffic will have on the ability of Paterson to attract tourists and small business and also the effect on the livability of the town. It is astounding to think that such a high frequency of heavy trucks would be allowed to travel on unsuited roads and through small towns. Safety is my primary concern and the effect it has on the livability of the Paterson village. I have two children who are aged two and eight. I am already anxious when we go out in Paterson. If we need to cross Duke St we need to be exceedingly vigilant. There is a chicane at a pinch point where Prince and Dukes Streets meet. This bend in the road makes it impossible to see coming traffic when crossing from the west side of Duke St. The chicane isn’t sharp enough to slow vehicles coming and at 50km/hr they appear at great speed. There are no crossings on this road and no plans for any that I know of. The road as it is, is already dangerous and I need to keep my children on a tight leash. A busy road will discourage walking as a means of transport in paterson and will hinder the opportunities for older children to act more independently. This pinch point of the road is also where a great deal of noise is created, particularly by empty trucks heading north as the road is rough and the truck and dogs make an enormous racket. Trying to sleep or get young children to take a nap is made hard by this noise. The trucks are a reliable alarm clock and always wake me up on days when they run, if I’m asleep. The noise created by the trucks will also surely have a negative impact on small businesses in Paterson. There is a bed and breakfast in Paterson at an intersection that the trucks will turn at. From my own experience being woken by the trucks I can only imagine their customers may have the same experience. The main road through paterson has a steady stream of day visitors, who often stop at the small businesses in paterson. An increase of heavy vehicle traffic on this narrow road will discourage people from parking here and taking a break at one of the road side businesses. Once again the issue of increased heavy vehicle traffic and pedestrians becomes apparent particularly during school holidays when there is an increase in visitors to the area. Finally there is the issue of the suitability of the roads for use by a large number of heavy vehicles. Many of the roads in the area are narrow and have no shoulder. The road headed north out of paterson has no shoulder or at best a soft shoulder. The roads are not only used by motor vehicles but also cyclist, not only locals but many which travel from outside of the area to ride in the Dungog Shire. The increasingly popular mountain biking and gravel riding scene is attracting more road cyclist. The roads with no shoulder are particularly dangerous to slow moving traffic being overtaken by trucks pulling trailers. The risk to cyclist is again increased by the number of potholes which are exacerbated by heavy vehicles. My focus is primarily on paterson and the issues of safety created by a large number of heavy vehicles moving through residential areas on unsuited roads. The livability for locals and attractiveness to tourists will be severely damaged by an increase in heavy vehicle traffic. |
Melanie Callaghan
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Tocal/Paterson road and surroundings areas are not equipped to manage increase in truck traffic. I am especially concerned for children and families that use this area daily to get to/from school, and for vehicular traffic during peak times for safe entry onto Paterson road. My family and I will be directly impacted by the increase traffic. Significant investment into roads and rail corridors are required with consideration to safety and the environment. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Hi, I lived in Hilldale while the quarry was open last time the trucks on our road were so dangerous. The noise, dust and road quality was so bad. I had so many broken windscreens on my car while the quarry was opened and I have noticed this hasn't been an issue. Crossing the road in Paterson is not safe while those big trucks come rolling in. Someone will be killed by these trucks it's only a matter of time. Regards Summah Lagettie |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Dear Commission, I object to the Assessment on the grounds that the Department: 1. has failed to account for all the community feedback given when trucks were operating outside of the rules (about 400000 - 500000 tons per year) 2. has not protected the community sufficiently from the effects of what will be an horrendous 280 trucks per day 3. appears to have given the Daracon submission undue weight 4. has failed to exercise it's duty of care to the community. thank you |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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I am living in my parents house on ⬛⬛⬛ and have experienced the traffic, noise and air pollution in 2014 during the times Daracon operated similar truck movements (illegally!). The noise in our house was terrible and the air pollution left black layers over all outside structures of the house. Getting out of the driveway to go to the school bus was dangerous and the trucks rattled through constantly, often at speeds exceeding the speed limit. My parents complained to Daracon about the drivers and were told that they are subcontractors and Daracon was not responsible for them. I do not want any return to these times, we could not have any open windows or use the deck and the pool in summer. This is not an industrial area, but a semi rural one and residents have chosen this area for a reason. My parents have spend a lot of money on their house and while we accept that the road is busy due to people living along the way, it is not made for this heavy industrial traffic. Daracon can use the rail they have and they should be made to transport all their gravel on this. The people of Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra, Lorn and all of Maitland should not be made to pay for the greed of one man. I strongly oppose the proposal and hope that common sense prevails. |
scott collins
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I believe the development will adversely affect all residents in the surrounding areas. My main objections is for the amount of truck movements, dust pollution and noise it will add to the rural road infrastructure. These are not well maintained highways they are rural country roads. They aren't able to support such a high number of truck movements. Paterson town has a rail crossing that the trucks hurtle across creating noise and dust pollution. They destroy the road surface either side of the crossing. They back traffic up through the town center whenever the train barriers are lowered. We know this as fact we have seen it before The right angle turn in the center of town is particularly dangerous. The trucks with dog trailers especially cut the corner due to the sharpness of the turn and the lack of room to run wide without going onto the wrong side of the road. We know this as fact we have seen it before. There is a bus stop on both sides close to the corner where school children congregate waiting for the bus. The truck drivers are not concerned with the safety of the children at these stops. They are on schedules and they bustle through town no matter the time of day. We know this as fact we have seen it before. We aren't talking hypotheticals we have lived through this before. The town center was dusty noisy and down right dangerous. This wasn't at the scale of the current development application. The trucks will increase the number of vehicles on the roads causing issues with turning in and out of side streets. Tocal businesses are especially dangerous. The college turn has the Local Land Service opposite and is dangerous with the amount of traffic proposed trying to navigate the way through all while traveling at 80km an hour. The scale of this development is ridiculous. There isn't an easy route for the trucks to take from the quarry to major highway infrastructure. It is all rural roads leading to built up areas of Maitland. The traffic will be horrendous during the busy hours after work and school drop off. It will adversely affect the people of Bolwarra, Lorn and east Maitland getting anywhere in a reasonable amount of time. I object whole heartedly to this development being pushed on the local community. Daracon has shown they do not care at all about the local community. They cannot be trusted to follow any development restrictions and recommendations. We have seen their record before. We know what this development will mean for our town and community we have seen it before. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Garbology |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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We live at Maitland Vale and we are part of the Bolwarra and Paterson community. We shop in Paterson, play sport in Paterson and our two girls get on and off the school bus using Tocal Road. The increase in traffic and noise will clearly change the community and increase the risk to safety of motorists and pedestrians in both Paterson and Bolwarra and Bolwarra Heights. I have a lot of family history in the Paterson township going back five generations and it saddens me that a village with such history and appeal can be limited so severely when other options for extracting the gravel exist. The operator has had a very clear track record of not abiding by any restrictions. The community will be saddened and enraged if the government expects the operator to abide by any restrictions in the future. I would have thought the track record of ignoring limits would have made this decision very easy. |
Michelle Collins
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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The ridiculous amount of truck movement a day through Paterson Valley in the proposed quarry expansion will be devastating for this country community. Not only is the commute to work for many if the community aversely affected, the quiet rural aspect is completely demolished with the noise, pollution and the danger of even crossing the small single lane road running through the Paterson town. Not to mention the destruction of the already poor road conditions. Paterson and surrounds has substantial historical value and offer the broader community an opportunity to visit and enjoy the quiet country experience the area is renowned for. The proposed expansions will be a detriment to all of these aspects of our town. |
Ailsa Clarke
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I am concerned about the size, speed and number of extra vehicles using local roads. I worry about the safety of people and wildlife and the state of the road surfaces. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Queen Street PATERSON NSW I strongly object to the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry aggregate output. The NSW Department of Planning has erred in its decision to recommend approval of the amended development application. Insufficient weighting has been given to the community and the infrastructure damage that will result from the haulage of half a million tons of aggregate on the largely 19th Century road network that must be used by the haulage trucks. I have personally experienced two incidents of ‘road rage’ involving quarry trucks on the Dungog Road ‘Gostwick’ bridge during the last mass quarry extraction event. I now avoid this road. This bridge, dating from the 1890’s, was never designed (nor was it envisaged) to carry loads of 30+ tonnes. It is now a single lane and requires ‘courtesy’ to use. This quality is sometimes lacking from haulage drivers with tight schedules and quotas. The largely wooden bridge is a weak link in their haulage route and it will fail. South of the quarry the haulage route must pass through the 19th Century roads of Paterson village. The numerous and well documented (and reported) infrastructure issues as presented to the Commissioners at Tocal on November 7th & 8th must be taken into account. Increased road haulage will cause a serious social fragmentation to our local community. Paterson village is already suffering traffic congestion from the steady increase in urban development that the Paterson Valley has attracted. Introducing 200 trucks a day as per the SSDA will cause irreparable harm to the social fabric of the food and business community. Casual tourism, which supports some of the businesses will be directly affected and driven away. My business relies heavily on being able to utilize the services of the local Post Office. Without the trucks, there is often already a delay in crossing at the King/Duke Street intersection. With more trucks that will become a significant problem. The road through the Paterson village is quite unsuitable as a haulage route. Ultimately there will be an accident due to the heavy usage of this thoroughfare. Mitigation issues as put forward in the SSDA are totally inadequate. To sum up: • The road network will not handle the increases sought. The infrastructure is incapable of supporting this volume of road haulage. • The village of Paterson cannot handle the proposed volume of truck movements and lives and businesses will be put at risk. • If the proposed volume of ‘aggregate product’ is really so desperately needed then ship it by rail to a centralized distribution point (or several). • The increased noise and dust from both production and loading (either rail or road) must be a serious impost on persons living near the quarry who are either long term residents or those who took up residence prior to this planned amendment. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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I have many issues with amount of trucks passing through the town of Paterson. I work in a local, family owned business and the impact on my employment will be greatly affected by the congestion, noise and air pollution of the trucks will cause. While a parking area has been nominated for people wanting to shop or visit Paterson, it will not be enough in our busy times, as parking is already at a premium. A pedestrian crossing will cause more delays in transition around the town, in conjunction with the railway lights, people needing to go from one side of town to the other and the increasing amount of truck traffic. The air quality will decrease significantly with trucks slowly passing through town or while the idle waiting to be able to move through the proposed pedestrian crossing. This is increased traffic also puts at risk the safety of our elderly community members and the young children that are a part of growing community. The inability of customers being able to find a car park, or being able to safely cross the road while attempting to shop at many of our amenities will decrease revenue for the local businesses, which will filter down to loss of jobs for many of our locals that work in the Paterson Township. The increased truck traffic will also slight the image and allure of moving to and buying businesses and homes in our area; decreasing the value of our properties and businesses for which we all work hard to maintain and achieve. The constant stress of being able to come out of intersections to get to work on time and safely, the worry of money and potential loss of value on our estates, the concern for safety of our children and elderly family members will affect our mental health and well being. I am already unable to understand why Daracon aren't using the existing railway line for transport of their material and think they have to congest and risk the livelihoods and safety of people living in local communities. The trucks passing through our town often don't slow down enough on our streets and cut corners. They provide no financial support to our community by stopping to buy lunch or groceries in our businesses and this constant threat of overrunning our community of Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Tradespeople, Farmers, small business owners (just to list a few) has already begun to take a toll on the mental and physical well being of us all. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission: Martins Creek Quarry Project I’m writing to express my opposition to Daracon’s expansion of the quarry in Martins Creek. I live on⬛⬛⬛ and I’m one of many residents directly affected by the quarry operations. The road I live on is designated to become the Primary Haul Route. What Daracon is proposing in its amended application and the conditions that the Dept of Planning applied have notaddressed the very important issues previously raised by myself and hundreds of other affected residents; the proposed quarry expansion is still not compatible with the location of the quarry and its proximity to historical villages and townships and recreational and tourist activities associated with these semi-rural settlements. It’s in a striking contrast to community expectations and its right to peaceful life, uninterrupted sleep, safety on the roads and clean air and water. I’m very concerned about the following issues: Noise Noise from trucks travelling on Tocal Rd starts about 6 am, often earlier. The empty-bodied rattling trucks travelling on a country road are extremally noisy. The full trucks are not much better. We had all our windows replaced to double-glazed, but it didn’t help. The noise is relentless. It would be impossible to open windows, work in the garden or do any outdoor activity when 40 trucks drive in front of the house per hour in addition to all the regular daily traffic. This has had extremely negative impact on our quality of life and wellbeing. Traffic and Road Safety The current traffic level on Tocal, and especially Paterson and Flat Rd is already proving to be challenging, and in many instances unsafe. Adding hundreds of trucks to the current volume of vehicles is just unthinkable. Within less then 2 km of our house there are number of hazards that would pose a serious safety issue, e.g. - Turning into our driveway - The trucks often travel in convoys, they are frequently speeding and tailgating, making a turn into and out of our driveway a life hazard. We were nearly killed once by a speeding truck swaying to the wrong side of Tocal Rd; there are many “near-misses” to report. - Paterson and Tocal Rd merger near the BP station is already hard to navigate, driving in a small car amongtrucks travelling from Martins Creek quarry and meeting trucks travelling from Brandy Hill quarry is frightening. - A few meters past the merger there is a turn left to the newly refurbished Bolwarra lookout / playground which residents, often with children, like to visit either on foot or in cars. It’s already challenging with the volume of traffic, especially in the morning - Exiting from Hunterglen estate to join traffic on Paterson Rd – very hard and dangerous especially in the morning, it’s something that Hunterglen residents complain about regularly in our Community Facebook page. - Turning right to Bolwarra Public School and turning right to Tillys childcare centre – both serious safety issues - school pick up / drop off zones are located along what is proposed to be primary haulage route. I can not imagine any parent feeling comfortable with their children standing next to a local rd where 40 trucks or more are driving per hour - Daracon claims that its drivers adhere to the speed limit, but the fact is that only a small percentage of trucks are Daracon-owned and the vast majority of quarry trucks are operated by external transport companies subcontracted by Daracon on an “as needs” basis. Daracon management has no control over those drivers. We see trucks in front of our house clearly exceeding 60 km/h limit on daily basis, especially early in the morning. Tocal and Paterson Rd are used as school bus routes and speeding dusty trucks should not drive in such close proximity to children. The roads are also used by walkers, joggers and cyclists, all of them feeling unsafe by the truck movements. The traffic on Flat Rd in the morning when entering Melbourne Street in East Maitland is horrendous already, I can’t imagine adding 280 truck movements to it. The cumulative effect of the quarry trucks from Brandy Hill joining the truck traffic at the intersection of Tocal and Paterson roads is simply unimaginable. Dust and exposure to diesel exhaust fumes Houses on Tocal Rd, including ours, are very close to the haulage route and exposed to high volume of dust and diesel engine exhaust emissions from truck movements. As diesel emissions contain many carcinogenic substances and are known to increase the risk of lung cancer. Similarly, exposure to silica dust can lead to the development of lung cancer, silicosis, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Having 40 dusty diesel trucks per hour travelling in such proximity to us poses a serious health hazard. Environment As a person who cares about environment I was extremely concerned to learn that Daracon wants to clear 21 ha of native vegetation and make profit at the cost of threatened, endangered and critically endangered species. In my view destruction of such unique habitat cannot be justified by a project that is overwhelmingly opposed by the community, has zero positive impact on community and seems to be solely about economic benefit of a small group of individuals. The quarry operations pose a big risk to water quality from erosion and sedimentation. Buttai Gravel Pty Ltd (part of Daracon group) was already fined four times by EPA for breaching the conditions of its Environment Protection Licence for Martins Creek Quarry in relation to poor sediment and controls at the quarry. Rural amenity and social impact The expansion of the quarry from 1991 rules of operation to a mega quarry is not compatible with its location. The 1991 consent providing for limited extraction and moving material primarily by rail made coexistence of the quarry and nearby communities possible. Any increase in the extraction or modes of transport will destroy the rural amenity of the area and have extremally negative social impact. Blasting, relentless industrial noise, vibration, fumes, dust, and hundreds of heavy vehicles on country roads that were never built to sustain such traffic cannot be reconciled with historical character of Paterson, Bolwarra, East Maitland, their scenic drives, heritage sites and lifestyle we all moved here for. Tourism Paterson, Martins Creek, Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights, East Maitland and Lorn are all small settlements frequented by tourists and cyclists. They are not only significant but are also on the route to Barrington Tops. Their reputation as places of safe recreation is at risk to be further ruined by noise, dust and truck movements associated with the quarry. Having the proposed truck movement would prohibit safe cycling, enjoyment of historical villages, recreation in nearby parks and cafes; it would subsequently lead to big financial loses for those in tourism industry. Devaluation of property prices We are very concerned about our property value dropping due to quarry extension. So far Bolwarra Heights and surrounds has been considered a sought after, leafy, semi-rural area. What Daracon is proposing would change our suburb into an industrial corridor, where nobody would want to live. Cumulative impacts of Martins Creek Quarry and Brandy Hill Quarry Cumulative impact of already approved Brandy Hill quarry and Martins creek quarry on Bolwarra and adjacent suburbs would be devastating. Conclusion Expansion of Martin’s Creek quarry would have enormous detrimental impact on lives of thousands of people living close to the quarry and along the haulage route. The economic benefits, including potential jobs, would be limited to a very small group of people. The revised application is no way conducive to a liveable and sustainable future for our regional communities. I can not understand how the Dept of Planning concluded that this project is in the public interest. I also do not understand why the Dept of Planning legitimised Daracon’s false claims about the reviewed application being a “reduction” in output. The only legitimate reference point is specified in the 1991 consent. It’s not surprising that Daracon tried to put a spin on the numbers, but to have a government agency to play along with it is truly disappointing. I urge the IPC to listen to the affected community concerns and reject Daracon’s application. |
Jessica Easdown
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I have lived in the small community of Paterson for over 29 years, growing up on a rural property with my parents. I now have started my own family and continue to live in Paterson. My fiancé and I are extremely concerned with the proposed number of increased truck movements through our village and the surrounding area. Our village is a quiet, wholesome community, with visitors enjoying our picturesque town. This serenity will be adversely affected with the increased truck movements. We have an 8 month old son and spend a lot of time in Paterson, doing our shopping at the local IGA and Butcher and visiting the Service Station for a coffee with other young parents. We hate the thought of how dangerous the roads will become with increased truck movements and shudder at the concept of navigating safely across a road full of haulage trucks, with our young son. We are also nervous at the thought of our son learning to drive in 16 years’ time, on country roads full of haulage trucks. The road system of Paterson was developed in the 1900’s and passes right through the centre of town so there is no escaping the interaction with trucks when driving in town, parking along the main streets or crossing the main roads. We are also extremely worried about the integrity of Daracon as a company. Daracon have shown a total lack of disregard to Paterson and its residents and a complete disregard of the lawful operations of the quarry. We truly believe that Daracon will exploit the quarry and will eventually go back to operating unlawfully. We strongly believe that if majority of the material were to be removed from the Martins Creek Quarry via rail, it would help to preserve the beautiful township of Paterson and would help to keep drivers and pedestrians safe on the roads through Paterson and its surrounds. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Having the proposed amount of trucks going through barrow country roads and towns with tight bends is a recipe for disaster and it beggars believe that you need to be told so. |
Vicki Edge
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I live to the east of Tocal College on ⬛⬛⬛. It is one of many roads that accesses onto the proposed Tocal Road haul route. I object to the Change of Purpose and Quarry Expansion Proposal for Martin Creek Quarry SSD-6612. Our community has coexisted with the Martin’s Creek Rail Ballast Quarry for many decades. However, the past unlawful extraction practices by State Rail and Daracon Group resulted in high volumes of heavy truck traffic that created devastating social and economic impact for the community, which this new proposal seeks to return to. Let me be clear, I am not against quarries or trucking. I am in objection that our community village and rural roads are not designed to safely accommodate heavy truck haulage at the rate proposed. My lived experience was during the early phase of unlawful quarry operation. Entailing extremely large volume of heavy truck traffic through Paterson village and along Tocal Road. At that time my family did not frequent the Paterson Village and opted to go into East Maitland which is nearly triple the distance to avoid a dirty, noisy, congested, unsafe thoroughfare, that was Paterson Village. My family moved away from the district for work reasons. We returned back to Our Rural Property approximately 3 years ago. We returned to find that heavy truck haulage volumes had returned to 1991 consent conditions, which in turn returned the Paterson Village to a pleasant country village, with true rural amenity (natural non-mechanical noise and clean air). Since then, we frequent Paterson Village and it is the hub of our existence, as it provides many of our needs in a pleasant local environment. We frequent and use the grocery store, butcher, hairdresser, post office, doctor, pharmacy, Country Café, Paterson Lodge and Pub for entertainment. We utilise the local schools. There is a friendly community vibe to the village. You park in the street and enter the businesses freely and easily. The road width outside the grocery and butcher has limited width for exiting and entering parked cars safely with heavy trucks passing by frequently. This will lead to a decline in use of these businesses should the proposal be approved. There will be an economic impact to the businesses as free and easy parking and access will be negatively affected, as it was before. This will disintegrate the village and negatively affect intergeneration with limited growth of the village. School bus pick up and drop off has me entering the village twice daily on school days. The pick-up and drop-off areas are not dedicated bus stops nor is there facility for the bus to stop completely off the roadway due to the road and shoulder width. After school, in the village, is a particularly busy time during the week as there are after-school activities in the hall, and parents are parking and shopping as they wait for the many school buses, not only from Dungog but Maitland and the Grammar School. There are many school students around, they’re excited and many of them need to cross the road for their final destinations. There are no assisted road crossings. Adding heavy Class-9 trucks to this vibrant rural setting presents unacceptable safety risks. Paterson is a typical rural village that is not designed to cater for heavy trucking, light vehicle, and pedestrian interactions, pedestrians that are of all ages and abilities. Note also under the proposal these fully laden student buses are expected to operate on a heavy truck haul route with added risk calculations to consider of frequency and consequences. Rural buses make frequent stops at undesignated bus stop locations. Trucks attempting to overtake these buses are a danger to all. The Eelah Road Community consists of more than 10 residences that enter and exit Tocal Road in a 100km/hr speed zone which is at the bottom of a hill in both directions. This is an uncontrolled intersection at high speed. Entering and exiting onto Tocal Road under the proposal of an additional 40 trucks per hour will escalate unsafe traffic interaction. Like others in this rural setting, I am sometimes hauling a horse float which requires slow speed for the cornering. This will be particularly precarious with the heavy truck volumes proposed. There are already time delays at the East Maitland Flat Road, and Melbourne Street intersection, with traffic banking up. Once Brandy Hill Quarry fully ramps up and if the proposed Daracon Trucks are added this intersection it will become totally overloaded and untenable. Reviews have shown little redesign available to it due to its built-up nature. This is because it is designed for residential country living and not quarry heavy haulage. The other intersection of concern is at the BP intersection of Tocal and Paterson Roads. The merging lane already provides confusion for some drivers as to who has right of way, it is often misunderstood by drivers, and with the quantity of Brandy Hill and Martin’s Creek Quarry trucks proposed this intersection will be lethal. With recent rain events I have observed deterioration of the road surface and formation of Tocal Road in both directions towards Paterson and Maitland. This is under current everyday traffic use and does not account for the additional heavy truck and dog haulage of up to 280 truck movements per day, 5 days a week. Surely this additional proposed constant heavy traffic load will accelerate damage to Tocal Road. Which adds costs to our councils and subsequently us the rate payers. Until they can repair the road damage, it leads to higher risk of damage to the light vehicles that use the road. Including Tourists who are unfamiliar with our roads. Around here, you learn to drive just towards the centre line of the road to avoid the large potholes encountered on the road edges. Not always a fail-safe when large potholes develop toward the middle line. Our lived experience is that we have had several windscreen damages to our vehicles from trucks. We believe the odds are this will increase with the proposed increase to 40 truck movements per hour along Tocal Road. Daracons first proposal in 2016 had a high number of trucks which they have reduced in this amended proposal. However, this is vastly higher than the Only lawful consent from 1991 stipulations for the quarry operation. The 1991 consent is the true and lawful baseline. This amended submission seeks to manipulate the baseline to be the 2016 proposal and previously lived experience of unlawful practices. This was revolted against then and continues to be protested with 600 or so written objections. They are simply trying to get approval to operate at the unacceptable levels they were unlawfully operating at. There is complete disregard to the heritage of the area. In particular, the Paterson Village has a great history, some of which is on display on the walls of the Paterson Lodge (old CBC). The heavy truck haulage route proposed thoroughfare through the village gives no true analysis of the vibration effect on the old buildings, nor the loss of rural amenity for the places of worship in the village. Funerals will not be a sombre, quiet occasion if the proposed volume of trucks is approved. Places of worship are places of mental health and wellbeing, the level of trucking proposed is going to impact greatly on mental health and these places will no longer be a place of refuge. The social impacts are real. The social impact risk assessment indicates high and extreme risk calculations but only attempts to address these with the lowest form of administration risk mitigation like the Truck Driver Code of Conduct. The inference being that high and extreme social impacts are not of concern to those managing the process. There is much talk of social and mental wellbeing being a priority however this action is clearly to the contrary. I object also to the proponent’s self-management of any contingent conditions as this disempowers the community and those most effected by their breaches if proposal unfortunately allowed. Key is the fact that Daracon claims all rail haulage and road mitigations with not make their business feasible with competition quarries in the area. Yet a fundamental argument they had for State Significant Development was that there was a great need for their special unique product. Product which it turns out is not so special as the other 6 local quarries are supplying it as they stated they are in competition with them. A truly unique and required product, by definition, has no competition. It has been raised, that just because there is a resource, does not mean it must be exploited. With the extraction of similar resources by 6 other quarries in the nearby area, quarries that do not socially and economically impact such a large and strong rural community, there is no need to expand this particular resource. Daracon’s submissions highlight many of the project impacts including social amenity as high to extreme. Daracon approach to managing the high to extreme risks is weak and administrative such as buying the community through small social donations. The Independent Planning Commission has the option to mitigate these high to extreme, and that is to remove the hazards imposed by the expansion project such as removing the heavy trucking haulage all together and Not Approving the Daracon Group’s proposed purpose change and expansion of Martin’s Creek Quarry, so not exploiting the communities of Martin’s Creek, Paterson, Tocal, Mindaribba, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra, and East Maitland for the benefit of Daracon Group and State Government coffers. To summarise we are happy to coexist with the quarry at the 1991 consent conditions and levels of operation. Please do not allow the destruction of our rural amenity, traffic safety, and social health of our community. |
Shaun Kalverla
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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When the quarry expanded its operations last time the roads and surrounding community suffered greatly. Noise and pollution in the township of Paterson increased to a point where no locals and tourists were comfortable visiting the local businesses. The endless stream of truck traffic adversely affected normal daily living conditions to the point of effecting townsfolk mental health. There was no balance or consideration given to the effects on the community, businesses and infrastructure. A historical return to this will lead to further protests and a degradation to local businesses on the chosen routes on which the convoys travel. |
ADAM DRAKE
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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As a resident of Bolwarra Heights, my concern is not with the quarry itself, but the significant impact the increased truck movements will have on the traffic in the Paterson/Bolwarra Heights/Bolwarra/Lorn/East Maitland area's. The traffic is already terrible around the Paterson Road/Flat Road roundabout, the Belmore Bridge and Pitnacree Road/Melbourne Street intersection in the morning and afternoon peaks. This traffic is already getting worse due to residential expansion in the area, however it will be diabolical with an extra 280 truck movements a day. The quarry has a train line servicing it already, so this should be utilised first and foremost. Perhaps Daracon could utilise or contruct a rail depot closer to town that could be used to distribute to trucks at a later date, in an area more suited to this type of activity. Daracon already have a history of operating outside of the rules, in regards to this quarry. Should the quarry expansion be approved, I believe they will further abuse what they are and aren't allowed to do. |
Danielle Crebert
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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My family and I live in the Martins Creek /Paterson area and have direct lived experience of the associated negative impacts from the period during which Daracon operated the quarry illegally outside its agreed terms or operation and was then shut down by Dungog Council. I am submitting this objection after chatting with my children who are 8 and 10. They wanted to put in submisisons to object the Martins Creek quarry expansion but are too young to have their voices heard, even though approving this quarry expansion puts them at increased risk on the roads each day they travel to school on the bus, and to after school activities again, it will negatively impact the air they breathe again, it will change the amenity of their community again. They both said this will have a negative impact on them for the rest of their childhoods. They both expressed concern about the animals in our environment (the koalas that we heard a few nights ago). They both expressed concern about how they are going to safely cross the road near the shop where they like to buy lollies after school in Paterson when the trucks come back. I object the proposed expansion on the following grounds: I will be directly negatively impacted (again) by this proposal. I lived throught the period of time Daracon illegally operated outside its consent nearly a decade ago now. The sheer volume of trucks made shopping, going to the post office and being in Paterson accessing local services a noisy, dusty and unpleasant experience. Crossing the road with small children was difficult - in fact parking and opening your car door was dangerous- you need to be fast and able bodied. Not to mention trying to get kids in and out of car seats with trucks flying past. Every time the rail crossing closed the town was gridlocked with trucks. Travelling to and from work between Paterson to Maitland was more difficult with the number of trucks on the road often travelling in tandem at speed. The volume of trucking in Paterson also impacted community as you are no longer able to talk to friends near the shops - you just can't hear them and its too dangerous having your kids there. I don't feel that the community consultation process by Daracon was properly / broadly conducted, and failed to ensure all residents along the designated haulage routes were adequately informed. I still speak to people who are shocked to learn of this proposal. I was disgusted to attend one of the earlier meetings and hear the boss of Daracon tell us "if you don't like it move"- I think this speaks volumes about the level of community relations and care for the communities who would be impacted (its not just Martins Creek or Paterson - its all the way through to East Maitland). The recommeded conditions of consent are inadequate to prevent, mitigate and offset adverse impacts from the proposed development inlcuding with regards to the monitoring of air quality and noise (where is the plan for real time monitoring - even to obtain baseline data- missing), the significant negative impact on road safety and road condition due to a large increase in daily truck movements on narrow roads through communities with driveway entries, bus stops and blind corners, the impact of a dramatic increase in the output /blasting on the local endangered species (koalas, quolls and regent honey eater), the negative impact on the rural amenity of Paterson. In reading the proposed development I note that Daracon used the data from the period during which their operation was illegal as their baseline extraction data. This is incorrect as the baseline data should have been their contracted extractions amounts when they took over the quarry. How can a proposal be accurately assessed if the initial data presented is erroneous? The quarry has existed in Martins Creek for as long as I can remember as a balast quarry, I object to the scale of operation being proposed by Daracon. It's just too big. There are other quarries already supplying this product that have much shorter haulage routes to main highways without the disruption to amenity of an entire community. Please don't approve the proposal. There are too many areas overlooked, downplayed or not investigated thoroughly enough in the assessment report. My concern with this proposal is that money talks. As my kids figured out "one man shouldn't be allowed to do that mum". Please don't approve this proposal. It's 25 years - not just one state election cycle. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I do not support the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry due to the following points: 1. The significant increase in the daily volume of heavy vehicles travelling through the heart of our small rural residential villages, such as Paterson, Largs, Bolwarra Heights etc. 2. These residential areas located along the haulage route are located in semi/rural, quaint, quiet and historic towns. These communities (of which I live in), will be adversely affected by the constant noise of large trucks, the significant increase in traffic, damage to local roads, and safety of those that live along the haulage route. 3. The loss of peace and quiet and the associated lifestyle that comes with living in a semi/rural area, which is the main reason why so many families and long term residents live in these communities (so they are removed from noise like city areas). 4. The haulage route outlined is along rural single lane roads which are not equipped, nor have the infrastructure to handle the movements of such large amounts of heavy vehicles, and the amount of material being removed from the Martins Creek Quarry site via local roads. 5. My family has recently re-located from a home on the Central Coast which bordered a main road, the main reason for our re-location was to move to a quiet rural area, away from the main roads. This now causes us significant concern, as we are only a stones throw away from Paterson Road. 6. There are already pre-existing traffic management issues at the intersection of Hunterglen Road and Paterson Road in Bolwarra Heights. The majority of the Hunterglen Estate residents exit the estate via 1 exit (Hunterglen Road onto Paterson Road). All residents must exit the estate via a single lane road, having to turn across two lanes, WITHOUT any traffic lights, merge lanes or a roundabout. Visability along this road is also difficult, when turning left or right out of the estate due to the existing levels of traffic along this road. Due to this reason, there are regular vehicle accidents at this intersection and many local members of the community have tried to address these issues with Council. 7. There will be a significant impact to local businesses along the haulage route, particularly hospitality businesses, which border the road along the haulage route. The customer trade will be affected in these businesses, as many have outdoor dining which borders the road, this will affect the peace that their customers enjoy, with noise disturbing their patrons, both outside and inside their establishments. 8. The decline in value to residential homes along haulage route. If this proposed development is approved, I believe there will be an impact to the value of residential properties within the vicinity of the Martins Creek Quarry haulage route. These properties will be subject to high levels of traffic and movement of trucks outside their properties in quiet residential villages, and there is no doubt, this will impact the value of their homes. As the proposed Martins Creek Quarry expansion is well known about in this area, potential home buyers will look to purchase away from the Martins Creek truck route so they are not subject to the noise outside their homes. I would recommend that Daracon plan to export SIGNIFICANTLY more material via rail and remove the large amounts of trucks that have been proposed to exit the quarry via roads through these rural villages. The rail line is available to export these materials, and should be used as such. The rail line provides a great opportunity to not severely impact the residents that border the roads in these villages, and their right to peace, quiet and quality of life, which we all enjoy. I support jobs and careers for those working in the Quarry, but it cannot be at the expense of local residents, which will be impacted by this decision ...every day... |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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I so not agree with adding more big trucks to our local residential roads. The traffic is bad enough without it. It’s also very unsafe . We have multiple primary schools and daycares that are directly impacted by this as well. The safety of children moving about will be put at risk. I say no the expansion Unsafe Unnecessary Unwanted |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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This expansion fails to ensure environmental impact is mitigated The impact on infrastructure in the local area will be detrimental and roads will become unsafe. This company has been reported to be operating illegally in the past and I am not convinced that they can be seen as credible. |
Andrew Amos
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Please see three (3) uploaded documents. 1. Main Submission 2. Submission Appendix A 3. Submission Appendix B |
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Attachments |
andrew-amos-1-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 1.02 MB) andrew-amos-2-appendix-apdf.pdf (PDF, 1.48 MB) andrew-amos-3-appendix-bpdf.pdf (PDF, 1.96 MB) |
Emily Champion
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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I don’t believe this report talks to the true impacts this would have on the community. Widening this quarry would have huge impacts to the surrounding community, traffic and noise as well as environmental impacts. Not enough has been proposed to minimise these impacts. |
Libby Cusick
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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This route is on rapidly growing communities. It will be impossible for cars to enter from side roads, impossible for children to navigate the roads to school. The whole system will become so congested that work, recreation and social aspects will be affected, Will it take a child to be killed to stop this madness? Why should one company be able to ruin the lives of so many people, who saved to be able to live in a quiet area, their quality of life changed forever. There will be no going back from this. If it goes ahead, there will be traffic lights put in, which will delay the trips of these trucks and add to the noise and congestion more. It’s a no win situation. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Friends of Tocal |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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The expansion of the quarry means a significant increase in traffic, on roads that are already very busy and often poorly maintained. The recent rain has of course exacerbated the road maintenance issues at present and there is nothing to say it will not be an ongoing issue. Significantly increasing the frequency of heavy truck movements on these local roads does not bring any benefit or advantage to the local community, the local roads, local drivers or local residents in any way I can see. In fact, it is a huge disadvantage to all locals to have so many more truck movements, so frequently impacting daily life in the community. (Road design not suited to high levels of heavy vehicles, road safety concerns, few safe areas to pull over if needed and loss of amenity in travelling locally and in the village). The only one who benefits from this project is Daracon - a company which is completely removed from this place. I don't believe any of the conditions proposed adequately address the effect of a lot more truck transits of the local roads. |
Name Redacted
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14/11/2022 |
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The expansion of the quarry will damage the environment, cause accidents on the roads with too many trucks, and further destroy sacred first australians land. Please stop it! |
Mal Henry
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New South Wales |
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14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My wife and I have lived at our property 'Valentia Lodge' ⬛⬛⬛ (the haul road) since 1991. When we purchased our property, we knew the quarry was there and had been operating as a railway ballast quarry for 80 or more years and it caused us no concern. From the mid 1990s we lived the ever-increasing number of trucks, increasing more and more, year after year. I noted in my submission 29/6/2021 of the stressful impacts on our living environment, in this submission I would like to express my concerns at the broader issues of the socioeconomic effect on our community, the degradation of our village and the safety risks to our citizens, particularly the schoolchildren. My wife and I attended the two days of hearings at the IPC public meeting at Tocal. My wife and I were driving through Paterson village last Friday around 4.00pm a school bus was dropping off schoolchildren, it's rear protruding onto the road, we were stopped behind the bus, as were others behind us, traffic was coming from the other direction, kids were crossing the road from the bus, people were crossing to the Post Office, down the street others were crossing over to the shops, we looked at each other and said "can you imagine 50tonne truck and dogs coming through here every 90 seconds and worse, if the rail gates close and the trucks bank up and then come through in a convoy, then this has to be a recipe for disaster. After listening to the DPE opening address and then the myriad of information presented to the Commissioners that clearly manifest the devastating impacts of the proposal and then hearing the closing response from the DPE, I cannot understand how the DPE could recommend approval. After the DPE opening address, I just felt they had not taken seriously the communities concerns that were expressed in the 600 submissions they received. I felt the DPE had decided this was a State Significant Proposal (after hearing at the meeting of the amount of product available throughout the Hunter region this becomes questionable) that was going ahead and had gone through the process and ticked the necessary boxes, job done. Hearing the DPE closing response and answers to the Commissioners questions reinforced my concern at how diligent this assessment process was. Our community and all those living along the proposed haul route deserve better. This quarry is just the wrong location. Thank you for reading my submission, Mal Henry. |
Philip Bryden-Brown
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the expansion of the Martin Creek Quarry especially the the massive increase in truck movements. I work hard for my community of Paterson and surrounds through my membership of Paterson Rotary and the School of Arts Hall Committee. THE AREA – The rural roads that are proposed to be used by the gravel trucks are winding rural roads and the risk to other road uses with this massive increase in truck volume is likely to pose a significant safety risk. The bridges that cross the Hunter River into East Maitland and Maitland are already inadequate in the peak periods and to add another 250/200 truck movements a day is likely to have a significant impact. IMPACT ON PATERSON – Paterson is a very small and historic town which has a rural charm. It has a unique cultural and historical heritage. This attracts many visitors that contribute to the local economy. The road that winds though the town is bounded by businesses, historic buildings and dwellings, all of which will be affected by the huge increase in truck traffic proposed. Any realignment of the road would be limited by historic buildings sites, and would rob the businesses of road side parking, critical to their functioning. Separate car parks just cannot replace roadside parking for ease of access to these businesses. Historic Peaceful and Rural Amenity - I am concerned for the rural and peaceful amenity of this tiny village. Many residents and businesses purchased in this area because of this asset. Trucking noise over 12 hours 5 days a week is not an insignificant issue both for the health and wellbeing of residents and workers. Road Safety – As a member of the School of Arts Hall Committee I am very concerned for the safety of the children and other patrons that use the Hall as they navigate the only access road available. It is possible that the use of this valuable community asset will reduce (noise, access, road safety). Health – Both the increase in diesel and other particulate matter from gravel trucks is likely to have a negative health effect on residents and visitors to Paterson. Constant noise from 7.00 a.m. until 7.00pm for the many residents near the route is very likely to have deleterious physical and psychological health effects. Road trauma on the inadequate roads is also very likely. Economic – The noise and safety issues are likely to have a very negative effect on the businesses in town that wholly or partly rely on visitors (accommodation providers, cafes, taverns and tourist oriented shops). Equity - One privately owned company being permitted to effect so many residents’ lives and the viability of many small businesses (over 25 years) is a huge inequity and I believe robs the company of any social licence to operate. The Proposal states that there will be 22 jobs created. When this is compared to the loss of the jobs in the small towns along the proposed route seems very small. The report states the return to NSW will be $58 million (NPV) over 25 years ($2.3 million per year) When this is compared to the economic losses sustained by small businesses, the cost of road repair and possible road trauma caused this is not a significant gain for NSW. Business that are affected will not be compensated for their losses. This equates to those that experience loss are paying a real price for others to profit. I urge the IPC to reject this submission to lessen the profound impact the proposed expansion will have. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I kindly request documentation on the effects this development will have on our wildlife and ecosystem particularly our dwindling koala population and as an “umbrella” species to the effects on other native wildlife, forestry and surrounding ecosystems. Has a study been conducted on this, and if so, where can it be located please? Thank you |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Having listened to some of the speakers on day one of the commission, i feel that the impact to the residents in Bolwarra Heights , Bolwarra and Lorn are being less considered than Paterson and Martins Creek. We will be as badly affected by the traffic as these areas. Many of our properties sit directly on the proposed route and our safe access and exit from our homes will be severly impacted. Tocal Road is a residential road and very narrow i some parts. Our elderly neighbours, and many others in this area, have to reverse directly out onto the proposed route to exit their home they have lived in for over 60 years. This road was never designed to be a heavy haulage route and never should be. We are already challenged with the current level of heavy vehicles on this road. The recommended conditions of consent do nothing to mitigate my fears for the safety and adverse impacts of the quarry expansion on our roads. In fact i find it hard to comprehend how this number of trucks will be able to safely navigate and allow for traffic flow at all along the 28km route along with residents, commuters, school buses and other general traffic. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live in the No 1 haul route to this quarry. It's pretty hectic trying to get out of my driveway, as the speed limit on my road is 80 km's per hour. The addition of possibly 280 trucks per day will make it almost impossible. I am on my P plates and my house is on a blind corner both ways. The roads are already unsafe with heaps of pot holes and damage make's it hard to drive safely. |
John Gibala
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Website |
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Submission |
To many trucks unhealthy to noisy for Paterson and surrounds, on behalf of my friend who lives in Bolwarra |
Kate Mitchell
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion application. I have listed my reasons for objecting in the attached document. |
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Attachments |
kate-mitchell-ipc-written-submission-14-november-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 131.12 KB) |
Michelle Gleeson
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry should be strongly opposed. Tocal College is an educational institution run by NSW DPI on behalf of the NSW Department of Education. Critical skills education in Agriculture and allied fields occurs across the site which has a long boundary along the proposed route of up to 280 trucks per day. In addition to the main campus, there is a working dairy and egg farm, accommodation facility and other sites on the eastern side of Tocal Rd. Students attending the college are young - school leavers and young adults. They are not highly experienced road users, and are also required to move either by vehicle or as pedestrians between their accommodation and the dairy in the early hours of the morning. The risk of serious collisions between quarry trucks and these students is not insignificant. I have two children who either currently or will be attending Tocal College over the next 3 years. In addition, the noise from truck movements will negatively impact the education of students, much of which occurs outside as it is practical in nature. The road damage that is inevitable from the proposed traffic will also make the narrow rural roads around the College more dangerous, particularly for inexperienced drivers and when driving in low light, as there are no street lights to assist with seeing pot holes and broken edges. There are multiple gateways and crossings from the College to access Tocal Rd, again increasing the risk of potentially fatal accidents to occur between slow moving vehicles entering the road way and fast-moving heavy vehicles. The additional environmental damage and contamination of water supplies by dust should also be considered. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
As per above |
Emma Maher
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
I am greatly concerned about the high level of proposed trucks and transport on the road. The roads in the Paterson community are of poor condition already, let alone 25 trucks per hour ongoing for the next many many years. Im concerned about increased risk of accidents, with poor road conditions and also disruption to the quiet community of Paterson. I moved out of Newcastle to get away from noise traffic and the busyness that never stops. But now as I live just 2 houses away from the main road, this if it goes ahead, will remove that which I came here for. The real estate quality and value will decline. The air quality will deteriorate, and for someone who drinks rain water, the extra dust on my roof is a concern. I understand we have to use natural resources, but this is not the community I chose to move to 12 months ago. I planned to live in a quiet country community, not one filled with trucks rumbling down the roads ongoing. The roads are NOT built for this level of heavy traffic. The community does NOT welcome this and will be fought. The not the hours of operation, albiet they are long, its the disruption to normal flow of traffic, noise disruption as I listen to trucks from my yard all day long and deterioration of road condition. There is enough of Australia to find other natural rock to use for this purpose. Seriously!! |
Mallory Wood
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I am concerned the massive increase of trucks on the road would not be safe for the community - for road safety reasons (motor vehicle accidents and pedestrian safety), air quality, and noise pollution. This is a beautiful area that is a pleasure to live in, but the negative impacts the expansion of the quarry will bring will be a detriment to the community and lower property values. The roads through Paterson, Lorn, and East Maitland will not be able to sustain the number of trucks and will be damaged often. Commuters will also face many issues with increased traffic and road deterioration. I am also concerned for wildlife in the area and how they will be impacted by the trucks and expansion to the quarry. |
Martin Farrell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion due to the increase in traffic and the impact and ruination on our local rural communities. |
Carmen McCartney
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the proposed expansion because of the further loss of koala and quoll habitat and the resulting continued restrictions to wildlife corridors as per study by Dr. Ryan Witt et al at UoN investigating the impact of similar Brandy Hill Quarry expansion (pretty sure results are publicly/media available but can provide the report if required). |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
DEAN RAINER & ASSOCIATES PTY lTD |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am writing this submission as I object extremely strongly to this proposed expansion. Our Government has actively encouraged people over the years to move from the large cities to regional areas - so the current population of the Paterson Valley consists of those whose families have been there for generations, those who have moved in the last 40 years & their offspring who have decided to stay in the area & bring up the next generation, and those who have relocated recently as they have recognised what a beautiful part of the world it really is. Should this expansion go ahead, businesses along traffic routes have been (in the past) & will be negatively affected (eg those in Paterson & Lorn villages ) - proprietors & staff cannot talk to customers due to truck noise, and customers cannot hold conversations with each other without waiting for truck(s) to pass - then another comes by - with proposed truck movements per day this will mean those cafes & small retail business will lose custom as patrons will seek out other locations to sit & have a coffee / meal / chat with friends. I have witnessed this first hand a few years ago when the truck movements increased - whilst working in one of Paterson's local businesses it was impossible to speak to a customer on the phone due to the noise. Main traffic routes into Maitland & Newcastle are already heavily congested due to increasing population in this area - people are travelling to Maitland, Singleton, Newcastle & beyond on their daily commute. Road commuters already have to allow extra time for the congestion at the Maitland & East Maitland Bridges, when the proposed number of trucks is added to this mix it will be untenable. The affect of this looming expansion on individuals' mental health has been extensive - not in a good way. It has become the main topic of conversation for many months now, and has caused anxiety & anger levels that have pushed some locals to breaking point. Apart from the threat to our everyday lives, we are all worried that the beautiful valley we have called home will be destroyed - it will just become a truck route that no-one wants to live near. I have lived here for 35 years and seen & heard the changes the growth of this quarry has brought about. I cannot say that a single one has been a good one. I hear & feel the explosions from the quarry, I hear the constant deep rumbling noise from the machinery, I have to drive on country roads where there are too many B-double trucks travelling at high speed to feel safe. I see the increasing levels of dust - both in my house and in the air I breathe. What right does any business have to rob individuals of the right to breathe clean air? This valley is home to many of our native animals - large & small - & while the entire country (If not the world) has been appalled that we are letting our precious koalas dwindle to dangerously low numbers, I am astounded that while our governments say they will do whatever they can to protect them, they are then considering letting this quarry expansion go ahead where they will be literally blowing up koala habitat. The koala is just one of many native animals that will be driven from their habitat by the quarry & the transporting of its product. There are also platypus in our waterways. The quality of the water that has emanated from the quarry & flows into Martins Creek has at times been atrocious - I have seen it myself as I walk along a route that passes one of the outflows on a regular basis. While I understand that there is always going to be change & "growth" it is unreasonable to expect this area to exist & grow as the idyllic rural / residential area that it has become, alongside the monstrosity that is the Martins Creek Quarry. The recommended conditions of consent cannot be taken seriously as the quarry operators have shown in the past that they do not respect or uphold their commitment to them. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission |
I am 100% against this going ahead. We do not accept even half the proposed volume of trucks on the road that this expansion will allow. My submission may not be lengthy and profoundly articulate, my message is simple but clear. This is not ok, the people living in communities like Bolwarra do not want this and we do not support this expansion in the slightest. As the rate payers, our voice should be heard and it should be respected as we are the ones paying the rates, we are the ones living in the areas impacted. We say NO! |
CRAIG LEE
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
Since 1840 my family has had and continue to have farms and rural businesses in the Dungog LGA. Paterson is the hub for the district for shopping , post office and banking , medical , farm and fuel supplies and other services religion and socialisation and general meeting place. Some of my concerns are : 1. The NSW Department of Planning recommending that Daracon's project to develop the quarry be granted. The impression given is that the Department " ticked a few boxes " and was swayed by the availability of the gravel for some major projects but did not take into proper consideration the impacts , safety issues and the 600 plus objections. 2. Changing the use of the quarry. Going from a ballast quarry to a mega general construction aggregate quarry with an increase in extraction to 1.1 million tonnes per year for 25 years is unacceptable. 3. Road haulage. Why should 0.5 million tonnes per year be moved by road when there is an existing rail spur available at the quarry. The Coal Industry has been moving coal by rail for more than 20 years and so should this quarry be using the rail system. 4. Haulage commencing before infrastructure improvements are in place. Why is this ? It makes no sense. What if the work is delayed or not done . 5.Damage to the roads and infrastructure with the increased road haulage . Will Daracon pay for any damage ? 6.Having 40 truck movements per hour on local country roads and through the centre of the small pretty historic village of Paterson . The proposed route involves a single lane bridge at Gostwyck and a 90 degree bend in Paterson at the T intersection of King Street and Duke Street. These sites can not safely manage such a large number of truck movements . With so many trucks travelling through Paterson the village will be decimated . 7.Safety for local cyclists. The area is popular with many cyclists including my group of about 10 senior cyclists who regularly ride around Paterson. We spread out , ride in single file , wear high visibility clothing and have flashing lights on our bikes . However the roads are narrow and there is barely room for a car to pass safely and should there be an oncoming car one must give way. Adding 40 truck movements per hour will greatly increase the risk factor and the chance of an accident. 8.Is Daracon a " good citizen " . Is it a fit and proper entity to be running the quarry and will it comply with the conditions of any approval granted. ? Daracon has already been found by the Courts to have unlawfully operated the quarry . Can it be trusted now ? I object to the proposed development . |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
My objection is based around the poor traffic conditions even at present with housing developments going in especially the Bolwarra/ Bolwarra Heights area (Hunterglenn) the traffic is kaos at the best of times the congestion is a nightmare then you go and add more trucks it’s an accident waiting to happen. These streets that the trucks will be using are residential streets not highways the safety of other drivers and residents children who use these roads and footpaths will seriously be impacted. I have witnessed many a truck lock up it’s brakes because it was going to fast I have had a truck beeping it’s horn and flashing it’s lights at me because I was doing the speed limit but that’s right I forgot it’s the trucks highway not a residential street. This development cannot go ahead not just for the roads but for the environment. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Administration |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to this proposal as the impact on my family would be tremendous. Since the road closure at the rear of our property, we have been able to leave our bedroom window open to allow fresh air into our room for the first time in years. The amount of trucks that were on this road from 7am was horrific. The noise from the trucks having a full load or being empty was just so loud. Its like a bomb going off when the trucks hit one of the many pot holes. Our back sliding doors and windows would have to be closed at all times to reduce the noise in our home. Also the amount of dust and dirt that we have in our home from the road grime is a nightmare when the wind blows in an easterly, south easterly direction. I could not imagine what it would be like to have these trucks running 24/7 at the back of our property, we would not get any break from the noise that we would be subjected to. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the Martin Creek Quarry Expansion. History illustrated this company does not follow legislation. The expansion of the quarry would be a “trucking hell” for all residents of Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Bolwarra, Lorn, East Maitland and surrounding suburbs. Our roads are already severely congested and in poor repair as is, the existing congestion at Bolwarra Service Station, Bolwarra Lookout, Hunter Glen, Flat Road roundabout, Melbourne Street Lights, Lorn Bridge not to mention the new pedestrian island on Paterson Road which is an accident waiting to happen. The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and school children MUST be taken seriously. I personally have witnessed far too many near misses on Tocal Road under the current conditions. These proposed trucks would not only further deteriorate our already appalling roads, congest them further, pose a REAL and PREVENTABLE danger to all road users, cars, cyclists and pedestrians including SCHOOL CHILDREN, drastically effect real estate prices of hardworking families, put existing wildlife in further danger, effect both air and noise pollution and CAUSE even greater stress and MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES to hard working tax paying residents of all the above suburbs. The quarry has EXISTING established rail infrastructure designed to remove trucks and dangers from our community roads. This FACT frustrates myself and all the residents as surely RAIL would be the solution. Surely COMMON SENSE must and will prevail. It’s a NO to the Martin’s Creek Quarry Expansion. |
Michael Stockenhuber
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I, Prof. Dr. Michael Stockenhuber strongly object against the extension of the Daracon owned Martin’s Creek quarry operation. I live in ⬛⬛⬛ and the truck traffic and noise has significantly increased since Daracon has stepped up its operation, which has resulted in court action (by Dungog council) and conviction of Daracon . During the time of illegal increased operation it was almost impossible to cross the road to the lookout on Paterson Road ( a school bus pickup point)and it is only a matter of time a terrible accident will happen. There is deep rooted distrust in the community against Daracon, because of the dishonesty ( sudden decrease in truck traffic during times of monitoring,.e.g., monitors were removed Nov 9-11 2016 and after this the truck traffic has significantly increased) and ignorance of the community needs (“If you do not want the traffic move away..”,D. Mingay) at a community meeting”. On a personal note, I was suffering cancer of the immune system and was advised by my doctors that increased stress levels would significantly hinder my recovery. The constant noise from truck traffic already causes increased stress and an extension of operations would increase this even more. A further increase in road traffic is just not feasible in a local community like ours. The proposed expansion will mean ( as evidenced during the illegal operation) a truck driving through narrow roads every 45s, which is expected to have disastrous consequences for noise levels, safety and other traffic. It would, for example, make it almost impossible for residents of the Hunterglen to join Paterson Road because of the traffic. Extension to essentially night time operations ( both in rock breaking and transport) would have a terrible impact on the health and wellbeing of residents in the area. The roads have never been built for heavy truck traffic and thus any increase in the operation bears a great risk to people living along the road. Furthermore, the noise and not to forget the exhaust particulates and NOx from the trucks is not mitigated at all and is a threat to the health and quality of life for a large number of residents. The large turnout on the community meetings and objections is a clear indication of the impact this proposed extension has on the community. This is a typical example of how the benefit of a few severely impacts a large number of people financially ( decreased property values) , in their safety and the quality of living. The original quarry operating license was mainly given for rail transport (70%), which impacts significantly fewer people and as outlined in the rail transport report, rail transport has the least impact on communities. While in this report logistical difficulties in getting access to rail transport are mentioned, it would be totally unfair to offload these difficulties onto the community. If Daracon wishes to expand, they would be expected to pay for the rail infrastructure and not offload the cost to taxpayers and the community to have to cope with an enormous increase in truck traffic as outlined above. As it stands with he current level of operation the noise and impact on our lives is already very high ( due to an operational increase above the license) and Daracon should be forced to erect noise reduction walls and pay for residents noise reduction such as triple glazed windows and air conditioning. Daracon is also responsible for any reduction of the value of homes along the road and near the quarry, and as a consequence should pay compensation to homeowners should this project go ahead. |
Melissa Hoban
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry -Please find attached my submission in PDF form |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-expansion--submission--melissa-hobanpdf.pdf (PDF, 6.59 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The impact of many quarry trucks with trailers on local traffic conditions is significant and worsening - this includes trying to get out of driveway safely, damage to road surface unsuitable to take traffic of this weight, noise and dust pollution. I am a medical doctor and was late to work one day due to truck with trailer wedged on small roundabout that these trucks routinely pass through- bad for me but would have been worse for an ambulance being held up This truck traffic is really unsuitable to small rural roads and local environmental conditions |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The expansion of the project will definitely have a negative impact on the local area. The evidence of rehabilitation of the site of other such projects indicates this one will also leave an ugly scar on the affected area. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Thank you for the opportunity to object to this project. I have lived in Paterson for the past 50 years and would appreciate the following points be considered in regards to this proposal. * Insufficient space for trucks to negotiate the Paterson Post Office (PPO) on the corner of King and Duke Streets, resulting with heavy vehicles required to cross into the path of traffic traveling in the opposite direction. This is a disaster waiting to happen " due to the high volume of pedestrian and car movements in this particular area. * Existing rail movements already create chaos and restrict emergency vehicle access, creating extreme lines of traffic, this will be exacerbated. * Additional trucks and/or rail movements will cause severe congestion which will impede the local Rural Fire service as well as Ambulances from responding to emergencies in a timely manner. * Truck movements impede travel on Dungog, Gresford, Maitland and Tocal Roads. * Entering and existing driveways, several of which are obscured, would become dangerous. * Unsafe environment for school children attempting to negotiate the bus stops located in very close proximity to the PPO. * Negative impact on tourism due to the increased high volume of truck movements. * Run off from quarry site negatively impacting estuaries and their native inhabitants. * Dust particles causing health concerns to residents as well as impacting on the quality of water catchment area for residents relying on tank water as their only source of water supply. * Neither the road route or the railway line is designed to withstand movements associated with a large scale aggregate quarry. * The proposal is inconsistent with the expectation of local land users and stakeholders. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the quarry for the following reasons, As a citizen of the Dungog Shire and casual teacher in the area, I need the roads to travel on for work 5 out of 7 days a week. If this quarry were to open back up, there would be absolute chaos on our roads. These trucks are a menace to roads in the way they operate, cutting drivers off by merging into lanes with their colossal vehicles taking up more than two cars worth of space to merge into traffic, being just one danger. Not to mention how long a truck can take to accelerate and de-accelerate. This alone could not only have the potential to cause an enormous pile-up in traffic but could result in some very fatal accidents as well. As you know, trucks cause significant irreversible damage to roads with the constant large volumes wearing out bitumen on the roads, which will eventually wear out the roads as a whole, causing cracks, potholes etc. Just another way to cause accidents again, creating further dangers on our roads. Trucks also generate massive amounts of noise and air quality pollution, which can affect motorists' health in several ways and cause irreversible environmental damage. Our roads are also our lifeline to businesses and services not only within the communities of the shire but to those outside of it as well. Significant damage has been done to our roads, and the constant stream of trucks will make it much harder to link members of our community, myself, one of those many affected, to those businesses and services. Lastly, for environmental impacts; Trucks have been known to generate a lot of road kill; the large size of the trucks and fast speeds can make it impossible for them to slow down and serve out of the way for wildlife, meaning that many of our great native animals will perish over time due to becoming fatalities on our roads. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please do the right thing and say no to the quarry! |
Kirsty Watson
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New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Please think of the environment. Not everything comes down to making money. |
Jack Stohman
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As if their not enough traffic of Paterson road, get your head out of your asses and go up the valley, absolute job council is for Evan thinking of this, nothing but making money for people who sit in an office and do stuff all and make other people's lives harder, Hope all the truck break down if this gets approved |
Katelin MCFARLANE
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am writing to you to clearly detail my objection to the proposed Martins Creek Quarry Expansion as a local resident of the town of Paterson. I have lived just outside the town of Paterson for approximately 28 years (I am now 32 years old) and I have serious concerns as a mother of a young family regarding the impacts this planned expansion will have on myself, my family, and my beautiful community. I cannot understand how this development can be safely mitigated and managed to ensure the township of Paterson and any residents along the identified haulage route are not drastically impacted. I live on Mowbray Lane South which is approximately 5km from the Quarry by road or approximately 2km in a straight line. Detailed below are my main concerns regarding the proposed expansion: Increase in Truck Movements - My first major concern is the increase in truck movements both through the town of Paterson and along the entire haulage route from Martins creek and through to the New England Highway in Maitland. It is absolutely ridiculous to think that increasing the number of trucks along the haulage route to potentially 280 truck movements per day is going to be safe for the other road users. The haulage route consists of 27km of country winding roads and includes passing through the village of Paterson. I do not believe that the quality of the roads can be maintained with this increased traffic as the current state of this stretch of road is poor with many potholes present and needing to be repaired. I cannot understand how the roads will be able to be safely maintained for all road users if they cannot even be maintained now. I commute to Newcastle each day for my job and drive through Paterson at approximately 6am. I would regularly pass up to 6 trucks waiting at the pull over bay in front of Tocal Homestead so they could enter the town of Paterson within their allotted hours which meant there was a constant stream of trucks entering the town first thing the morning causing increased traffic through the village and a huge amount of noise before the sun had even risen which was absolutely ridiculous. I also do not understand how the Melbourne Street intersections will cope with the truck increase as there are delays during peak hours at these intersections everyday, even on the weekends. It is very normal for the traffic to be banked up for almost a kilometre back towards Largs along Flat Road. I learnt to drive on the roads of Paterson and the surrounding area and as such I also learnt to drive with large trucks being normal during the period of time when Daracon had increased activities to far exceed their legal limit. Having already experienced this in the past I am now concerned about having to share the roads with this increased number of trucks yet again. I experienced many cracked windscreens, observed trucks exceeding the speed limit, trucks traveling far under the speed limit, trucks swerving to miss pot holes, trucks using two lanes to turn corners and trucks having difficulty stopping for oncoming traffic on the single laned Gostwyk Bridge. I am very concerned about how the trucks will safely pass in the village of Paterson itself at the corner of the Post Office as the roads are not wide to allow for such large vehicles. I also used to own a motorbike and frequently ride it within Maitland. I however ended up selling it due to the quantity of trucks I was encountering on my rides and the concern I had for my own safety. As a mother of two young girls I am also very worried about our safety as pedestrians in the village of Paterson. I attend the shops and Post Office in the town almost daily. The town is busy 7 days a week, not just on the weekend, with it being almost impossible to find a park in the hours around school drop off and pick up. There are countless bus stop locations along the haulage route also with young children being dropped off and picked up. This makes me so worried for the children and their safety with the huge quantity of trucks proposed along this rural country road. It is also concerning that there may be increase of trucks attending local deliveries from the quarry which could impact the number of trucks to any of the surrounding roads in the area. There are so many small and winding roads not built for such large size trucks to be regularly traveling along. The risk to other road users having to share space with such large vehicles worries me greatly. I have had many experiences of having to pull off roads in this area to allow trucks to pass safely. Noise - As I live so close to the Quarry it is not unusual to hear rumbling from the Quarry and the occasional blast during the day. These noises to me are somewhat normal and acceptable. However the continual rumble of the countless trucks is of more concern to me. From my home I am able to hear the trucks turn out of Martins Creek onto Dungog Road, pass over Gostwyk Bridge and then turn along Gresford Road towards Paterson. The concern of noise is also whilst I am in the town of Paterson. I often attend the Country Café for lunch and the Service Station for a coffee or take my children to Tucker Park. All of these activities will be directly and negatively impacted by the constant and unrelenting noise of the trucks passing through the village. Environmental - I do not agree that the necessity of this quarry expansion outweighs the survival of several threatened flora and fauna species. This is absolutely ludicrous! It has been identified that the following species Koala, Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Spotted-Tailed Quoll and the Slaty Red Gum are likely to be significantly impacted by the expansion. I am aware that there has been a reduction in the proposed area of land to be cleared however this is still entirely inadequate. These species need to be respected as at risk and therefore their habitats be 100% protected. Dust and air quality are also of concern to me and my family. We collect water from our roof and use this for all domestic needs at our home and therefore any increase in dust contaminating this water will potentially impact myself and my family’s health. Tourism - I am very proud to call myself a local of the town of Paterson. I have witnessed in the past 2 years the huge growth within the town with a number of new businesses emerging. I am very concerned of the impact these trucks and the increased quarry noises will have on this picturesque village. Paterson has welcomed a chemist, doctors clinic, Barber, bottle shop, herbalist, country clothing store, florist and farm gate in recent times. The existing businesses have also grown and flourished and I just love attending the local pubs for a nice meal out or even just spending time in the beautiful Tucker Park letting the kids tire themselves out. The proposed increase in truck movements through the town and quarry activities is sure to have a negative impact on this thriving village. The assumption that the village is quiet on weekdays is simply untrue. Many tourists take a long weekend and pass through the town on Mondays or Fridays. I also hold Tocal close to my heart. I married my husband at Tocal Homestead several years ago. This wedding venue has only grown in popularity since then and weekend weddings are no longer strictly the normal either with many couples opting for weekday weddings for various reasons. Imagine standing their in the middle of your wedding ceremony and lovingly looking into your partners eyes enjoying the relaxing loud rumbles of the quarry trucks continually passing along the road and up over the hill towards Maitland – that is not my idea of a perfect romantic wedding venue. In conclusion I cannot understand the reasoning as to how this expansion can be deemed as necessary for the town of Paterson and the surrounding areas. It is unsafe to require such a large number of trucks to travel 27km by small country roads before reaching a main arterial road. It is unsafe to allow such high risk to pedestrians and road users from Martins Creek, through Paterson, Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights and into Maitland. It is unsafe for school children and parents to be forced to navigate school drop off and pick up with this increase truck traffic. If approved this expansion will detrimentally damage the township of Paterson for over 25 years into the future and result in many dollars of potential tourism lost. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This will impact the local traffic conditions and roads, which are already severely impacted by the amount of traffic using them now. The roads will be harder to maintain if this is approved and goes ahead in the area. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Altara (Australia) Pty Ltd |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Koalas live in the area. Increased noise blasts and disturbance/loss of habitat could lead to disorientation and more koalas on the ground, more vulnerable to increased vehicle movements, increased dust affecting eyes of koalas. Increased stress = increased disease = > mortality. These sort of developments also create a lot if noise and dust and never get rehabilitated. Please do not let this development proceed. |
Christine Belcher
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
There are numerous reasons I object to this proposal. Most are listed above! *280 truck movements a day through the peaceful town of Paterson and surrounding regions, is not progress. It is DECIMATION. *Historical Heritage of Paterson and Aboriginal influence should be considered. *Humans, flora and fauna will be physically affected. *Land destruction will occur. *Surrounding regions where these truck movements will occur, would be highly impacted as well. E.g. Melbourne Street East Maitland. Such areas are already highly impacted by local developments. (Chisholm, Thornton). Our roads are already clogged. *Noise and air quality in the region would be destroyed. *People choose to live in such towns as Paterson, for a peaceful lifestyle. Expansion to the quarry would destroy that. Visitors, like me, enjoy the tranquility of such small towns. Once it’s gone, we would never get it back! DON’T DESTROY PATERSON STOP THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL *This ‘ development’ would affect us all. Not just the people of Paterson and Martins Creek. But also those further ‘down the chain’. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I would like to object to the quarry proposal because of the following reasons. Road & Safety, excessive traffic created because of the added trucks on the road. The added trucks in the local roads will increase the risk of injury to other road user and the deuteration of the local council roads. Extra vehicle movements through Paterson will have an impact on the local business, with increase risk to local shoppers going about there daily business. |
Michelle Sneddon
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Organisation |
Patersn water user |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the project SSD 6612 The impacts on the community at the levels of production stated in the project are unacceptable and were previously experienced by the community during the illegal period of operation at the quarry. The CBD of Paterson was under siege by the quarry trucks: - *You couldn't park or walk across the street to services or shops, so you would just keep moving and often shop elsewhere. You didn't want to do it but there was no safe alternative. *Near misses were a regular occurrence with cars being sideswiped, trucks jackknifing and material on the road quite often resulting in broken windscreens, * School drop-off and pick up points were a nightmare along the entire transport route, particularly in town, *School bus drivers have mentioned many times how they feared it as only a matter of time for a tragedy. * Trucks would que out of town to the approved time and then it would start a conga line of trucks, a nightmare, * When the railway closures occurred traffic would bank up both sides of the line well back into the CBD. Other impacts were: - *Dust from the quarry was a regular feature and the plume was easily seen *Noise from the operations was commonplace eg we live 3 km south of the quarry down the railway line and it was quite common for us to be sitting on the verandah with the quarry noises clearly audible, you could count the loads going into the bin. *Traffic along the road to Maitland was a nightmare, with people trying to either, enter or leave their property's. This was a dangerous situation as there typically are no pull off areas to allow this to happen. So you had people slowing and trucks pushing up the rear it was scary. * There was no obvious benefit from having the quarry in our community, local quarry contracting firms were squeezed out and no jobs created for local people. In fact, it was this community wearing all of the cost, the anxiety, the fear, the noise, the dust and seeing none of the benefits. What we did see when the quarry was forced kicking and screaming by the L&E Court back to the approved production levels was:- * a sigh of relieve right across the community, *a country village vibe returned to Paterson, people gathering to chat on footpaths, tourists right throughout the week, cafes full, shops began to thrive again and since 2019 we have welcomed many new families into the area to enjoy the rural amenity. This and surrounding areas have become the lifestyle destination of choice. A safe place in a welcoming community with rural amenity and lifestyle. Should this proposed expansion be approved we will be back to the dark ages and many within this community will suffer heath loss, financial ruin and there will be a completed loss of place in a fractured town. MIchelle Sneddon |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of ⬛⬛⬛ whose property fronts ⬛⬛⬛, on the western side. Having reviewed the assessment, I do not see that there has been adequate consideration of the financial impact on land values of properties affected by the proposal, including those adjoining Paterson Road as mine does. There appears to be a lack of acknowledgment of how Paterson Road is already incredibly busy. There is mention of the quarry having operated previously (and a suggestion that this should provide some comfort), but this appears to disregard how much traffic volumes have increased along Paterson Road in the past decade following significant population growth in the area - i.e. in all of the area north of Maitland (including Woodville, Dunns Creek, Bolwarra Heights, Paterson, Vacy, Gresford, Dungog Seaham etc) - the vast majority of whom travel to Maitland and surrounds by using Paterson Road. It is not uncommon to view traffic from our property that is backed up from the Belmore bridge in Maitland. Yes - it is not unusual to see 3km of traffic jam in regional NSW though (Maitland, Lorn and Bolwarra) based on existing traffic volumes. The every increasing volume of traffic on Paterson Road is already a problem. The existing volumes mean it is already challenging to exit our property onto ⬛⬛⬛, particularly if we're attempting to turn to the right (as is most often what we need to do for school and work commutes). There are already many times throughout the day (weekday or weekends) when it is necessary to exit our property by turning left and then looking for opportunities to return past our property, typically by driving down backstreets of Bolwarra until we can make a left turn onto ⬛⬛⬛. It is incomprehensible how much more difficult and dangerous this simple task of existing our property will become if the proposal is approved. There are many property owners in this same predicament - and all of us face a direct and immediate adverse impact on the value of our properties if the proposal is approved. Additionally, the comments regarding noise impacts appear to be focused on the quarry itself. There has been inadequate consideration of the noise caused by the trucks. This noise is particularly relevant near our property given we are essentially next to a hill, where trucks use lower gears or air brakes to slow their decent into a roundabout. It is already impossible to have windows open in our house under the current truck volumes. It will be simply unbearable if the volumes increase per the proposal. The impact this will have on our property values and our residents health has not been properly considered. If there is a genuine need for the material from this quarry in the volumes proposed, then there are options available that do not require exposing local residents to such material adverse financial, health and safety impacts. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Objection to Expansion Martins Creek Quarry – Application No SSD-6612 Dear Sir/Madam, We are writing to object to Daracon and Umwelt's amended development application for the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. If approved the hourly and daily scale of trucking operations proposed from the site will see a return of the trucking madness residents experienced between 2007 and 2019. If approved, the quality of life of a large number of people will be adversely affected. This written submission will concentrate on Bolwarra Heights and the detrimental impact 280 truck movements per day will have on this area. This will include early morning impact due to sleep disturbance from truck noise, the loss of residential and large lot scenic amenity and the increasingly dangerous conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Bolwarra Heights, especially along Tocal Road, has traditionally been a ‘rural lifestyle’ area. The sort of ambiance associated with this style of outer urban development is not compatible with having the proposed level of heavy traffic passing through the community each day. The physical presence of trucks would be enormous and the noise relentless. We bought land off Lang Drive for the large lots and semi-rural outlook. A major impact for us will be the danger faced every time we want to access Tocal Road. Large trucks hurtling along at 80 kilometres per hour, if they are sticking to the speed limit, and even faster if they are not, will make it very difficult to turn safely onto Tocal Road. The only means offered for reducing truck impacts on amenity is via a code of conduct for drivers. Daracon has in the past stated at a public meeting that they have limited control over the actions of contract drivers. The uneven road surfaces cause the full trucks to rumble and grind while the empty ones clatter as they pass over the unevenly patched surface. After rain, in particular, deep potholes form and these are enlarged by the constant stream of trucks, until they are eventually patched by Council, adding further to the uneven pavement. This roadwork is paid for by ratepayers, not by the culprits causing most of the damage. Apart from noise, high levels of truck flow rates through our community also have real impacts on residents because of the dust and diesel fumes. Diesel fumes are a well-recognised source of carcinogenic particulate matter. Much of the product transported for construction purposes has been mixed with other materials and is being transported in open trucks loosely covered. The health and wellbeing of residents living along the haulage corridors must be considered a serious issue. It has been widely documented that constant road noise is a contributing factor to anxiety, stress, depression, high blood pressure and other cardio-vascular conditions. The application to increase quarry output should be rejected for pedestrian and vehicle safety. The section of Tocal Road between Maitland Vale Road and Paterson Road was originally built as a minor access road to local farms but it is now the main road to the Paterson and Dungog areas. It is narrow and congested and not suitable for fully laden quarry trucks travelling at 60 kilometres per hour. The pedestrian footpath on one side has the pedestrians walking within one metre of these large trucks and there are no shoulders to avoid a potential accident. Residents living along this stretch face a nightmare every time they want to exit their properties and enter the traffic on Tocal Road. Leaving Tocal Road to turn into their properties is equally hazardous, particularly if there is approaching traffic and that traffic is coming at speed. The amended development application should also be rejected because of the combined cumulative impact of both Martins Creek and Brandy Hill Quarries. Increased truck movements from both will meet at the intersection of Tocal and Paterson Roads, already busy because of the petrol station located there. The vast increase in trucks proposed by the Martins Creek Quarry expansion would see this intersection and the roads south extremely congested and dangerous. Entering and exiting the petrol station would become much more dangerous with queues of traffic forming on both roads. The residents of the Hunterglenn housing estate already have difficulty at peak travel times exiting the estate, particularly if they need to turn right across the traffic. The additional trucks coming from both Martins Creek and Brandy Hill will make this almost impossible. If this amended development application is approved, it will have an adverse impact on the Paterson and Bolwarra Road intersection which is adjacent to Bolwarra Public School and is a major access point to the school. The proposed dramatic increase in heavy vehicle movements will make this already dangerous intersection even more difficult and dangerous than it currently is for everyone associated with the school. Another business which will be adversely impacted is Tilly’s Play and Development Centre, a child care service on Paterson Road, catering for up to 118 children per day. The heightened amount of truck traffic along Paterson Road will cause the families an increased amount of risk when entering and exiting the child care facility, as well as risk to the Bolwarra Primary School children who walk to and from the centre for the school day. Yet another reason this amended development application should not be approved is that Daracon has shown they cannot be trusted to do the right thing. According to a media release in September 2019, Justice Duggan noted in the Land and Environment Court that Daracon had confirmed during cross examination they had derived income in excess of 100 million dollars from the ‘unlawful’ use of the quarry since 2012. Why should they be rewarded now when they were prepared to do the wrong thing then? If they are given approval now, who says they won’t exceed the agreed amounts as they have before? We strongly believe Daracon and Umwelt’s amended development application for the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry should not be approved because of the enormous impact it will have on the safety and quality of life of all the residents in the surrounding areas. This submission has just focused on Bolwarra Heights because that is the area we are most familiar with but it is not the only area that will be adversely affected. We have not made any political donations. |
Tim Ryan
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Organisation |
Brunker Road Veterinary Centre |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposed development. This affects me directly as I live on Tocal Road and was subjected to the scarcely believable amounts of truck traffic thundering past my driveway this quarry generated before the Land and Environment Court ruling stopped it. Convoys of four or five trucks in a row were common and, without measuring it, it seemed all over the designated 100km/hr speed limit. This was not down a highway or motorway but a narrow two-lane road with no verge. Getting in and out of my place became a test of skill and nerve. If it is bad at my place I still think it is much worse for the people of Paterson. The village has the potential to be another Morpeth as a tourist and recreation destination but any chance of that disappears with 40 trucks an hour dog-legging through the streets. The DPIE assesses that the benefits to the people of NSW outweigh the costs but the benefits are overwhelmingly and directly to the operators and the costs are borne indirectly by the people living between Martin's Creek and East Maitland. We gain nothing from the proposal besides danger, noise, constant road repairs and the nebulous promise of potentially cheaper hard rock aggregate should they ever be in the market for such a commodity. A proposal to move the vast bulk of the gravel by rail, via the dedicated spur they have available, and then using a transhipment point onto trucks would be feasible and would spare the community a lot of the grief that approval of the current plan would bring. It would also put some of the costs back onto the party who is undoubtedly the main beneficiary, Daracon itself. Daracon knowingly and willingly broke every consent condition they had last time they ran the quarry at the proposed capacity and I am in no doubt they will do so again if it suits them. That they are proposing to do the same again proves their complete lack of regard for the community in which they operate. |
Debra McLean
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Deeply concerned about the impact of the volume of trucks on our already highly congested local roads through and surrounding lorn, the safety of pedestrians and cars on the roads with this volume of trucks, their size and noise and speed and the huge volume of them through residential suburbs and the on main road to Patterson It’s not safe and I strongly oppose the development proposal. |
Kayla Bungay
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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I am against the proposal I live across from the corner of⬛⬛⬛. We moved to our property in 2013 and build the house. My mum runs an equine therapy business on our property. I am concerned that with the large number of trucks going past our property she won't be able to run her business as the noise of the trucks and the large number of trucks will be a distraction for the people that come for therapy. We also use our house as a Air B&B I'm concerned that with the noise of the trucks in the early morning will mean people wont want to stay and we wouldn't be able to use it as an Air B&B through the week. I can remember in 2015 when the quarry was operating and there was heaps of trucks it so very noisy, every morning and I would get woken up as the trucks would park on the corner waiting to go to the quarry. How can you be sure this won't happen again? I believe the area they are going to build the quarry in is where the spotted quoll lives and Kolas as well.I don't think there has been a study to look into this. While we have lived here we have had a drought and now floods. I concerned about the effects of Climate Change and a business running 30,000 trucks on the road over a years and all the CO2 that will be released. Why can't they just use the tramline to move the rock? I work in Maitland. I'm concerned about the damage the trucks will do to the roads. I have already blown 3 tyres on my car due to pot holes and I worry once there is hundred's of trucks every day the road will get worse and I don't think it is fair that the quarry won't have to pay to fix the roads that they damaged. When I was at school in East Maitland we would drive down flat Road and turn at Melbourne street the traffic would be backed up to the bridge that goes over the river. With all the extra trucks on the road I feel this will be even worse. I'm concerned about the businesses in the paterson Village and the affect the trucks will have. Tourism has become an important part of Paterson and with all the trucks driving through the village I believe people will stop coming. I have friends who are push bike riders who regularly ride to paterson through the week and are saying the truck will make it to dangerous to ride on the roads. I really don't understand how this could get accepted when the Maitland council is against and the Dungog council is against it and the local community is against it. I love living in Paterson there is a good sense of community and with 100's of trucks driving unnecessarily through the village I feel it will change for the worse. I would like to see most if not all the rock going on the train penalties for Daracon if they break the rules and an organisation to monitor them A study into the spotted Quoll. A study on the impact that many truck will have on Climate Change. Daracon to pay for the roads to get upgraded. Profits going back into the local community |
Joedy Lightfoot
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Living on ⬛⬛⬛ I am concerned the amount of trucks to increase daily will increase the amount of pollutants in the air and affect the air quality. My child suffers from Asthma and the extra risk of pollutants concerns me. I also travel Paterson Rd twice daily for school drop off and pick up. I am concerned about the extra traffic that will be in the area if the quarry expansion goes ahead. The intersections that lead onto Paterson road are currently very busy already so having a significant amount of trucks on this rd will significantly impact the safety of our local community. There are already a number of near misses as people try to enter from these intersections namely Maitland Vale Rd, the BP intersection and Hunterglen intersections. It is in the best interest for my family and the community if this expansion does not go ahead. Thank you |
Mick Gardner
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The town of paterson was established in 1833 and currently has some of the oldest buildings in Australia the Presbyterian church opened in 1842 the oldest Presbyterian church in mainland Australia, the paterson lodge built in the late 1800's and most of the old houses were built in a time where allowances for vibration of heavy vehicles did not even get a mention most of the underground pipework for water and sewer would have been urban ware and some of this is still there, our roads in the area were certainly not designed to take 280 trucks per day Mon - Fri when paterson had the immense rainfall this year the potholing in the road which became quite dangerous was not caused by 280 trucks per day because that has not happened yet it was just normal traffic i would hate to imagine what this will look like during and after trucking movements and especially during heavy rain events which i dont think will stop the trucks, the money that would/could be spent on road repairs will be substantial and where would it come from our councils certainly dont have this to spend i know because i live here, the roads through our historic town were certainly not designed compaction and width to accommodate these sorts of vehicles empty and even worse when they are fully loaded, when two vehicles meet at the rail crossing there is not alot of room even with two cars let alone truck and car when our vehicles are parked outside the service station and the country cafe a person has to be very weary when getting into your car with oncoming traffic and thats with normal cars when that many trucks are coming down its an accident waiting to happen these are safety issues that cannot be ignored ( there is no price on safety ) once trucks are in town and they pass the country cafe the 90 degree swing around the corner pass the paterson lodge will become an issue the road is already on a camber towards the lodge and when summer temperatures reach high 40's the bitumen will naturally roll on the downward side with that many truck movements causing major road damage. The historic buildings in paterson were designed and built in times when moving vehicles were horse and cart my concern with the multitude of truck movements is vibration and potential damage to these structures we have already had a vehicle mis calculate the 90 degree turn and run into the paterson lodge front wall causing considerable damage - damage that is difficult to replace because of its age, even if our town was relatively new the road infrastructure would still not be designed to accommodate truck movements of this multitude unfortunatey the martins creek quarry is in a position where there is no real alternate routes by road that help the situation only rail at this stage and its not just the town of paterson because the trucks just dont stop after they leave the town we have small bridges in particular near tocal homestead that is barely wide enough with two cars let alone truck and car then the issue continues all the way to melbourne street in east maitland, there is a multitude of issues around the transportation of this material through paterson and other areas besides the potential damage to infrastructure i think No.1 is SAFETY i can forsee this as a big issue and even the big government bodies cannot ignore we do not want to see people get hurt, in small country towns people are much more laid back than busy city towns and the small populations have become acustomed to the quite life they are not used to proposed busy heavy vehicle movements like this its a 50km speed limit through town and i have seen both trucks and cars ignore this on multiple occasions hence one 4wd crashing into the paterson lodge, i think the $$$$ cap has to come off and consider the safety issues the infrastructure damage is a given and just another issue |
Cameron Archer
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Organisation |
Paterson Historical Society |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The Society strongly objects to the expansion of the quarry because it will sacrifice the village of Paterson to a continuous stream of trucks travelling through it on a daily basis. The proposed consent states that this will only be week days leading everyone to believe that nothing happens in Paterson during the week. Many people visit Paterson on weekdays and it is a busy business centre and a vibrant community. Attached are the following: • A typical weekday in Paterson - an image from outside the Paterson Country Café on Thursday 10 November showing a group of motor bikes parked on the edge of the proposed haul route. • Address given to the hearing held at Tocal Hall on Monday 7 November 2022 • Submission to the Department by the Society The long-term impact on the heritage of Paterson will be in the decline of property values of the heritage buildings adjacent the proposed haulage route. This will lead to a lack of maintenance and decay of these structures. What is a well-cared for and proud village will decline and be stranded with 280 trucks streaming through on a daily basis. The draft conditions of consent do not address amelioration of the social impacts of the development. How can a payment of $40,000 pa alter the impact of these trucks? |
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Attachments |
a-typical-weekday-in-patersonpdf.pdf (PDF, 521.34 KB) mcq-ipc-public-meeting-speech-notes-7-november-2022--finalpdf.pdf (PDF, 130.69 KB) paterson-historical-society-objection-july-2021-final-2021pdf.pdf (PDF, 8.03 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I own a house not far from the Martens Creek Quarry and we are greatly affected by noise, blasting and dust from the quarry. When we first moved into our house the quarry was run by the railway and there was no problems at all but since Daracon took over the quarry it has been a pain. Daracon have broken all of the rules in the quarry no doubt just to make money without caring for any of the locals. They were not supposed to bring any trucks into the area before 7am but when I was still working I would leave home at 6.30am and there would be trucks parked down both sides of Grace Ave. with only enough room for my Ute to go between them. When they did blasting the were supposed to put the blast monitor in View Street, Vacy but there placed it behind a large gate post at a house in Wakaya Close, Vacy. I went over one day and asked him why he was putting it there and he said was just doing what Daracon told him to do. We also have a major problem with dust coming out of the quarry. When the quarry is operating we have to leave all of our doors and windows closed. I suffer from allergies so I have to spend most of my time indoors. We al so have problems with trucks coming out of the quarry and travelling on roads that they are not supposed to and when we go down to Paterson to shop and pick up our mail from the post office it is a dangerous place to be in with the amount of trucks travelling threw there. We moved up here over thirty years ago because it was such a pleasant place to be in but since Daracon took over the quarry it has became the complete opposite. |
STEPHEN SNEDDON
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Organisation |
Airdrie Pastoral Co |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My submission is attached as a PDF document below in section 8 |
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Attachments |
objection-letter-to-independant-planning-commission-of-nsw-for-ssd--6612pdf.pdf (PDF, 749.44 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
There is absolutely no need to transport the quarry materials by truck, there is an existing rail line that can be used with minimal changes. If this change was made and no trucks used, I'm sure there would be less objections to the submission. To think that one truck and trailer passing every 1 1/2 minutes from 7am is acceptable is ridiculous. We all know it will start before as all the heavy vehicles will be on the roads before that heading to the quarry for a 7am start. This amount of heavy vehicle traffic will cause fatalities, negating any work the NHVR and Transport NSW have done to reduce our road toll to zero. The roads have not been built to sustain this amount of heavy vehicle traffic and will be destroyed even further. Council cannot keep up with the existing potholes and eroded areas on the roads now. The rail option will also reduce the unnecessary emissions, noise and traffic congestion the heavy vehicles will cause. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The noise and traffic already disturbs the peace of Paterson Village .... they do not need any more disruption. |
robert w smith
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
how to destroy a township...aleady suffering from an overdose of trucks through a town shopping and residential centre....I am a resident of nearby Gresford and can see from an objective viewpoint the impact of the quarry and its transporting of materials...have spoken to locals who have shown me first hand evidence of house foundations damaged by the relentless passage of trucks past their front door ...not to mention the pyschological impact on their mental health...lack of sleep etc I feel something of the same impact when I shop in paterson or go to local sevice station cafee....and can't help wondering why the railway can't be utilised more....after all that was part of the original design....and why an alternative route can't be planned ....after all it.s going to cost as much to build a new road as it is to repair the exixting one ...withe relentless movement of big trucks! Please ...let common sense prevail....not corporate greed! thanks for the chance to voice an opinion Robert W Smith |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a former resident of ⬛⬛⬛and now live in ⬛⬛⬛ away from Tocal Rd. Our decision to move was driven by the traffic issues resulting from quarry operations in 2015-16. During that period Tocal Road lost most of the amenity associated with its large block urban interface nature. We found it hard to conduct conversations in our front yard over the noise and were regularly woken by the truck movements up to the quarry before 6am. Like many older houses our bedroom faced the street. We installed double glazing and had to sleep in all weather with the windows and doors shut, but this did not fully block the noise. The width of Tocal Road through Bolwarra heights was clearly inadequate for the traffic, to the point where walking on the (only) footpath during operating hours was unpleasant to frightening. Table 6-1 of the Assessment Report does not properly address the issues facing the communities of Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra associated with this proposal; 1. The lack of pavement width in Bolwarra Heights is noted but no conditions or proposals are made to ameliorate the issue 2. Although the lack of a sheltered right turn lane on the intersection between Gresford Rd and Dungog Rd is mentioned, the right hand turn from the Southbound lane of Paterson Rd and Bolwarra Road is not mentioned. I bring this intersection to the attention of the Commission as it is at the base of a descent, and both cars and buses turn into Bolwarra Road to drop off and pick up children attending Bolwarra Primary school. This sets up an unsafe interaction with laden trucks descending a hill, in busy traffic situations. 3. Pavement conditions are mentioned but no consistent, adequate means of reimbursing local communities and their respective councils for maintenance and or upgrades are noted. 4. No mention is made of the fact that trucks travel downhill in a built-up area through Bolwarra, generally using exhaust brakes with accompanying very high noise levels 5. The Paterson Road/Flat Road intersection is listed as operating at a high standard. This is often true. However, laden trucks are routinely forced into heavy braking while travelling down hill as they attempt to give way to Northbound vehicles turning right from Paterson Road to Flat Road. This is both unsafe and extremely noisy as most trucks use exhaust braking at this point. The noise is clearly heard on Kensington Road and would not allow conversation on Paterson road. 6. When the low-level crossing at Melville Ford is unserviceable, queueing from Belmore Bridge lights extends all the way through Lorn and beyond this roundabout during morning peak hour. This sets up more interactions with stationary traffic and loaded trucks at the bottom of the hill at the Flat Road intersection. No mention is made of alternative arrangements during such times. 7. The Flat Road/Melbourne Street and Melbourne Street/New England Highway intersections are identified as “close to capacity”. On a regular basis they are beyond capacity during morning peak hour, with Flat Road queueing beyond the railway bridge and Melbourne Street beyond the Cumberland Street roundabout. Again, routine road closures during wet weather exacerbate these problems but no steps to address temporary limits to road network capacity are proposed. We also once lived in Paterson and have experienced the loss of amenity and heritage values as a stream of large trucks, interacting with other traffic, pour through roads that were designed for horses and carts as opposed to laden truck and dog combinations. The residents there and the heritage buildings have been subjected to huge burden disproportionate to the employment and economic gains since the current operators purchased the quarry. I objected to the previous proposal and while there are concessions, I do not believe that the amended proposal addresses the issues I raised in relation to the traffic impacts along Tocal and Patterson roads to the Flat Rd roundabout. There are no meaningful steps to ameliorate the impacts on these areas in the proposed approval document, other than to limit the total number of truck movements. The new proposal to cap road transport at 500,000 tpa is overall an improvement in reducing gross movements across the impacted LGAs. Likewise, the decision to limit haulage to a single route reduces cumulative impacts for the residents of Port Stephens Shire. However; 1. The consolidation of haulage routes means that all the proposed up to 40 movements per hour will be through Bolwarra and Bolwarra Heights (Paterson naturally would be the same regardless). This is still excessive. 2. The stationing of “ready to roll” trucks overnight on the quarry is a step forward in reducing the requirement for empty truck movements before 7am. However, there should be a control on intervals for their departure or they will form a virtual convoy through Paterson and all along the route interfering with other traffic and creating a huge spike in noise. 3. The community is being asked to accept the approval without seeing a range of essential documents, and without the ability to make comment. In the case of residents along the haul route the proposed drivers code of conduct is critical. 4. The proponents have previously shown themselves to be not a good faith operator, reflected in their poor community standing. The community would appreciate a stated monitoring framework for any approval eventually issued. 5. The proposed approval limits the arrival of trucks in Paterson to after 6:45 am. Our lived experience along the Bolwarra and Bolwarra Heights stretch of the haulage route is that most sleep and outdoor conversation in that area will stop at about 6:30am. There are no provisions to mitigate this outcome in the proposed draft beyond a cap on hourly movements. The proposed conditions do NOT adequately address the road and traffic impact along the haul route • In summary, I suggest the following; o That consultation on the drivers’ code of conduct to be facilitated with meaningful engagement of the affected communities and be required to be in place before works on the extension commence o That the drivers code of conduct include standards around maintenance contributing to avoidable noise o That the drivers code of conduct requires no convoys or trucks following each other nose to tail through the residential areas, and particularly the elimination of groups of three or more trucks o A control on departures from the quarry to a minimum spacing of 2 minutes. This is particularly important to avoid a convoy of trucks departing shortly after the trucks loaded the night before are allowed to depart at 7am. o Provision of a protected turning lane for South bound traffic turning right into Bolwarra Road from Belmore Road o Ongoing monitoring of noise levels along Paterson and Belmore Roads comparing operational and non-operational days, with the option of offering affected owners’ compensation or noise mitigation works o A trigger mechanism to be included in the traffic management plan to limit or alter arrangements during road closure events such as when Melville Ford low level bridge is submerged (noting that this is more frequent than even minor flooding). o That all conditions be subject to ongoing monitoring not undertaken by or on behalf of the proponent. Thanking you for the chance to comment. |
Jake Bungay
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live with my family on a property just near the corner of⬛⬛⬛ We moved here in 2012 and built a house in the country. I attended Paterson public school. I am against the quarry expansion. My mum runs an equine therapy business at the property I'm concerned that with the large volume of trucks she will no longer be able to run her business.as the constant flow of truck will be a distraction for the clients. We also Use our house as an Air B&B I'm concerned that we will no long be able to have the option of having people stay during the week due to the noise from the truck drive past the property early in the morning and through out the day. I am concerned of the number of trucks passing through the village and the impact that will have on the local businesses. I have hear talk of putting a concrete barrier through the middle of the village so we couldn't cross the road is this true? if all the rock went on the rail you wouldn't need to change the roads in the village. I went to high school in East Maitland and every morning when we would drive to school down Flat road and turn at Melbourne street the traffic would be lined by till the bridge that goes over the river to would take ages to get through. How much worst would it be with a quarry truck lining up very minute. When the quarry was operating in 2015 there were heaps of trucks and they would wake me up every morning parking across from our house waiting for the quarry to be open. I believe this time it will be worse. I drive to work at East Maitland and I'm very concerned of the increase in the number of truck that will be on the road. I don't understand why when the Dungog council is against the proposal and the Maitland council is against the proposal and most of the community is against the proposal it would get passed. I'm concerned of the impact that 10's of thousands of diesel Truck \s driving on the road will have on climate change. We have been in a long drought and now it's been flooding the affects of climate change are felt a lot more in the country . I would like to see a change in the operating hours of the quarry. I would like to see less trucks and the majority of the rock being moved by rail. I would like to see a report on the impact of climate change and the volume of tucks that are being proposed in relation to putting all the rock on the train. I would like to see there plan to move to Net Zero CO2 by 2050 |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Objection to expansion of the quarry. Will destroy habitat of koalas and other endangered species. Will cause excessive trains and traffic, increasing noise pollution and traffic congestion on already busy roads. Will have a large affect on the local community. I live in East Maitland and my mother lives in Maitland and travels to Paterson for work. My aunt lives in Paterson. The traffic congestion and excessive loading of trains would affect our daily lives due to traffic and transport. We already hear enough train noise throughout the night due to coal transport through East Maitland and Maitland train stations. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposal has long term implications for residents of the Greater Martins Creek areas. Our roads are severely damaged, we have school children and buses dodging semi trailers barrelling through our towns, often far exceeding sign posted speeds, travelling through sections marked not for 2.5 tonne vehicles (as is the case in Seaham). There is also the damage to quality of life for those residences severely impacted by any consent to this plan. My family and others have moved to and reside in this area for a quieter quality of life in a rural setting. Approving this will have long lasting affects on the community. The approval should be refused with current conditions maintained. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We live in residential area that would be significantly and negatively impacted by a huge increase of trucks relentlessly passing through our neighbourhood. This would seriously effect road safety. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I disagree with this proposal for the above listed reasons |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
bonnington beef |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am amazed that this development could even be considered given the devastating impact it would have on all the surrounding communities and the environment. I strongly oppose this development and urge those responsible to consider the weight of public opposition when making a decision as well as the horrendous effect this would have on our rural community and our environment as well as our shire amenities, local businesses, tourism, roads and safety in our area. No changes or recommended conditions to this proposal will eliminate the adverse effect this development will have on our communities. The historic town of paterson will be virtually destroyed by any increase in truck movements on this rural road system. Noise, dust and safety will be intolerable for the community. To approve or even approve with conditions this proposal would be an inexcusable decision. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The road is busy enough now that adding that many trucks to our local roads the traffic will get so built up. Our local roads and intersections whwre never built to take this much traffic let alone even more the trucks will make. They will ruin out pot hole ridden roads even further as well. There are a number of childcare centres and schools along the main route through to Maitland and that addition risk to children coming and going from care and schools as well as the additional pollution to the air they play in is absolutely not okay. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Object for the reasons listed above |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a member of the Paterson community I welcome this opportunity to make a submission strongly objecting to the proposed expansion of operations and extraction at Martins Creek Quarry. After submitting an objection in 2016 and again in 2021 to the amended proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry I feel more than frustrated and angry that my key issues of concern are still relevant namely the social & economic impact on the local community of Paterson, the traffic & transport implications and the rehabilitation of the quarry site. In fact the executive summary of the Department of Plannning’s assessment report states “the Department considers that the key assessment issues relate to traffic and transportation, noise, air quality, and social impacts … rehabilitation and final landform impacts are also important assessment issues for the Project.” Paterson is a picturesque and historic rural village located on the Paterson River. It services the surrounding localities of Duns Creek, Martins Creek, Butterwick, Woodville, Tocal and Bolwarra Heights. At present I’m very pleased to say that Paterson is a lively and attractive hub for community activity and a welcoming destination for visitors. The local community has access to an impressive list of goods and services - for food and accommodation there is a local supermarket and a butcher, two hotels with bistros, the Country Cafe, Paterson Lodge and The Servo cafe. Health needs are taken care of at the Medical Centre, Pharmacy and Pathologist. There is a hairdressing salon and a barber! There is a stockist for all agricultural and irrigation needs, a Post Office and a country clothing shop. Paterson has a primary school, a preschool, a sportsground, a golf course, a large hall, churches, a service station and mechanics and a train station. There are a number of active community groups and charities that meet and operate in Paterson including Rotary, CWA, Red Cross, Garden Group, Historical Society, Rural Fire Service, Progress Association, fishing club, sporting groups and church groups. Tourists have a variety of accommodation choices and venues to visit such as the Courthouse Museum and Rail Museum. Our monthly newsletter, the Paterson Psst, is informative, well written and widely distributed. This list provides an example of what’s on offer but is by no means exhaustive. With regard to social impact, concerns have been raised that the proposed Project would impact the rural amenity, historical character, the sense of community and social cohesion experienced by residents of Paterson. It’s insulting to read in the assessment report and Conditions of Consent that measures such as a Community Contributions and Sponsorship Program OR financial contributions to council OR a Community Consultative Committee OR employing a dedicated Community Liaison Representative (BTW there is already an employee in that role) would be effective measures against the negative social impacts associated with the volume of heavy truck haulage through Paterson proposed by the applicant. Since retiring from full time employment I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel and explore some of the country areas of NSW. My preference is to travel mid week, avoiding weekend surcharges, minimum stays and high demand. I’ve found many other people take the same approach so the notion that heavy truck haulage through a tourist destination during the week won’t affect tourism is baffling. In the age of social media, negative reviews can make or break a business - if I was looking for accommodation and read something referring to truck route/noise, it would raise a red flag and I would look to stay elsewhere. The community of Paterson must not be expected to sacrifice their rural amenity and lifestyle. To read in the DPE assessment that this project is in the public interest is galling - it shows total disregard for the people of Paterson, those living in the vicinity of the quarry and along the haulage route. The only way to avoid/minimise/mitigate the negative social impacts associated with the proposed project would be to adhere to the current legal consent for the operation of the quarry which residents are living with now and have done so knowingly in the past. This is especially relevant when there are six other approved hard rock quarries with the capacity to provide significant volumes of high strength aggregates and construction materials within the Hunter Region. (Karuah, Karuah East, Seaham, Allandale, Brandy Hill and Teralba Quarries) I am outraged to read in the assessment report statements such as “The Department also recognises that the proposed annual road haulage limit of 500,000 tpa represents a rate that is not dissimilar to historical road transportation rates undertaken by the quarry over an approximate 18-year period between 2002 and 2019” Let’s be very clear that this represents a level of operation that was illegal and outside the consent conditions. The heavy truck movements through Paterson created unbearable living conditions, initiating the formation of the Martins Creek Quarry Action Group and ultimately the case brought by Dungog Shire Council in the Land and Environment Court. I also want to emphasise that the baseline for comparison is the current legal consent for the operation of Martins Creek Quarry- the 2016 application and the 2021 application are both proposals. The Mayor and representatives of Dungog Shire Council have presented a very clear position on the unsuitability of the roads and bridges for the proposed heavy truck haulage through the shire and the council’s inability to assist the applicant with completion of any roadworks if they fail to meet their conditions of consent in the suggested timeframe. Again this shows that the DPE has completely disregarded the local government input, the cost to the local ratepayers and even the words of the State Government representative, Dave Layzell, in parliament! It is also noted in the consent conditions that any proposed road upgrades will require further approval under Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993. It is obvious that the small rural village of Paterson is not suitable for heavy truck haulage. If the Martins Creek Quarry product is of such demand then another way to transport it must be found. There are a number of recommendations regarding rehabilitation of the quarry site but it seems that they are all to be implemented after consent for the project has been given. Why isn’t the applicant required to submit a Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan before consent? As the applicant is already operating the quarry do they have a current Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan? (In my searches I have been unable to find one to understand what is currently happening at the site.) Consent is being sought to operate this quarry over a 25 year period so why is the Rehabilitation Bond to be determined by: “ calculating the cost of rehabilitating all existing and immediately proposed disturbed areas of the site (taking into account likely surface disturbance over the next 3 years of quarrying operations);” ? It’s apparent that Paterson and Paterson River are areas of great concern because they’re mentioned 54 times in the Assessment Report in reference to proximity, historic & scenic values, site visits, local roads, bypass, rural amenity, heavy truck haulage through the village, Paterson River catchment & proximity, tight road alignment on 90 degree bend Duke St, pedestrian footpaths, traffic flow impacts, pedestrian safety risks, tourist destination, truck speed limit, road noise impacts and loss of sense of community. Repeatedly the document states in reference to Paterson that the Department recognises/ acknowledges concerns/people most affected. It is most alarming that Paterson is only mentioned 6 times in the recommended Conditions of Consent in reference to the time quarry trucks can commence driving through Paterson, trial of a self-imposed speed limit through Paterson, preparation of a Social Impact Management Plan including a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and a Community Benefit Plan. The recommended conditions of consent DO NOT prevent, mitigate or offset the adverse effect of heavy truck haulage through the village of Paterson. I would urge the commissioners to look closely at the written submissions offering support for this project - namely the content offered and the addresses of the submitters. Having attended the two day public meeting at Tocal College I know that the presentations were predominantly objecting to the application and that the supporting presentations were made by the applicant and the Department of Planning and Environment representatives. The full effects of the decisions made now will be felt by future generations of the Paterson community and for many years - in fact 25 years. The timeline for the proposed conditions of consent by the DPE are very generous to the applicant. I would suggest to you that if the applicant is permitted to transport their product by truck through the village of Paterson, at the rate they have applied for, that it will slowly destroy Paterson as a thriving community hub and an appealing tourist destination. NOW is the time to make the appropriate and the right decisions for the future of our area! |
Name Redacted
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13/11/2022 |
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As a local resident of Martins Creek I feel my family will be directly impacted by this proposal. The increase in truck movements on our local roads will dramatically increase the danger of family members & friends interacting with heavy vehicle movements, our local roads were not designed for these type of movements, they can barley cope with light vehicle traffic. The amount of close calls our family have experienced with heavy vehicles either not having enough clearances on narrow roads, roads that are way beyond disrepair, slowing traffic down to minimal speeds & in many places we have personally experienced damage to vehicles i.e. smashed windscreens/stone chips. As a resident who has lived in the area for some time we cannot accept the high risks these additional heavy vehicle movements put on our family. Every day we pray our children get home safe even with the current movements. There is also the issue of endangered species habitat amongst numerous species of animals that are affected with a development such as this. We have witnessed koalas that have been killed on our roads around this area, and the risk again is just too high to destroy their living environment for the sake of a quarry. When the quarry tonnage output was reduced due to Daracon breaching their license there was a very noticeable reduction of airborne dust throughout our home & surrounding buildings, this is also a major issue across the local neighborhood with many people commenting that we cannot go back to the way it was previously when Daracon had total disregard for EPA & licensing guidelines. We are not against any type of sensible quarry operations, what our concern is that Daracon have previously on many occasions totally shown they have no values and are not an honest trustworthy business who have total disregard for this community's safety & environment. I only have one question for the owners/managers of Daracon, who do I visit if one of my family members or friends is god forbid injured or worse from the inappropriate increase in operations? |
Name Redacted
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Submission |
I do not support the reopening of the quarry. The objections to this are very well explained by many petitioners and there is no need for me to review them here. |
Aidan Foy
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Organisation |
Hunter New England Local Health District and University of Newcastle. Writing as a private citizen |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Submission to the Independent Planning Commission We are writing to object to the proposal to increase the size and scope of the Martins Creek gravel quarry. This proposal will profit a family owned corporate entity at the expense of hundreds of people living in this area. 1. We live in Lemon Grove Rd which joins Tocal Rd at a blind corner just over the brow of a hill. Traffic travelling at the speed limit of 100km/hr have just 4 seconds to stop or take evasive action if there is anyone joining Tocal Rd from Lemon Grove Rd. At the moment, we minimise the risk by leaving as much room as possible, but there have been some near misses. A “B double” truck travelling at 100kms/hr has no hope of stopping and sooner or later there will be an accident. 2. As has already been pointed out to the Commissioners, this is not the only hazard. There are a number of places where children are going to and from school and other roads joining Tocal Rd. This is particularly true for the built up streets of Bolwarra heights where people will have to contend with the constant noise and close presence of these vehicles. 3. The damage to the local amenity will devastate many people. A continuous flow of B-doubles thundering through the historic village of Paterson and the surrounding countryside will destroy the ambience. The Commission has already heard accounts of the distress caused by the previous operation of this route by Daracon. 4. Passage of a large truck every 90 seconds will cause noise, dust, aerosol diesel emissions, visual pollution, and continuing road damage. Tocal Rd already has numerous potholes due to the floods and previous truck traffic. 5. Tocal Rd is already busy, and traffic jams between Bolwarra Heights and the roundabout at the junction with Flat Rd are not uncommon. These trucks will add to this, and from time to time, will bring traffic through Bolwarra Heights to a standstill, interfering with people going to and from work and taking children to and from school. People trying to get to Lorn will be stopped at the roundabout. In addition, every morning now, there are traffic delays where Flat Rd joins Melbourne St in East Maitland. With these additional truck movements, this choke point will continue all day. The quarry trucks will then add to congestion along the New England Highway. 6. Daracon has a history of previous illegal operation of this quarry without regard for local residents, and the best guide to future behaviour is past behaviour. They are very unlikely to keep even to the existing arrangements. Forty trucks an hour is bad enough, but if there is a commercial advantage to be had, they will exceed it. It is also inevitable that they will test the boundaries of the already excessive time limit if they have a deadline to get product to their customers. Daracon have said that they will have a code of conduct for their drivers concerning their driving behaviour. This is meaningless. Very few, if any of their drivers will be employed directly by them, and even if they were, the code would be unenforceable. 7. As the commission is aware, there are many other quarries in this area closer to highways than this one which can be used with much less disruption to people’s lives, and Daracon have access to a rail line. In a democracy, the welfare of hundreds of people should not be sacrificed to profit one commercial operator. Corporate greed should not trump the rights of the community. 8. The claim that Daracon will spend $40,000 for a “wellness” person is an insult and evidence of this company’s hubris, arrogance, and condescension towards the affected communities. This company’s past record and this proposal gives us no confidence that they have any commitment to anything other than their profit. To conclude, Commissioners, we appeal to you to take into consideration the objections of those who will suffer from this quarry expansion and refuse it. Sincerely, Aidan Foy MBBS FRACP AM. Hilary Foy BA Grad Dip Spec Ed. ⬛⬛⬛ 13th November 2022 |
Christine Winnett
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am strongly OPPOSED to this proposed development. I live at ⬛⬛⬛ main haulage route. We are already living with what Paterson, Bolwarra and East Maitland will increasingly endure for the next 25 years. Our lived experience comprises trucks on the road en route to the quarry at the early hours of the morning ell before "operating" hours, endless engine braking of some trucks with accompanying intrusive noise, speeding, tailgating of other drivers and intimidation of other road users, destruction of the road surface of local roads which were never designed to carry these weights and numbers of heavy vehicles, the endless diesel fumes and environmental damage of our beautiful rural area as well as the various rogue truck drivers that are a law onto themselves. Along with this there is the added danger to pedestrians, school children standing on roadsides waiting for school buses with quarry trucks flying past at 80 to 100 km per hr and cyclists who use our roads. We have no pathways or cycle lanes in our area. I do not believe Daracon will be any different in its consideration of the local community that its haulage routes will impact. There will be the comment we cannot control our subcontractors once they leave the quarry. We in Brandy Hill and Nelsons Plains will be enduring the cumulative impact of both quarries on our neighbourhood. We will have added dangers trying to turn into our driveways. An accident has already occurred at our drive with a relative with our 5 yr old granddaughter trying to turn in and being rear ended. This time it was a car but imagine a 50 tonne truck and dog. Seeing them coming in your rear view mirror is terrorising, as they travel at speed you are wondering will they see my car stopped with an indicator and pull up in time. Daracon has listed the use of Haulage Route 2 for "local" deliveries using the totally inadequate Butterwick rd. What is the definition of local? Anything that is east/ north of Haulage Route 1? The shortcut drivers take with the empty noisier trucks back to the quarry? This term is so open ended that it means no compliance can be insisted upon. The population of surrounding areas are unable to monitor the trucks and report any problems. Most sub contractor trucks do not have any identifying information on them. The impact on Paterson of this expansion will greatly affect the amenity and beauty of this historic town. Daracon is only concerned with the bottom line and making more profits. I do NOT believe the number of workers employed at the quarry and the number of subcontractors is a worthwhile trade off for the thousands of residents, visitors and businesses in the area that will be negatively impacted on Haulage Routes 1 and 2as well as other roads the truck drivers will use at whim. On Haulage Route 1, Melbourne St , East Maitland is already a major dangerous bottleneck particularly at peak times without the extra impact of additional trucks and dogs from Martins Ck. This area regularly has traffic banked up for kms. Both Hanson and Booral quarries use this road as a part of their haulage routes. All the businesses in this area will be severely impacted. Business owners have told us they already are experiencing difficulties in the use of driveways and exiting of parked cars by customers and employees. It is a nightmare already let alone with another 280 trucks per day. A major advantage that Martins Ck quarry has over the other quarries in the area (which supply a very similar product) is that it has a rail siding. Why wont Daracon use this resource fully? It would require some planning and forethought but it can be done. A large number of the problems would be greatly reduced if all the product was shipped out by rail to a stockpile site where it could be then trucked onwards or even railed to a larger centre like Sydney and then trucked onwards. Therefore not using local roads and impact Paterson and beyond. By doing this our communities and environment would not be subjected to more quarry trucks on our already congested and substandard roads. Please IPC do not allow this quarry to expand at the expense of our area. ALL the product needs to be railed out not partly on our local roads. There are new quarries which are in the pipeline for development that have direct highway access that can greatly help the perceived shortfall of quarry product. Our local rural area and environment should not be sacrificed for a quarry. Rail not Trucks. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
I live with my mother at ⬛⬛⬛. I am strongly opposed to the expansion of the Martins creek quarry for many reasons. The increased amount of trucks will deteriorate our roads even more than they already are and make our roads unsafe for both drivers and pedestrians alike. I am concerned for my young nephew who has just started to become a member of our community and my mother who is an elderly lady who enjoys the use of Paterson's facilities on a daily basis. I am concerned for the safety every member of our community and for the long term affects this will have on our community. I have attached my mothers objection letter of which we spoke in detail about together, and which I support as my own comments even though it is written from her point of view. Please find this attached |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I live less then 1km from the quarry, blasting has impacted by lifestyle in the past operation of quarry, noise, dust, potential damage to my house. It causes rocks to come up out of the ground and appear on the surface after blasts. These rocks cause damage to farming equipment also. Koalas live in this area, and I have seen them less then 200m from the quarry along dungog road bush line. They will be impacted by the quarry. The roads become destroyed by trucks, the drivers come around blind corner onto goswick one lane bridge at excessive speed and don't give any regard for the cars. It's an accident waiting to happen. The trucks also line the sides of the roads around the quarry in the morning before the quarry opens creating a visability issue for car drivers. I object to the quarry for these reasons. Since the quarry has been shut for illegal operation we have our safety, peace and quiet back. This is what we moved to this area for and don't deserve to loose it again |
Peter and Leesa Priestley
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
WE STRONGLY OBJECT to the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. I have (still do) lived on ⬛⬛⬛ for 35 years my husband for 62 years, our house is in very close proximity to the Gostwyck bridge. Our lives are so peaceful now, unlike when the quarry was operating illegally and we would suffer the constant rumbles and braking and fumes from the constant flow of trucks back and forth daily (from 6am). Many times the trucks would be lined up from the Dungog/Gresford road turn off all the way to Grace Avenue, a nightmare for anyone trying to commute along Dungog Rd early in the mornings. We experienced many speeding trucks hit the bridge hard and also many near misses where they have locked up their brakes to avoid an accident on the one lane historic bridge, which incidently has always been a one lane bridge for ALL traffic, not just heavy vehicles (page 31/86, 6-3). The intersection of Gresford and Dungog Rds is very dangerous at the best of times for anyone turning right to Vacy, it is a 100km zone (not 80km page 31/86 6-4). You have to creep out quite far to see what traffic is coming from Vacy and then if a truck is turning right onto Dungog Rd from Paterson you are a sitting duck, waiting to be squashed by it. Our road pavements are absolutely terrible and cant even handle local traffic let alone 280 trucks per day (and that's just the quarry trucks), imagine how worse they would be and how many broken windscreens we will get from the trucks throwing up damaged pavement. Try safely exiting and entering your driveway to your rural property with all of those trucks plus the local traffic that has increased remarkably since the application was started? Also there are alot of school bus pick up and drop off points on the haulage route. Besides the noise from the trucks we can hear and feel blasting and trucks being loaded from our place, (heck we can even hear the Singleton army base) which is much further away, we LIVE this , when on the stand in court supporting Dungog Shire Council the opposition told me if I couldn't see the quarry then I couldn't hear it and the damage to our home was because we built on reactive soils, typical of people who think they know better than those who LIVE near the quarry or on the haulage route. When operating we can see the layer of dust hanging over the Martins Creek township and local area to the quarry, dust that is created from crushing Andesite rock which contains silica. My husband and his brother own and operate the property "Gostwcyk", it has boundaries on Dungog Rd and Grace avenue, the Dungog shire council's L.E.P states that it is in place to protect rural lands, natural resources and items of heritage significance and to PROTECT agricultural lands from adverse impacts from NON-AGRICULTURAL land users. The creek that runs under the road in Grace Avenue often runs a bluey/milky colour (this occurs even when there has not been extreme weather conditions) then runs through the property from there and then through other properties then into the Paterson river (which is a home for many aquatic species including PLATYPUS) ,also Hunter water are proposing a weir to be built near the Gostwyck bridge, do all the town and city dwellers want to drink that? {The EPA already allows Daracon to discharge pollution to land and water.} The ecomomic impact on property value will be huge for anybody in the area or on the primary haulage route,who would pay top dollar to be hounded by 280 trucks per day for AT LEAST the next 25 years. Paterson township is a beautiful community (with many young families and elderly people alike), tourist destination and stop off point for people travelling to the Barrington state forests etc. If this proposal is allowed it will be the END of this rural town, when the quarry was operating illegally you could not safely park or alight your car anywhere along King or Duke Sts. This is the hub of the town, we frequent the butchers, the IGA, Longhorn country apparel, the post office, the bottle shop, the service station, the hairdressers and the country cafe regularly and at different days and times we LIVE this. The proposed truck movements are abhorrent and detrimental to all of Paterson, especially these businesses. DARACON'S empty promises. *They lied and cheated us in the past, how on this earth could you expect us to believe any of the proposals they have made to justify their quarry expansion. * Who is going to police the truck movements, the signage on the trucks? *Self regulation?? the community does not TRUST Daracon to do this, they have misled us before and are now trying to con us into thinking they have our best interests at heart. *How would we know if the monetary contributions thay claim they will make will actually be used for the purpose stated? * Why a levy to Martins Creek public school, there are a handful of students and NO truck movements past there? *What about the endangered wildlife in the bushland near and in the quarry site, the regent honey eater, the swift parrot, the spotted tail quoll, the KOALA and the slaty red gum? Is $180k really enough to make Paterson safe for pedestrians? I think not. *WHY do Daracon think they can just throw money at us and we will lie down and take it? *What happens after the 18 mths completion date for the propsed works, it states in the EIS B40 ? As if council can afford to finish of the job, our rates are through the roof now? *I've read most of the "support' letters, the vast majority are only one sentence long and refer to local jobs, I call B.S. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW THIS EXPANSION TO PROCEED, we live and breathe this beautiful rural area, for many of us it is our livelihoods, others our peaceful retreat from the busy town and work life. We LIVE here, our safety, our mental health, our peace, our love of the area are all at risk. Your health and well being can not be bought, richness is being healthy, happy and safe. Thank you for the opportunity to express my views. |
Carmel Northwood
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Organisation |
Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS) |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I gave a brief speech as Convenor of Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS) to the IPC Public Meeting, Tocal Agricultural Centre, 7th November 2022, in order to raise concerns about the environmental impact of the recommended State Significant Development SSD-6612 at Martins Creek Quarry in Dungog Shire. Attached is the more detailed written submission I promised to deliver. |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-ipc-submission-final-november-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 468.11 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Ruth Buggy |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am a resident of ⬛⬛⬛ and have lived in the area for most of my life, approximately 58 years. I am greatly concerned about the impact the increase in truck movements will have to health and safety, residentially, environmentally and economically in our areas, from Martins Creek through Vacy, Paterson, Tocal, Butterwick, Brandy Hill, Raymond Terrace, Wallalong, Hinton, Morpeth, Largs, Bolwarra, residents along Flat Road, Lorn to East Maitland. The increase in truck movements from and to the Martins Creek Quarry would only exacerbate the already exiting problems/concerns of the areas as listed below: 1) Increase in traffic congestion. Exiting Hunterglen Drive onto Paterson Road already poses a risk. Waiting times can sometimes be up to 15 minutes or more, which can lead to an increase in traffic incidents, of which there have already been numerous as evidenced by broken glass at the intersection. Many residents decide to drive along Bolwarra Park drive and come out at Maitland Vale Road and then join up to Tocal Road to come back past Hunterglen Drive, adding to the waiting time experienced for those exiting via Hunterglen Drive. 2) Increase risk of traffic incidents when merging onto Paterson Road from Tocal Road. 3) Concerns for the safety of our children and grandchildren going to and from school and from the local childcare premises along Paterson and Belmore Roads. 4) Increase risk of injury regarding residents/children crossing Paterson Road using pedestrian refuges recently installed. 5) Increase risk of injury to children riding bikes to and from school and cyclists using Paterson, Tocal, Flat Road and Belmore Roads. 6) Current Roads going through residential areas are not built for truck haulage. 7) Increase to road maintenance works i.e.: road damage/potholes 8) Increase maintenance works to Heritage Timber Bridges i.e.: Woodville Bridge (single lane), Hinton Bridge (single lane) and Morpeth Bridge that will be affected by the increased load placed on them. 9) Increase in noise and dust emissions that would impact on the many houses that line the haulage route, some of which back onto Tocal Road when travelling from the Woodville Bridge. The increase in both noise and increase dust emissions would also affect the general health, wellbeing and mental health of these residents. 10)Small businesses along the haulage route in the area will be negatively affected by the increase in truck haulage numbers i.e.: accessibility to businesses by the elderly/families/ children and delivery personnel. 11)The changes to the ambiance of the area that would be experienced by people visiting and travelling through the areas. Interruptions to the tranquillity of the general surroundings. 11) Decrease in housing prices in the area. The existing rail infrastructure that exists at Martins Creek Quarry, should be utilised and product off loaded and loaded with this infrastructure instead of placing the pressure and threatening exiting road and residential communities. I am strongly opposed to Martins Creek Quarry expansion project and reject it in its entirety under the proposed road haulage strategy. |
Fiona Walsh
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of Lorn, living close to ⬛⬛⬛ I have been here for 25 years and have suffered the impacts of the quarry trucks in the years past. Lorn is a vibrant heritage town. Its main road, Belmore Road, is already very busy and has two pedestrian crossings. I have witnessed many near misses on the crossings over the years and I have had to step back from the curb many times to let the quarry trucks thunder past me. This has occurred at the crossing outside our local infants school and at the crossing outside our local paper shop. Quarry trucks will significantly add to the danger for pedestrians in our town. The noise of the trucks through Lorn both laden and particularly unladen trucks as they bump their way down the main street will affect how I enjoy my property. Lorn is a beautiful leafy town and I love to entertain outside under the trees. The noise pollution will significantly impact my quiet enjoyment of my property and it will also affect the property values in the area as well. I, like many people in Lorn and many people from many other areas, visit our local boutique and coffee shops on a regular basis. Having quarry trucks traveling through Lorn will have to turn patrons away and have a disastrous affect on the businesses in Lorn. How is Daracon going to mitigate this? I travel to work via Flat Road most days. This is a very busy route in peak times with traffic sometimes backing up from Melbourne Street all the way to Glenarvon Road. Having truck after truck coming through here will cause major traffic congestion and delays. I have also traveled through Patterson to Dungog several times a week for the last 25 years both for work and to visit my parents. I vividly remember on many occasions being sandwiched between quarry trucks. There was regularly 3 or 4 trucks travelling together but at times there was a row of 8 or 9 trucks travelling together. This level of trucking on our roads must not ever occur again. I regularly had my windscreen chipped and the paintwork on my car from passing trucks. The road conditions are poor and with an increase in truck load, the roads will become unbearable and dangerous to drive on. None of the roads the trucks will have to take from Martin's Creek Quarry are suitable for such a large number of trucks. There are many other quarries in the area that have traffic routes that are suitable for this sort of expansion. The Planning Department must see sense. This expansion would be a stupid number of trucks travelling on totally unsuitable roads through towns that are totally unsuitable for trucks. Please reduce the amount of blasting and make Daracon take haulage ONLY BY RAIL. Surely the big $$ for some isn't worth the huge affect and misery for so many others. |
Beverly Teh
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Location |
Western Australia |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
They have cleared koala habitats. Road quality and air quality have diminished since these trucks have been using local roads a thoroughfare without any appreciable contribution to local culture and economy. We have lived in the area in the past and upon recently visiting family we have felt the changes. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Website |
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Submission |
We understand that Maitland Road is proposed to be a haulage route for the expansion of the Quarry. We also understand that the proposal will significantly increase the number of loaded and unloaded quarry trucks. To be operated by the Quarry or driven by private contractors. We are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on our home and on the village of Paterson. Our fears are: - My family currently make use of the school bus system and walk safely in our community. Increased truck movements will reduce their ability to do this and will be to the detriment of their safety. - The noise of empty trucks will significantly increase with more truck movement. This is not commensurate with the Paterson village and will have a detrimental effect on my family’s day-to-day living and well-being given our proximity to Maitland Road. - Loaded trucks vibrate our house. Increased truck movement will further acerbate this problem potentially causing damage to the heritage listed property but more importantly to the detriment of my family’s well-being. - The increased truck movement will have a visual impact on the character of Paterson. The sheer volume of trucks will dominate what is an historic, rural village. - Uncovered trucks (including unloaded vehicles) cause spilling of dust and debris. This presents not only driving hazards but also health issues with our home being located so close to the roadway. - Heavy haulage will cause damage to Maitland Road. Repairs and upkeep of this road would be at our and rate payers’ expense. - Truck drivers and operators are not controlled by the Quarry. Driving standards and behaviours are not monitored or addressed in an appropriate manner. Potentially leading to safety incidents. The proposed Martins Creek Quarry expansion will significantly increase reliance on road haulage. We believe this is unnecessary given the Quarry’s existing rail infrastructure. It will cause long term loss of amenity and safety concerns for the Paterson community and for my family. |
Michael Stevens
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
as attached |
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Attachments |
independent-planning-commission-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 141.06 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Website |
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Submission |
I don’t want the extra traffic that will be dangerous to the whole community! Removing valuable parking! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have 4 young children and do not want them growing up in our village or eventually learning to drive on our roads with that many trucks coming through here. The intersection between Paterson Rd and Bolwarra Rd is already a nightmare, especially around school drop off time, and it will be exponentially busier and extremely dangerous. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Website |
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Submission |
The effect of a continuous stream of heavily loaded B double trucks will destroy the roads around Paterson Maaitland areas. |
Cameron Archer
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Organisation |
Dungog Regional Tourism |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Dungog Regional Tourism strongly objects to this proposal and the draft conditions of consent. DRT works to promote tourism and the impact of these trucks on the southern gateway to the region will be extremely detrimental to the long-term sustainability of local tourism both within Paterson and throughout the Dungog region. We do not believe the traffic studies have fairly assessed the impacts and long-term risks. There are a number of pinch points on this proposed haul route: • Gostwyck bridge – referred to at times as a two lane bridge but it is a single lane bridge with a hazardous approach in the direction from which laden trucks are travelling. • Post Office corner in Paterson – a 90 degree turn which Daracon wants to modify. This could only be done by reducing the size of the footpath and verge space. • Rectory corner – the proposed haul route goes with 3 metres of this historic building and through a blind, awkward dogleg in the street – totally inappropriate for this volume of trucks. • Tocal College – three entrances and a crossing where many people walk across Tocal Road. In addition, the noise of trucks will impact on activities at Tocal Homestead and Tocal College. • Merger of Tocal Road and Paterson Road in Bolwarra (BP service station) – another awkward intersection which already has Brandy Hill quarry trucks • Melbourne Street intersection – this is already a congested location The trucks will impact on the desirability of the region as a tourist location as well as the amenity for locals. The carriage of the majority of product should be by rail. There must be close monitoring of all operations including real time recording of truck movements on a public website. Attached is DRT’s previous submission, speaking notes from the public hearing and a recent image of a Paterson on a weekday demonstrating that tourism is a 7 day a week business in the village. AC Archer AM Chair Dungog Regional Tourism 12 November 2022 |
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Attachments |
a-typical-weekday-in-paterson--copypdf.pdf (PDF, 489.34 KB) dungog-regional-tourism-objectionpdf.pdf (PDF, 166.22 KB) mcq-ipc-public-meeting-speech-notes-7-november-2022--finalpdf.pdf (PDF, 130.69 KB) |
Ji Montgomery
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Organisation |
No business |
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Location |
Australian Capital Territory |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
Dear whomever I am demanding protecting our endangered environment now clearing and destroying our land will put countless kolala bears all at risk in Campbelltown and all parts of Sydney of Australia. I demand that you protect our endangered kangaroos now as so many have been slaughtered daily.. Concerned Citizen, Ji Montgomery |
Janet Piper
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I strongly oppose the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. Please refer to the attached document for full details of impact. I can not understand how the Department of Planning and Environment can assess that the project is acceptable given all the significant impacts that have been identified. For the DPE to conclude that the impacts can be managed and mitigated is ridiculous. At the meeting at Tocal that the IPC held, it was totally inadequate that the DPE's response to the IPCs questions was simply that their assessment followed their departments guidelines and policies. Please do not approve this expansion. Please do not allow Daracon destroy the Paterson village and our rural scenic area. Please do not allow trucking hell for the next 25 years. |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-objectiondocx.docx (DOCX, 30.05 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
We do not need so many trucks in our region our roads are wrecked already And the impact on wildlife will be enormous |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
BVN |
|---|---|
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Location |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We live in a heritage listed home on ⬛⬛⬛. Our living and sleeping areas are located 4metres from the curb on this single lane road and I have deep concern for my family's safety in regard to the potential for accident involving the type of proposed truck activity. I believe I am not alone with this fear. Many parties will be making objections to the quarry for reasons of loss of amenity, unsustainable traffic, road degradation, adverse environmental impacts etc. and I fully support all of these concerns. However, my deepest worry if the Quarry is approved is for my family’s safety. It is only a matter of time before an accident occurs - all in our community predict this. The road is not fit for purpose, and it is only a matter of time before someone will be deeply injured or die. I hope it is not my family or any of my neighbours. The proposed conditions do not mitigate the risks I have outlined above. Road transport is a terrible option for many reasons but the impact on my family safety would be horrendous. PLEASE DO NOT RISK OUR LIVES FOR THE SACK OF SOME BALLAST. Please have some vision and deny this mode of proposed transport. Lives are at risk. |
Timothy Mallon
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly oppose the Martin's Creek Quarry. I live in the area and share the concerns about the impacts the trucking movements will have on the entire area. This proposed expansion to the quarry represents a threat to the health and well being of thousands of residents. It is an idea that simply does not enhance the life of the people who live here. It is part of a way of thinking that our society, our country needs to move beyond. Industry that diminishes our lives, that doesn't serve to enhance our lives, that pollutes the environment should not proceed. It should not come at the expense of the people who have chosen to live here, who purchased their homes here, chose to raise their families here only to be told they will be subject to thousand upon thousand of diesel trucks movements past their homes and on their intersections each year. That does not enhance our lives, our communities, our collective. Whatever the financial gain, it is not worth it. We must move beyond such thinking. The studies that support su h a ludicrous idea must do a better job at imagining the victims of this proposed expansion. Can they imagine something beyond numbers and data? Can they imagine the diesel fumes? The sound of trucks? The sense of entitlement of the drivers who day after day will surge metronomically through the beautiful floodplain roads and streets of our area. We were here already, we did not come here because we thought we wanted to hear, smell, see, feel, thousand of extra truck movements per year! Australian Governments need to to better thinking, need more ethics, less fallacious data, need to care more about people over profit,need to value the natural environment and improve our health. I oppose the expansion of thre Martin's Creek Quarry and the concomitant and beastly increase in trucking associated with this proposal. I urge the Dept to take heed of the the community who live in this area and who oppose this proposal. |
Wayne Snell
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Organisation |
Social Motorcycle groups |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Heavey vehicle traffic will cause deterioration of current road conditions in the area as a social motorcycle rider this will have a direct impact on my safety and the safety of hundreds of other motorcyclist who ride these areas on the weekends |
Neil Ritchie
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
See attached pdf. The main points are: • Road haulage from this quarry will always be inefficient and environmentally costly due to the GML roads and bridge limited payloads. • The lived experience of trucks through Paterson was a disaster and the effects on businesses would have been greater if it was allowed to continue and will be much worse over 25 years. • Any business closures will affect the entire population of the Paterson Valley and beyond. A 1000% increase in heavy truck traffic is NOT insignificant. • While ever there is excess supply capacity for NSW gravel products, there will be a zero Nett increase in jobs or economic benefit to NSW. (There will be a benefit to Daracon though) • This quarry has a rail siding. The Hunter Valley is and will continue being well serviced by road haulage quarries. If the DPE’s concern for gravel supply is for Sydney and beyond, then even more so, rail (if you do grant a consent) must be only haulage method allowed. • The Australian Rail Track Corporation has stated that there is and will be excess capacity for trains for a container terminal. This quarry will need far less capacity than for that project, and the inland rail line will free up even more capacity. Rail is both feasible, and socially and environmentally extremely beneficial. • There are and will be other potential quarry sites without the massive negative social impacts of this proposal. • Please do not allow the Paterson valley population and visitors to be sacrificed to trucking gravel, when the lived social and economic Cons far outweigh the overstated Pros, and there are far better alternatives. |
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Attachments |
mcq-ipc-written-submission--neilpdf.pdf (PDF, 1.04 MB) |
Alan Mitchell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
I object to the Martins Creek Quarry State Development Application made by Daracon Pty Ltd. The details of my objection are set out in the PDF attachment. |
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Attachments |
abm-final-ipc-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 176.6 KB) |
Charlotte Anderson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My family moved to Bolwarra Heights for a quieter more rural lifestyle. With all the new housing in the area it is becoming a nightmare at times trying to get out if our estate. With the estimates reported of number of trucks that will be passing our estate each day it will become unbearable. We do not want to live here anymore and will look for somewhere less busy. We love the area but it is being ruined. |
Jennifer Carroll
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
. |
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Attachments |
ipc-submissionpdf.pdf (PDF, 41.84 KB) |
Jane Greenslade
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The Martin’s Creek and Paterson areas provide unique rural environmental and cultural amenity to local people and to native flora and fauna. The local town of Maitland maintains the atmosphere, culture, and services of a country town, whilst it’s closeness to the coast and Newcastle provide opportunities for both populations to benefit. Due to rapidly increasing population growth these unique and significant qualities are already being heavily impacted with rural land being swallowed by large roof to roof housing estates and in particular increased traffic. The increase in traffic is already causing a significant increase in congestion in the area. This will be significantly exacerbated by large numbers of heavy vehicles. The roads in the Martins creek and Paterson areas are in very poor condition already and are not suited to the proposed increase in heavy vehicle traffic. Paterson village is a unique and historical asset with narrow winding roads. Twenty trucks per hour from 7.45 am will completely ruin this village The heavy vehicle traffic will also cause further deterioration in road conditions and significantly increase hazards for local road users. The local hospital already has emergency room wait times of 8 hours and is understaffed. An increase in road hazards and environmental hazards, such as dust, noise, stress, will increase pressure on existing inadequate medical services. In summary the local area does not have the infrastructure to support the proposed quarry expansion. In addition the expansion will cause a highly detrimental impact on the built and natural environments. |
frances shanahan
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I live at ⬛⬛⬛, on that piece of road between the BP servo and the Flat Road roundabout. This piece of road will be subject to the Martins Creek trucks AND the Brandy Hill trucks. I don't believe the Assessment adequately addresses the cumulative effect of the two fleets of trucks. I experienced the unacceptable noise and traffic chaos from the rucks between 2016 and 2019 when the Proponent was running the Martins Creek quarry illegally. I suffered a loss of quality of life at that time. It seems that the key point in the evaluation of the proposal is the use of rail. The proponent engaged their own rail consultant and got the answer they wanted. The Department appears to have accepted the consultants rail report without too much question. Why doesn't the IPC commission their OWN Rail review using INDEPENDENT consultants or direct the Department to do so ? Hopefully, a genuinely independent rail consultant can look at all the issues, apply lateral thinking and come up with some viable, innovative solutions. I know the Commission is in a difficult position but I am depending on you to come up with the right answer. Kind regards Frances Shanahan. |
Tracey Showman
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on the ⬛⬛⬛. Therefore I am directly impacted by the road haulage. My home is located on⬛⬛⬛ a 4.5 km stretch of road between the village of Paterson and the Dungog Road turn off toward the Martins Creek Quarry. What has been grossly overlooked by all parties is the fact that there are 30 dwellings along this road that have to access driveways. The are 3 chicken farms within this 4.5 km's and numerous beef cattle operations. The most concerning issue is that the speed limit along this road in 80 km's per hour for the first 3.3 km's and there after is 100 km's per hour. Due to population growth, which has occurred over recent years and the subsequent additional vehicles to service this growth ie, school buses, emergency vehicles, food, fuel, earth moving, chicken, cattle and the endless list of supply and domestic vehicles, this already busy thoroughfare can not absorb additional trucks on a daily basis to that extent. The current condition of the road, due to recent rain and it's rapid deterioration leads me to believe that this road can not sustain this additional heavy vehicle movement without creating safety hazards for other road users. Do not forget our children are in fact learning to drive on our already very busy roads. The noise of the unladen trucks almost out ways the vibration of our house when they return loaded. Moving into the village, the proposed modifications to the existing Main Street would have profound consequences on the business's that line the street. Our main street is a hub of social and community interaction, where people met and talk. With the amount of proposed heavy vehicle movements this would be virtually taken away due to the noise. Also the proposal to take away parking from businesses will have a negative affect to their lively hoods. Safety is also of great concern as local and surrounding school buses use this Main street for pick up and drop off. I fear the attraction of the village of Paterson will be lost if this application is approved. This is my third written submission to oppose this expansion. I hope the applicant can use the existing rail and or bypass this village so we can live in harmony as we used to with the past operators of Martins Creek Quarry. |
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Attachments |
damage-to-my-home-2jpg.jpg (JPG, 16.79 KB) damage-to-my-homejpg.jpg (JPG, 13.61 KB) distance-from-the-roadjpg.jpg (JPG, 34.77 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This is a over development in a rural area as the company will not be paying to upgrade and maintain the roads that all its trucks will be using |
Anne O'Rourke
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My family live on ⬛⬛⬛k, a major route for trucks from Martins Creek Quarry. We were directly and adversely effected by the large number of truck movements during the previous illegal operation of the quarry and dread the return to that chaos. Currently truck movements along our road is acceptable. The village of Paterson is our family utility centre. We frequent the Supermarket, butchers, Post Office (for postal and banking services), Pharmacy, pathology office, all cafes, Tucker Park and the Paterson Tavern on a weekly basis. We enjoy the peaceful, welcoming village atmosphere of Paterson as it currently is and greatly fear any disruption to our village as is proposed by Daracon. Surely any increase in production must be transported from the quarry by rail and if the required infrastructure is currently not in place for the rail then it must be Daracon's responsibility to construct it. Definitely lengthen the siding at Martins Creek but also construct a unloading terminal at Hexham strategically adjacent to both the Pacific and New England Highways. If the quarry is to be operational for another 50 years surely the cost of construction of this infrastructure will be well worth the expense. It would also save and protect the Paterson valley and lower Hunter roads from excessive truck movements. And by so doing save and protect the mental health of local residents. These are rural communities eking our rural livelihoods and we have a natural right to the quiet enjoyment of our homes, villages and roadways. Further, the proposed routing of trucks from the quarry through Paterson, along Tocal Road, through Tocal, Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra, onto Flat Road to the Melbourne Street intersection at East Maitland, if not being so seriously flawed, would be laughable. The amount of traffic that has to squeeze through that intersection currently is huge. Mornings and afternoons see traffic banked up for many hundreds of metres on all 4 sides of the intersection gridlocking many surrounding side streets. The road just would not cope with the proposed additional truck movements. Daracon cannot be permitted to buy their way to the granting of this application. Daracon's proposed 'compensation' to the villagers of Paterson is affronting. Daracon does not, and never has, contributed positively to the Paterson, Martins Creek, Vacy communities. Daracon not only takes the gravel from the ground, it has over many years now, taken our fresh air, our peace and tranquility, our Councils' money for constant road repairs, our feeling of safety and our peace of mind. Daracon has a rich anticedance of operating illegally. They are not to be trusted. I submit that Daracons development application be refused outright. |
Barbara Price
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am an 82 year old widow who drives her little Kia Rio car from my residence in Largs to East Maitland and to Maitland on a regular basis to attend medical appointments, do my shopping, visit my elderly friends, visit my family and attend functions. I have read that the trucks from the Martins Creek quarry will now be routed along Paterson Road through Bolwarra Heights to Bolwarra and then along Flat Road to the Melbourne Street intersection at East Maitland and thence onto the New England Highway. I am horrified that so very many B Double trucks will be thundering down the country roads that I must drive on. I fear that I will not be able to enter onto the road with such a convoy of big trucks driving from Tocal Road onto Paterson Road. My little car is my lifeline for independence and I intend to pursue by driving while ever I am fit and healthy enough to do so. But so very many B Double trucks on the roadways I need to drive on will impact on my confidence. I will fear for my safety - my little car would not stand a chance against one of those big trucks. In my experience the drivers often drive in excess of the speed limit, causing more alarm. Also, the congestion that 40 trucks going to and fro through the Melbourne Street intersection would be enormous. Currently, the morning and afternoon traffic in that vacinity is great and the addition of those trucks would cause gridlock and chaos. And then there is the noise and pollution from the trucks. These roads are country roads winding through rural areas where peace and quiet and fresh air are the norm. I do not wish for my environment to be polluted by these B double trucks. I submit that Daracon's development application be refused. I do not want any more trucks on my country roads. Thank you. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on the road from which the ⬛⬛⬛. Residents on this road endure frequent disruptions due to heavy vehicles blocking our road, near-misses from laden trucks hurtling out the gate into our road. These drivers seem to regard our public road as their private one. I have had two smashed windscreens caused by large rocks bouncing from trucks. I now pay a premium on my car insurance to cover windscreen replacement as a result. I walk the 7km down the road to the quarry gates and back each morning before sunrise, enjoying the peaceful sounds of birds, and frequently see resident koalas and even quolls. If the quarry is allowed to return to the former illegal production levels we will once again be enduring excessive noise and clouds of toxic dust. The wildlife will be destroyed, our way of life will be unendurable. The physical, social and mental health of this entire community will be severely impacted. |
Cathy Easdown
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I totally object to the proposed development of the Martins Creek Quarry, and am astounded that the NSW Department of Planning has recommended that the project be granted approval. My husband and I attended the public meeting in Paterson on 24th June 2021, along with 200 other concerned residents, all of whom are opposed to the expansion of the quarry. We also attended the public meeting in July 2014, along with more than 300 residents. The solution stated at this meeting by David Mingay, Daracon owner, was to "move somewhere else, away from the Paterson area." Such arrogance and total disregard of the community was very poorly received by the meeting attendees. As residents we had all lived through the years between 2012 and 2019 when Daracon operated unlawfully, and the truck movements increased enormously, up to 500-600 movements DAILY. This was destroying the quiet ambience of our village and surrounds, as well as damaging road surfaces, making it dangerous for other vehicles on the road. Extremely dangerous for pedestrians in Paterson, trying to collect mail, shop, socialise, and even attempting to get in and out of cars safely, as convoys of trucks travelled through the narrow streets, especially around the 90 degree corner in the middle of our village. After the meeting in June last year, I was one of the 634 OBJECTIONS submitted, compared to 31 submissions in support. I am appalled that it appears that the issues and impacts lodged by the community have largely been ignored. Some background to help you understand our position: My family has owned rural property in Webbers Creek (8 kms west of Paterson) since 1964, since I was aged 7 years. We lived in Newcastle, where my parents worked, but visited our property most weekends and school holidays, and I LOVED it. In October 1993, my husband and I made the decision to move form Newcastle and live permanently on the property, as we believed it would be a wonderful lifestyle and community to raise a family. We have 4 children, aged late 20s, early 30s, all of whom have loved their upbringing here. We have one son still living with us, and our daughter and husband moved onto the property 12 months ago, planning their permanent home, only 500 metres from us. They now have an 8 months old son, so we now are up to the 4th generation of our family loving this very special area. For 100 years the community has been happy to live with the small railway ballast quarry, with blasting only one day a week and minimal truck movements, as most of the material was transported by rail. This all changed when Daracon took over the operation in 2012 and operated unlawfully until 2019, at which time the extraction rate was reduced substantially, after losing several court cases to Dungog Shire Council. With the current approval of 300,000 tpa and a maximum of 24 truck movements a day, Paterson is back to being the quiet, relaxed village that it was, enjoyed by residents and so many visitors and tourists. Even though we don't live on the haulage route, we are certainly impacted, as we travel between Paterson and Maitland regularly, and shop, socialise and collect our mail daily in Paterson. We enter Gresford Road from Church Street, a dangerous intersection, as it is a blind crest on Gresford Road, and then a turn down over the railway line. This is particularly dangerous travelling along Gresford Road from the north. To make a right hand turn onto Church Street if you have to stop to allow oncoming traffic to pass first, there is always great concern that following traffic may be travelling too fast to stop safely, and you risk being hit from behind, as the road is narrow, and nowhere to pass a stationary vehicle. safely. The same applies when the railway boom gates are down, and traffic is stopped just before the crest, which can be blind to following traffic. In the past 2 years, there has been 3 accidents here; cars travelling from the north, towards Paterson, have failed to negotiate the bend, and have ploughed through the fence surrounding the Courthouse Museum; only by luck there was no oncoming traffic which could have been hit head on. As most residents, I believe the solution to the quarry project is for it to remain as a small quarry, with most product transported by rail, and limit the truck movements; back to how it was for approximately 100 years. The Department's assessment lists 6 other approved Hunter Region hard rock quarries. The total annual production of the 7 quarries is just under 8 miilion tpa. Why then does the Department believe it to be reasonable for 500,000 tpa to be transported by road from Martins Creek? A mere 6% of product available in our region! From the Department's report: "The Department also recognises that the proposed annual road haulage limit of 500,000 tpa represents a rate that is not dissimilar to historical road transportation rates undertaken by the quarry over an approximate 18 year period between 2002 and 2019.....". This seems to be a ludicrous comparison, as during this period the quarry was being operated unlawfully, by both Daracon, and NSW Rail. I also understand that 5 of the 7 quarries are located within one km of a major road/highway, NOT 26 kms form a highway, along narrow rural roads and through the small village of Paterson, as well as the built up area around Bolwarra. The Department has completely ignored the devastating effects of the proposal in respect of social impacts. The Department considers that with the implementation of the measures proposed by Daracon, that "the extent of actual and perceived social impacts would be appropriately managed". Again, another ludicrous assessment. I listened to the 50 odd speakers at the Public Meetings held on the 7th and 8th November; several speakers were visibly upset, and suffering with mental health issues, with the prospect of the proposed expansion going ahead. These include residents living on the direct haulage route and business owners in Paterson, who believe their businesses will suffer once again, if 200 odd truck movements are permitted each day. Many other concerned residents have grave concerns for our little historic village, with heritage significance surviving the onslaught. Also, health issues, negative impacts on the environment and damage to houses form blasting were just some of the other concerns raised. I do trust and hope that the Independent Planning Commission will do the only RIGHT thing and REFUSE the Martins Creek Quarry expansion project. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The rural area is habitat for many endangered species. The increased transport and trucking is hazardous to not only people sharing the roads but cuts through many many wildlife corridors. These trucks are expected to travel on some of the worst roads, with no state gov contributions to their maintenance. The rate payers must for the bill. While the business will prosper, our magnificent region and the quality of lives of many residence will plummet. The protection of community, road safety, and wildlife must be considered and this proposal not permitted. |
Name Redacted
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13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the proposed increase in operations at the Martins Creek Quarry. My concerns are to do with but not limited to: 1.Property damage and devaluation 2.Quality of air and risk to health (respiratory diseases such as silicosis) 3.Effect on roads, road safety 4.Loss of quiet and pleasant rural lifestyle due to quarry noise and truck and train operations. Demise of a thriving rural community and its businesses caused by the planned modifications to Paterson village 5.The congestion of traffic at several road junctions from Martins Creek to East Maitland 6.Concern for wildlife welfare, both fauna and flora 7.The monitoring of truck numbers and hours of operation if expansion is granted and how this will ensure quantities are adhered to Some personal experiences that I have gained over the past 50 years living at Martins creek, in relation to the quarry include: 1.Damage to the brickwork in my house including large cracks which appeared after blasting. If the Quarry expansion is granted, this will occur more often, decreasing the value of my property. You can already hear blasting from the quarry, loading of trucks, the sound of them travelling along the roads and the noise from increased railway activity, all of which will most definitely decrease the value of my property. I no longer work and have no way of selling up to buy into another community as suggested by Daracon, neither do I want to. The price of properties and living expenses has increased hugely and this would not be an option for me or many other property owners. This is a community I have lived in for over 45 years and I do not want to move. 2.Noise and air pollution in and out of operational hours. Increased hours will intensify this immensely and contradict why people choose to live in the country. There is no way that an additional 280 trucks on our roads will not cause more noise and air pollution from petrol and diesel consumption, not to mention the extra haulage by trains as well. Over the years the amount of dust in the air which settles on surfaces inside my house, has increased greatly. I am worried about the effect- this has on my lungs and general health, not to mention my mental health. An expansion at the quarry will only make this worse 3.I have lived with the deteriorating and unsafe conditions of the public roads caused largely to do with the movement of these trucks. I pay rates to fix the damage and Daracon will continue to degrade these works. The pot holes on the roads are extremely dangerous and this will only get worse. The rural roads are barely keeping up with the use by our community and are in no way fit for 280 extra trucks per day. I have also had much damage to my car including rocks coming off trucks and breaking my windscreen and chipping my paint work. I have lived for years with quarry trucks going too fast and veering onto the wrong side of the road on other roads in the area such as Dungog road, Gresford road, Tocal road and Martins Creek road and find it extremely scary sharing the road with these vehicles. Several times I have witnessed trucks coming over the railway tracks too fast and nearly tipping as they turn right around the Paterson Post Office. It’s always dangerous getting out of the car to use facilities in Paterson when trucks pass. There are also several children's bus stops along the way which will be made extremely dangerous if the expansion is granted 4.If the parking is taken off the street and into the suggested carpark next to Paterson country Cafe I will be hugely affected. I am an elderly member of our community and love the convenience of parking adjacent to the post office, Paterson Service station and the Country Cafe along with the IGA and Butcher as I use a walking stick. The suggested parking lot is situated on the busiest intersection of the village. Accessing it would add huge congestion for vehicles and pedestrians on its own, not to mention the effect 280 trucks per day would add to this. Also when a train passes through the village it is already so busy that many vehicles mount up behind you. When they would finally be able to pass through this area it would take a long time to traverse the road into the car park. Many locals are concerned that the site of the proposed carpark slopes steeply down to the river. I am most concerned that this will lead to the demise of a thriving rural community, its people and its businesses. These people have always lived with the activities of the quarry but the proposed increases in activity are not acceptable or conducive to a rural community. There are many people who have over the years moved their livelihoods into the community for its rural qualities and cannot simply move because of the effect this expansion would have on their lives. 5.I am also concerned about the congestion at all the other busy and important intersections along the existing routes between the Quarry and the surrounding districts. This includes Tocal and Paterson Road intersection at Bolwarra Heights. Within meters of this junction is a busy playground and tourist attraction where travellers' and residents safety would be under threat. This is where the traffic from the existing quarry at Brandy Hill Road also joins Tocal Road amounting to some 600 trucks per day travelling through this intersection. Paterson Road in Bolwarra is already extremely busy. If you come through Bolwarra on this road at school times or working hours, there are always long queues with people accessing Bolwarra Primary School, turning onto Paterson Road in either direction. There is also Tillys childcare centre a little further along the road which also has to be accessed at similar times. Further along this road is the roundabout which leads right into Maitland and left onto Flat road, which leads into East Maitland. You only need to see the effect this years flood had on the use of these roads, to understand how important these intersections are. 6.I am also concerned about the effect on our local wildlife, flora and fauna both at preparation of the site of the quarry and the surrounding district. Koalas are an endangered species and there have been many sightings in these areas. I am also concerned there will be more dead animals on the road which will be another hazrd on the roads. 7.At the recent IPCN meeting at Tocal, the Department of Planning and Environment failed to assure us that the monitoring of these conditions would be satisfactory. They promised that the operating conditions would be adhered to. However, the quarry has been able to operate illegally for so many years without consequence that I do not feel confident that this will not occur in the future. The Department of Planning and Environment assured us that any breach of the stipulated conditions would result in meaningful penalties, prosecution or jail time. However I have no confidence that this will in any way deter Daracon from breaking these rules again. Can they give any examples of this ever occurring in the past? I have lived most of my life on my quiet, peaceful property which was destined to increase in value over the years. If the quarry expansion goes ahead my valley and all the surrounding districts on the supply route will be noisy, busy, unhealthy and unsafe, decreasing the value of our properties and completely changing the environment I live in forever. I have supported local businesses in the area for 50 years. I am a valued member of our community and I believe my opinion should count as should all the opinions of people in our community who are ardently against this proposition which will only benefit Daracon. I have not made a reportable political donation. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, Susanne Long |
Name Redacted
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13/11/2022 |
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N/A |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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13/11/2022 |
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I am objecting the quarry starting operation again, our family live with 3km of the quarry. We moved our family to the area for the peace and quiet in 2005, not to listen on the blasting of rock, crushers and industrial mine equipment working 12 hours a day 6 days a week, to extract product from our fragile area. The quiet country villages of Martins Creek and Paterson will become a bottle neck of truck & dog combinations as they bounce there way through the pot holes and patch works roads that are already barley safe to drive on at times. There will be no economic advantage to town or its people or business, only the opposite as the local traffic will have to negotiate the constant stream of trucks going to and from the quarry. Clearly there are no environmental advantages to mining, unless the destruction of local Koala habitat, clearing of forest and removing resources from the ground is and environmental advantage. The road exiting the quarry Station Rd onto Cory St Martins Creek is a series of patches and potholes, from the stop sign it is less than 50 meters before crossing two level crossing where trucks will have to que on both sides of the rail line stopping all traffic from entering and exiting the village, travelling over Gostwyck Bridge is another area of concern the old timber bridge is only single lane and more than likely built for horse and cart travel, not truck and dogs using a variety of extra mass limits available through TfNSW ie GML, CML & HML mass limits. Gresford Rd as a series of signs advising of dangerous road conditions already because of the constant rain over the past few years add 240 truck movements to this and the road would be unusable to anyone. Once the trucks reach Paterson again there is another level crossing morning school traffic mum's and dads trying to get there kids to school and with the extra traffic this will impact there daily life, trying to right from the school after drop off will be considerable more dangerous as truck & dogs are going to both directions morning and afternoon. Trucks travelling through Paterson township will impact all business from Paterson service station to Stockers & Partridge, locals trying to park there cars or even to cross the street, along with all the local people who travel to Maitland & other areas will now have added travel times more delays and a higher risk all because of the added traffic. |
Julie Bowd
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New South Wales |
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13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on ⬛⬛⬛ and will be directly impacted by the extra trucks Movements to and from the quarry. The speed Limit is currently 100 kms and should be reduced to 80 kms to allow for residents to exit and enter into their properties safely with out being rammed by a truck Thus has always been an issue and will be even worse with a larger amount of trucks using this road. No deaths or injuries should be caused by this extra traffic |
Mary Cotterill
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident in the ⬛⬛⬛. The proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry will adversely affect all those living along the transport routes for this quarry. The local roads are not built to allow the safe movement of a greatly increased number of quarry trucks. It seems reasonable that the trucking capacity of the quarry be limited to the 500,000 tonnes of recent years. The material is needed, but why does it have to be taken in quantities which destroy the amenity of our area? Increased profits for a few should not be prioritised above the needs of the community |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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My main areas of concern with the proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry are regarding the impact of the extra truck movements in regards to safety of pedestrians and other road users and on road conditions and congestion. The traffic flow through Paterson has been estimated as I believe the actual recorded traffic flow would be much higher. Table 6-2 | Assessed daily traffic flow impacts states that flows through Paterson taken as higher of flows recorded on Gresford Road and Tocal Road. By not actually recording the traffic flow at this location, local traffic from residents living in the township has not been taken into account. This extra traffic would be quite a substantial number at times with families taking their children to school and also visiting the local shops. As a Paterson local I have found that crossing the road at peak times in Paterson can be quite difficult and at some times dangerous. I feel that a pedestrian crossings would need to be installed opposite the Country Cafe and also the Friendly Grocer. On many times I have witnessed pedestrians darting across the road inbetween traffic at peak times. In the Martins Creek Quarry State Significant Development Assessment the DPE has also not adequately assessed the impact of the additional truck movements on the roads along the haul route. To state that these truck movements will cause no additional deteriation to the roads than current traffic conditions is laughable. As someone who travels along the proposed haul route on a daily basis I know first hand how degraded and fragile certain sections along the route are. The Pitnacree Road to Melbourne Street intersection and the Melbourne Street to New England Highway intersections already struggle to keep up with traffic demands during peak times. I travel through these intersections on a daily basis during peak times and I do not feel that the modelling shown in the Development Assessment accurately portrays the congestion that will be experienced through these interections. I have read the Martins Creek Quarry State Significant Development Assessment in its entirety and it is very one sided in favour of Daracon. There are so many opposed to the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion as we all believe that it will have numerous negative and long lasting affects on everyone in its wake. |
Name Redacted
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13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We object to any further development or expansion of Martin’s creek quarry. For many years (decades now) Martin’s Creek Quarry has transported tonnage through the local community damaging roads, increasing road user risk. There has been damage to the local habitat for Koalas and other native animals. Trains are being loaded around the clock, the noise and dust from blasting, excavation, transport etc are a health hazard to local communities and school students/staff. We have been members of the local community for years having lived in Paterson. If any development occurs, surcharges per ton and per truck at a level capable of full restoration should be charged to the operator to facilitate repair of infrastructure, rejuvenation of habitat and compensation to community members. |
Name Redacted
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13/11/2022 |
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Dungog shire is a farming community that relies heavily on tourism, these trucks would greatly impact this community, what tourists in their right mind would visit the area? The noise from the trucks is extremely loud as they make a loud booming noise when they bang on the roads and damage to the roads is ridiculous, we have already lived through this once. The roads are barely drivable as it is just from cars. The impact on the environment i.e., protected Koalas being run over, this is already happening just outside the quarry near Brandy Hill,, I had to have a Koala environmental impact done to build a house and yet this quarry is under considers? . There is also the issue of air pollution, having multiple trucks driving around the area. My last issue is the blasting, apart from the noise, who knows what impact this is having on the surrounding land in the area. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of Paterson and have raised three children in this village. As a family we lived through the illegal operation of the quarry, so I am lodging my objection based on real, lived experience not speculation. The approval of this State significant development application submitted by Daracon will bring an end to my family's way of life, and for many others like me. Every part of our day to day lives will be directly impacted by constant truck movements through the main street and key access roads that we use frequently. It will bring an end to the beautiful village that is Paterson. Again, this is not being dramatic. The shops, service providers, the historic buildings, the amenity that brings tourists to the area and everything that makes Paterson special will be gone. Put simply, a quarry of this scale with this number of truck movements should be required to provide an alternative transport route or the volume of extraction reduced to match the infrastructure being used. The proposed route through the township of Paterson is unsuitable and unsafe to be a highway for trucks. I am objecting based on safety, health and wellbeing and the irreversible damage of the historic town of Paterson and surrounds. Safety: the roads are not designed for this type of use. The proposed number of truck movements will present a very high safety risk to the community as we travel to work and the local schools, to the shops, hairdresser, service station, the doctor and pharmacy. We will go back to taking our lives in our hands getting out of the car to go to the shop, crossing the road, going about our business. We know from experience that the truck drivers, like other people on the roads, do not follow the speed limit. They are in a hurry, on a schedule. Speeding trucks through the main street of the Paterson Village are very dangerous. I used to deliberately walk slowly across the road in front of trucks to slow them down, to draw focus to their speed and how dangerous it is through the middle of the township. The roads will be in constant need of repair. Health and wellbeing: the proposal has created stress in the community let alone the reality of living with the proposed truck movements. It will bring daily stress into our lives, and concern about our children out and about on the roads. Our local shops and service providers are so important to us. They have looked after the people of the township and the surrounds during the COVID lockdowns and the floods (the township of Paterson is readily cut-off by flood). They have worked hard to build their businesses and have been an incredible support to the community. This volume of truck movements will most definitely impact their businesses. Why should Daracon’s profit be given a higher priority to these small businesses? Historic Paterson: this is a special place that has many significant historical buildings. The vibrations from the trucks will impact these buildings. In summary, please do not do this to us. The Martins Creek Quarry Action group has presented the facts for your reference. I am making a plea from the heart. Please do not do this to our town, our way of life, to our children. This will put us all at risk, will reduce the viability of local businesses, will see an end to our village life and the beauty and serenity that brings visitors to the town. Please do not put the needs of Daracon ahead of ours and our community. Hear our voices, they are saying a resounding “no” to this based on lived experiences. Who will monitor Daracon? Who will pull them up? This took enormous effort last time, why would it be any different this time? A quarry of this scale using local infrastructure should not be approved. |
Jayde Lantry
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The traffic and transport problems that it would create for Paterson road and the surrounding suburbs is too disturbing to fathom. An alternative route would curb my objection to the project |
Maria Bradley
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Organisation |
Save Sydneys Koalas |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Save Sydney’s Koalas strongly opposes the Martins Creek Quarry and urges the Independent Planning Panel to refuse it as a State Significant Development. We note the many and varied stakeholders who have opposed the expansion including council and support these submissions Save Sydney’s Koalas is actively concerned with the looming wild extinction Koalas across NSW face and believes this development will contribute to the extinction of the Koala in the wild by 2050 https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=2536 We are very concerned about the impacts on biodiversity found in the Martins Creek Assessment Report Page 60 as well as the species whose habitat will be removed and fragmented including the Endangered Koala. We believe the removal of habitat and habitat corridors will further stress this koala population. Similarly the proposed fencing will affect their ability to move across the landscape and affect their ability to disperse. The use of offsets will not result in a like for like replacement of vegetation and will therefore see a net loss of habitat and habitat corridors. The NSW Auditor General pointed this out in her report which was scathing of the offsets scheme https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/our-work/reports/effectiveness-of-the-biodiversity-offsets-scheme Its will be impossible to replace the following biodiversity and ecological communities “Four Plant Community Types (PCTs) were identified within the proposed disturbance area (refer to Figure 6-9). One of these PCTs (HU 798) also meets the definition of the Lower Hunter Valley Dry Rainforest in the Sydney Basin and NSW North Coast Bioregions ecological community, which is listed as Vulnerable under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). All four PCTs provide habitat for threatened species and generate ecosystem-credits that would require offsetting. 231. They also provide habitat for three species-credit threatened fauna species, being: Brush-Tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa); Southern Myotis (Myotis Macropus); and Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)” The impact mitigation measures are concerning and out of step with the intent of EPBC Act or Koala Habitat Protection SEPP "* Impact mitigation measures Daracon’s proposed impact mitigation measures include: * fencing the development footprint in locations adjoining areas of Koala habitat not approved for removal; * staff training and site briefing to communicate environmental features to be protected and measures to be implemented; * inspecting trees to ensure no Koalas are present prior to vegetation clearing; " Koala Habitat Protection SEPP... "“Encourage the proper conservation and management of areas of natural vegetation that provide habitat for koalas” Criteria 5. Core koala habitat is excluded from the development footprint " SSK believes there is strong reason for refusal under the EPBC Act and this should be taken into consideration “Potential Reason for Refusal Under the EPBC Act The clearing of vegetation will create a barrier to movement to, from or within habitat critical to the survival of the koala that is likely to result in long term reduction of genetic fitness or access to habitat critical to the survival of the koala “ We urge the Independent Planning Commission to refuse this application as a State Significant Development. Proponents should be discouraged to use the planning system to gain favourable outcome at the expense of several Threatened Species including the Koala now classified as Endangered especially as the systems used to compensate have been identified as adjunct failure , specifically the biodiversity offset scheme. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To expand this quarry on the doorstep to Barrington would be an enormous error. This is a delicate environment that does not need further impacts from mining or quarrying. Leave nature to nature. |
Cameron Archer
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Organisation |
Paterson Historical Society |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on ⬛⬛⬛ and regularly travel to Paterson for business and pleasure. The impact of trucks will be catastrophic on the Paterson community and all who visit Paterson. The quarry is a railway quarry and ought to remain as such with a small amount carried by road. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Such a small community doesn’t need such large traffic amounts going through small country roads that are already suffering |
rowan bourne
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I want to express my strong objection to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion project because of the proposed number of trucks to travel down Paterson Road. It would be a cruel addition to an already busy road. I live in ⬛⬛⬛ and experience on a daily basis, the existing difficult and dangerous traffic conditions of turning onto Paterson Road. Cars parked along the side of the road blocking the line of sight of oncoming traffic and heavy traffic in both directions. This has made exiting our street both stressful and dangerous. The addition of the proposed truck movements from the quarry will make it impossible to safely turn in either direction. I have witnessed many close calls at this intersection with the current traffic volume. More trucks would inevitably result in injury and maybe fatalities as this intersection is regularly used by parents picking children up from the nearby Bolwarra Public School and bus stops. When the quarry operated illegally before the Land and Environment court decision there was a huge number of quarry trucks on Paterson Road. My family was regularly woken from 4.30am by empty trucks travelling to the quarry. This impacted our sleep and wellbeing. The Bolwarra community should not have to put up with this in a residentially zoned area. Other than providing employment there is not one positive impact of this project to the local and surrounding communities. The quarry should use the existing rail infrastructure to transport its product, rather than destroy local residential and heritage areas with huge truck movements again. |
Julia Wokes
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Organisation |
Kirin Rural |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I respectfully ask the Commission to reject the Application made by Daracon for the expansion of the Martins Creek quarry from an approved quarry of 300,000 tonnes per annum with 90,000 tonnes transported by road to a 1.1mill tonnes per annum quarry with 500,000 tonnes transported by road. I have set out my reasons for this request in the attached document. The social and environmental impacts are beyond what any reasonable community can tolerate. The hearing and this submission is with the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference in the background. There was no mention of Climate Change in the DPE Assessment Report yet we live with the threats posed by significant climate change and as members of the community make every effort in our operations to consider the impacts on climate change. |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry-ipc-hearing-speechdocx.docx (DOCX, 31.5 KB) |
Silvia Fragiacomo
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am disappointed that the proposal for the martins creek quarry expansion has been given the go ahead. We own a property along the ⬛⬛⬛ and are familiar with the route the trucks will take to maitland. I think that trucks in the route will endanger other commuters and pedestrians in small towns like Patterson. Rail transport would be much safer. I am also very concerned at the loss of habitat for koalas and sugar gliders that will occur with the expansion of the quarry and therefore do not support the expansion of the martins creek quarry. |
Wesley Bungay
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposed development at the martins creek quarry We near the corner of ⬛⬛⬛. We have a small property and run 2 businesses. My wife runs an equine therapy business and together we run an Air B&B. Our lived experience We have lived here since 2013 over the time we lived with the noise of the quarry trucks ratting past our property. They park across from out house on the corner waiting to get into the quarry when it first opens. For many years this would start as early as 6am the run constantly all day. As we have lived with a high volume of truck coming from the quarry we know what to expect.(The high volume of trucks at the time was partly due to Daracon operating outside of it legal agreement.) My concern is for my wife's business as the distraction of quarry trucks constantly travelling past our property will make it very difficult for here to do her work most of which is done with clients, outside in our front paddock. Which ultimately will mean her business will not be able to operate. Our Air B&B also relies on people coming our property at Paterson to enjoy the quite country, our concern is that with constant trucks from quite early in the morning we will not be able to operate our Air B&B during week days. which will mean a reduction in revenue and people visiting the area. So a reduction in local tourism. The condition of the local roads: Currently we have trucks on the roads from the chicken farms, the horse studs and milk farms etc. The roads currently are no coping. In the last few years we have blown 5 tyres due to hitting large pot holes. the roads with the current volume to vehicles are deteriorating at a very fast rate. This will happen much faster with a huge volume of trucks being added with the truck from Martins creek Quarry. I believe the assessment of the roads was done in 2018 which was after many years of drought. After the last few years of rain the condition of the roads has changed greatly. Our local Dungog council doesn't have the money or resources to repair the roads damaged by Daracon quarry trucks. Windscreen damage The trucks from the quarry carrying gravel tend to though rock when you are travelling behind them of being passed by the. Over they almost 10 Years of living here we have had to replaced multiple windscreen in our vehicles due to damage from rocks which have come from the quarry trucks. Paterson Village: Much has been said about multiple truck travelling through the village. My concern is the safety of the school children in the morning who wait for busses also the increased congestion when you add the rail gates. We have heard that a concrete barrier will be placed through the corner of the village and the grasses area out the from of the post office will be removed to widen the road. We have not been made aware of what work will be done in the village to deal with the huge volume of trucks traveling through village of Paterson. I feel there has been no finally decision or plan of how the road which goes through the village will be modified due to the high number of trucks travelling through the village. Melbourne street lights. I currently travel to Newcastle to work in the mornings. I travel along Flat road and turn at the lights in Melbourne street. The intersection is currently congested of a morning with vehicles stretch back to the bridge that crosses the river. This is worst during morning school drop off. Adding a huge volume of truck on this intersection that was never designed for seems unreasonable. Local Councils Both Maitland and Dungog council oppose the development. So I'm not understanding why it would still get passed when as rate payers it will be our funds that pay for the road repairs. Local business impact.. I have concern for the local businesses and the impact with a huge Volume of trucks travelling through the village. We currently receive many tourists to the businesses within the village at the shops, servo cafe and pubs all week. This application will affect the number of visitors. Motorcycles won't what to ride the damaged roads or enjoy the cafe with a huge volume of truck travelling through. We are also a destination for may push bike riders who will not want to share the roads with a large volume of Trucks, making the roads dangerous. Infrastructure upgrades As part of Daracons approval they need to do certain upgrades to local roads and Bridges etc. My concern is that this won't have to be done before they start operating in fact it will need to do done later. I am concerned that there isn't the checks and balances to make sure those upgrades will be done in a timely manner and no penalty if they are not done. Number of Trucks I am concerned of not just the volume of trucks but who will monitor the number of trucks and the time? Also what will the penalty be if the go over their limit? In the past they have operated outside what was legally allowed and it was up to the local community and then the Dungog council. What checks and balances are being put in place to make sure this won't happen again. Returning Trucks I understand they have a limit on how many trucks can leave the quarry and what time. But how will the be managed for returning trucks and how will the be managed at the rail gates. As trucks line up in the village waiting for the train to pass suddenly we don't have 1 truck very 1.5Minutes travelling past our poverty but aline for multiple trucks and where will those trucks the queue to getting the quarry. Environmental impact: After many years of drought and now flooding rain the impact of climate change is being felt. Have ten's of thousands of quarry trucks on the road every year producing CO2. When the train line is under-utilised will have a huge contribution to adding CO2 to the atmosphere. Also the destruction of many acres of bushland and kola habitat. I have been unable to find the climate change impact study, of putting that many truck on the the road. What is the documented plan of how the martins creek quarry will move to net Zero carbon by 2050? especially when the consent is for 25 Years which will bring then close to 2050. Historical Heritage Paterson is a historic village. My concern is the impact that the trucks and the road changes will have on this historic village. A place to live and for the Tourists that visit and the revenue that brings. Property Value. We are concerned that the large volume of Trucks travelling past our property will affect the value of the property. We have invested everything into our property it is not just a place to live but also where we run our business from. What right does a Large company have to impact my business and property for their financial gain. If we lose revenue how will be compensated? other Quarries We currently have 2 other quarries within the area Hansen and Boral. Both of these do not impact small villages and have good access to major arterial roads.. There are more quarries in the area in the planning phase that won't have the same community impact. The massive expansion to the martins creek quarry is unnecessary and a small expansion and an increase in volume on the train line is all that is necessary. Changes One big concern is the volume of trucks If the majority of rock was placed on the existing rail this would reduce may of my concerns. Operating hours if the hours of operation was reduced so the truck weren't queuing up before 7am Daracon contribution to the local council for the damage to the Roads. Plan for the reduction of CO2 heading Net Zero by 2050 An impact study of Aboriginal cultural heritage on the development site. A study for the impact on endangered Australia animals especially the spotted quoll, on the development site. Transportation of all rock from the quarry by train to a separate location to the be distributed by trucks, so no impact to the village or surrounding roads. Summary: Where have called paterson home for almost 10 Years we love the community we live in. We love the village and sense of community it brings. The local Dungog council is against the proposal, the Maitland council is against the proposal, the local community is against the proposal our state member is against the proposal. We have seen nothing that will benefit the local community. There are two other Large quarries in better locations, and others in the planning stage. The Martins creek quarry expansion with a large volume of the rock being moved by road is not necessary. I respectfully ask that the volume of rock being move by road is reduced to a minimum and shifted to the Rail. As a member of the local Paterson community I feel like no matter what we do Daracon with its millions of dollars will always get their way and we have no power to stop it. But it affects our lives personally we just don't have the ability to pack up, all we have worked for and move somewhere else. We love the community we live in and don't want to see big business destroy it, when there are opportunities for us to work together. Just use the Train line that is already being under-utilised. Please be independent please listen to the community and don't destroy our livelihood and our community. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my concerns. Wesley Bungay |
Michelle Toews
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the Proposed Expansion of Martins Creeks Quarry and provided a spoken submission to the IPC Commissioners on 8 November 2022 (copy of speaking notes attached) and now attach further written comments supporting my objection. These submissions have been prepared by myself, using lived experience and publicly available information. |
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Attachments |
martinscreek07112022speakingnotespdf.pdf (PDF, 238.52 KB) martinscreek13112022pdf.pdf (PDF, 449.77 KB) |
Gisele Lamy
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Completely inconsistent with land management and preservation values for historic township and surrounding rural environment ie noise and dust pollution, vegetation and wildlife disturbance, impact of transport on roads especially on the Patterson township. Thiere is an enormous concern for impact upon present residents, businesses and regular visitors like myself as well as for opportunity to build any sustainable low impact business solutions such as educational or holiday destination potential to preserve pockets of historical significance amid needs for resource delivery with urban expansion. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Rail available to take quarried product. Paterson village centre roads are in poor condition and not suitable for heavy vehicles (truck, truck and dog), History to repeat itself unless managed & checked to ensure compliance to all conditions. What will be penalties for non compliance? Who will manage this? Trust needs to be re-established with the community and this is not being achieved by reopening a major expansion of the quarry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
13/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern, I grew up on my mothers property at ⬛⬛⬛ and have lived with the quarry trucks my whole life. As a child they were scary when I was in Paterson and had to cross the street. I also remember my house shacking as a child to which my mother would say its the quarry again. There are many reasons I oppose the expansion all of which are attached in an opposition letter where I detail my concerns. I recently attended the IPCN meeting at Tocal. At the lunch break on a Monday I went in to Paterson to see how busy it was. Just to test how it would work I pretended I was waiting at the Duke and Prince street intersection to cross over and park in the proposed carpark. I had about 12 cars waiting behind me before I even had a break in the ongoing traffic to cross over. It was actually even worse than I had anticipated. There is no way this would be a good option for parking and without enough parking Paterson would not survive. We have been fighting this expansion for over 10 years and I cannot believe that it is even still being considered feasible. Daracon are not cutting back by reducing their export to 300K T, they are increasing the amount massively. They have been operating at an illegal rate for years. This has a huge affect on the safety of our roads and our whole community. A quarry of this size should not need to have goods hauled almost 30 kms through communities to even get to a highway. While I believe it is better to transport the goods by rail I also know the congestion this will cause on the road while blocking busy roads such as the Martins creek railway crossing and Paterson railway crossing which in Paterson will cause a backlog of traffic causing even more traffic congestion. Paterson is a busy town everyday of the week, not just on weekends as suggested. I am worried for the whole community from the young such as my nephew who will be attending pre-school through to my 75 year old mother who adores going to Paterson daily for all her social and living needs. If this expansion is granted I will almost fear for my and my families life every time we need to use the roads. I am also worried about the environmental impacts on our water, air and sound quality. Having spoken to members of the public at the meeting I realised how much it has taken out of many peoples health already, simply having to fight to protect their community. Enough is enough. Our community was so delighted that your commission actually came to our town to hear our voice. I would really urge you to remember how beautiful it was in our community and to consider if you had spent everything you had to create a nice quiet and healthy lifestyle away from the city, would you really like a company like Daracon to come and destroy it simply for money, none of which will even trickle in to your community? Would you want the same for your whole community. Literally a massive noisy truck every single 1 and a half minutes for the next 25 years. Thank you for your time and please find my official submission with more dtails of my concerns. Kind regards, Megan |
margarete Ritchie
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
My submission includes all the 3 selected topics and gives them equal importance. I have interpreted the term 'amenity' to include liveability including issues such as safety, health and wellbeing. There is also the issue of the stance taken by the DPE and the question of their role in supporting the proponent without equal weighting given to the views or needs of the community. Please find my submission attached as a Pdf. I also include the oral presentation given by me, but not complete due to time constraints, on Monday 7/11/22 |
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Attachments |
finalversiondaraconipcmargaretepdf_redacted.pdf (PDF, 178.97 KB) personal-submission-mcqpdf.pdf (PDF, 326.92 KB) |
Janine Ford
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am concerned about the impact it will have on our community in terms of noise, traffic, safety of our kids utilising this passageway to get to and from school and the health impacts from the products being carried within the trucks. It will also impact on the quality of the roads and require further repairs or resurfacing which will again impact our area in terms of delays, interruptions and cost to rate payers. |
Judith Smith
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Website |
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Submission |
I have major concerns regarding the increased number of proposed trucks that will impact the residential areas from Martins Creek to Newcastle. The roads through Paterson, Bolwarra, Largs, Lorn & East Maitland are not designed for this amount of heavy traffic. These are residential areas. Paterson will be destroyed and the other suburbs will not cope. The roads are already in a poor state of repair as it is. There will certainly be accidents involving these trucks. All quarried materials should be carried by rail only. If it means that less is extracted and the quarry goes for longer, I believe this is a suitable solution. |
Name Redacted
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12/11/2022 |
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I do not want more traffic on the roads nor the knock on environmental impacts or landscape destruction and pollution |
Natalie Fourie
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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The roads of our region are already dangerous and unsuitable for current traffic. Any additional traffic, especially heavy trucks would greatly impact our already rapidly deteriorating roads. This is a quiet rural area of significance and the extra trucks would not be suitable to this location. |
Name Redacted
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12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposal. My reasons are the trucks are going past on Tocal Road, this road is congested enough. The roads are not of a standard currently to support cars, let alone heavily laden trucks. There are certain parts of the proposed truck routes that are current "black spots" if not they should be, add a laden truck and truck braking time to the mix, it is going to be dangerous. In a morning and afternoon and throughout the day, people are trying to drive out on to this road, to take kids to school through Bolwarra, to go to work, visit their sick aging parent or neighbour. There will be alot of trucks on this road and it will become more dangerous with laden trucks. There is one single lane roundabout that will not support the traffic. This is an already busy traffic area with kids walking to the school, to catch their buses in the mornings and afternoon, elderly people driving about their daily activities it will be a disaster. The poor old swan family and signet and other birds that live and currently free range on the lake in Bolwarra will be heavily impacted too. |
Name Redacted
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12/11/2022 |
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This is not something that will better the community. It will negatively impact the environment, businesses, and all who live and visit the area. |
Robert McCowage
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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The proposal to bring hundreds of trucks along narrow country roads and through the centre of small country towns, notably Paterson where I live, when the quarry already has rail access seems completely irrational. The trucking volume will change the very nature of a quiet country town and cause traffic danger ands annoyance. Surely any expansion of the mine should be based on rail transport away from local communities. Even using rail to provide access to a new distribution hub adjacent to major roads would make much better sense and avoid destroying the nature and amenity of local communities. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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A beautiful part of the Hunter, use the rail line instead of trucks on the roads. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Tocal Homestead |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposition to triple the amount of quarry trucks that pass by Tocal Homestead & Tocal College on Paterson Road not only arises noise concerns that will impact our business but also huge safety concerns. This year we have had over 20,000 visitors to our site, with almost half of those being school children. Dungog Council have noted the lack of a turning bay into the Homestead is dangerous; quarry trucks turning over the corner bridge will have near no time to slow down to our turning traffic. Not to mention the excessive additional road deterioration. Accessibility to the Homestead and our College is critical. The number of visitors we have to both our sites will only increase due to the need of more trained young agricultural professionals as we face workplace shortages. And of course the additional significant environmental pressures the increased emissions will place on our heritage site. It is paramount that we defend our community and the businesses and homes within it that will be impacted by this expansion |
Melissa Smith
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Noise is horrendous!!!! especially for those living along the main roads , heavy trucks destroys roads too and roads are already atrocious and dangerous after wet weather, Dangerous with so many trucks on roads passing numerous school children waiting at stops ( that aren’t even proper bus stops) for buses, dangerous at Tocal where there is insufficient turning bays for visitors to turn off road safely and trucks coming round corner would not have time to slow down and miss turning traffic into Tocal Homestead ( lots of school buses of children on this turn to visit tocal ) |
Name Redacted
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12/11/2022 |
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I am opposed on the number of trucks passing through our roads. Our traffic situation is so bad already. |
Julie Overton
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I believe that the koalas, known to frequent the development site, and koala habitat are not protected at all by this development proposal. It is not good enough to "inspecting trees to ensure no Koalas are present prior to vegetation clearing" as stated in The Martins Creek Quarry Project State Significant Development Assessment SSD-6612 October 2022 document ('the document''. The conservation status for Koala was changed from ‘Vulnerable’ to ‘Endangered’ on 12 February 2022. This fact alone should be enough to refuse consent to any project that destroys any koala habitat. According to 'the document' "The BAR identified that the Project would remove 21.13 ha of Koala habitat. The revised disturbance footprint for the amended Project has avoided direct impacts to 15.3 ha of Koala habitat when compared to the original Project." It is not good enough that there remains 5.83 ha of koala habitat that is proposed to be destroyed by this project. There is no honest way that this can be offset of mitigated at all, and any suggestion that it can be offset is an absolute joke. Koalas are endangered so destroying koala habitat should be stopped. There is no excuse for destroying koala habitat. The Koala SEPP 2021 FACTSHEET (development application) states “Encourage the proper conservation and management of areas of natural vegetation that provide habitat for koalas” and that "Core koala habitat is excluded from the development footprint". All existing koala habitat should be kept intact, and only areas that contain no koala habitat be included in this project. There is no good enough reason to further destroy koala habitat. In the last 250+ years, too much koala habitat has been destroyed, and it must stop now. I cannot believe "The Department considers that the impacts of the proposed action on these threatened species would be acceptable, subject to the avoidance, mitigation, offsetting and management measures described in Daracon’s environmental assessment documents and the requirements of the Department’s recommended conditions of consent (see Appendix H)". How can destroying koala habitat be considered 'acceptable' when koalas are now an endangered species? I am also unhappy at the increased truck traffic that will cause noise and air pollution to the students and staff at Tocal College. It is unfair that they will be impacted by the transport route having trucks go past every 3-5 minutes. This proposed transport route will also cause safety issues to students and staff attending Tocal College. There are so many other reasons why this project should not go ahead. However due to limited time I am unable to detail them all. |
Grace Connell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to this proposal due to the disruption it will cause to the community. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Tocal College |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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12/11/2022 |
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The College delivers extensive training in purpose built lecture theatres and paddock spaces along Tocal Road. Noise of the volume of trucks impacted delivery previously. Increasing the volume will have a significant impact. Education of agricultural students is essential as we face workforce shortages and skills shortages. Accessibility to our College and the Homestead heritage is also a key concern. Dungog Council have noted that a lack of a turning bay in to the Tocal Homestead is dangerous. This was reviewed 2 years ago when quarry trucks had ceased. They reviewed this when checking our road signs. The Homestead precinct alone attracted 20000 plus people this year. Fully loaded trucks crossing Martins Creek Bridge would have near to no time to slow down completely for traffic turning right in to the Homestead. This argument is also applicable to the entry into the Dairy where students walk from the College and cars pull in. Road deterioration will also be amplified. Our roads have been impacted by the rains, floods, lack of council funding. Accessibility to our college and homestead is critical. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My family and I live on Maitland road Paterson, where I operate my small business (flowers) I have a cleared area for people to park but with that amount of trucks I’d be concerned for peoples welfare, therefore I may not be able to operate. My husband has a accute infection and has taken a step back from his small business, having my business open is our family’s income. I also have a daughter with high needs who we keep sage but I am again extremely worried that she may be effected by the noise. She doesn’t understand boundaries and has a global delay, I’m extremely concerned that if she’s in our front yard that there could be an accident. There is enough traffic already, with the extensive mess of the amount of trucks it would most definitely with out a doubt effect our lives significantly. And my childrens safety significantly. |
Lyndel Kable
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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I live right near the quarry already it is noisy with them working there. Our children catch buses to and from school the roads are already full of cars for them To cross safely let alone having to worry about huge trucks. Our roads are already bad we don’t need the constant movement of trucks driving over it destroying it more. I think it will be dangerous having so many trucks drive through our little towns especially in the Main Streets of Paterson we’re people are constantly walking. I think someone will get hurt or worse if this goes ahead. My house has already got cracks in it due to past blasts I can only imagine what other damage will happen. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the proposed development. As we live along the proposed truck route, we are very concerned about the impact that the additional truck movements will have on the already dangerous condition of our local roads. These loaded and empty trucks dramatically increase the danger for school children, pedestrians and other motorists, particularly when driving through the small villages of Vacy and Paterson. Will it take a series of vehicle accidents (some fatal) to see how ridiculous this approval would be ? I urge the Commission not to buckle to profits, but rather to consider the safety and lifestyle of local, impacted residents. |
Name Redacted
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12/11/2022 |
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Im writing in objection to the proposed expansion, the roads locally are a complete mess without the extra strain on them. Local councils do the bare minimum to fix pot holes and I doubt they will be motivated to fix them daily. Gresford Road is like a developing nations infrastructure on a good day I cant wait to see it after the proposed extra 240 trucks. I also believe there has been some collusion if not outright corruption on behalf of daracon, local council and local politicians. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of ⬛⬛⬛who travels frequently to East Gresford we will be greatly impacted using the local roads. The road linking Bolwarra to Gresford is in a horrendous state. Trying to share this potholed filled road with trucks will be extremely dangerous. My son has had to have a tyre and strut replaced on his vehicle due to having to hit the pothole instead of colliding with an oncoming vehicle. It will be difficult turning onto intersections if there are that many more trucks on the road. Noise will be a huge issue to us as we currently live in a peaceful little estate off Tocal road. |
Nicholas Howell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Myself and my family have lived in Bolwarra all our life. We all feel this proposal would have a negative impact on the health and well-being of the communities that the extra trucks on road would drive past. In addition, we feel the road quality will suffer which can cause a safety issue for residents using car and walking in these communities. |
Donna Taylor
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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My mental health practitioner, Equine Encounters Australia, is on Merchants Rd. I have been attending Adult Trauma recovery programs there for the past year. It’s the peace and serenity of this priory that allow me to deal with the Sevastopol g impacts of my personal trauma. If there were blasts, quarrying noise and traffic issues I would no longer be able to access the help and support that I’ve been privileged to experience to this point. Also, I love nature and the thought of hectares of land supporting endangered species being destroyed is disgusting! I wholly object to this expansion and the adverse impacts it will have to this area. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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As a student of the nearby Tocal Agricultural Institution, I will be directly impacted by this project as the tranzit to and from the college would become a greater risk as the roads are not suitable to handle the increase in traffic nor heavy vehicles in a safe manner. The bridge further down the road, past the Homestead is a blind spot that, if subject to more activity, would almost be prone to accidents as there's no opportunity to react to oncoming hazards, which with the bridge being narrow, would also have a high frequency to occur. If this expansion goes ahead, it will threaten the safety of the people who use this road on a regular basis, that being said, if the roads were to be upgraded to suit a higher frequency of traffic as well as address the above mentioned blind spot and hazards i have not mentione, the proposal may have more public support. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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I am a resident of ⬛⬛⬛ and have lived in the Hunter Valley all of my 78 years. The landscape here has been clean and safely used in this highly productive valley. Currently the road access from East Maitland through Bolwarra to Paterson township has been severely restricted by heavy traffic largely dominated by long haulage trucks commuting to and from Martins Creek quarry. Significant housing development during the past fifteen years has exacerbated traffic flow on the single local road to Martins Creek quarry site from East Maitland. The impact of heavy rain over the past year has caused significant road deterioration worsened by the heavy haulage trucks commuting from Martins Creek through Paterson township, Mindaribba, Bolwarra and along Flat Road to Melbourne Street East Maitland. The township of Paterson is now a danger zone. All the haulage trucks pass through the middle of the township. In addition to this, the Great Northern Railway line cuts through Paterson main road. The railway gates open and close 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. The increased proposed movements will therefore create dangerous tragic chaos. Just imagine what an increase of heavy trucks 5 days per week, 11 hours per day would do to the safety of the Paterson precinct, not to mention community safety. The heritage of Paterson township must be maintained to allow local residents quality of life to live in peace and safety. We all have a right to have clean air to breathe. There is a major health risk looming from exhaust fumes exuding from haulage trucks if Martins Creek quarry is not closed. Overall I see personal security at great risk due to respiratory illness (silicosis) caused by government neglect. I visit Paterson regularly when I visit family, enjoy shopping at the local supermarket, butchery, post office, coffee shops and B&B. The location of a renowned training facility Tocal College is of significant historical heritage where agricultural students have first class education , will be severely impacted with increased traffic across the entrances to the college and adjoining properties. The students frequent the Paterson village for rest and recreation, and their families have accommodation opportunity when visiting their children. The college stimulates significant tourism, not to mention support for the township of Paterson and diversity of culture and business opportunity (field days, monthly markets, weddings and other functions). DON’T KILL THE VIBRANT VILLAGE OF PATERSON AND SURROUNDS. Note there is only one single lane local road from East Maitland to Paterson, then Martins Creek, and only one lane over Gostwyck bridge to the quarry. Should the commissioner approve the current operation (without expansion) Martins Creek quarry should dispatch all its product by rail only (already existing). At least this would allow the existing critically endangered koala, eastern quoll, swift parrot and regent honey eater, and threatened flora species including the red slaty gum, population to live. The government has not fulfilled its obligations to protect threatened species eg: the 2050 Koala Strategy. |
Jasmin Pannowitz
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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This would significantly impact our community in a very negative way, in a large number of ways. |
Elisa fitzpatrick
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have lived in the Paterson and Duns Creek area for 15 years. In this time I have witnessed the effects of Daracon running too many trucks (illegally) on our roads and seen and felt the far reaching impacts on our community. I am deeply concerned with Daracons proposal to return to this destructive level of operation by expanding the mine and consequently running too many trucks on our roads that have not been built for such activity. The impacts of 40 trucks an hour from 7am, Monday to Friday is far reaching and problematic in our small rural town. My concerns are as follows: * I have children who catch buses from the centre of Paterson to and from school and crossing the road is difficult with the high volume of trucks proposed to move through the town. Visibility is difficult for them to safely cross the road, whilst the roads are narrow, leaving little room for error with children standing on the curb waiting to cross the road and trucks hurtling by. Their school bus picks up to 25 students at 7.50 am from their bus stop (corner of Tocal Road and Gresford Road) where the trucks travel. They return at 4.20pm on the opposite side of the road and many have to cross the road with trucks passing. * Our roads already severely suffer from neglect and disrepair and with recent repetitive flooding there are many dangerous pot holes. Having heavy trucks regularly using these poor quality roads will increase their disrepair and therefore safety. *Our local roads on which the trucks travel are narrow. Meeting a truck when driving on a narrow tight corner hurtling towards you is frightening and dangerous. * Trucks find it difficult to turn the narrow corner at the Post Office in the centre of Paterson and I have witnessed multiple dangerous incidents in which the trucks have hit the curb ( beware pedestrians and school students crossing! ) I have also seen trucks come dangerously close to colliding with cars travelling in the opposite direction at this intersection in Paterson. * As a small country town, the continuous rumble and clatter of trucks ALL day destroys our communities amenity. * Duns creek is located between Matins Creek and Brandy Hill ( another quarry) and I am concerned about the air quality. My family has a high incidence of asthma which is one of the reasons we moved out of the city for clean air 15 years ago. *Further clearing of native bush and habitat should not be permitted to expand the mine. Koala habitat has been seriously compromised in the area and needs to halt. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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The current roads are not suitable for the increased number of trucks and traffic. At peak hours the road through Bolwarra heights is already dangerous and increasing traffic, especially trucks which cannot break suddenly, will unfortunately result in increased danger and fatalities. It is also a busy road where school kids are picked up from the side of an already narrow and underprepared road for any more extensive use than is already on the road. |
Sandra Ognibene
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New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Extreme heavy traffic that affects the safety of exiting snd entering our property |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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I am a resident of ⬛⬛⬛, situated 3 minutes drive to the quarry and about 200m from Martins Creek Road. Our family have lived here for 2 years, however my great great great great grandparents were convicts that lived on the Gostwick Estate, the site of the Martins Creek Quarry and also my own property. My submission concerns the traffic and transport that would be generated by the proposed quarry expansion and how dangerous it would be for road safety for all residents and how destructive it would be socially and economically for the historic village of Paterson. This is a very quaint and attractive heritage town. It's heart is centred on the corner of Duke and King St where there is always lively activity between the post office, cafes, petrol station, bus stop, doctor, chemist, hairdresser, grocery store, pub, butcher, museum, church and community hall - which most afternoons of the week has back to back dance classes for local kids. People walk their dogs in the park, buses and daytrippers stop for the public toilets, and people criss cross the road up and down that stretch between the railway line and Tucker Park. Having truck movements of the scale proposed WILL destroy this town - social amenity and community may be hard to measure, but easy to sense when exist - which is increasingly rare. I wish to also point tout that the intersection of Grace Avenue and Dungog Road is also an unmarked bus stop - morning and afternoon - for two LINQ buses (Paterson and Vacy). In the mornings cars sit at the side of the road on Dungog Road or children stand waiting the bus heading to Dungog. In the afternoons, children get out of the buses just east and west of Grace Ave on Dungog Road (near the power station) and begin walking to Martins Creek village or to parent's cars that are parked along the Grace Ave part of the intersection. Martins Creek Road - not the official route but the most likely for drivers to use. I want to draw particular attention to the likely impacts on Martins Creek Road (from the Quarry to Paterson Road and bridge to Tocal Road) While this route is NOT a dedicated haulage route - proposed or recommended by the current proposal, it is however extremely important to consider in any final approval. All navigation maps - Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze etc - recommend this as the quickest route from Tocal road to the Quarry and visa versa. There is even a big helpful turn off sign at Tocal Road - to Martins Creek 10km, it says indicating to drivers to turn right and go over the narrow bridge, and then left into Martins Creek road. This road is obviously inappropriate for trucks. It is is narrow, has no shoulder areas, unruly vegetation growth, dips and sharp curves, has only faded or non-existent line marking, is constantly full of pot holes and floods in two places. It is also a school bus route with most of the bus stops unmarked. Nearest to Woodglen Close, the bus stop my child uses is a driveway. The area was traditionally large farm blocks but due to property value increases, working from home trends, and land planning regulations - many blocks are in the process of being subdivided to 2-3 acre rural residential blocks. I am part of this trend - having moved from Sydney to Paterson during Covid on a block sub=divided by our direct neighbour. This trend is evident up and down Martins Creek road and side roads (Keppies, Black Rock, Woodglen, Glenburn and Brisbane) as well as several developments between Vacy and Gresford. To restate my concern - this road, no matter how inappropriate for the route - WILL BE THE unofficial route. While I believe Daracon-marked vehicles will comply with any final conditions of consent, around 60-70% of trucks will be unmarked subcontractors and will use the AI of their navigation apps to find the quarry. It is virtually impossible for the government or the quarry owner to prevent this driver behaviour. Despite this all mitigation efforts, lane widening etc - proposed at this point focus on the official route. The conditions for monitoring driver behaviour - publishing a log on the company's website every six months seems woefully inadequate to be a measure to reinforce compliance and transparency. Which agencies will monitor compliance? What will this operation look like, 5, 10 and 20 years from approval? Given the past track record of Daracon it seems very likely that within a year or two of approval they will operate as profitably as they can get away with, avoid taking responsibility for their impacts, and the onus will be on residents to somehow 'prove' that compliance is not being met. This is a David and Goliath scenario it would be better to avoid altogether. This quarry is conveniently located on a major trunk railway line. Negotiations with the state government for freight access must be further explored and exhausted before ANY road haulage above the current (1991) approval levels is approved for the next 25 years - under any circumstance. At the Community Advisory Forum in early 2001, the attendees clearly stated their views on road haulage - 1) 100% 2) By pass 3) Haulage route only if there was a way to ensure driver behaviour would comply. Proof was needed that the regulatory environment would be strong enough to allow this as faith in the operator based on past behaviour is non-existent. It should also be noted that at that forum, Umwelt did not invite any residents further south than Tocal - which excluded a vast number of impacted residents and businesses on Tocal Road, Flat Road - from Tocal to East Maitland. No explanation was given as to why not. Thanks for the opportunity to comment and I hope that the development application is only approved if adequate measures are taken (rail or bypass) which protect the residents of Paterson, Martins Creek and the currently proposed haulage route to East Maitland. Once the IPC makes a call - you'll move on - and we will live with the implications for the next 25 years or longer. |
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Attachments |
martins-creek-quarry--martine-briegerpdf.pdf (PDF, 4.38 MB) |
Melissa Osborne
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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280 truck movements per day is far too many for the roads and residences of the historic town of Paterson and the small village of Vacy - let alone the historic one-way wooden bridges of Vacy, Dunmore and Hinton which are presently accessed by the Daracon trucks. Noise and emissions increase along all the routes accessed by these trucks are bad as it is and would be untenable with truck volume increase. Truck traffic on Paterson Road, on which our historic house is situated, is already unsupportable as far as we are concerned. Thundering trucks cause considerable ground tremors which cause construction problems in the form of cracks and surface destruction for all roads and houses along the routes travelled. If Daracon and Umwelt wish to increase their 'production" I suggest they transport their gravel by rail. I understand that there is a rail siding close to their proposed mining area which should be used rather than increasing the number of trucks - even if it is not as profitable. The community should not be detrimentally affected in oder to profit Daracon's bottom line!!!! Maitland Council and a vast number of people have objected to this proposal and there is no supportable reason why these companies should be allowed to conduct their business in the manner proposed - in the face of such adverse local criticism. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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12/11/2022 |
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Extra large trucks on local roads . Excess noise. Country roads that aren't decined for that amount of traffic. Why can't the gravel be transported by rail which is right beside the quarry! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
To whom it may concern. I am a local who would like to continue being a local simply put. My concerns lie exactly with all the answers given for number 6. of this submission. I currently rent & reside in a small dwelling that is in Paterson. I have done so for about 4 years now. I love the people here & love the small town & community feel. I am also currently employed in the town of Paterson & fear that businesses (including the one I am employed through) will be impacted by more tucks & changes to the roads in order to accommodate a heavier traffic flow. The roads are already such a wreck & it's not just from all rain. The trucks are really doing some damage & our council is obviously a bit slack when it comes to fixing them up. The road I reside on is already such a dangerous road. When I pull out from my driveway I take extra caution because it is on a blind corner. So many just speed through it though. It is an 80km zone. I really have concerns about the trucks for Daracon doing the same thing. You.may ask 'what is the difference between them & normal vehicle?' Only the fact that they are far larger! Also, take into account the dead wildlife that you see as you cruise along any road locally here. What will become of them, our wildlife, with a heavier traffic flow & bigger vehicles on the roads? This aspect already really saddens me & now I have even more grave concerns. I have pulled over in recent times to save so many turtles. I've also seen so many of them just flattened out on the roads to. I really do hope that at the end of the day that Daracon has consideration for the locals, the community, the local businesses, the wildlife, & the land. It cannot be just about jobs & money. What percentage of those jobs are actually local? What are the plans for the local roads now & into the future? So many questions & not enough answers that fit or suit this small community so far. I'm at a loss for what else to say honestly. |
Susan Graykowski
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New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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I live on ⬛⬛⬛ in Mindaribba-trucks from the quarry travel past our front gate.When the quarry increased truck movements we had frequent loud trucks that exceeded the legal speed limit making it hazardous for us to exit and enter our property. Tocal Road underwent constant damage from the heavy trucks. The noise and danger created by the very frequent movement of trucks past our door, and causing congestion on the roads in Maitland and East Maitland as we drive to work will greatly impact us. We also enjoy walking in Paterson-the narrow road through town will become much more dangerous with large numbers of heavy trucks. In the past Daracon have shown contempt for the limits imposed upon them and I am very concerned they will revert to this behaviour and will exceed allowable truck movements. Our community from Martin's Creek to Maitland will be very damaged by turning our local roads into a constant stream of trucks. Kind regards, Susan Graykowski |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the proposal because it will have a negative effect on me. I run a small business on the edge of Paterson and live about 100 metres from proposed route at Bolwarra and thus travel the same route on a day to day basis as I have done for 13 years. Firstly I would like to thank you for reading and considering my submission because I feel this proposal would effect me profoundly. I use Paterson township for all my local amenities from business supplies, to groceries, pharmacy, post and fuel. When the quarry was running trucks in large numbers illegally this became difficult to the point that I started using Maitland instead where I didn't have to cope with the noise and I could safety cross the road to carry on my business. I believe the right hand bend in the middle of Paterson is still unsuitable for the proposed increase in large trucks with the modifications suggested. People (including children and the elderly) have to cross that road to carry out their day to day lives and there is limited vision to do this safetly. When you add a lot more large, loaded trucks into that area, with cars pulling out from side streets and parking and pedestrians it is clearly adding enormously to the danger. In point 71 of the IPCN submission it says "The Department considers that reasonable and feasible road haulage alternatives, including options for wholly bypassing the village of Paterson, are limited by several constraints" but that only implies it is easier not to do anything. I also pull out of Church St and turn right everyday. The traffic approaches from the north (on the proposed haulage route) over a blind crest and if the level crossing is closed it is already and increasingly precarious and so adding noticeably more and heavier vehicles only makes this more so. When I bought my land it had been provisionally approved for subdivision but when I approached Dungog council they said they have concerns about safety regarding more vehicles pulling out of Church St (rightly so) but with more and heavier vehicles still this makes my opportunity to subdivide my land more problematic. So as such it is my potentially significant financial loss. The township is a thriving and highly desirable place to live and given it's proximity to major local centres and unique and well preserved historic township centre it has the potential to grow and develop further as urban pressures come on nearby Maitland but the proposed increase in heavy vehicles passing through the centre of town will diminish this potential enormously, if not eradicate it altogether. This is a financial cost to existing land owners. In the IPCN submission point 144 says "Daracon’s road traffic noise predictions indicate that existing road traffic noise levels along the proposed primary haulage route already exceed the RNP’s relevant criteria for several receivers. and then goes not add that effectively another increase of 2 decibels (and this is an average) won't be significant. In other words it is already too noisy so adding a bit more won't hurt but having lived through excessive truck movement on the proposed route I would suggest that it is more like tipping one over the edge from being able to cope to intolerable. Given the high level of distrust I have clearly observed in the community of Daracon's sincerity I and most of those effected along the route fail to see that any code of conduct or a re-established Community Consultative Committee would be little more than box ticking. The fact that Daracon's own submission mention's that it will limit trucks when there is an event at the Baptist Church despite no Baptist church existing in Paterson shows just how much genuine attention is being paid to our concerns. I Iive about one hundred metres from the proposed route at Bolwarra and I would say that despite trucks being asked not use exhaust brakes in urban areas about 1 in ten do ( I am not claiming these are from the Martins Creek Quarry as I can only hear them (too clearly) not see them) and given that I have no faith in a code of conduct I imagine this will only multiply and this is truly detracting from my own amenity. On my way home from work I have to turn right into Bolwarra Rd from Paterson and this is becoming surprisingly difficult particularly in the last 3 years with the increase in traffic. It is a somewhat anxious experience to be stopped in a small car with large trucks coming down the hill behind you and it has been made all the worse recently because people who are picking up their children from the recently constructed Tilley's preschool who wish to travel south often come and do an illegal U turn at the junction of Paterson and Bolwarra Road because of the difficulty of dealing with the already overburdened Paterson Rd. New subdivisions in place and still being constructed have added to the congestion and I regularly see cars making risky dashes to try and deal with the traffic and of course if a driver does misjudge this and the vehicle coming in their path is a heavy laden truck and dog the potential for a fatality is magnified even if the truck driver is driving responsibly. The fact remains that 40 tonnes travelling downhill cannot stop quickly. The increase in traffic in the years since Daracon's traffic report was done is substantial and it can be seen particularly at Melbourne St. Flat rd already forms queues a kilometre long and the queues are just as long coming from Morpeth. The problem is due not just from the bottle neck and volume of traffic but the relatively short length between the two sets of traffic lights. One at the junction of Melbourne St and Flat Rd and the other Melbourne St and the New England Hwy (the proposed route) Given that not enough cars can fit into the gap between the lights is what is causing the issue and that a truck and dog is about the same length as 3 cars, their effect on the traffic at that point is 3 times the actual number of trucks. One of the points made by Daracon is that there is no suitable road alternative other than this but that is also true for the residents. Because Maitland is divided by a river that has only has 3 crossings we are very limited in how we can move around and it must be taken into account that the route marked out in the proposal and it's inherent traffic problems is also the route we need to use in case of a medical emergency. We have to cross the Hunter river to reach the hospital. I believe that almost no one affected (if anyone) by the increase of trucks on the haulage route supports the increase in trucks and that those who do support it do not have to pay the price. Which is loss of amenity, increase in stress, decrease in property values, increased risks to safety and an even further increase in congestion on overburdened road intersections. Plus if this were to proceed you would need to be prepared to sacrifice the well preserved historic town of Paterson. It would be lost for future generations. It is a case of asking one community to pay the real and lived price for none of the benefits |
Name Redacted
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Date |
12/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This expansion will have drastic negative impact on indigenous sacred sites, koala habitat, and the local towns people within the community. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The infrastructure of transport to and from development are not adequately maintained or constructed to handle the intensification of use from heavy vehicles that will be required to support the increase of production. Particularly tocal rd, Paterson road, Melbourne street intersections and current congestion on main highways through maitland and east maitland. There are already congestion issues on these roads and the increase of traffic will intensify the situation. Also there is inadequate sound proofing along these roads for local residents. Also increased noise of the rail corridor, adequate sound proofing along the rail line should also be considered if rail transport is an option that’s under consideration. Personal impact will include increase in noise pollution, increase traffic congestion, deteriorating roads… more than they already are, leading to personal property damage from using damaged roads. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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I object to the quarry expansion mainly because of the horrendous impact it has on the village of Paterson and the residents who live in the surrounding areas. During the illegal and excessive truck movements in the past it was dangerous to cross the road. I saw a small boy trying to cross one morning to get the school bus and he could not until one of the trucks stopped to hold up the traffic. We have 3 primary schools within 8ks of the quarry and no pedestrian crossings. 280 truck movements is just ridiculous. Daracon employ nobody who lives locally and the company does not buy from the locals or contribute to the community other than sponsoring uniforms for the netball club. Hardly generous and the adverse impact they have on the local community far outweighs the benefits of a few uniforms. The area is growing with many new families moving here and the expansion of the quarry is in direct conflict with the future residential growth. The impact on koalas and other endangered species also concerns me. We have regular sightings of koalas in martins creek where I live and with the expansion of the Butterwick Road Quarry a mere 5ks away 2 years ago the argument that we need to expand another quarry so close by is criminal. The locals are very adversely effected by the traffic increase and to say that 280 truck movements per day will not impact is incorrect. Maitland is one of the fastest growing districts in NSW and these truck movements will definitely impact not only on Paterson but also maitland and the surrounding communities. I have no issue with the quarry operating within the existing guidelines but I strongly object to it being turned into a mega scale quarry. I also have no faith in the company complying with the rules as they have shown in the past, a total disregard for the community and the law. To try and push this through as a state significant project is a joke. They wish to circumnavigate the supreme court ruling and the wishes of the locals. The company has a reputation for dubious behaviour and I doubt that will change. The proposal only benefits one small section of the community and adversely impacts on the majority. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am concerned about effects on the local community Increased congestion on roads Wear and tear on the roads Pollution Noise Ruining these lovely quiet communities I feel that the increased volume of trucks is also a danger to local residents, many of whom are elderly |
Marilyn Mitchell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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I strenuously object to the Martins Creek Quarry Extension Project. I am a resident of the Dungog Shire and have lived in the area on and off for 70 years. I grew up at Barrington Guest House where many tourists returned year after year because of the unique environment in was set in. I frequently travel the road between Dungog and Maitland, visiting my daughters and their families in Vacy and Lorn. I believe that another 280 heavy vehicles on the proposed haulage route will make driving very unsafe and I would not be confident to drive. This would severely restrict my enjoyment of life if I can't spend time with my family. I'm sure this would have a negative effect on my metal health and wellbeing. The standard of the roads is already woeful and (despite the DPE suggestion to the contrary) these huge heavy vehicles would definitely degrade these rural roads further. I cannot see that this development has any benefit, either social or financial to the Dungog Shire. In fact, I feel it is devaluing the current and future tourism opportunities of this area. If up to 280 extra trucks per day are allowed to run through the rural communities of Martins Creek, historic Paterson and into the regional hub of Maitland, this will be a big turn-off to intended visitors of these areas. This will have the flow-on effect of stopping tourists coming up further to enjoy the rural delights available at Dungog, which has previously been the setting for two international films. I have previously felt the effects of the blasts while visiting my daughter's home at Vacy and this was most unpleasant to say the least. The dust created from the quarry often spread over the outside surfaces and we always had to wipe down tables and chairs before use. It is worrying to think of what might be in that dust given the health information that has come out regarding the adverse effects of silica for people exposed to this. I have also had my windscreen smashed by a rock while driving into Maitland, curtesy of a Daracon truck. I'm also very worried about the impact this greatly extended quarry will have on the flora and fauna in the area. We can ill afford to lose any more of our native habitat given the current loss of native species. I'd like to know that my grandchildren and their future children might be able to see native Australian birds and animals in their natural environment. Given the number of quarries already operating in the Lower Hunter area, it seems incomprehensible that any expansion of this quarry would be deemed necessary. Should this expansion go ahead, it will be a blight on the landscape forever with even more land denuded and will cause irreversible environmental damage and the unique rural landscape that has attracted visitors for many many years will be lost forever. Can you justify this huge loss to our beautiful area so that one company can line its pockets? None of the supposed mitigations will have any discernible impact to reduce the devastating damage to the well being of humans, animals and the physical environment in the Dungog LGA. This quarry has outgrown its usefulness (which was to provide railway ballast) and the area was never suitable for this type of on-site quarrying at the proposed amounts to be extracted every year for 25 years. Say NO to this Daracon proposal. I would like to see the Martins Creek Quarry closed down permanently. |
Michael Humphreys
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed increase in traffic is excessive for the roads identified. This proposal will damage roads that local council already struggle to properly maintain. Increased heavy traffic will add noise and dust, resulting in loss of amenity to residents. Safety of cyclists and pedestrians will be compromised, noting a daycare and school along the route. Increased congestion at Melbourne Street will be a significant issue during weekday morning and afternoon periods. It is hard to believe that truck drivers will honour the proposed route when traffic backs up. Up to 40 trucks per hour is a heavy truck movement every one-and-a-half minutes. Who thought that was a good idea for a residential area? |
Name Redacted
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11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am objecting to this submission. The impact of the Quarry on the local environment is detrimental to the surrounding natural environment and impacts negatively on the air quality and biodiversity of the surrounding country. The infrastructure of the roads cannot bear any extension of the quarry as the trucks are destroying the condition and quality of roads now making it dangerous to travel by ordinary road users. The Quarry impacts negatively on the Aboriginal culture and Heritage as the Traditional owners would not want the land mined and do not benefit from this in any way. The Historical heritage of this beautiful town is being destroyed by the quarry trucks thundering through the main streets of Paterson and surrounds. The land of the quarry site will struggle to be rehabilitated to anywhere near its original landmark. |
Claudia Stockenhuber
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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I am a resident living on Paterson Road in Bolwarra Heights. This road is proposed to be the transport road for trucks in and out of Martin's Creek Quarry. I and my family have lived through the years of illegal operation of Daracon which is comparable to the proposed traffic volume. During this time I have experienced the massive noise pollution, starting with empty trucks going to and loaded trucks coming from the quarry. It disrupted sleep early in the morning and made it impossible to enjoy the outside of our house. The increased particulates of the diesel engines were coating every surface outside and had severe impact on my son's asthma, which required him to use far stronger doses of medication. Leaving our driveway to join Paterson Road could take up to 10 minutes due to the sheer traffic volume. The number of trucks going through the area made it very dangerous to cross the road for us and especially school children to reach the bus stops on the opposite side of Paterson Road. This area is and always has been residential. The increased housing has already led to increased traffic volumes, but it was never meant to be used for heavy industries. All properties along the proposed traffic routes are impacted, noise pollution, decline in air quality and quality of life will be severely impacting all residents. This is not a presumption, but a lived experience during years of Daracon's illegal operations. Daracon has proposed to transport 600.000 tonnes per year by rail. I am sure with some goodwill from Daracon's side it would be possible to transport all product by rail. If it worked for coal and the mines still operate with profits, why not for Daracon? If this proposal goes ahead, it will be the triumph of one person's business interests over the legitimate concerns and will of thousands of residents in the effected areas of Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Dungog and Maitland. |
Name Redacted
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11/11/2022 |
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I am supporting a friend who runs a business from her property that requires a peaceful setting. I have been there on many occasions and is currently very peaceful. My friends business helps individuals recover from trauma using various methods the main one being horses. The noise generated from this proposed quarry upgrade will impact her required peaceful setting and thus impact her business and her horses. I also believe the expansion will impact protected wildlife and fauna and thus I oppose this quarry expansion. |
Name Redacted
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11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The character of Paterson will be ruined. Why do they not use the existing rail network? |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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My family and I live in Paterson, we have 3 young children who attend Paterson preschool and primary school. We shop locally at the IGA, butcher and service station serval times a week and my concern is the safety of my family when crossing the road to access these services. The air pollution due to so much traffic is also a huge concern of ours. |
James Slack
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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DARACON Given Daracon's history of lies and dishonesty in the past operation of the Martin's Creek Quarry it is dumbfounding that they have even been considered as an appropriate operator of the quarry. In saying this I refer specifically to there underpayment of road usage charges to Dungog Shire Council when increasing the number of truck movements substantially above the number approved for the operation of the quarry. On their website, Daracon boast about their phenomenal growth in becoming a 900 employee company operating across multiple business streams. The quarry expansion will add little to the success of the company while destroying the environment, creating havoc on and to local roads and impacting very negatively on the local community. Their will be no impact on the construction industry if the project does not go ahead as demand for quarry products will be supplied from other mines. It is nonsense to claim the quarry will provide employment opportunities. Daracon will simply redeploy resources that may be needed for the quarry expansion. As a resident farmer at Eccleston I am a regular road user who has in the past been exposed to the danger of large truck and dog movements along the route to the quarry. When the quarry was last in full operation our family would lose a windscreen from debris thrown up by quarry trucks at least twice a year. Earth moving trucks are paid by the load, so there is a huge incentive for drivers to exceed speed limits. Please don't approve this project. It provides no economic benefit other than to Daracon family members who are already very well off. However, it will have a huge negative impact on the local community, the environment and the safety of road users. When Daracon gained control of the quarry they knew exactly what the limitations of the quarry resources would be. It is nonsense to think they will somehow be a victim if the quarry expansion is not approved. I also note that many of the submissions supporting the project are anonymous. Why would this be so? Something to hide perhaps? |
Jennifer Creal
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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I live in Dungog shire and object to NSW Planning Department’s decision to allow this huge expansion. - I do not believe that adequate provisions have been made to mitigate the extreme adverse impacts on local roads and community. - The village of Paterson will be particularly affected …there’s a tight right angle turn and the road is narrow. It is imperative that it is inspected by Department officers. - The noise and dust of trucks through Paterson will be intolerable and totally ruin the amenity of the village. - There is direct rail access to the quarry so I would not be so concerned if that was being exclusively used. - Dungog shire where I am a landholder and ratepayer cannot afford to maintain the existing roads let alone worry about damage from very heavy trucks. Our rates have been increased significantly to cover the already huge cost of road repair. - I travel to Maitland regularly as my nearest service town and worry about the increased heavy traffic. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Too much traffic and development for small community. |
DavId Rose
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New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Paterson village is a very popular historic rural destination that my family visit. I strongly oppose any expansion to the quarry. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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11/11/2022 |
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Its already like living in a trucking yard, with trucks going up & doqn local roads. I was once forced off Tocal Rd by a dual trailer truck, while it was overtaking onther truck, obviously trying to get his 'runs' up. Neither truck even pulled over, just took off west, while I was manhandling the grass area, Lukily I eas ina 4x4 with a 6" lift & big tures. |
Ivan Gibbs
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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As a resident of Maitland Road, Paterson I strongly object to the use of these rural and residential roads as the number 1 haul route for Martins Creek Quarry expansion. The current proposal indicates one truck every 90 seconds at peak loading (ref Section 66) from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday. My concerns with this include but not limited to (1) Pedestrian and cyclist safety along the narrow main streets from Tocal Road through to Gresford Road. Most of the properties along these residential streets have young children including ours, a 2 and 5 year old. Additional truck movements will amplify this concern; (2) Lack of shoulder, footpath and pedestrian space on Maitland Rd between Sloane St and Prince St. Pedestrian access is narrow and in close proximity to traffic when walking from Sloane Street (and neighbouring streets) along Maitland Road to John Tucker Park, Duke St and the Paterson town centre. It is particularly concerning and unsafe with children when walking to and from the playground at John Tucker Park. Additional truck movements will amplify this concern; (3) Lack of pavement width for safe parking along Paterson’s streets. The space for parking is restricted and driver side doors open into the carriage way. There is serious risk of vehicle collision with parked vehicles and passenger interaction with traffic while alighting from parked vehicles. Additional truck movements will amplify this concern; (4) Reversing into or out of our driveways safely currently relies on the awareness of other drivers due to limited visibility and other drivers required to slow down or stop. Additional truck movements will amplify this concern; (5) Noise impact of trucks from 7am each morning will interfere with the resident’s (including children’s) sleeping patterns. One truck every 90 seconds will be an excessive noise impact for residences close to the carriage way, particularly through the Paterson village. There is also no allowance for shorter winter daylight hours where sunrise and sunset times are 7am to 5pm respectively. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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11/11/2022 |
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It’s hard enough to get out onto the main road now. Some mornings my children are late for school due to traffic, the increase of trucks will only make that a regular occurrence. My children as well as many other have to cross the road to get to bud stops which is dangerous enough already. |
Patricia Lanz
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New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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I strongly object to the proposed development of expanding Martins Creek quarry. In my submission I would like to touch my two main concerns which are noise and traffic. I moved to Paterson from Switzerland 10 years ago and live on the edge of ⬛⬛⬛. I had always been aware of the Martins Creek quarry; their gravel trucks driving through Paterson and had no issue with it while the quarry was operating adhering to the 1991 development consent. This changed drastically in 2014 when Daracon started to unlawfully operate the quarry. The number of trucks driving through Paterson and therefor the road noise became unbearable, the rural life I fell in love with turned into a nightmare. Due to Daracon’s unlawful operation beginning in 2014, there are no reliable numbers of truck movements through Paterson during the 2014 and 2015 period. The community at various times took it into their own hands to count the truck movements in that period which turns out they correspond closely to the numbers in the proposed development application. This is not acceptable. My trust in Daracon and their practices is extremely low due to lived experiences and their history of noncompliance. Ms Evans from the DPE stated in your department meeting taking place 20/10/2022: “there is evidence that the quarry has at times operated outside the conditions of its previous approvals but it’s not the department’s role to prosecute historical non compliances but rather to assess the project as proposed”. The policing of any restrictions on the quarry going on past experience will be limited at best. This is unacceptable. The quarry trucks use 28kms of local rural roads that were constructed to a ‘rural road’ standard as the DPE assessment report states, passing through several communities including the historic village of Paterson until they reach the New England Highway and the M1. This is not acceptable. This proposal does in no way balance the environmental, social and economic costs and benefits contrary to the DPE assessment’s report, the communities along the haulage route are going to severely suffer from the traffic and noise impacts. This is not acceptable. The proposed road upgrades to Paterson village (modified foot path and the line marking at the King Street and Duke Street) which supposedly provide improvements to road safety are not acceptable. This proposal will further penalise the community, losing on street parking spaces in a busy rural village. This is not acceptable. I am beyond disappointed that Daracon’s proposal has been approved by the DPE despite the community’s fight for their right to not have their lives destroyed by a company. The department received 670 public submissions of which 94.6% objected to the proposal but still approved it. Having grown up in Switzerland and its social standards and values, I would have never believed that in a socially progressive country like Australia a project like this can be approved by a government department completely disregarding the community’s concerns. I lived through the 2014 and 2015 period, this cannot be repeated and completely destroy the lives of many for the next 25 years. Please do not let this go ahead. |
Luke Burgmann
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New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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As a member of the community for 38 years I feel The proposal from Daracon is very selfish and is only a benefit to themselves at the expense of our beautiful town. My family has owned the local Paterson service station for 35 years and has supported the community as they have supported our business, I have grown up in Vacy and have now setup my family here also (3 kids) and we enjoy the lifestyle here. Previously when daracon operated the quarry trucks would constantly roll through town 5 to 6 days a week making it dangerous for school bus stops, foot traffic around town and cars to come and go from local businesses. The already suffering roads were further damaged due to the extra traffic. There was no Benefit to the local businesses as the truck have no place to pull over. The roads are too narrow for a truck if a breakdown. the disruption will destroy our weekly business. DUST, NOISE, TRAFFIC is everything we have moved to avoid. We are not an industrial town. Now they are proposing to run more trucks!!! It is so disrespectful on there behalf to even consider this. I’m very much against the quarry expansion, there has to be a better way. |
Jeffrey Nairn
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My education includes a HSC 1985, Certificate in Biological Science 1988, Diploma of Science 1992. I have more then 30 years experience in the area of Environmental Science Ecology being employed at the University of Newcastle Discipline of Biology, preparing undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degree practical courses and also student research field studies. The impact and disturbance of habitat due to the proposed quarry expansion will not only effect the localized adjoining properties both land and water habitats, but also the vast surrounding long term effects it will have on the environment. Habitat pressure - I have witnessed an Increase in native animal roadkill along Tocal road and adjoining routes that the quarry uses including the following - Echidna, Red neck wallaby, Koala, Sugar glider possum, Ring tail possum, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, including Reptiles such as laced monitor, eastern long necked turtle, blue tongue, and various other species. Noise pollution. The effect of increase truck movements and the disturbance it has on all wildlife during the day. Dust particulate pollution. The effect it has on native species both Flora (disruption of pollination) and Fauna Too often we ignore the small creatures and plants who play a vital part in our habitat and survival. I propose the following... Upgrade of railway siding/maintenance roads to accommodate trucks and removing them from public roads as much as possible. Utilizing the rail corridor better thus reducing road use damage by trucks to the road infrastructure which puts financial pressure on local councils for tax payer funding to fix this degradation. This will also remove trucks from the local roads vastly improving motorist safety for both locals and tourist traffic. A tarred maintained siding would have the benefit to the public on weekends when trucks are not using this to have a cycle way link between the various towns and council areas. eg Maitland to Dungog cycle way to support the ever growing tourist interest in the mountain bike tracks in Dungog that many familys and cycling clubs visit from Central coast and Sydney and northern areas as well. What better way to still utilize the quarry without expansion, streamline and reduce truck movement. Also benefit to the community by providing this weekend cycle corridor which also reduces effect on ecosystem. This corridor could be more easily monitored for habitat effect and its infrastructure maintained with much less effect on public roads. Summary - We need to come up with a better plan for the future that doesn't rely on outdated infrastructure and methods of gravel extraction where bye we can reduce the impact on community and Environment. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I oppose the submission because I am extremely concerned about the safety of children in the suburban area of Tocal Rd Bolwarra Hts because of the impact of many more trucks using this his road. The road is very narrow especially between the service station at the fork of Tocal Rd and Paterson Road to the end of the built up area going towards Paterson. I personally have 2 grandchildren that have to cross that road when they come from school to my place. I have a grandchild that rides his bike from Lorn to Moore Rd Bolwarra Hts and that will be extremely dangerous. A child was killed by a truck on Paterson Rd in the eighties. |
Joanne Krause
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
I live in close vicinity to the quarry. I also provide an intinerant service to most of the schools in and around this area. The roads are already in poor condition, often narrow and many winding roads. This will cause increased risk to me and other residents. I am fearful about increased risk to lives but sharing narrow roads with trucks that don’t often slow down and the continual damage to the roads causing more traffic hazards. The noise and dust will also have impact on my residence. People have chosen to live here for appreciation of the ecosystems - this will be significantly impacted. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The expansion of Martin’s Creek quarry will have a significant impact on the country communities that surround, the environment and the wildlife including the already endangered Koalas! The roads surrounding Martins Creek are absolutely horrendous and are already dangerous without the additional trucks on the road! As a local community member I am completely against the expansion! The expansion is based on greed and wealth! Think about the environment and local people! |
Angela Kelehear
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object with the amount of trucks running through the village and threat to habitat for the koalas |
Alex Robertson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
The proposed production increase of both Products and Truck traffic on the Tocal Road is going to be detrimental to both the community in terms of noise, traffic, pollution and general well-being. Further to this, the Tocal road in many instances is deteriorating, particularly on the shoulders of the road. Soon these B Double vehicles will be destroying an already crumbling road which will result is damages to other motorists vehicles. There needs to be a rethink on this entire proposal from Daracon concerning Production ramp ups. Thank you, Alex Robertson. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
It would be detrimental to the environment |
Hayden Andrews
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
Dangerous amount of trucks |
Stephen Callum
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The overriding concern here is one of safety ignoring of course the impact of ruining the ambience of Patterson center which will become a place to avoid. The truck route is shared by school buses which assuming a 20-minute run would see 6 truck movements in that duration and at peak time 9. This is based on one school bus. Given there are two I believe to allow this to happen is condemning what will eventually be a likely fatality. Having witnesses a small child run across the road to be with their mum is something that sticks in my mind when I was living in Sydney. That incident didn’t result in a fatality but given the size and frequency of that proposed will undoubtedly occur at some point. There is no mention of changing the one lane bridge to that of two lanes and given the frequency of trucks in both directions could merge every 4.3 minutes makes approval of this totally irresponsible. Given my background has involved risk assessment and hazard analysis I would be interested in seeing the risk matrix that would favour such a proposal. In my industry (petrochemical) where industrial manslaughter is a consideration in both design and implementation of works it begs the question who will be held responsible for when this will occur I see no reason why the safest but possibly less economical option for ALL material to be removed by rail transport should be favoured but the option for road transport in my view given the impact to Patterson Village and the safety of people particularly the children going to school is a risk that is unacceptable. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
N/A |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I believe this expansion will harm the local environment and quality of life of the people, fauna and flora in the area. The Paterson area has enjoyed and put up with the existing quarry and any expansion will upset this harmony enjoyed by the people, local government and the national enterprise running the quarry. I believe the local people will not stop protesting if the development is approved and the site will only enrage the local people to continue to protest. I would like to register my submission against this development. Sincerely, William Yeadon (BA. Bus. M.Bus) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Website |
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Submission |
Too many large trucks through small country town Effects on endangered species Road condition bad as is don't need more trucks Noise |
David Evans
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I believe the extra truck movements along the current route will course considerable issues to traffic as well as more dangerous traffic issues. I would not be so apposed if the company and or council was also improving the traffic route to go along with this expansion request. Rate payers should not be effected by private companies wanting to increase profits. Thanks |
Peter Cook
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Organisation |
Peter Cook |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I spoke to the Commission on 7 November about the traffic impacts and my belief that the annual tonnage by road and rate of truck movement is too high. I urge the Commission to amend the draft conditions of consent so that A12 are the rates to be used. Also, I request that the Commission amends condition A25 so that funds go to the Martins Creek community and its school from the total annual production, not just the rock transported by rail. I expect that Daracon will maximise transport by road and that rail transport will be minimal. I do not want to see the Martins Creek community impacted by the quarry and then miss out on any moneterary compensation. Thank you. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
I object because I am gravely concerned about the future of Paterson in the areas of: Traffic and road integrity and land degradation. Our small peaceful community has limited resources and does not have the road infrastructure or road quality to support the amount of trucks going through and the degradation of our already poor roads that these trucks will cause. The noise and air quality associated with this kind of bulk transport will heavily pollute our beautiful country environment; both land, animals and people. Operations should be limited to utilization of the rail network. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The scope of the expansion will have a severe and negative impact on the local community through noise of the quarry operation, truck noise, truck damage to roads & widespread traffic impacts. It will also affect the wider local community, ie anyone that uses the same roads, such as anyone travelling towards Maitland from the same direction, through truck noise, traffic congestion & road damage. We live in rural communities for nature & serenity. Not to be subject to heavy traffic noise |
John Bradley
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to this proposal due to the enormous deleterious impact it will have on the local community. The impact on the local roads that the proposed huge number of trucks will have will be a huge cost to the community. The local councils (particularly Dungog Shire) cannot afford road maintenance as it is, the tremendous amount of road damage these trucks will cause has to be paid for by the community itself - the community that doesn't want these trucks in the first place. The community will be paying for them! The noise and traffic impact is also completely unacceptable. If this quarry is to operate, it must be a condition that ALL production is shipped out by rail, which is already in place. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Terrible for local community in terms of traffic and air pollution as well as wildlife. |
Madeleine Rose
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am strongly opposed to the expansion of the quarry. The volume of trucks prposed is ridiculous and the local residents and visitors will pay the price. Also its huge impact to the native environment eg koalas, spotted quoll etc. Do NOT approve!!! |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Ornum Park Pty Limited |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The Martins Creek Quarry does not meet any of the aims of the Dungog Local Environmental Plan 2014. The proposed development will result in the CLEARING of an EXTENSIVE amount of REMNANT NATIVE VEGETATION. This native vegetation is one of the largest remaining intact native vegetation communities in the local area and should be fully protected because of its ecological significance. This vegetation provides critical habitat to both threatened and protected native fauna and flora species, including Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable species. A search of the Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data (SEED) [Reference: https://geo.seed.nsw.gov.au] clearly demonstrates that there have been many threatened species sightings including Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable species within the area mapped as ‘Martins Creek Quarry’. The Biodiversity Assessment Report (BAR) report submitted with the SSDA identified that the Project would remove 21.13 ha of Koala habitat. In its referral decision, the Commonwealth determined that the Project would be ‘a controlled action’ in that the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on four EPBC Act-listed threatened fauna species including: Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) Spotted-Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) The BAR identified that the project would also remove 2287 Slaty Red Gum (Eucalyptus glaucina), over a total area of 13.43 ha. This flora species is also a Vulnerable species, and is listed as Vulnerable at both a State and National level. The Commonwealth also considered that there may be some risk of significant impact to a wetland of international importance (Hunter Estuary Wetlands). Reference: https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-6612%2120221005T024824.095%20GMT No biodiversity offset plan would be commensurate with the loss of intact native vegetation, and the proposal is likely to have a significant impact on the life cycle of local threatened fauna populations. I understand that the Commonwealth Minister MUST NOT act inconsistently with certain international environmental obligations, or Commonwealth Recovery Plans or Threat Abatement Plans. The Commonwealth Minister must also have regard to relevant approved Conservation Advice. Given the number of recovery plans and threat abatement plans, at both a State and National level for threatened fauna and flora species it is very clear that this proposal should be REJECTED on the grounds of threatened species and their conservation. There was no mention of the NSW Koala Strategy, which has a goal of doubling the koala numbers in NSW by 2050. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
Small rural towns destroyed by noise pollution and traffic ,not to mention the impact on the roads. Belmore road is already struggling with the amount of cars.Paterson town is also a rural place of beauty which would be destroyed by pollution and noise. I have seen many trucks not stop at the pedestrian crossing at Lorn which is a accident waiting to happen. This is not the place for expansion. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Concerned about the additional traffic through the area and the safety concerns associated. The roads are narrow in parts and second rate already. Add the additional trucks and in time this will do more damage to the roads. |
donna m cavanough
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The destruction of habitat and clean quite air is enough reason to stop this development. |
Michele Dalwood
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Website |
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Submission |
I am explicitly lodging my OBJECTION to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion project for the following reasons: 1. As a rate paying resident of Bolwarra Heights, I and the whole of my community, as well as those living in nearby suburbs, will be DIRECTLY and NEGATIVELY impacted by the INCREASE in TRAFFIC along TOCAL ROAD, FLAT ROAD, PITNACREE and MELBOURNE STREET TO MAITLAND. It is UNACCEPTABLE that 200 - 280 trucks PER DAY will be travelling through and along the roads from Martin's Creek to Maitland which were not built for such heavy traffic load. As the floods in JULY 2022 clearly demonstrated with road closures and increased demand along Flat Road, Pitnacree and Melbourne Street to Maitland those roads are not built for ANY INCREASED DEMAND in traffic and were NEVER designed for such. With an operating time-frame of MORE THAN 25 YEARS it is UNJUSTIFIABLE that this project is even being considered!! Personally, I travel from Bolwarra Heights, across Flat Road/Pitnacree to Melbourne street twice a day - 6 days a week. with 40 trucks per hour travelling along Flat Road to Melbourne Street I will be UNABLE to turn SAFELY from McKimm's Road onto Flat Road and through Pitnacree to the Melbourne Street lights? In addition to safetly this will add significant time onto what is currently a 10 minute trip. I will be UNABLE to turn SAFELY from Paterson Road onto Tocal Road. I will also be UNABLE to turn SAFELY from Flat Road onto Glenarvon Road. This is ALL UNACCEPTABLE!! 2. In addition to the traffic congestion and lack of safety considerations 200-280 trucks driving through the affected communities will bring with it INCREASED NOISE and POORER AIR QUALITY and will NEGATIVELY impact residents' HEALTH - again, this is NOT ACCEPTABLE!! So in summary I STRONGLY OBJECT to the Martin's Creek Expansion Project!!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
This will cause irreversible damage to the Paterson local community and small business, as well as damaging road surface and increasing risk to commuters |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
11/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
This must NOT go ahead!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
My concerns is the already overly busy road during peak periods at Hunterglenn estate, to many accident there already and with additional truck one of these will only lead to a fatality. I always see it with roads, be proactive not reactive, don't wait to fix it after someone dies. |
Gaurav Rawat
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Too many trucks might turn the beautiful Paterson village into a permanent construction zone. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I have lived in ⬛⬛⬛, for over 30 years. I moved there from Sydney for the peace and quiet, clean air and water, and the rural life. The last time Daracon operated the quarry we could not travel to work safely as the truck drivers did not have their loads covered and the gravel would fly into the windscreen of the car. I was replacing my screen every year, as well as the damage to the bonnet of my car. The roads are not designed to carry the heavy traffic, the road breaks down and we have enormous potholes, which also causes damage to the car. The proposed site of the new access is in a very dangerous area. The exit and entry point is in a blind spot, as well as the road not being wide enough to have trucks cross the road to enter and a car pass. On exit the laden truck cannot get enough speed up to merge with flowing traffic. The traffic going through Paterson will be a major problem as the road is not wide enough on the corner at the top of Duke Street, so the road will need widening, so how do you park to go to the takeaway? When going to the supermarket, it will not be safe to cross the road, and as a lot of people in Paterson and surrounding areas are aged it will be a disaster for them to cross. So the businesses in Paterson will loses customers. Or someone will be hit crossing the road. Children are picked up and dropped off for school on the main street of Paterson, it will now become unsafe for them to cross the road. Also the children attending ballet school also need to cross the road. That area is also abundant with wild life, such as kangaroos, possums, reptiles extra, this will kill off the wild life, as well as trucks hitting them. What about the damage to the water table? The prices of the houses will drop in value due to traffic, the noise and dust pollution. Are Daracon going to rehabilitate the quarry once it's finish? The dust that blows from the quarry lands on everything. Who is going to monitor the amount of trucks moving in and out of the quarry, because last time Daracon said they would do one thing and actually did what ever they wanted. Which left us living with the mess and traffic. I find it amazing the people who agree with this proposal don't actually have to live with it. I moved to live in a rural area for the last years of my life. In peace, quiet and clean air. If I wanted to live in an industrial area I would have done so. I object to the proposal going ahead. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The roads that will be impacted already have a heavy traffic impact without further heavy vehicle excess. The roads will not sustain the proposed increase in heavy vehicle traffic which is a residential area. There has been no previous planning for heavy vehicle traffic of this magnitude when this area was developed as a residential area. |
Kristen Rutter
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the Martins Creek Quarry. The truck movements are noisy and dangerous. I have elderly parents driving to my place as well as teenage children 2 of whom are on their L plates. The roads are already full of potholes with people swerving to avoid car damage let alone with barrelling double trucks hurtling along the small country roads . I cannot stress enough how DANGEROUS this is. As well as the noisy interruptions at regular intervals when you are trying to have lunch or a chat at the local café’s butcher or IGA. This area desperately doesn’t want the proposal so it is hard to understand how the proposal has got this far. It is- Unsafe- there are a lot of young drivers in the area and the trucks take up all the road and move very fast. The roads are in disrepair already- the truck movements will make this problem worse. Noisy Messy Dirty- many of us rely solely on tank water - water quality is a big concern Environmentally damaging Insensitive to the indigenous community Stressful for the community Faithless - the quarry has spectacularly broken its conditions in the past It should certainly be turned down and then the community can carry on in peace. Kind Regards Kristen Rutter |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I am disappointed by the NSW Department of Planning approving the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry ignoring the factors which most members of the community regard as more important than giving in to big business to save shareholder money, rather than taking into account the submissions regarding environmental factors, or extension of the existing railway parking loop to enable the usage of rail transport. |
Terence Pitkin
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The Committee has been provided with a plethora of studies, submissions and research into extraction statistics, blasting noise, geology, water flow, air quality, etc, etc. When one reviews the numerous responses to Daracon’s proposed expansion of the Martin’s Creek Quarry there has been miniscule concerns expressed about any of the topics mentioned above. There is only one aspect of Daracon’s proposal which has ignited vigorous community opposition and that is the question of road transport of the product from the quarry. Putting all other issues aside, to an outsider it appears ludicrous that a quarry, isolated from major highway access, but having its own exclusive rail siding and mainline access, would not adopt a haulage and distribution strategy of ‘Rail to near-to-highway Distribution’ at a location central to its major markets. Daracon does not appear to have provided to the NSW Government decision makers, nor does it appear to have been requested of them, a comparative economic internal rate of return of 100% rail to, say, a Hexham road distribution centre versus the combined rail and road haulage in their proposal. The basis of Daracon’s proposal seems to be that, despite no economic comparisons being made, life will be made easier for Daracon’s management if the residents along the road haulage route from Martins Creek to East Maitland bear the harsh “residual” social impacts of road transport. As Dungog Shire Mayor, John Connors, pointed out in his presentation at Tocal College on 8th November, transport of coal by road was banned throughout the Hunter Valley and its towns and villages decades ago. With adjacent mainline rail access already at hand, there is no economic or societal reason why Martins Creek Quarry should haul any (other than for local roadworks) of its product by road. Approval of continued road haulage through historic Paterson will foment continuous antagonism towards Daracon, officialdom and government when the obvious and glaring solution of rail haulage is available. An exclusive Rail to near-to-highway Distribution strategy would remove almost all objections to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion proposal. This should be an essential condition of any approval to expand the operations of Martin’s Creek Quarry. |
Jane Chandler
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
I am a rate payer of the Dungog Shire and live 1km from⬛⬛⬛ on the road to Singleton. I am appalled that in this day and age our Planning Department would even consider such a proposal that will destroy the livelihoods of so many residents. There are many successful housing developments underway between Paterson, Vacy and Gresford and I believe people are moving to the area to gain a quieter and rural based lifestyle. The area is becoming self generating and certainly a massive financial add-on for Maitland, Singleton and Newcastle. Do any of you voting for such a devastating proposal live in the area? Know the area? Aware of the destruction this quarry and truck movements will do to the area? The only solution is if the quarry must move gravel then they must relocate it by rail. Start using the rail tracks and leave the stunningly beautiful valley for more and more residents to enjoy. I live close to the ⬛⬛⬛ and value peace and quiet. I am an enviromentalist. I have planted in the area over 30,000 trees over the past 20 years. I have developed an Arboretum in Gresford. I founded the Paterson Allyn Garden Group 14 years ago and have been on the board of Garden Clubs Australia |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object to the increase of vehicles in our community |
Kevin SHORT
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Organisation |
Maitland and District Historical Society Inc |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Paterson is one of the most historic and intact villages remaining in New South Wales. The volume of traffic proposed to pass daily through Paterson as a consequence of this development proposal, will destroy the amenity and historical integrity of the village to say nothing of the visual and psychological impact on residents and visitors. When compounded by the noise associated with this proposal, especially from empty hoppers returning to the quarry, life will be intolerable. Additionally, the damage which will inevitably be caused to the roadways by the nature and volume of traffic, cannot be measured solely in monetary costs to public infrastructure, the cost to local businesses immeasurable. Sadly, there is also a safety concern for residents with pedestrian passage across the roadway a constant death and injury risk. I'm reminded of the decision of some decades ago wherein the transport of Hunter Valley coal was transferred from road to rail. All of the 'reasons' for that action apply equally here. Considering that rail access is already in place, the decision to transport the gavel by local and low-grade roads defies all logic. The disruption to life and the risk to limb in this proposal extends beyond Paterson and Martins Creek. Even if a 'special' access road were to be built to avoid Paterson village itself, all of the above problems will apply equally to residential and commercial locations further down the transport chain. The answer is simple and easy, transport the gravel by rail to a convenient location where it can be stockpiled and on forwarded on suitable transport infrastructure. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
We are residents that live in the Paterson Community that will be directly effected by the increase in daily truck movements, We have lived in this community for the past 26 years & are disgusted that an application to increase truck movements past our property to 40 trucks per hour could even be considered. Our way of life & the enjoyment of our property will be severely effected by the increase in noise, dust & pollution. One of us has a health condition of which will deteriorate with the Increase of dust & fumes going past our property & will no longer be able to enjoy the outside area of our home during the operating hours of the quarry. Our safety entering & exiting our property directly onto the 100km road limit will be compromised, slowing down & waiting to turn across a lane of traffic into our driveway on an already busy road & having a truck behind you, that can’t go around you, because the road is not wide enough will end in tragedy. We have already experienced tailgating by the trucks on this road & have had to pull over to let them pass before we get to our driveway & we were travelling at 100kms. There would be an increased risk to the pushbike riders that regularly use the 100km Road, there has already been a fatality with a truck in the past. The days that our garbage, recycling & green waste is collected would pose a safety issue for road users with the extra truck movements. Native animals in the area will be severely impacted, we regularly have kangaroos, echidnas & turtles pass through our property, of which will end up as roadkill as well as the many varieties of birds visiting our property daily including a variety of parrots, kingfishers, kookaburras & yellowtail cockatoos. The traffic on the 100km road is already under pressure when the Tocal Field Days are on each year which includes a Friday, the traffic can be at a standstill from 9am of a morning; the road has also flooded on several occasions & gets cut off just past Tocal College on the Paterson side. The impact on our wonderful community of Paterson will be devastating, the loss of parking, the danger of crossing the main street, especially for children, the elderly & the disabled members of our community, the enjoyment of sitting in our local cafe having a coffee, morning tea or lunch will be gone. As long term residents of the Paterson community we understand the devastating effect this will have on our health, safety, wellbeing & way of life. We strongly object, when will common sense & a duty of care prevail over money & greed! |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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I wish to express how bitterly disappointed I am at the approval for the Martins Creek Quarry expansion by the NSW Department of Planning's. Whilst this is seen as a new proposal by the Dept of Planning, the community has lived with this quarry operating at large capacity (illegally) in the past and do not wish to see its impacts again. Having owned a farm on Gresford Road for the last 7 years I have seen first hand the impact that previous quarry operations had on the roads around the area, especially through the townships of Paterson. No extra parking provisions will make up for large trucks going through the local streets of Paterson. The roads are already in poor repair due to weather events which makes extra large vehicles on the road even more hazardous. Whilst the quarry is going to "upgrade the roads" the recent wet weather has shown that no-one can keep up with the maintenance required to roads let alone with increased heavy vehicle traffic. We have first hand experience of a fully laden gravel truck rolling on our flat driveway it is not something I would wish to see on the roads in the area. The level rail crossing at Paterson is also an additional safety hazard. We regularly travel to Sydney and have to share the roads with these heavy vehicles. The drivers have a tight time table and will "tail gate" vehicles not doing the speed limit. I often come across drivers, many elderly, doing under the speed limits. Also the impact these trucks will have on Melbourne Street in Maitland will be problematic as there is often grid lock during peak times in the area. The Assessment report states that "Pitnacree Road/Melbourne Street: four-way traffic signal control; currently operates at close to capacity; and Melbourne Street/New England Highway: four-way traffic signal control; currently operates at close to capacity." There has also being significant residential development in Bolwarra Heights, no money being paid to local councils or a Community Contributions and Sponsorship Program is going to reduce the impact on the local community. As for the unfortunate people living close to the Quarry now being threatened with 24hr train loading ... How does it work to allow the Quarry to expand before undertaking an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan? There has being lots of media attention over the destruction of cultural sites by mining companies, or is this to allow them to destroy sites before the study is done so know one can stop them? The townships of Paterson, Vacy and East Gresford are vibrant local centres with lots of locals and visitors visiting a scenic towns. The truck movements through these area will greatly impact these businesses. The noise impact and the safety of people moving around town is not acceptable. The Assessment report states "potential significant impacts on several EPBC-listed flora and fauna species and habitats." Loss of habitat for the local flora and fauna cannot be "offset" to another area, with the impacts of bushfires and other environmental disasters, any area which provides suitable habitat is greatly needed. Every piece of land is unique in it's own flora and fauna mix, the offset scheme does not protect flora and fauna in the area being impacted. The increased blasting operations will also impact wildlife further afield. The Hunter Local Landservices and Hunter Landcare are working with landowners to improve biodiversity, water quality and pest species reduction, the allowing of the expansion of the quarry does not support these endeavours. The bringing onto site "The Applicant may receive and process up to 20,000 tonnes of coal ash and other blending agents at the site in each calendar year." is a health hazard for neighbours, along with the dust created by the blasting. As an asthma suffer I am not in favour of any additional dust. Allowing operations on Saturdays will impact on toursit visitor numbers, we currently run an Airbnb where we provide to accomodation to people attending weddings in the area, or looking to have a weekend in the country. Also families are moving around the area going to sporting events which will have to put up with trucks passing through. Please listen to the local community! As stated in the referral letter "The amended Project was exhibited from 2 June 2021 until 31 July 2021 (60 days). The Department received 670 public submissions. 31 (4.6%) of these submissions supported, 634 (94.6%) objected, and five (0.7%) commented on the project." We do not want this quarry expansion. Yours Sincerely Robyn Hyde |
JANE SLACK
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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Ridiculous to think that you can have 240 trucks per day going along the current roads (which are already full of pot holes and dangerous) without any impact to the local area. The historical town of Paterson would be extremely impacted due to noise, traffic movements and pollution. There is a railway line already there that could be used to transport the materials rather than by trucks that are too large for the narrow country roads that they travel along. I am afraid that it is only a matter of time before there is a major accident involving one of these trucks. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
i have read some of the submissions that support the proposal with dismay. we are not a terra nullius. we have a long and fine connection to this land and community. this means we have an primary connection to the area that an industry imposed would destroy. All the existing rural and tourist industries would be undermined. and we have a quiet life with an older population and young families who would be damaged by an industrial behemoth. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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My first issue is the safety of the people especially the elderly and children on these roads in the towns affected Secondly people driving the country roads especially not being able to see past the trucks and elderly drivers being nervous around thes monster trucks as there will be so many The impact on our roads eg conditions of the roads in some of these towns is appalling and dangerous And the impact on our businesses will be horendous |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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As a resident of Vacy who travels the number 1 haul route daily, I oppose the quarry expansion. I have experienced many incidences where I have been run off the road to avoid Daracon trucks that are on the my side of the road & I have had 2 windscreens damaged by trucks flicking up rocks on Gresford. Our roads and the village of Paterson (where I shop, buy fuel, use the post office, hairdresser, barber etc) have not been designed to withstand the constant barrage of trucks that are being proposed to drive through Paterson. Every-time we drive or walk through the village of Paterson, we are putting our lives and the lives of our children in danger. Many school bus stops are on the main haul route and will be occupied by children during daracons proposed busiest times. Is it going to take the loss of a life or many lives before this ridiculous and dangerous proposal is denied. I hope not! Please take into consideration the impact this will have on our villages, villages that are bustling with residents, many elderly and many children. It is simply too dangerous to have that many trucks on these roads, roads that are barely maintained as it is. |
Mark Walker
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10/11/2022 |
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There are a number of issues not satisfactorily addressed or not addressed at all in the DPE Assessment Report or DPE Conditions of Consent. The concerns for residents and those on the haulage route is noise, safety, dust and loss of amenity. There are four dominant traffic road safety concerns and pinch-points on the haulage route that have not been addressed by the DPE in their Assessment Report. The first is the intersection at the northern end of the township of Paterson. That being the T intersection of King Street and Church Street. The safety issue is for vehicles exiting right from Church Street heading into Paterson. The crested corner coming into Paterson is blind. I appreciate that the speed limit on this section of King Street is 50kmph but if a driver's decision to exit Church Street is not timed to perfection a loaded truck and dog will have difficulty braking in time to avoid a collision. Also, there is the added safety issue that immediately after this crest is a boom gate railway crossing. When the boom gates are in the closed position, cars are often banked back to the blind crest, decreasing driver response time even more. No solution has been offered by the applicant. The second is the blind dog-leg intersection at Prince Street and Duke Street in Paterson. This intersection can not be made safe by modified line-marking as it is constrained by historic buildings on opposing sides of the intersection. Those being 'The Rectory' and 'Sunnyside' - reputedly the oldest home in Paterson. This intersection has a greatly restricted line-of-sight when exiting Prince Street heading in a northerly direction. It is dangerous even without large quarry trucks. Trucks can not legally traverse this section of Duke Street without crossing over the double white lines. There is also very limited pedestrian access along this stretch of road. This road is unsuitable for truck and dog quarry trucks. No solution has been offered by the applicant. The third section of the haulage route that is of concern is where Tocal Road meets Paterson Road at the BP service station at Bolwarra Heights. The cumulative effect of haulage from Martins Creek Quarry and Brandy Hill Quarry has not been assessed by the DPE. Once both quarries are at full capacity up to 100 trucks will meet at this intersection per hour. That is a truck every 36 seconds. Adding to safety concerns is Tillys Childcare Centre and Bolwarra Public School that are both a short distance from this intersection. Both these facilities experience peak child drop-off time that coincides with peak quarry truck numbers. Also, the Hunterglen Drive development at Bolwarra will see many new homes added to this already rapidly growing precinct bringing many more cars and pedestrians onto the roads and footpaths. No solution has been offered by the applicant. The fourth section of the haulage route that is of concern is the intersection at Melbourne Street and New England Highway, East Maitland. In its own assessment the DPE states that, (quote) 'Melbourne Street/New England Highway: four-way traffic signal control; currently operates at close to capacity'. (unquote) With the cumulative effect of trucks from both quarries this intersection will be operating at beyond capacity. No solution is offered by the applicant. Quarry trucks must traverse 28 kms of rural roads to reach a major highway. No other quarry in New South Wales forces haul route residents to endure such discomfort. The loss of amenity for those living near the quarry, in Paterson and those on the haulage route is immense. The social impacts are extreme and detrimental to my mental health and the mental health of others. The loss of amenity is not an ill perceived prediction or an unsubstantiated claim. It is a lived experience, it is real. Something the DPE is unable or unwilling to quantify. Throughout the Assessment Report there is reference to the primary haulage route. This infers product will be transported by road to locations other than on the primary haulage route alone. Is there a limit on quantity or number of trucks for this 'local' delivery? The applicant's attempts to ameliorate the community via mitigation and management strategies are: A Community Contributions and Sponsorship Program, Community Engagement Strategy, Infrastructure Contribution Plans, Contributions to Community Initiatives, a Community Consultative Committee and employing a dedicated Community Liaison Representative. These strategies will do nothing to lessen the noise, dust and safety issues and are frankly contemptible. This community can not be bought. In regards to noise, the DPE Assessment report paragraph 115, page 32: (quote) 'Given the quarry’s location and its extensive history of operations, it is reasonable to conclude that the residents of Martins Creek and surrounding areas have been subject to noise impacts from the quarry for many years. It is also reasonable to conclude that the quarry’s operations, which have been occurring for over 100 years, pre-date all current inhabitants of the area'. (unquote) This is an irrational conclusion and infers that residents of Martins Creek and surrounding areas should be used to the noise from the quarry operations. In fact, for the majority of the 100 years, quarry material was moved by train and when moved by truck only 30% was transported by this method. The community and Dungog Council objected to quarry operations when both Railcorp and the applicant exceeded extraction beyond the 1991 consent. The community was not tolerant of the illegal quarry operation or what is proposed in the recent DPE Conditions of Consent. Martins Creek Quarry is the only quarry in the state that is positioned within a rural setting where residential properties adjoin the fence-line of the quarry. The nearest residential structure in Station Street being just 50 metres from the quarry. In supporter submissions there is often comment that approval of the quarry expansion will improve much needed supply of quarry material. The DPE Assessment Report states: (Quote) 'There are six other approved hard rock quarries with the capacity to provide significant volumes of high strength aggregates and construction materials within the Hunter Region'. (unquote). Also, another important issue relating to supporter submissions is noted in the DPE Assessment Report: (quote). 'Of the total supporting submissions, 1 (3.2%) was made from within 5 km and/or proximate to the haulage route, 24 were made from distances of between 5 km and 100 km and 6 (19.4%) were made from further afield'. (unquote). Supporters do not live around the quarry area, they do not live in Paterson and do not live on the haulage route. They have and will not be negatively affected by quarry operations. Martins Creek Quarry is the only quarry in New South Wales that has an existing rail siding at its doorstep. The reluctance by the applicant not to transport all product by rail is based purely on profit margin - That is, the wish to not double handle the product which would increase the cost per tonne. My understanding is there are locations on rail spurs at East Maitland and Hexham that would potentially allow the applicant to distribute product by truck to the desired locations. If the profit per tonne is not sufficient to make the project financially viable the applicant should locate to another site closer to a main thoroughfare. It's not up to the community to be responsible for the financial viability of the quarry for the applicant. Of course there is a downside to transporting all product by rail. The residents immediately surrounding the quarry would be impacted greatly if this option was to be taken. The quarry processing noise would continue, the blasting would continue, the dust would continue and the loading of trains would increase. In regards to the Driver's Code Of Conduct. Who will have the responsibility of policing this code? The community? Past experience shows that the applicant has very little control over contract drivers travelling to and from the quarry. History often determines the future, and the applicant's history at this quarry is a history of illegally and knowingly extracting product far beyond what the 1991 consent allowed, as determined by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court. The community has little or no trust that the applicant will abide by the Conditions of Consent, if granted. The applicant has zero social licence in this community. I quote Chief Justice Preston in his judgement from the 2019 Gloucester Resources 'Rocky Hill' case. (quote) "The fact that the coal resource is in the location of the Gloucester valley does not mean that the resource there must be exploited, regardless of the adverse impacts of doing so. A development that seeks to take advantage of a natural resource must, of course, be located where the natural resource is located. But not every natural resource needs to be exploited". (unquote) |
Name Redacted
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10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the increase of trucks through the village of Paterson due to the expansion. The issues that I have selected all fall under this expansion. The village, the road infrastructure, the environment will all be impacted by the increase of transport. The area is not designed for it. Dungog Council is unable to provide the upkeep to the LGAs roads as it is. There is not way they will be able to keep on top of road Maintnenace with the increase. There are already enough trucks that go through the villages from other industries. Please reconsider the use of the state railway. It was initially constructed for the quarry and would make much more sense to use it than the trucks. The increase in noise levels will be enormous for those that live close to the road. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposed development and this is my lived experience. We bought 5 acres at Duns Creek in 1990, this is our family home. In our younger days we rode horses into Paterson, our kids went to Paterson School and now a days I shop in Paterson. It is a quiet, peaceful, beautiful historic village. Several years back, when Daracon were operating outside their contract, the township changed. Semi, after semi, the peace was gone. Empty trucks banging and clanging in, and a constant line of laden trucks shipping out. They weren't to start before 6am so the outskirts would be littered with trucks counting down the time. If the development goes ahead the amenity will be destroyed again. Our narrow country roads were not built for a trucking haulage. Semi's cutting corners and damaging the grass verge and road edge. We don't have footpaths, for exercise we must walk on the road. Trucks trying to negotiate tight corners have swung onto the wrong side of the road, leaving me & my dogs to lunge into the extremely long grass. There are other quarries that are on major roadways, don't let this development go ahead to benefit someone's bottom line while destroying our beautiful country village. Please. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Hi, I am too young to speak for myself, so I have asked my aunt to help me fill this out. I am a resident of Dungog Shire who is against the quarry because I now have to see specialists to help me improve. As a baby, I was born with rare cancer, and even though I am all better now, in some ways, I still have problems due to what happened after they removed the tumour and the potent medicine they gave me. My grandma and grandpa take me to appointments I have to attend, which can already be very stressful for them. If the quarry opens again, there will be too many vehicles on the road, massive trucks. This will make it harder to get to my appointments and make the streets all broken and messy as heavy trucks will wear down the road. Plus all the noise and smells from the fuel will make streets even more unpleasant to travel on and not to mention the shops I love going into town. How will my grandparents take me to the local IGA so we can get our food and parcels from the post office etc. lastly, the trucks and quarry will hurt plants and animals because trucks travel on the roads way too fast, so they don't have the time to slow down for the animals so lots will get hurt and the trucks horrible fumes will make it hard for the plants and animals to breath. thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you all will make the decision. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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My home is situated on Tocal Road, Bolwarra Heights. The proposed increase in truck movements will make it very difficult for our family to leave our driveway safely. There will be significant noise and dust in our home. When the trucks from the Daracon owned Martins Creek quarry were operating (illegally) previously our lives were significantly adversely impacted by both noise and vibrations from the trucks and by the increased traffic congestion. I believe the quarry , if it is allowed to operate, should utilise the railway to cart the rock rather than adversely affect a large part of the Lower Hunter Valley community. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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To whom it may concern, I moved to the area in 2016 to enjoy my retirement in the historic rural area of Paterson. This proposed development will alienate the area and deteriorate the amenity. The proposed truck movements will ruin the town of Paterson and the surrounding road network. The town has great potential for Ecotourism however that has no chance to thrive with the proposed truck movements. I object to this development. Regards, Mick Mathers |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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If approved this development will kill the community... it's impact will be as great as the Lismore floods... Paterson and surrounds are a tourist attraction for it's peaceful and heritage aspects... would you really put a McDonald's sign in front of the Sydney Opera House... PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS! |
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macopjpg.jpg (JPG, 15.72 KB) |
Karen Griffin
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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I am very concerned about the impact of the expansion of the quarry on the local wildlife and also having the increased truck traffic through the already busy streets of Lorn . |
Name Redacted
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10/11/2022 |
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The reason I object is the increased amount of traffic in a residential area. Paterson Road is already busy and this will also increase the danger for children moving about the community. It will change the feeling of the community and impact negatively the surrounding suburbs and rural and semi rural outlook. The environment impact with increased trucks on infrastructure and health. |
Don Scott
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New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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As a member of the general local community, I can find no logical reason to proceed with the planned development in its current form. The increase in heavy vehicle movements, around & through a peaceful & historic community makes absolutely no sense especially when there is a ready made alternative available. If the project is at all viable, the costs involved in getting the rail link operational should be more than adequately covered over the lifetime of the quarry, especially considering that Daracon is a construction business & could carry out much of the work on a cost only basis. Even if the government has to provide some funding, it would be a much better outcome, for all concerned. The decision to proceed smacks of some kind of manipulation of the process at least & possible corruption & I wonder if it would pass investigation by ICAC? Considering the John Barilaro fiasco - I’m sure the government would need to tread very carefully. In summation, this decision is just plain dumb, from any viewpoint & the only answer that makes sense into how it was arrived at, is that there must be a doubtful, financial incentive somewhere along the line. I thought Eddie Obeid & his ilk had been dealt with - apparently not! |
Chris Wokes
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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I am writing in opposition to the above threefold expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. I attended the IPC hearing on Monday and have considered the presentation by Daracon and the assessment and presentation by the Department of Planning. Daracon’s presentation Amongst other matters, Daracon mentioned the benefits from the expansion would be the employment of 22 full time equivalent employees and the project would have a net cash inflows with a NPV of $58m for New South Wales. I understand the availability of quarry materials is not a limiting factor for the Hunter and wider region. There are ample quarries locally and in wider NSW. Therefore, if the expansion were to go ahead and Daracon were to establish a mega quarry at Martins Creek, then other quarries would suffer a downturn in production. This would result in a loss of jobs at these other quarries and a reduction in their net cash inflows: this reduction in their net cash inflows would be greater than the net cash inflows of Daracon because Daracon has yet to incur capital costs already expended by these other quarries. Therefore, if Daracon assert the state of New South Wales and its workforce would benefit if the expansion did occur, then this assertion is false, misleading and fictitious. Department of Planning’s presentation The Department in its assessment and presentation played scant regard to the social and environmental amenity presently enjoyed by the residents and users of the Paterson and Allyn valleys and the broader community. Nor did the Department cover the impact of property values and the loss of income and value of businesses which will surely result if the expansion goes ahead. This is a material omission. The Department did not consider the demand for quarry materials and relied solely only on Daracon’s view as to whether the additional production sought was saleable by them. No enquiry was made of, for example, Transport for New south Wales. As mentioned above the additional production is not necessary to meet the needs of the market of New South Wales. Further, if the quarry expansion were to go ahead the conditions placed thereon were highly inadequate. The conditions do not require an Environmental impact statement nor any rectification work was the quarry ceases operating. In general, the impression gained by virtually all is that the Department in its assessment put the needs of private interest firmly and squarely ahead of the needs of public interest. Location of Martin Creek’s Quarry Martin Creek’s quarry is not well situated for a mega quarry in that it is 27km from the nearest State road. For material shipped by road, the trucks will materially and adversely effect all residents and other users of these roads and the amenities (shops, businesses, parks, village halls and other activities) along them. The lived experience Residents and users already have first hand knowledge of the adverse impacts caused by 280 truck movements a day. The Commission has heard and seen video of what it was like. Put simply it was terrible. Danger, noise, fumes and congestion were at unacceptable levels. I will leave it to others to comment further thereon. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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We live in ⬛⬛⬛ and have young children. I already have concerns about them x tossing the road when going to and from the bus stop due to the current level of trucks and traffic on this main road through Bolwarra Heights. I am concerned with this going ahead that the traffic will increase and therefore increase the safety risk to my children. We also have had an increase in traffic and traffic noise in our home since moving here 10 years ago and I have concerns about a further increase of traffic and traffic noise and how that will affect my family and also negatively affect our property value when it comes time to sell. |
Sue Crouch
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New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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I have been a resident of Paterson for over thirty years. People choose to live in this tiny village because they love it. The roads are not suitable for such heavy haulage day in day out. The community would suffer because of noise, pollution, traffic congestion and in places significant risk of danger. My son couldn't even cross the road of a morning to catch the school bus because of the wall to wall convey of trucks. Many mornings it was just so dangerous and I strongly feel an accident waiting to happen. Please please don't do this to our peaceful town. |
Ross ILES
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Organisation |
Treasurer |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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I live at 52 Horns Crossing Road Vacy, just over 500 metres from the western boundary of the quarry. During past operations my house has shook when blasting has occurred. On each occasion Daracon has been contacted to confirm the blasting, each time positive. I have written submissions to both your department plus Daracon via Umwelt regarding this matter. I have also spoken to Daracon and Umwelt personnel at a public meeting. My concern is that the blast is measured as its impact on the air. I have rock outcrops on my property which I believe could be connected to the quarry strata and therefore could possibly transfer the blast to my property. I have raised this concern with Umwelt and offered my property as a test ground for this theory. The offer has not been taken up. |
Melanie Stevenson
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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The number of trucks (truck & dog) that will be on the road from Maitland to the quarry will be enormous, and they are very dangerous. Also, they are noisy and the drivers are very aggressive. I travel this route regularly and when the mine was operating I was constantly being tailgated by the trucks. Also, this will ruin the beautiful, historic town of Paterson, as the cafes and pubs are lovely to sit outside and the traffic will be terrible. The poor people of Martins Creek will be subject to noise and dust and their lives will be hell. I would not object if they were forced to use the railway line - which is on their doorstep - to remove the gravel. Why not rail? It's there so they should use it. |
Phillip Ellicott
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New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Paterson Post Office objects to the application by Daracon for the Martins Creek quarry on numerous issues but mainly traffic and transport related grounds that will be extremely detrimental to our business and Paterson generally. See attached file for our complete submission. |
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Attachments |
ipcdaraconsubmission2022docx.docx (DOCX, 19.85 KB) |
Ella Foster
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New South Wales |
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10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This project should not go ahead as wildlife flora and fauna will be destroyed. Causing a lack of biodiversity in neighbouring areas and communities. Neighbouring properties will have direct negative effects with water, air and noise pollution due to expansion of size and design of the quarry. The roads are not in stable condition to compensate for the amount of trucks/ trains and general traffic that will occur if this goes ahead, therefore making it dangerous on behalf of public and local residents that need to travel. I personally live along a main designated route for trucks and my property backs onto the northern freight line (quarry train line) and the safety of my pets, livestock, kids, elders and general landscape of the property are at risk and danger due to high volumes of traffic and overall pollution of the water, air and noise. The long term sustainability of Martin’s creek area (specifically the quarry and surrounding) is jeopardised with the expansion of the quarry. The quarry expansion creates instabilities for land uses for future generations therefore impacting adversely to quality of life among the localised community, current and future generations. |
Karen Campbell
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Organisation |
N/A |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have owned 130 hectares on Martins Creek Rd since 1989 when the quarry was considered to be a genuine asset to the community. The community is NOT against the quarry per se. They are against the flaunting of all the rules by Daracon! Since Daracon has assumed the lease, the community has been lied to and treated like idiotic, worthless beings. Daracon turns up to meetings and “says” all the right things. *“They will NOT exceed the number of trucks”. * “They will not blast out of hours”. They are a huge company and they are only interested in greed. I have watched friends who have had to set up their own testing equipment to monitor dust and the strength of the blasting. (Because Daracon’s testing equipment doesn’t measure the true effects!) I have a good friend who actually had to sell her house due to the noise and the fact that Daracon did not comply with the hours of operation that they were awarded. I am worried about the fee t these huge trucks will have on the ability to access normal country roads for both cars and pedestrians. These semi trailers are a huge hazard for children going to schools along the routes taken by the trucks. I am not as affected as these people but it is heartbreaking to hear conversations about how difficult it is to wander around Paterson, cross the road and sit outside and just talk. To see people distressed by their houses shaking due to the blasting at the quarry. Or the constant rumble of trucks passing their homes. Our town is being changed irreparably by a company with no morals or respect for the liberties they have been given. They constantly push above and beyond what they have been allowed. The roads and infrastructure of a country town is being destroyed and it’s not just Paterson. It is affecting the suburbs of Bolwarra and Lorn. Daracon’s attitude to the entire community is AMORAL! I attended the 1st day of submissions at Tocal on Monday 7th November and was impressed by the questions asked by the commissioners. I was equally unimpressed by the number of times that both the representative from Daracon and Jessie Evans from the Department of Planning and Environment, had to answer with: “I’ll have to get back to you on that.” If they are to continue at the quarry, there must be stringent conditions placed on the amount of blasting, hours of operation and truck movements and routes taken. These conditions also must be monitored by a relevant authority to ensure that safety is maintained for families and homes impacted by the workings of this company. My submission may not be technical, nor offer solutions but it is from the heart and it is breaking my heart to see the depth of dissatisfaction and fear that Daracon has engendered in this wonderful community. A sense of community cannot be replaced no matter how much money you throw at it! Martins Creek is NOT the only available quarry, it is just that Daracon took out a lease and then proceeded to screw all the locals. They want their pound of flesh irrespective of who gets harmed in the process. Please,please,please listen to the voice of the beautiful people who’s lives are being adversely affected by Daracon’s flagrant flaunting of the rules! Yours faithfully, Karen Campbell, “Hungry Hill” ⬛⬛⬛ |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I don’t want this expansion to impact the local flora and fauna, nor do we want more trucks every day along these beautiful quiet roads |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I have a family within the local area. My daughter walks along Tocal road to catch her bus. There are no pedestrian crossings near Maitland Vale road, which will become more dangerous if the quarry is approved. Is it not possible to use the current trainline to move materials? |
Constance Joyner
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My husband and I are regular visitors to my daughter who lives in the main street of Paterson. We have plans to move in with her as we are now finding ourselves unable to stay in our own home (we are 88 years of age). We enjoy being able to walk around the town and have some independence crossing the road to the local supermarket, butchers and newsagent. My husband now uses a walker and we are both rather slow in crossing the road and cars do have to slow down for us as we cross. We fear that 40 Daracon trucks an hour (apart from all the usual traffic) through the town will make it impossible for us to cross the road and use the amenities of the town. This use of the road by Daracon will remove the little independence we still have. In our phase of life our joys are simple and sitting outside with a cup of tea is one of them. We have seen how objectionable the noise and air quality was like when Daracon were running trucks illegally in 2017 and if this happens again sitting outside will be something else taken away from us. Please send the freight by train, it's there ready to be used. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
10/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of the Dungog Shire, I am firmly against the quarry for the following reason; I need to use those roads to travel out of my property and into places such as Maitland and Newcastle due to scheduled appointments for my granddaughter. She was born with a rare form of cancer, and even though she is no longer in remission now, she has developmental delays, which now means she has to go and see specialists outside of the Dungog area. If this quarry is put back online, the increase in vehicle activity will make it much more challenging to manage those ongoing appointments. |
Mark Walker
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Location |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
There are a number of issues not satisfactorily addressed or not addressed at all in the DPE Assessment Report or DPE Conditions of Consent. The concerns for residents and those on the haulage route is noise, safety, dust and loss of amenity. There are four dominant traffic road safety concerns and pinch-points on the haulage route that have not been addressed by the DPE in their Assessment Report. The first is the intersection at the northern end of the township of Paterson. That being the T intersection of King Street and Church Street. The safety issue is for vehicles exiting right from Church Street heading into Paterson. The crested corner coming into Paterson is blind. I appreciate that the speed limit on this section of King Street is 50kmph but if a driver's decision to exit Church Street is not timed to perfection a loaded truck and dog will have difficulty braking in time to avoid a collision. Also, there is the added safety issue that immediately after this crest is a boom gate railway crossing. When the boom gates are in the closed position, cars are often banked back to the blind crest, decreasing driver response time even more. No solution has been offered by the applicant. The second is the blind dog-leg intersection at Prince Street and Duke Street in Paterson. This intersection can not be made safe by modified line-marking as it is constrained by historic buildings on opposing sides of the intersection. Those being 'The Rectory' and 'Sunnyside' - reputedly the oldest home in Paterson. This intersection has a greatly restricted line-of-sight when exiting Prince Street heading in a northerly direction. It is dangerous even without large quarry trucks. Trucks can not legally traverse this section of Duke Street without crossing over the double white lines. There is also very limited pedestrian access along this stretch of road. This road is unsuitable for truck and dog quarry trucks. No solution has been offered by the applicant. The third section of the haulage route that is of concern is where Tocal Road meets Paterson Road at the BP service station at Bolwarra Heights. The cumulative effect of haulage from Martins Creek Quarry and Brandy Hill Quarry has not been assessed by the DPE. Once both quarries are at full capacity up to 100 trucks will meet at this intersection per hour. That is a truck every 36 seconds. Adding to safety concerns is Tillys Childcare Centre and Bolwarra Public School that are both a short distance from this intersection. Both these facilities experience peak child drop-off time that coincides with peak quarry truck numbers. Also, the Hunterglen Drive development at Bolwarra will see many new homes added to this already rapidly growing precinct bringing many more cars and pedestrians onto the roads and footpaths. No solution has been offered by the applicant. The fourth section of the haulage route that is of concern is the intersection at Melbourne Street and New England Highway, East Maitland. In its own assessment the DPE states that, (quote) 'Melbourne Street/New England Highway: four-way traffic signal control; currently operates at close to capacity'. (unquote) With the cumulative effect of trucks from both quarries this intersection will be operating at beyond capacity. No solution is offered by the applicant. Quarry trucks must traverse 28 kms of rural roads to reach a major highway. No other quarry in New South Wales forces haul route residents to endure such discomfort. The loss of amenity for those living near the quarry, in Paterson and those on the haulage route is immense. The social impacts are extreme and detrimental to my mental health and the mental health of others. The loss of amenity is not an ill perceived prediction or an unsubstantiated claim. It is a lived experience, it is real. Something the DPE is unable or unwilling to quantify. Throughout the Assessment Report there is reference to the primary haulage route. This infers product will be transported by road to locations other than on the primary haulage route alone. Is there a limit on quantity or number of trucks for this 'local' delivery? The applicant's attempts to ameliorate the community via mitigation and management strategies are: A Community Contributions and Sponsorship Program, Community Engagement Strategy, Infrastructure Contribution Plans, Contributions to Community Initiatives, a Community Consultative Committee and employing a dedicated Community Liaison Representative. These strategies will do nothing to lessen the noise, dust and safety issues and are frankly contemptible. This community can not be bought. In regards to noise, the DPE Assessment report paragraph 115, page 32: (quote) 'Given the quarry’s location and its extensive history of operations, it is reasonable to conclude that the residents of Martins Creek and surrounding areas have been subject to noise impacts from the quarry for many years. It is also reasonable to conclude that the quarry’s operations, which have been occurring for over 100 years, pre-date all current inhabitants of the area'. (unquote) This is an irrational conclusion and infers that residents of Martins Creek and surrounding areas should be used to the noise from the quarry operations. In fact, for the majority of the 100 years, quarry material was moved by train and when moved by truck only 30% was transported by this method. The community and Dungog Council objected to quarry operations when both Railcorp and the applicant exceeded extraction beyond the 1991 consent. The community was not tolerant of the illegal quarry operation or what is proposed in the recent DPE Conditions of Consent. Martins Creek Quarry is the only quarry in the state that is positioned within a rural setting where residential properties adjoin the fence-line of the quarry. The nearest residential structure in Station Street being just 50 metres from the quarry. In supporter submissions there is often comment that approval of the quarry expansion will improve much needed supply of quarry material. The DPE Assessment Report states: (Quote) 'There are six other approved hard rock quarries with the capacity to provide significant volumes of high strength aggregates and construction materials within the Hunter Region'. (unquote). Also, another important issue relating to supporter submissions is noted in the DPE Assessment Report: (quote). 'Of the total supporting submissions, 1 (3.2%) was made from within 5 km and/or proximate to the haulage route, 24 were made from distances of between 5 km and 100 km and 6 (19.4%) were made from further afield'. (unquote). Supporters do not live around the quarry area, they do not live in Paterson and do not live on the haulage route. They have and will not be negatively affected by quarry operations. Martins Creek Quarry is the only quarry in New South Wales that has an existing rail siding at its doorstep. The reluctance by the applicant not to transport all product by rail is based purely on profit margin - That is, the wish to not double handle the product which would increase the cost per tonne. My understanding is there are locations on rail spurs at East Maitland and Hexham that would potentially allow the applicant to distribute product by truck to the desired locations. If the profit per tonne is not sufficient to make the project financially viable the applicant should locate to another site closer to a main thoroughfare. It's not up to the community to be responsible for the financial viability of the quarry for the applicant. Of course there is a downside to transporting all product by rail. The residents immediately surrounding the quarry would be impacted greatly if this option was to be taken. The quarry processing noise would continue, the blasting would continue, the dust would continue and the loading of trains would increase. In regards to the Driver's Code Of Conduct. Who will have the responsibility of policing this code? The community? Past experience shows that the applicant has very little control over contract drivers travelling to and from the quarry. History often determines the future, and the applicant's history at this quarry is a history of illegally and knowingly extracting product far beyond what the 1991 consent allowed, as determined by the New South Wales Land and Environment Court. The community has little or no trust that the applicant will abide by the Conditions of Consent, if granted. The applicant has zero social licence in this community. I quote Chief Justice Preston in his judgement from the 2019 Gloucester Resources 'Rocky Hill' case. (quote) "The fact that the coal resource is in the location of the Gloucester valley does not mean that the resource there must be exploited, regardless of the adverse impacts of doing so. A development that seeks to take advantage of a natural resource must, of course, be located where the natural resource is located. But not every natural resource needs to be exploited". (unquote) |
Rick Klima
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Organisation |
Equine Encounters Australia |
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Location |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a co-facilitator at Equine Encounters Australia, a company that offers Adult Trauma Recovery programs. I regularly travel to the region, to prepare and assist in the delivery of these programs at a property in Merchants Road, Martin Creek, (NAG12). Our programs run throughout the week and weekends and often into the evening, so allowing the quarry to expand to the proposed level, which increases operating hours, causes additional noise and dust pollution and expansion of the extraction footprint would markedly impact the serenity and calm clients need when confronting their issues. Our clients are ADF, Veteran, First Responders, Cancer Survivors and Victims of Abuse. Large explosive sounds and imposing mechanical noise would be highly triggering and alarming to many. Also, the onerous increase in traffic conditions of heavy-haulage along the main access route from Maitland to Martins Creek, would be frightening to many of our clients and may well induce panic attacks. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Paterson valley community preschool, TOCAL college |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dangerous intersection. Webbers creek road intersection into the school and preschool is unsafe now, even worse when there are100s of trucks a day increasing risk to family’s taking kids to school. |
Elaine Foster
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My main objection is the increased movement of so many trucks. Having had my car insurance refused because I had three broken windscreens due to said trucks throwing rocks. This was in ONE YEAR. Until recently I lived 800 meters from the Quarry so I experienced first hand these issues. Travelling from Martins Creek to Maitland was a nightmare when these trucks were on the road. I now fear if this development is approved there will be accidents. Entering Belmore Rd. Lorn from Glenarvon Rd. is difficult now it will be impossible if this expansion is approved. The post office, service station & takeaway will be impossible to access safely.There are NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS in Paterson. Entering & exiting Tucker Park will be extremely difficult as well as unsafe. We use this regularly now. |
John McNally
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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John McNally & Linda Lowndes Former residents of Maitland Road Paterson NSW 2010-2019 Whilst no longer residents of the Paterson Valley, we did reside there during the peak of the illegal operation of MCQ, enduring several hundred truck movements/day within 3-6metres of our property. We are shocked that a) the department of planning has approved Daracon’s application and b) that there are so few conditions attached. With respect to b), I (JM) was a member of a delegation of MCQAG who visited several quarries in the Southern Highlands and witnessed the conditions they had to meet to obtain similar approvals to MCQ. Following the closure of MCQ in 2019, Paterson was transformed from an industrial haul route back to a rural village, providing the amenity one would expect from such a beautiful location. There is nothing in the proposed conditions to protect the rural amenity of the village including the sanity of the residents. Several hundred truck movements per day mean noise pollution, vibration impacting heritage properties, inconvenience to local businesses, diesel particulate pollution (Daracon’s publicly stated solution “buy an air conditioner and close your windows”), stress on elderly and inexperienced drivers (and their parents). The proposed changes to the Duke St/King St interchange will negatively impact at least five businesses employing local people. The proposed MCQ jobs are re-deployments. The financial viability of this project is of no concern to the locals nor should it be to the DOP. When Daracon purchased the rights to the quarry in 2012, they either failed to do proper due diligence or more likely took a punt a small rural council and the resident country bumpkins wouldn’t be able to organise themselves to take them on. The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour, and Daracon have on multiple occasions demonstrated utter contempt for the communities they operate in. The odds of them adhering to the minimal conditions imposed upon them are very much against the community. If the MCQ rock is so scarce and valuable, why doesn’t it command a premium in the marketplace? 24 hour train loading in Martins Creek will make the village un-liveable even if blasting and dust are ignored. In summary, this approval will inflict 25 years plus of purgatory on thriving rural communities with no benefit to them. The conditions imposed by the DOP in no way reflect modern quarry conditions (serious road upgrades, by passes, new intersections, light barriers and serious dust and noise suppression, as well as significant funds being passed to local communities). Given the outcome of the court case and appeals demonstrating Daracon's willingness to flout the rules (with no penalty), this approval stinks. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I’m not convinced that the surrounding areas and suburbs have enough infrastructure, roads and other ongoing support to handle such an expansion. This area already has issues with traffic and other transport and noise problems that are already existing. The environmental impact will be enormous. We have such a range of wonderful birds and other animals that live and migrate through surrounding areas. A lot of these habitats and natural fauna will be destroyed. One of the main reasons we moved here was for the peace and beauty of the area and this expansion will have a major impact on this. As well as having an effect on property pricing and making the surrounding areas unappealing to prospective property owners We are already affected by air pollution caused mainly by the coal trains. This expansion will further increase air pollution. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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We have just moved from Orange back to beautiful Bolwarra heights area. Unfortunately I worry about the increase in traffic on the road and see many kids crossing paterson road frequently. These large trucks on the road in increased numbers is ridiculous. The traffic is already congested and the safety of our kids is not considered here . The noise and dust is also a concern. This area will be avoided by many to live in for this reason. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on Bolwarra Park Drive. I am frequently required to turn onto Patterson Road from Highland Way. This is already a dangerous intersection and I often see accidents here. It can sometimes take 5 minutes to make this turn safely. I am concerned that adding additional heavy vehicles to Patterson Road will further hinder safety and make it near impossible to turn. I am concerned that this is the only road/footpath from the estate to the local school and I do not like the idea of kids riding and walking beside semi-trailers. Its not necessary when there is a perfectly good train line that could be used instead! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live in Bolwarra. 1 - Quarry needs to be held more accountable for the rehabilitation of the site. Once a stage is completed it needs to be rehabilitated there and then move onto the next phase. Too many mines and quarries leave it to when they close and they on-sell the problem to someone else. They need to have funds for the rehabilitation put aside in a bond with a separate body. The funds in trust needs to be the future value of the rehabilitation, not what it costs now, otherwise even with some inflation it's not going to be enough. 2 - The trees that they use MUST be established trees. Not saplings. In Japan trees are required to be relocated, not turned into wood chips. The quarry should be required to do this. 3 - Why do they propose to use TRUCKS? There is a train line that runs right next to it. This is the most efficient and environmentally friendly method of transporting quarry products. 4 - If they must use trucks; they can never be on the road between 7am and 10am and 2:30pm to 6pm. The roads don't cope presently with the amount of traffic. The traffic along Tocal Road, Paterson Road and Flat Road is already congested and in the next 25 years there will be a lot more houses and therefore a lot more traffic. 5 - Flat Road driving east is banked up at Melbourne Street every morning. East Maitland's section of the New England Highway will not cope with additional trucks. 6 - The roads entering Paterson Road, e.g. Hunterglen Drive already have up to 10 to 20 cars deep waiting to get onto Paterson Road, and this estate isn't finished yet. There will be a fatality on Paterson Road. This road needs a merging lane for traffic heading to Maitland. 7 - What are the plans for the fauna, the koalas, the echidnas. I don't believe the Biodiversity Plan goes far enough. 8 - Daracon operated illegally in 2012. Do we think that they will follow the rules this time regarding the amount they can extract and the times they drive. 9 - The NSW government requires the products being quarried. There could be a conflict of interest in the approval process. 10 - the noise of the trucks travelling back empty. The drivers don't seem to close the tipper gate properly and they make a racket. 11 - the drivers use to start well before 7am. They would get to Bolwarra at 5:20. They must have be leaving Martins Creek very early. 12 - The community of Paterson will be negatively impacted. The road will not cope. It will divide the community and affect local businesses. The 90 degree turn can't cope with this. 13 - The community, the local councils (Maitland and Dungog) don't want it approved, nor does Dave Layzell NSW MP for Upper Hunter. 14 - Coal mines aren't permitted to truck their goods. How is trucking 500,000 tonne p.a. by local roads good for the environment, the local communities, the local councils who will be required to fix these roads considered desirable, or wanted? 15 - Improvements need to be done to infrastructure BEFORE the commencement of the quarrying begins. There should be NO TRUCKS on the ROAD. USE THE TRAIN LINES. It's the best for the environment, the local roads, the local councils who would need to repair the roads, the local residents who would be put out. |
David Wilson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Hello I’m David Wilson I live in Vacy & travel very regularly to Raymond Terrace & Anna Bay via Seaham. My observations with 40 years working in the Heavy Construction Industry including works at Allandale Quarry many a year ago, I’ve worked along side Daracon on other civil projects & now as they’re getting a bigger slice of the Australian Civil pie & good on them. My real concern is that their trucks must be at maximum width & these country roads are very average at the best of times, particularly now with the wet. The Trucks really do degrade these country roads, so due to large pot holes the traffic drifts towards the center & often into the opposing lane … the trucks as well. How cyclists aren’t flattened is due to good manners rather then road allocation. My passion for writing to you is that while working in the Cebu Philippines … I’m shake when I tap this out but here’s my relevant story … My driver & I past a school we pass every morning on our way to work when we saw a diversion ahead & as we drove around I saw a body of a 3 year girl who had been run over by a truck … I can’t express what I saw. When I got to site I asked the Filipino team leaders why didn’t the truck driver stop? I was informed, “his required to go to the closest police station to submit himself for the incident, because if he had stopped at tragedy he would probably have been killed by the locals”. Back to Vacy & in short I’ve seen the local truck drivers here & witnessed their driving skills daily, well there’s a modicum of luck driving those trucks & I can assure you they know it. In Conclusion: These sized trucks & they’re proposed traffic volume do not belong on these country roads. The Vacy area has no road side walk paths outside the immediate area so the school kids must play dodge-em with the traffic on these country roads on their way to the bus stops.…& because the trucks are so wide it makes the evasion game a bit slimmer. Luck & near misses only last so long, they’re indicators of what’s coming. Martin Creek Quarry is not the only one & only by far … it’s Just Daracon pushing a cold dispassionate business model & not a empathetic model.…the world in small sadly.. Thank you for your time |
Summer Norton
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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As a proud Paterson community member for 20+ years I have lived and seen the impact of the trucks from previous activity. It is terrible! There is nothing good thing about allowing that volume of road-destroying trucks on our rural roads that are already in such a terrible state. The dangers to the community would be exacerbated if the quarry is to be approved. The main road of Paterson is already hard enough to cross with my three small children when I am doing my shopping I couldnt imagine it with the number of trucks they are proposing to bring through! Its a disaster waiting to happen. Paterson Village is historic and beautiful, people come from all around to enjoy the lovely hamlet it is, please do not jeopardise this by letting a high volume of trucks constantly pass though it :( The impact on small business and lifestyle would be devastating! I beleive the rail option is a good compromise. |
Tessa Hyde
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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I wholeheartedly object to the reopening and expansion of this quarry, I back my objections to this with a degree in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, as well as my current position at an environmental consultancy, though I do not represent them here. To be clear and quick I will provide my arguments in dot points. - Trucks moving in and out of the area pose a huge risk, they will kill animals, they will be a danger to the members of the community, they will cause additional sound and air pollution and they will damage roads, which is exceptionally dangerous when there are stretches with a 100km an hour speed limit. - The reopening of the mines will have a negative socioeconomic impact on the community, driving away tourism and polluting the local farmlands - Aboriginal cultural and historic heritage will be lost with the expansion of the mine. The Hunter Valley was home to a large number of indigenous people before the arrival of European settlers. The land is filled with rock art and carvings, as well as sacred trees, invaluable to the preservation and understanding of Aboriginal history and deeply important to the indigenous people who still live in the valley today and have a right to their heritage. - Above all else the environmental impacts will be catastrophic. The area is home to many endangered animals such as Koalas, Spotted Quolls and Sugar gliders, and the expansion of the quarry WILL destroy some of what little remaining habitat these species have and pollute the surrounding habitat. Water sources will be polluted and dry up, while we are in a wet season now, we all know that will not always be the case and the animals and farmers of the are will not be able to find other water sources without extreme cost. There is a river that flows nearby but I am certain that the farmers who have land along the banks will not be pleased when the water is taken and filled with silt and other pollutants from the quarry. The dust from the quarry will pollute the air, causing respiratory damage not only to the wild endangered animals of the area but humans, livestock and pets. When the dust lands it will smother plant life on the ground. Noise pollution from the quarry does not only scare away tourists and animals, but can also seriously affect their ability to reproduce if they don't leave. People largely think of our cute and fuzzy native animals but noise pollution does serious damage to our flying fauna. Birds and bats have been shown to lose navigational abilities and have their migrations disrupted, the valley is home to many of Australia's iconic Birds such as Peregrine Falcons and Wedge-tail Eagles, with them raising their chicks in the area. Insects which are a vital part of our flora being able to reproduce and sustain all other life in terrestrial ecosystems are especially sensitive to noise pollution and the vibrations that come with it. It is beyond disgusting that the Department of Planning and Environment could not even be bothered to show up to the public meeting because they didn't think that it was worth it. They have shown a complete and utter failure to do their jobs and listen to the public who will be forced to live with the consequences of this quarry while they no doubt get to line their pocket with the profits. |
Darrel Slade
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am strongly opposed to the expansion for the following reasons: Volume of loud heavy trucks on narrow country roads that are not designed as a heavy vehicle haulage route. Ruins our local roads. Volume of loud trucks through Paterson village is very dangerous and it is impossible as an elderly resident to get out of my car to go to the shops. Impact on local shops and businesses. Impact on car parking in Paterson. Operation hours of quarry 6 days per week. Loading of trains 24/7 means constant noise where I live. We live here for the peace and quiet, not to hear loud trucks all day and gravel being crushed. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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09/11/2022 |
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Firstly, I’m realistic with our population growth, and requirements. I moved here in the latter part of the 80s, this area was still very much rural. It’s changing. We have estates popping up everywhere, where the countryside is flattened, trees mulched, and our wildlife pushed further and further into tiny pockets. Recently I’ve moved deceased kangaroo’s off roads less then a kilometre from Maitland, from roundabouts and bridges, in areas where these animals would have been terrified before they were killed. More trucks, more roadkill. It was brought to our attention that many other quarries are close to highways, not having to go through any populated areas, not driving past schools and businesses, cafes, bus stops, picturesque historic country towns, not driving past houses, not driving on narrow country roads that aren’t built even for the increase in vehicle movements now, let alone more trucks. The condition of our roads are atrocious. They are narrow and filled with potholes, incredibly dangerous for experienced drivers, let alone our many young drivers, school buses etc. Add more trucks to this equation, worse roads, more danger. With more trucks comes noise pollution from empty trucks, from full trucks, dust from empty trucks, dust from full trucks. In the past Daracon have operated as they wish, thinking they were above the law. Our community feels like our concerns have been ignored, we were told to move if we didn’t like it. These trucks are huge, loud, dangerous, dusty, and not suited for these country roads, driving through small towns, or stopping and starting through morning and afternoon traffic. There is no room for a mega quarry at Martins Creek. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
The National Grid |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly disagree with the proposal to expand Martins Creek Quarry. As our population grows exponentially in Australia, greater care needs to be taken of both our countries heritage, historical sites & the environment itself. This proposal does not consider its effect on any of the above. As our urban sprawl continues to increase, through a lack of better planning, our generations to come will be exposed to nothing more than a sea of identical housing, lack of green space & distinct lack of historical diversity. The town of Paterson, lets us see how a historic town was, in both it's original architecture & it's humble approach to its environmental surrounds - A great place for our future generations to visit. This proposal does not consider the detrimental effect it will have on our future generations ever being able to visit this town & learn about their history. From a practical point of view, the logistics of this expansion simply do not stack. The road itself is narrow, it has precarious turnings & is surrounded by heritage listed buildings (and school zones). It is simply not safe to expect Heavy Load vehicles to manoeuvre through this town. The road through the town of Paterson is a key gateway to those looking to explore further afield & attracts many explorers on their way through the town - contributing positively to the economy of the town. The introduction of up to 280 Heavy Load vehicles per day will no longer make it a viable, or attractive place to stop thus having a negative effect on the town. I strongly disagree with this proposal to expand Martins Creek Quarry, the loss of a beautiful town, the effect on our environment - all at the profits of a private company. |
Daniel Maroulis
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Organisation |
Boydell's |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Daniel Maroulis 9th November 2022 MARTINS CREEK QUARRY EXPANSION – LETTER OF OBJECTION To Whom it may concern: I am a local resident, father of 4 children and a Paterson business owner. I am writing to object to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. After reading the Department of Plannings Assessment Report and analysing the Conditions of consent, I strongly believe there is a fundamental lack of regard for the safety and social and economical impacts the proposed mine expansion will create. After living in the community for over 8 years and after experiencing the level of truck movements that the proposal is likely to create, I firmly believe there are 3 major issues that will have a detrimental effect on the township of Paterson. These issues are: 1. Lack of adequate infrastructure. There are certain areas on the haulage route that simply will not handle the proposed traffic increase, and weren’t built with this in mind. These areas include but are not limited to, the intersection of King St and Duke St and the intersection of Duke St and Prince St in Paterson. The conditions of consent have also identified some issues with the current infrastructure but instead of recommending these are fixed prior to the commencement they have recommended that the infrastructure be upgraded ‘as soon as reasonable and feasible, and no later than 18 months following the commencement of development’. 2. Noise pollution. I don’t believe there are any adequate provisions that deal with the obvious increase in noise pollution. I own the Paterson Tavern, and the increase in noise pollution will have a negative impact on my business and the patrons that I rely on for trade. 3. Road Safety. There are over 100 children that are getting on and off school buses along Duke St in Paterson every day. There is not one pedestrian crossing. The visibility for drivers heading south on Duke St coming past the Prince St intersection and over the hill is extremely dangerous now, without another 280 truck movements. I fear for the lives of these children and I am positive there will eventually be a fatality. Road safety for people getting in and out of their cars along Duke St is also a concern. As a business owner, I was not consulted in any form as to how the proposed expansion would affect my business. This lack of consultation is disappointing and insulting. The volume of trucks proposed with have a detrimental effect on my income as a business owner and the land values of my property. As a parent I have grave concerns for my children and all the children getting on and off buses every day. The current situation is very dangerous but increasing the traffic loads by 280 truck movements per day is a disaster. I have no doubt there will be a fatality if this volume is approved. I believe business owners, residents and the Martins Creek mine can exist in harmony but not at the expansion levels and truck movement levels that have been proposed. 280 truck movements per day will ultimately tear at the fabric of the Paterson community and will be the end of the town. I don’t understand why the small community of Paterson should be sacrificed when there are many other options and location to mine such gravel products that are already equipped to handle the extra volumes. Regards, Daniel Maroulis |
Name Redacted
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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The roads are already terrible without the massive increase in truck movements. Many corners in Paterson the trucks cannot pass without giving away eg. Corner near the Paterson Cafe. We have had many near misses with b double trucks around thus corner. Our children stand on this main road and need to cross it to get the bus for school. Safety is a major concern along with the noise and ongoing physical impact of these additional movements. Our family strongly rejects the additional operations. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
How on earth will my children be able to safely cross the road in front of the Post Office or near the supermarket when more than 200 trucks per day are going past. |
Brenda Tanner
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This is an amended /addition to my previous submission. I am attaching a copy of the presentation I made at the IPC public hearing on Monday 7th November - PLEASE NOTE I HAVE ADDED content to this presentation too. |
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Attachments |
brenda-tanner--martins-creek-quarry-expansion-presentationpdf.pdf (PDF, 547.77 KB) |
Margaret Slade
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Volume of trucks on narrow country roads dangerous and damages roads that are not designed for heavy haulage trucks. Volume of trucks are too loud and dangerous going through Paterson village and rural residential areas. Impact on Paterson shops and business. Impact on parking. Noise of quarry operating. Noise of quarry loading trains 24/7. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
n/a |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I wish to express my strong objection to the Martins Creek quarry expansion because of the number of trucks proposed to run down Paterson Road. It would be a cruel addition to an already very busy road. I live in Victoria Road Bolwarra and experience on a daily basis, the existing difficult and dangerous traffic conditions of turning onto Paterson Road. Cars parked along the side of the road blocking the line of sight of oncoming traffic and the heavy traffic in both directions from the new estate and surrounding residential areas, has made exiting our street stressful and dangerous. The proposed increase in truck movements from Martins Creek Quarry will make it impossible to safely turn in either direction. My concerns are held with more than 20 years driving experience. I have witnessed many ‘close calls’ at this intersection with the current traffic volume, particularly from the Primary School traffic with parents picking up their children at the rear of the school and trying to exit Victoria Rd left or right onto Paterson Rd. The added volume of trucks would inevitably result in injury and fatalities of young children and families in our community. Additionally, it is difficult to turn right into Victoria Rd from Paterson Rd, with the existing volume of heavy traffic as there is no dedicated turning lane. This leaves vehicles vulnerable to being hit from behind particularly with the reduced visibility and reaction times that unavoidably occur with heavy traffic conditions. My own children will be using the bus service picking up on Paterson Rd in 2023 when they commence high school, crossing this road daily. I have grave concerns for their safety in crossing Paterson Rd with the current traffic situation let alone with the proposed Martins Creek Quarry expansion. The traffic island scheduled to be built in the coming months is not an adequate solution for our community with the current traffic conditions let alone a significant increase in truck movements. Further to this, in the coming years my children will begin driving and will be required to navigate this dangerous intersection as inexperienced learner and provisional drivers, in order to leave our street. The proposed increase in truck movements will make this even more dangerous. As a resident living in Victoria Rd for more than 10 years, my family and I experienced the huge truck numbers on Paterson Rd when the quarry operated illegally. In my travels along Paterson Rd and surrounding areas, I observed Daracon vehicles clearly exceeding the speed limits and driving too close to cars displaying no regard for community safety in their traffic movements. When there were huge numbers of haul trucks running to the quarry during the construction of the Hunter Expressway, our family was regularly woken by loud trucks from 4.30am. The disruption to our sleep impacted on our wellbeing. The weight and excessive number of trucks (and their haul) using this road during this time, affected the road surface resulting in on-going road maintenance. This was an inconvenience of our time waiting for traffic controllers to manage the traffic. The loud noise experienced from the equipment used and damage to the paint work on our vehicles from the resurfacing was also upsetting. The reduction in Daracon trucks when they were finally forced to operate legally, reduced the thick black dust accumulating on our back verandah and home surfaces facing Paterson Road. The asthma attacks my children have experienced have significantly decreased since this reduction in trucks also. The approval of this proposal would no doubt significantly devalue our home due to our close proximity to Paterson Rd, for someone else’s significant financial gain. The implications of this project are only negative to the local communities and the surrounding environments it will affect. The Quarry should use the existing rail infrastructure to transport its product, rather than destroy local residential and heritage areas with huge truck movements. As a final point, I wish to note that Daracon have proven they have no respect for the rules and regulations that were in place to protect local communities and environments in the past and should therefore not be trusted to do so in the future. |
Alison Pitkin
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛ 9th November 2022. Members of the Independent Planning Commission, Chris Wilson, Chair. Professor Snow Barlow. Clare Sykes. 135 King Street SYDNEY. NSW 2000. Dear Sirs/Ms., MARTINS CREEK QUARRY PROJECT (SSDA -6612) – MY SUBMISSION Ever since the Land and Environment Court halted the unlawful operations by Daracon in September 2019, the village of Paterson has had a different atmosphere with its sense of place and charm re-established after the previous five years when there was constant truck movement through the village. Its picturesque winding road has not been subjected to the added rumbling of gravel trucks as they pass over the level crossing, negotiate tight corners and dodge bike riders, cyclists and the many visitors who frequent our cafes, hotels and park. This has allowed residents and visitors alike to frequent the village and enjoy the peaceful way of life that they value so much, businesses are thriving with several having invested heavily in renovations and improvements to meet the needs of their customers. Community life has been restored. Paterson is a favourite destination for day trips from aged care and disability facilities with small buses regularly arriving in the village with their passengers keen to have a coffee or a stopover in our lovely Tucker Park, which is also popular for birthday celebrations and picnics. Many residents, including myself, continue to walk through the village, adjoining streets and park by way of exercise, but with the Department of Planning failing to consider the impact of the 40 trucks per hour, which is one truck and dog trailer every ninety seconds, this scenario will no longer be possible, pleasant or safe. However, with the NSW Department of Planning appearing to sanction 280 trucks passing through Paterson per day from 7am until 6pm, we will be returning to those horrendous days of 2014 to 2019. The sense of community will be impacted again as people will be reluctant to stay in the village to catch up, have a coffee, or do their shopping. The character and atmosphere of Paterson, in other words its ambience, will be lost. If the proposal to change the corner of King and Duke Street and remove some of the limited parking proceeds, Paterson will lose its village charm, and with trucks then driving closer to the 140-year-old Post Office and the former CBC Bank (built 1902), before long we will notice more substantial deterioration of those treasured historic buildings. People will be unable to chat on the footpath or interact because of noise; they will be busy staying alert and, in some cases, dealing with anxiety. Any new parking established on the vacant block adjacent to the Country Café would be counterproductive as it would cause another ‘bottleneck’ in that area, it would be too steep for many people to negotiate, and the regular flooding of the Paterson River would render it too boggy to use. The safety of dozens of children who get out of cars, cross these same streets to catch school buses will be impacted as it will now be a very unsafe environment. During those five years, these truck and dog trailers would often drive through Paterson in a convoy of four or five, whether on the way to the quarry or on their way back fully laden, as shown in the video by James Ashton on Day 1 at the Tocal Public Meeting. I live on the main road, Maitland Road, a couple of metres from where that video was taken and can vouch that that was not an uncommon occurrence. It is bound to happen again irrespective of what conditions are placed on the consent, should Daracon be allowed to proceed with its expansion. For safety reasons I always reverse into my driveway and now worry how I am going to do that (presuming I can drive out in the first place) with 40 trucks approaching my house every hour, especially as there is a slight rise in the road coming south from Tucker Park. The road through Paterson has always carried the heaviest volume of traffic in the Dungog Shire and this has increased in recent times through new developments in Gresford, Vacy and further up the valley. Residents must travel through Paterson to get to Maitland, Newcastle and further afield. Should this expansion be given ‘the green light’ by you, the Independent Planning Commissioners, the village of Paterson will be a hellish place to live. Businesses will close. Someone may even get killed, but this seems to be quite acceptable to the Department of Planning. And to think it could go on for twenty-five years! If Daracon is allowed to expand its operations at Martins Creek, it should be dependent on transporting its product by rail and not by road. Daracon should further explore the possibilities of establishing depots for their product at suitable junctions on the rail network where trucks can access the product for delivery well away from villages and residents. At the conclusion of the Public Meeting at Tocal College on Day 2, we listened to representatives of the Department of Planning, namely Clay Preshaw and Jessie Evans, answer some questions put to them by the Chair. Not once did they mention or refer to the human element involved or impacted. It was as if Paterson was devoid of human life! They were simply rattling off policies to justify their decisions. There was no acknowledgement of submissions sent in or anything said to indicate the concerns of people impacted had been noted, let along addressed. Of course, this is evident in their assessment! After sitting through two days of Public Meetings, I feel confident this Independent Planning Commission will fairly consider all the submissions, both oral and written, and will listen to the concerns of the residents of Paterson and surrounding areas. I therefore respectfully ask that you reject this amended development application. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Alison A Pitkin. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a local resident of East Maitland it concerns me with the amount of heavy vehicles traveling through Melbourne St intersection, as roads are already at capacity. |
Margaret ( Margie ) Baillie
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am writing to strongly oppose Daricon and Umwelt’s amended development application ( SSDA ) - every single aspect of it! I’m finding it extremely hard to comprehend the Dept of Plannings failure to consider the issues and devastating impacts this new proposal is suggesting. The devastating issues are so blatantly obvious. I have just spent two days at Tocal College with three commissioners from the Independent Planning Commission listening to speakers with a whole range of various serious concerns about what will happen if this is allowed to proceed. The Dept of Planning appears to have no regard whatsoever about the anguish and concerns and I’m struggling to understand how this is happening - it’s almost as though we don’t exist!!! I have lived in Paterson for over 40 years. My late husband Barry and I ( Dept Agriculture ) moved from Gunnedah in 1982 for his work . Little did we know that in years to come this beautiful historic little village could potentially be turned into an ugly, dirty and noisy thoroughfare for a company with $$$$ its main objective. I agree the quarry is important but not made into a mega quarry! My children now adults went to the pre school and primary school and I fully understand the safety concerns regarding school bus pickups and drop offs, not just in town but along the many roads leading into Paterson. After school is a busy time in Paterson and we are mindful of extra safety at this time. I have submitted my objections and despair before and now I’m doing it again!!! My concerns are great. The roads in and around Paterson are totally unsuited to the proposed 280 trucks per day and 40 trucks per hour. The road through Paterson is extremely busy - there are already large trucks moving through town - hauling huge farm machinery, large water tanks being transported to new building sites, fuel tankers, large fully laden stock trucks ( cattle, horses , poultry ), not to mention school buses, caravanners - all these heavy vehicles have to contend with the tight roads and of course the rail line running through town. With this already busy mix of cars and trucks, motor bikes and often cyclists ( including myself and friends ), adding 40 huge haulage trucks an hour is unbelievable. Why when it’s blatantly obvious is it still being considered I wonder!!! The noise and pollution of these trucks takes away the enjoyment of all Paterson has to offer. These truck drivers don’t contribute anything to the town. They don’t live here. Businesses will suffer greatly but hey “ who cares - if you don’t like it move” - a quote from Daricon. All the businesses in Paterson have worked hard to make this a thriving hub for locals and tourists alike. To me and all, it’s an historic centre of excellence and needs to remain so. I have friends from Wollongong looking forward to a tourist day by train to Paterson in the near future - will Paterson be taken off the list of desired travel destinations because it will become a dirty, noisy, unsafe place to visit ? Everything I need on a day to day basis is in the township of Paterson. My mail PO Box, my fuel requirements, my medical and pharmacy, butcher, grocer, meeting friends - on some days it’s so busy in town it’s hard to find a parking spot - this new proposal plans to make it even harder. . When I travel to Maitland or Dungog, this new proposal will make even that unbearable - especially during peak hours. The roads to Maitland through Tocal, Bolwarra, Largs and especially along Flat Road , Pitnacree to East Maitland will be severely impacted. The roads aren’t made to cope with this added burden. Dungog Council has a full time job already trying to get on top of road maintenance. There is surely an accident waiting to happen when cars are stopped through town waiting for a goods or passenger train. Coming from the Vacy side into town to have to suddenly stop behind a line of traffic with a huge truck bearing down behind you, is scary to say the least. Recently there was a glitch with the boom gate and traffic was stopped for three hours. We don’t need lines of trucks to make a situation like that worse. I strongly disapprove of all the applicant is seeking approval for. Changing the site from a Ballast Quarry to a huge General Construction Aggregate Quarry is alarming. Increasing the amount extracted per year - if the plan is to extend operations for 25 more years, what will happen in 5, 10 years? All of the many new proposals will have detrimental effects on our roads, flora and fauna, water safety, mental health , real estate values. If this is to go ahead, the railway should be the sole purpose for movement of product. There is a rail siding next to the quarry. I feel that should be the choice - rail or not at all. No other quarry in the Hunter or Southern Highlands that I know of, ruins a town the way this proposal plans to do. The Dept of Planning has not addressed the very real areas of community concern in the past. If that Dept refuses to address the issues now, I feel this proposal needs to be stopped until the people of Paterson, Martins Creek and areas to be affected, are listened to. Yours sincerely Margaret Baillie |
Sally-Anne Fitzpatrick
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Paterson Road Bolwarra I have major concerns about this development going ahead. I have a young family and the thought of not just more traffic going past my house but that being large trucks is incredibly concerning. The noise, the dust and absolute chaos it will cause is incredibly alarming. I want to be able to cross the road and take my kids on bike rides or to the new local park that is being built. How am I to do this safely with so many trucks going past? How is it safe???? Or the children who walk to and from Bolwarra public school. How is it going to be safe for them? A beautiful community will turn into an absolute nightmare!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a resident of the local community and will be impacted by the increased heavy vehicle activity on our local roads. More heavy vehicles means the roads will be damaged more quickly. There are a lot of children in the community and I am concerned for their safety. I am concerned about the noise and air quality with more heavy vehicles on the road. I oppose any increase in more heavy vehicles on our local roads. I am also concerned about the environmental impact at the mine site if it was to be expanded. |
Trina Wilson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Firstly, I object to the expansion. I have lived through this before. It has made mine and my husband’s health deteriorate. It’s very hard to gauge one’s health on the outside of your body but you live it and feel it on the inside. We lost two pet dogs that were hit by speeding trucks during the unlawfully operation of the Martins Creek Quarry. The quarry trucks didn’t have the decency to stop. We now have grandchildren, would the trucks stop for a child??? Small children, like animals are unpredictable especially when it comes to traffic and surrounding noise. Ask any parent or grandparent. Can you imagine a truck fully loaded stopping in time to prevent an incident on our local roads? I am very concerned for all our local residence’s, local businesses and all those affected on the haul route. The local roads can’t, and will not stand up to these heavy vehicle combinations. You don’t need to be a magician to work out our local roads are unsafe and unable to cope with the excessive truck movements and that blasting (noise/dust etc) and extracting of 1.1 million tonnes of quarry material every year for the next 25 years will do to our natural bush land, loss of koala habitat and other already endangered animal species and noise pollution. I live on Butterwick Rd and I am led to believe that Daracon will also use this road as route 2 if transporting locally and are also allowed to use it as a return route. How will this be monitored to determine what is local or not? Self-monitoring, I believe. Like putting the fox in charge of looking after the hens. We quite often use Tocal Road when traveling to Maitland. Try sitting behind a truck when you’re doing the allowed speed limit on our local roads and a heavy truck and trailer combination approaching from the rear fast and then sits right on your tail and you then have to pull up to give way to a school bus stopping. I have, twice. Staff and students cross the road at Tocal college with vehicles, machinery and on foot as the college owns both sides of the road with farm land. There is also a large dairy operation with milk trucks turning in there quite regularly. It’s a sickening and horrendous feeling as your hoping these heavy combinations can pull up in time to prevent an accident, or worse a school child potentially getting hurt or a fatality. At Bolwarra Heights Lookout there is a new playground, public toilets, parking area with a viewing area looking over Maitland and East Maitland. This is located less then 120m past the merging section of Paterson and Tocal roads and only 50m at the end of the merging lane. This area is used regularly by locals and tourists and it is also the intersection of the main haulage route used by Hanson trucks from the Brandy Hill quarry. This is another area of concern that the IPC needs to look at very closely. Extra traffic higher the risk. (photo to showing location uploaded) The Paterson area is a tourist area and the gateway to the Barrington. It doesn’t just get used on weekends, Paterson businesses depend on weekly trade, car groups, motor bike enthusiasts, push bike riders, all kinds of tourists and people just wanting to visit what our village has to offer and of course our local residents etc, shop here. We use the doctor’s surgery, the pharmacy, the pathology unit the local restaurants and eateries, the hotels, petrol station/service mechanic, post office and from time to time the train station. What happens if we lose these local businesses due to the expansion? The death of Paterson? I hope not. Let’s not wait and see, say NO to the expansion! There are other local quarries to supply our region with the same product. I hope the Independent Planning Commission will look closely at all the submissions on the planning portal closely as they will notice nearly all the quarry support submissions come from people who don’t reside or work in this community. I wonder if these same people supporting the proposal would be supporting it if this proposal was on their door step or suburb. It’s not hard to work out who is behind the support submissions and who is to gain from these support submissions. Lives matter first. Once again No to the expansion. |
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Attachments |
paterson-road-merging-to-tocal-roaddocx.docx (DOCX, 780.64 KB) tocal--paterson-rd-intersectionpdf.pdf (PDF, 473.57 KB) |
Tom Abrahams
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Dear Commissioners, I object strongly to the proposed development. I have made myself familiar with the available documents and I specifically refer the the following documents: Martins Ck Assessment Report as well as items within the EIS including the 18. EIS_AppH_Engineering & Transport Assessment 18. EIS_AppH_Traffic Impact Assessment The key issues I would like to raise, and which I don't believe has been adequately addressed are as follows: 1. The non-compliant section of Tocal Rd in Bolwarra Heights, which does not meet the minimum requirements of pavement width. This item has only been mentioned in the above listed reports as an existing problem and therefore has not been addressed by Daracon. It is already an unsafe section of road due to not meeting the pavement width requirements; no shoulder, narrow lanes, and will be increasingly unsafe due to the significant rise in heavy vehicles along this section of road. I live with my young family (2 children under 2.5years) in Wesley Street, and experience this section of road everyday by either turning onto Tocal Rd, or crossing without footpath on the western side of Tocal Rd, or safe crossing location. I feel this is a very important safety issue, which needs due attention by the Commissioners, and which hasn't been addressed in the submitted reports by Daracon. 2. Pedestrian access - Tocal Road. Section 2.9 of the 18. EIS_AppH_Traffic Impact Assessment states that 'within the major urban centres e.g. Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Lorn, Maitland and Raymond Terrace footpaths are provided which allow for safe and appropriate pedestrian movements'. This information is misleading; the western side of Tocal Road in Bolwarra Heights only has footpaths until approx to the BP service station at the junction with Tocal and Paterson Rds. North of this location, there is no footpath on the western side of Tocal Rd; this is in the same area where the pavement width of Tocal Rd is non-compliant. There is not one single crossing point from the eastern side of Tocal Rd to the western side along this section of road, and it is very unsafe crossing. I live with my young family in Wesley Street (2 kids under 2.5years old), and when crossing Tocal Rd, with a pram, with a landing on the western side without a footpath it is like running a gauntlet. I implore the Commissioners, to take into these items, which have not been suitably addressed in any of the submitted reports by Daracon. This project is not in the interest of the local communities, where there will be a huge increase in heavy vehicle movements and will reduce the safety and risk the lives of many, particularly young kids. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
09/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I do not believe that quality of life for residents will be enhanced by allowing the quarry to go ahead. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Objection to the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion Approval of the Martin’s Creek Quarry would be devastating for the communities in the Martin’s Creek, Paterson, Bolwarra and surrounding areas and for those people who work and live and visit our rural area that has significant heritage and environmental features. The benefit to this one private company will be to the detriment and risk to all other stakeholders. We have lived in the Paterson area for the past twenty years and have travelled daily along the local and main roads that will be devastated by the truck movements proposed by this one company. Our children catch the school buses that drive past Martin’s Creek turnoff and through Paterson. Our daughter gets off the school bus in Paterson and walks along the street to work at one of the wonderful local businesses after school. Our children are learning to drive in these local streets. We are very concerned for their safety if the convoy of heavy vehicles is allowed. Too often actions are not taken to prevent injury, death and long-term damage before it is too late. As a representative of the local community, we urge the commission to put the needs and concerns of our community first. Some of the unacceptable noise, social, economic and environmental impacts and risks have been outlined by the well-informed and experienced Mayor and Director of Planning and Environment of Dungog Shire Council and many community representatives. We have noted some of these areas of concern in the attached document. |
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Attachments |
objection-to-the-martins-creek-quarry-expansion-81122pdf.pdf (PDF, 1.6 MB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This extension of the existing quarry will mean the end of life as we know it for our small surrounding towns. We already deal with some of the most ridiculously under maintained roads in our council area, a majority of damage due to the existing truck loads that travel through our roads and towns. I have actually had a flat tyre due to existing potholes. An increase in extraction will mean an increase of trucks which will mean further destruction to our roads. Further the the historical nature and tourism to the area will be completely destroyed due to the lack of ambiance due to noise and dust pollution, not to mention how dangerous the traffic and road conditions are in the township already are due to the current truck traffic, an increase in movement only to make it unbearable. On many occasions I have issues moving around the town centre due to the truck traffic. I am born and bred in Paterson and a lot has changed in my small town since my childhood - I do not feel comfortable having my child cross the main road through Paterson now let alone with an increase in truck movements. I would also prefer that my child grows up healthy without the constant dust pollution that currently settles on and around my residence. Noise pollution is another issue for me due to living in the township close to the main road. They are travelling through empty rattling like a freight train coming through my house in the early hours of the morning and all day. Something that is only going to get worse and become unbearable. For someone who was born and lived in the township my whole life, I am horrified that my beautiful, historic small town may become desolate due to this expansion and that the application has even got this far. |
ALEXANDRA MEIER
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads are not set up for the number of trucks - it is not safe for cars or pedestrians with the increased number of trucks on the road. The area is also really important environmentally and the clearing will further reduce the populations of endangered animals. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads are illequipped to deal with this many trucks 5 days per week. A lot of businesses in Paterson village rely on drive by traffic and this is because they can safely park and enter the shops with ease. The businesses will suffer which means jobs get cut and our thriving little town becomes another victim of corporate greed. There is already a suitable solution that rolls right into their quarry, trains!! And what happens when our tank water is undrinkable from the dust? And we have to go back to replacing our windscreens twice a year? The traffic at the Flat Road/Melbourne Street lights is already congested at peak times and now you want to add another 40-50 trucks to that?? Now Daracon are resorting to offering inground pools and new sheds to sweeten the deal to local landowners whose land they need to get the proposed upgrades done?? Are you kidding me!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The Independent Planning Commission. New South Wales Government. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Martins Creek Quarry Proposal. I have reservations regarding the proposal . Of greatest concern is the number of trucks and driver behavior. I have two rural properties making up approximately 3km of road frontage on Tocal Road. A third property is located on Webbers Creek Road Paterson and is accessed via Tocal Road. The properties have been in use as a commercial grazing business for 50 years supplying beef to the domestic and international markets. There are numerous gates allowing access to and from the properties fronting Tocal Road. Vehicles using the gateways include cars, utes, trailers, ag bikes, ATV's, tractors, trucks and various pieces of farm machinery and implements. The occurrence and density of traffic has increased over the 50 years as properties to the north are subdivided for lifestyle residences and towns increase in size. This is continuing with new developments at Vacy, Gresford and Dungog. I am already struggling to deal with the current traffic flows. Volume is part of the problem but is exacerbated by two blind crests, a blind dip in the road, two steep inclines and vegetation limiting vision entering and leaving the properties. In addition there are two concealed roads adjacent to the property; Eelah Rd and Lemon Grove Road. Interaction with traffic is also affected due to the differing speed requirements of traffic operating at zone limits while farm vehicle movements entering and leaving the properties and travelling between properties are at a slower pace. Traffic problems were highlighted during the previous period of time when the quarry was operating with high truck movements. Heavy vehicle drivers took 'ownership' of the road effectively bullied smaller and slower road uses. Slow moving vehicles were tail-gated, trucks would overtake right hand turning vehicles on the left, trucks were overtaking other vehicles when they were already doing the legal speed limit, overtaking on single and double unbroken lines was common. Any return to the numbers of heavy vehicles and problems as encountered previously is going to be difficult to interact with safely. I'm happy to meet onsite to show and explain any of the above. Regards, Stuart Anderson 541 Tocal Road Mindaribba. |
Emma Heath
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed quarry will not only cause serious damage to our previous natural environment, it will pose a major threat to the safety and well-being local communities. Forty trucks an hour going through the tiny, peaceful rural town of Paterson is unthinkable. Further afield it will cause complete mayhem for surrounding towns including Dungog where we reside. Access to Maitland is already difficult due to the dreadful state of our roads, and adding additional traffic will make the situation untenable. How are rural communities supposed to have the access we need to vital amenities like hospitals with hundred of trucks clogging our only road in? Fossil fuels are filthy, damaging and unsustainable. For our community now and in the long run this QUARRY CANNOT GO AHEAD. |
Ian Cro
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I strongly object to the expansion of the Martin’s Creek quarry for the following reasons 1 The local roads are not made for this volume of trucks , when the quarry was previously running the roads were in a terrible state 2 The noise of the trucks in Paterson was terrible in the past , also trying to cross the road was near impossible 3 Daracon did not follow the rules set out in the past in relation to truck movements and volumes extracted from the quarry 4 Daracon did not pay the road levy to council for the upkeep of local roads Daracon can not be trusted they think they are above the rules they have proved this previously. Please keep Paterson the rural town it is and don’t destroy it again Regards Ian Crouch |
David Kinnaird
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Given where we are at and that the project has been supported by the DPE, I would make the following recommendation should you endorse the project. You are dealing with an applicant who has not adhered to the criteria of the previous consent. You are also dealing with a local population who suffered as a consequence and had to watch on as the applicant abused the consent for a significant number of years. This time could you a) Be quite specific about the quantities, modes of removal and methods of measurement so that there is no doubt should transgression occur. b) Be quite clear who the supervising authority is and their obligations to monitor and measure what is going on. c) Ensure that the appropriate powers are held by that authority to suspend or terminate activity on the project in the event of contravention of the consent d) Ensure that the public know who the monitor is and that reasonable measurements are published at a suitable frequency. Perhaps this time by having a sufficiently close monitor with powers to act speedily in the event of any abuse of the consent level, you may reassure the local public that an effort has been made to minimise any potential deviation from what you recommend. |
David Farrell
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The local roads are already congested and extra heavy vehicles are unacceptable. Road noise would increase to an alarming level and disturb quite lifestyles. Please reject this application to increase quarry capacity. |
Georgia Munro
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Martins Creek Quarry Project - State Significant Development Application Number: SSD-6612 Notice of Objection to the Consent Authority - refer to attached pdf version Letter of objection Primary concerns 1. Inconsistency with Dungog Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LEP) 2. Vegetation Clearance Poses Significant Risks 3. Breach of Australia’s Commitment to Protect Ramsar Wetlands & Threatened EPBC Species 4. Unsustainable Water Management Practices 5. Lack of Heritage Protection 6. Impacts on Agricultural Production, Tourism & Wellbeing of Community 7. Community Impacts - Traffic 8. Community Impacts - Noise 9. Community Impacts – Air Emissions (Dust & Silicosis Risk) 10. Community Impacts – Socio-economic Impacts 11. Fit & Proper Person Test – Is the Applicant Suitable? 12. Conclusion – The Project should NOT Proceed |
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Attachments |
letter-of-objection-martins-creek-quarry-8-november-2022pdf.pdf (PDF, 283.66 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a regular visitor and potential resident in retirement, this rural area and country roads do not need to be flooded with dangerous levels of heavy vehicles on a daily basis. Past practices also show the applicate cannot be trusted to obey the laws set down when financial gains are there to be taken, the draw is too big. $ |
Alan Barker
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Organisation |
N/A |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am basing my objection on the grounds of 'lived experience'. When the quarry operated previously at or near the proposed capacity apparently illegally), the traffic situation in and around the village of Paterson was horrendous. The quarry trucks, both Daracon and their contractors, seemed to be driven with little regard for other road users. On more than one occasion, particularly near the Gostwyck Bridge, I have personally been involved with near misses with these trucks encroaching onto the wrong side of the road and travelling at high speed. The proposed haul roads will not alleviate these problems. In relation to the village of Paterson and the road through it, is not designed to handle the proposed volume of traffic and the length of the haulage vehicles. These two elements alone will create hazards for pedestrians, school buses and waiting children and other regular traffic. Additionally, children waiting by the road, particularly Gresford Road for school buses (and the buses themselves) will be exposed to an increased risk of serious accidents that have a high potential to be fatal. The previous experience of this increased traffic volume affected the amenity of Paterson Village. It made it difficult at rimes to conduct day to day business eg. banking, postal services, food suppliers, farm equipment suppliers, purchasing fuel etc. The volume of traffic made parking and even alighting from vehicles difficult. This, in turn, made it hard to maintain our support for the local businesses. As a primary producer living in the area for twenty five (25) years, I need these suppliers to remain viable to support my business ie in turn, we support each other. In closing, this proposal appears to have scant regard for the wellbeing of the Village of Paterson, it's residents and those rural families who live in the immediate area and along the haul roads. Do we and the historic Village of Paterson, have no value? Are we, the residents, not 'STATE SIGNIFICANT' ?? |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
6275980326077015506 |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of the local community I have seen the impact of the trucks from previous activity .. and its horrible! There is not one good thing about allowing that volume of road-destroying trucks on our rural roads that are already in no suitable condition to cope. Quite apart from the fact that there is an existing rail option that has only to be negotiated .. the danger situation to the community will be massively exacerbated if the quarry operation is approved .. the sharp corner in Paterson village is already dangerous & then we have the local School of Arts hall just a few down the main road from this corner .. children attend dance classes, taekwondo etc as well as many community events being held there .. disaster waiting to happen with road crossings & high volume of trucks. There are very few rural villages left these days ..these Aussie treasures must be protected and preserved. The impact on small business and lifestyle would be devastating! |
Name Redacted
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08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I STRONGLY OPPOSE to the above proposal . Our country roads were never meant for these numbers of high speed heavy vehicles. That is why we have a railway to carry heavy loads, in which Martins Creek has one of them. It's called The North Coast Railway, & it has it's own dedicated Quarry Siding that's been there all my lifetime & was used for shifting all quarry materials in the past. I have lived & worked on my family property all my life (almost 70 years) near the single lane "Gostwyck Bridge". Since Daracan took over the running of Martins Creek Quarry, we have seen & heard everyone of those trucks, one after the other, all day long, it never stopped. Family & friends visiting us, comment how the environment has changed. Back to the way it was before truck numbers from the quarry got out of control. You can now hear the birds in the trees, the air quality is so much cleaner. No dirty dangerous diesel fumes, no rattling empty aluminium truck bodies, heavy braking coming & going from the Gostwyck Bridge. How did they get away with making our lives sheer hell for so long before they were shut down, it just couldn't go on the way it was. People making these decisions on our lives & livelihoods, have never lived here, nor seen the operations or experienced what a day entails with the constant truck movements. Daracan Consultants have never spoken to us nor our neighbours, who have lived with this for years & suffered for so long. New residences that have now moved into the area since Daracan was shut down, do not realise what they are in for. There has to be another way for Daracon to move these materials. Daracon say they are going to increase the length of the siding to accomodate longer trains to move more material by rail. The proposed travelling route is also a major School Bus Route for both Primary & Secondary Students. The increase of truck movements will endanger our children & neighbouring children, entering & exiting from the school buses. If this Proposed Increased Truck Numbers goes ahead, the cost to the local communities will be horrific. Our peace & quiet will go & our properties will be heavily devalued. Our country roads, which we have to travel on & have paid for through our rates will be greatly damaged. Our small thriving town of Paterson will be ruined again, peoples way of living shattered. People will no longer visit our quiet community & businesses could vanish. As if it's not hard enough to survive any business at the moment. MENTAL HEALTH will increase significantly. Is this how Daracan want to be known for. Daracan is only interested in getting more money in their pockets, & don't care how their side effects are affecting us, who live in the area. If Daracan were genuine, they would try to keep all people on side as their quarry business is not without a lot of side effects. I am quite concerned, as at times there is unusual coloured water that flows down the creek which runs from the quarry area. The creek flows through our property, then through more properties, eventually entering into the Paterson River, just above the proposed weir to be built by Hunter Water, for town water supply. Even in dryer conditions with no rain, the creek water level can go from a trickle to a fast flow high volume stream. The colour of the water, instead of being crystal clear, is a bluey milky colour. It looks like liquid blue metal. One would think water that colour could only be coming from the quarry holding dams. What is in this water? How safe is this water. Should Hunter Water be informed. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object the proposal for the 40 truck movements per day. I do however support for the increase to be completed by rail as understand that Sydney will need materials for the next few years. Therefore I reject the increase by road but approve the increase by rail only. |
Name Redacted
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Date |
08/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Don’t wreck our town we’re our children want to grow up in. Not trucks everywhere |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Driving from Martins Creek to Bolwarra I see many dead animals (kangaroos, possums, snakes, rodents. We need to look after our threatened wildlife also (Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995). Trucks cannot stop or swerve to avoid our local native animals and birds. MORE TRUCKS EQUALS MORE ROADKILL...equals more pollution in our areas. This is RURAL area, it's not a city nor a town. The amount of trucks you propose is ridiculous. Does everyone have to do the rounds of the Environmental Court yet again. PLEASE do not ruin our area. It was simply horrible to live with all those trucks, noise and emissions previously. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a local member of community I object to the quarry as it will directly affect mine and my families lives. We are the ones that have to live among it, not politicians or those benefiting from this. I do not believe the quality of our lives should be exchanged for a pretty penny! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am opposed to the proposed increase in heavy vehicle traffic to Paterson and the surrounding areas such as Maitland that will be impacted by this quarry expansion. I am also concerned about the environmental impacts, such as wildlife habitat destruction, pollution and damage to the environment in general. Too often these developments and expansions are approved at the cost and detriment of the environment and community. Enough! Maitland is already over developed and under resourced to handle the increase to the population. If nothing else this expansion would cause more gridlock to an already clogged traffic system. |
Luke Thomas
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The effects of this proposal are catastrophic to say the least the amount of truck movement a day is unrealistic and ludicrous all you need to do is sit outside the cafe and see the near Misses and difficulty crossing parking etc let alone the noise and the dust and the safety of the community when daracon were operational out of there quota before it was unsafe the quarry has plenty of other means of transport ie rail and different routes they can access if this proposal goes ahead it will be the end to our historical tourism country town that people come to to visit |
Louise Shirvington
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Organisation |
Louise Shirvington |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Paterson is a picturesque riverside town with fascinating heritage, grand colonial buildings and vintage trains. Soak up the ambience as you relax in old country pubs and explore the historic walks of this charming town, once a busy inland port in colonial times. - Source VisitNSW. Paterson is a community, its NOT a thoroughfare for trucks and trains to haul gravel through. If this mine is so valuable to its investors, they need to take responsibility and fund a different access point. The roads within township don't have the capacity to cope with constant trucks, and carting by rail creates a dangerous situation as well. Every time a train goes through the village access is blocked to the neighbouring villages, stopping emergency workers getting to outlying residents. The quarry will bring very few jobs to the community, it will only benefit the investors - at the cost of the surrounding communities. |
Joshua Moffitt
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Additional damage to already ruinous roads. Dungog council cannot maintain the existing rural roads network to any reasonable level of service, every loaded truck will do considerable damage to the road surface. Loss of amenity and increased pedestrian risk to the paterson community, loss of tourism to local venues. Please negotiate a roads maintenance contribution from the quarry operator. |
David Agnew
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Trucks on road The NSW Government has not allowed coal trucks to use Hunter roads, including the New England Highway (which is designed and constructed to be used by heavy vehicles) since the early 1990’s. All coal must be transported by rail. This prohibition should also apply to all situations where it’s proposed to transport bulk material by truck, when rail transport is available. Allowing hundreds of heavy vehicles a day on the roads between Martins Creek and the New England Highway is not acceptable. • The roads were not designed or constructed to take large volumes of heavy vehicles. • These vehicles will cause significant damage to the roads, and substantial costs to State and Local Government. • Most of the subject roads are in poor condition following the last two years of La Niña influenced weather conditions. Allowing hundreds of truck movements a day will exacerbate this damage. • The proposed number of trucks will result in a significant increase in danger to other traffic. Amongst other issues, there are no overtaking lanes and road shoulder is not sealed. The main activity in the area is agriculture, which requires slower moving farm vehicles, such as tractors to use the roads. Along with the agricultural vehicles and local traffic, which is fairly heavy, a large number of school busses, vehicles driven by tourists and recreational motor cyclists and cyclists use these roads. Rail option I find it hard to believe why the NSW Government is not forcing the quarry to use the existing North Coast rail line which has a spur that extends right into the quarry. The North Coast line is going to become used less and less in the future with the closure of the coal mines in the Gloucester area and the opening of the Australian Inland Railway. Every encouragement should be given to bulk goods producing industries located along the line to use it and prevent it becoming an expensive white elephant. The quarry material could be railed to a stockpile along the New England Highway, from where it could be trucked or railed to customers, utilising appropriately constructed roads, or by rail. There would be several potential stockpile areas available with rail access. The Bloomfield Colliery area or the South Maitland area two potential stockpile sites adjacent to the New England Highway with existing rail spurs. There would be other potential areas in the Hunter Region adjacent to coal mines or coal mines that will be closing. Any claims by the proponent that the rail option is too expensive should be ignored. By insisting on road transport, they are shifting costs to the people of NSW who ultimately must pay for road maintenance and the significant costs of major road accidents. Any claim that the additional costs of using rail will make the quarry uncompetitive should also be ignored. There are very limited numbers of potential sources of quality hard rock aggregate in the Hunter Region, consequently the number of competitors in the hard rock aggregates is limited. If the quarry can’t operate economically under responsible conditions which minimise the impact on the community, then it is not viable. The rock should be left in the ground until someone who can operate responsibly is prepared to quarry the material. Impact on local tourism The proposed truck route runs through an exceptionally beautiful part of NSW and a major route to the Barrington Tops area. This area is an important tourist area with potential to grow significantly in the future. Having hundreds of heavy vehicles on these roads will be a major deterrent to tourists. General Comment The Planning Commissioners should not just accept the arguments put by the proponent. The proponent has a poor track record in that they have been guilty of several breaches including operating outside their approval area. Assertions and claims by the proponent and their consultants need to be thoroughly tested. The fact that the Department of Planning has recommended the approval of the project without implementing the rail use option is somewhat questionable. Maybe they are that under resourced that they were unable to do a thorough assessment of all the options. Its up to the Planning Commissioners to rectify this. |
John White
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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In a age of where we are encouraged to ask " r u ok", this proposal by Daracon will look after the mindset of a select few at a cost of mental anguish to so many. Unbelievable in this day and age that the health of people is still exploited. The cost will be across generations, long after Daracon have packed up and gone. Sad that the cost of chasing the almighty dollar ranks higher than the joy of life. Be well, stay healthy. John White |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
This is an unsafe project due to the narrow roads and the impact on the township of Paterson. These are rural roads with not enough safe passing, width and will increase the risk of fatalities |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Traffic impacts to community and business’ of Paterson, and impacts to council roads which are already in a terrible state and local council has no funds to repair. Dust and noise impacts to school children at Paterson Public School due to potential increase in rail movements. Paterson Public School is directly across from the rail corridor. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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I have great concern about the truck movements go though Paterson each day. I have a young family of 5 children under 5 years of ager and live on Maitland road Paterson on the river side. As the kids get old I would like to see them walk to school and be able to use the roads safely but at this time there is no safe designated area to cross the Maitland rd and large trucks continuously rushing through town will make for a more Dangerous. Also I hold concern for the road width and the many blind corners and also the high amount of pedestrian in the area around the shops with also now Crossings. In all I would support the proposal if dacon would agree to move the bull of material out of the quarry by TRAIN and less the truck movement in town. I would rather tolerate the high volume of trains at the current crossing then see one person injuries as a result of a truck incident in town. |
Name Redacted
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07/11/2022 |
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Safety, noise and dust is my concern as a resident in Bolwarra, with the proposed increase in truck movements. Ours is a growing area with a lot more families here and children criss the road to schools and buses... This company has no respect to the communities involved. Whilst I'm not against the mining, rail seems to be the only logical answer. |
Maeghan Barry
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My concerns are listed above. This will be detrimental to the community and tourism to the local area |
Geoffrey Winnett
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a general statement I consider this expansion to be inappropriate. If any approval is given ALL product should be moved via the existing rail link to an appropriate holding area for loading onto (if necessary) road transport. I am concerned about the lack of definition on what constitutes "local deliveries" I live at Nelsons Plains on haulage route 2. Having seen the debacle that allowed the Brandy Hill quarry to go ahead with projected truck movements of 600 trucks per day along Seaham Rd there appears to be no recognition or constraint placed upon the use of haulage route 2 and "local deliveries" with a potential 880 truck movements per day on this road (comprised of 600 from Brandy Hill and an additional 280 from Martins Creek) Listening to the live stream on the 7th November 2022 I hear the same arguments against these developments and feel despair for people attempting to live their lives but being constantly over ridden by big developments that will impact them significantly. Cumulative impacts are ignored as development after development are approved slowly destroying the communities on which they impact This development like the Brandy Hill development will make business and particularly international corporations hundreds of millions of dollars while destroying local communities and local small businesses. This proposal, from a quarry that has a history of operating outside approval guidelines, should be denied. The community, which in this case isn't necessarily in close proximity to the proposal, are only paid lip service during the application and development process. Those who are impacted the most will benefit the least (if at all) |
Natalie van der Merwe
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Organisation |
On Home Ground |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I am writing on behalf of On Home Ground, a local residential design studio located in Paterson. On Home Ground specialises in off-grid and eco-effective homes. Our clients are located in the Dungog, Port Stephens, Mid Coast, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGA’s. On Home Ground strongly opposes the approval of Daracon’s proposal for a number of reasons outlined below: Environmental Impacts The impacts of the proposal will have long lasting and likely irreversible effects on the local (and wider) environment. Multiple studies and impact statements from credible sources have been submitted to the DPE however, the state government does not seem to take these issues seriously. We are in a climate crisis with huge losses in biodiversity due to habitat destruction, bushfires and water scarcity. The proposal does not address these issues and will certainly have a negative impact on many species that live in the Paterson Valley. The destruction of habitat directly impacts our lifestyle by increasing temperatures, making our existing housing stock even less fit for purpose. The result will be more homes that require substantial heating and cooling driving the demand for energy up and increasing our emissions. Socioeconomic Impacts Whilst there are short term benefits of a proposal such as this one, it is now accepted that large mining projects do not bring long term benefits to rural communities. Oxfam Australia writes that “mining can negatively affect people by: forcing them from their homes and land preventing them from accessing clean land and water impacting on their health and livelihoods causing divisions in communities over who benefits from the mine and who doesn’t changing the social dynamics of a community exposing them to harassment by mine or government security” Oxfam goes on to write “These impacts are exacerbated when local people aren’t consulted and are given no information about a planned mine. Even worse is when people are not given a say on whether or not a mine should even be developed.” The state government has a responsibility to its constituents before any company and in this case it seems as though the state government is saving face by “allowing” our community to have our say. Sadly our concerns are not being heard and it’s looking like big business will win over our small community. This is not the society that we want to be a part of. Another study on The Social Costs of Mining on Rural Communities (Power Consulting Incorporated, 2019) finds that: “Large scale mining projects sited in rural, relatively isolated communities are statistically correlated with long-term out-migration, high poverty and unemployment rates, poorer health and lower education attainment. Market volatility for mineral communities often leads to significant fluctuations in employment and payroll levels, i.e., a ‘flickering’ economy and ultimately a ‘boom-bust economy’, which often cautions communities against investing in the social infrastructure and prevention plans needed to mitigate the influx of a large, transient workforce.” Nearby communities like Broke, Singleton, Musswellbrook, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock and Branxton are all very real examples of what happens when big mining moves into rural towns. All of these communities have huge pay disparities between those who are employed by mining and those who are not. Crime rates in these communities are high and school completion is lower than average. Families move to Paterson and the surrounding area to become part of a thriving, caring community. Large scale single revenue stream models have been proven not to be economically sustainable. A sustainable economy has a diverse range of services and products, with no one aspect having an overwhelming majority. Amenity Multiple studies on the potential air and noise pollution created by the mines expansion have shown that the impacts would be felt across a significant portion of the Dungog and Maitland LGA’s. The current truck movements are significant for those living and working in Paterson, Martin’s Creek, Bolwarra and East Maitland. To increase these to 250 truck movements a day would be a colossal error in judgement. The noise and visual offense caused by the volume Daracon are proposing will without doubt have a negative impact on the health of those living and working nearby. The truck movements would also impact property values along the travel routes and within earshot. The housing stock in the path of the truck movements were not built with this kind of pollution in mind. Amenity within the homes along the trucks’ proposed travel path would be significantly reduced and may be above what is considered acceptable under Australian Standards. Rehabilitation and final landform impacts Driving through the coalfields is a shocking example of how mining impacts the landscape on a monstrous scale. Colossal craters dwarf mammoth dump trucks with load after load of “worthless” dirt piled high. The mountains of dirt shield drivers from the endless raping of the earth. Broke has a dedicated wall between it and the huge hole directly adjacent to “appease” the residents. Treeless horizons are everywhere in the Hunter Valley due to coal mines removing and displacing everything within reach. The natural beauty of the Paterson Valley is a drawcard for tourists and locals alike. Daracon’s proposal will scar the surface and create a multitude of large scale problems that our descendants will have to deal with. Traffic and Transport Numerous studies submitted to the DPE showing the real impacts of 250+ trucks a day using rural and regional roads. The existing road infrastructure does not cope with the current traffic with cars often on the road side with flat tyres. The poor condition of Dungog Shire Council’s roads has been an ongoing problem and counsellors will explain that this is because of the remote location and sheer volume of roadways to maintain. Daracon cannot seriously expect that DSC will be able to maintain these roads if they are already literally years behind in road maintenance. From a town planning perspective it has long been accepted that large vehicles or frequent travel routes should avoid town centres (The M1 is one example). The resulting truck traffic would effectively kill the small, thriving township of Paterson. Locals would have to risk crossing the road in front of semi trailers and tourists won’t bother stopping at all with the noise and dust generated. In conclusion On Home Ground categorically objects to the expansion of Daracon’s Martin’s Creek operations. The short term economic benefits will largely not be seen by local residents, but rather be enjoyed by those who already have financial interest in the mine. The quarry materials are largely to be moved to Newcastle and Sydney, with no great demand locally for more than what is currently being removed. The negative impacts on the local community are being ignored by Daracon and the state government. A future without digging up more resources is possible. The environment CANNOT be put last any longer. Every scientific body, every country, every child can agree that we need to act now to reverse the effects of climate change. This proposal is a disgusting display of corporate greed and IT IS NOT WANTED IN OUR COMMUNITY! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The road infrastructure is not in place for the amount of truck movements. Also incredibly dangerous around our small towns. |
C Terry
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Location |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a visitor and friend of a resident of Paterson, it seems clear that the planned escalation of quarry truck movements will have a major impact on the heritage value of the town and the lived experience of its residents. The Umwelt Revised Project Submission Report of November 2021 at p70 acknowledges that the Social Impact Assessment “predicts there will be key negative social impacts relating to social amenity, mainly due to traffic related impacts, and changes to the sense of community and community cohesion and culture”. It notes that project design changes have been implemented to “attempt to address these key issues…..where possible”. It’s doubtful, however, that satisfactory mitigation is, in fact, possible for the level of traffic anticipated. It just does not sound feasible given the size and context of this small town. It is the social cost (sometimes difficult to quantify) which needs to be fully understood when determining the viability of a project. What may be otherwise justifiable on economic grounds may (should) fail to proceed if these social costs are simply insurmountable. It’s difficult to see how these negative social impacts can be overcome for this project. |
David Hyde
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I wish to express my disappointment that the issues raised by our local community have not been considered to be important enough to stop this proposal. The danger that so many heavy vehicles on the local roads pose to the community can not be dismissed as acceptable. The local businesses in Paterson have worked hard to develop their services and facilities which are much appreciated by locals and visitors alike. This delightful town will be devastated by all trucks with their dust and noise, not to mention the virtual effect of dividing the small town in half by making it very difficult to cross the road. The impact on Melbourne Street in East Maitland will also be severe as it struggles to cope with existing traffic congestion. |
Andrew Wernbacher
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I note and appreciate that Daracon recognize the need to manage social impacts to members of the community and that they have provided extensive mitigation proposals to the residences of Martins Creek as well as Paterson but Daracon haven't addressed, to residences satisfaction, the downstream impacts to other communities such as Bolarra Heights. Daracon, numerous Consultant's and Government departments have identified the increased level of risk and impact to the narrow section of Tocal Road but no impact mitigation seems to be in place. If this project is to be allowed to proceed, I'd call on these issues to be addressed prior to any approval. Under the current proposal, the first truck movements will coincide with the commencement of the school and work commute for many of the residences in these local areas. Careful consideration of these impact and associated mitigation is requested prior to approval. |
Tim Lattimore
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Organisation |
Sanitair newcastl;e |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
07/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on Butterwick Rd, the road is badly damaged already, if the quarry is to go ahead is Daracon going the replace the damage to the road which was damaged when the Quarry was last operating. We also have a koala that visits our property and others along Butterwick rd. Increase truck movements increase the risk to the Koala when crossing the road. he has been observed moving in the daytime when the trucks will be operating. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Paterson village is unsuited to trucks. It is a small community without pedestrian crossing or traffic lights. People needing to cross the road to access shops will need to dodge large vehicles and increasing numbers of trucks will only cause increasing deterioration of already shabby roads. Further, for Paterson residents who commute to Maitland, Cessnock and beyond for work, the increased numbers of trucks - or the idea all Daracon vehicles have to drop their speed to 40klms an hour driving through Paterson & Bolwarra, increases the time taken for the commute. The noise in the village of increased truck numbers will be unbearable and the impact on air quality of massive increases of diesel fumes will reduce air quality. Paterson has a vibrant out-door cafe culture which will be destroyed if this development is allowed to proceed. Previously, during large trucking movements by Daracon, it has been impossible to 'enjoy' a coffee at the outside tables of local cafes as not only the smell of the trucks/fumes was unpleasant it is simply impossible to have a conversation over the noise of the trucks. Filth spewing out of truck exhausts clings to buildings and falls on the river. I cannot speak for Aboriginal cultural heritage but I know the Paterson district has deep European heritage. It is a keen sought destination for historians and tourists and dodging trucks will make it less attractive for tourists. Keep the trucks out of Paterson - for all our sakes! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
No more trucks through Paterson please |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Direct impacts on myself are related to traffic and transport, amenity, socioeconomic, environmental. These are due to the facts that further quarry expansion would increase truck traffic and congestion on the streets of Paterson, noise within Paterson would increase significantly due to the truck traffic and the side effects of the local community being affected by congestion. Air quality would be degraded due to truck engine emissions and dust in the air from further blasting and transport of the quarry materials. As an individual with significant health issues, some of which are related to breathing, I chose Paterson as my community because it was a relatively clean location. If the quarry expansion is approved the air and environment in Paterson would lead me and others to look for a new community to live in. The socioeconomic impacts would arise due to locals and tourists not conducting business in Paterson because of the inconvenience of the quarry expansion and the side effects of said expansion. The environmental impacts are obvious as expanding a quarry means making the quarry larger therefor reducing the natural environment which is already struggling. Biodiversity would naturally suffer as this area is home to Koalas and after other expansions in the Lower Hunter Koala habitat will be significantly reduced. It is fine to say we will plant more trees for the koalas but it takes many years for the trees to be suitable for Koala habitation and by then the number of Koalas will be significantly reduced. Fresh water is a precious resource and a resources that is used by many in the local community as a clean resource. There is no guarantee that our water will remain clean and that everything else that relies on our water will not be impacted causing further degradation of the natural systems in the local area. I personally am unable to drink town water, due to health conditions, and rely on clean fresh rain water. The quarry expansion will have a negative impact on the quality of my personal water source and to me that is an unacceptable trade. What guarantees do we have that the company, profiting from the natural resources extracted from the quarry at the expense of the local communities, will adequately rehabilitate the land? The short answer is they cannot. Once the land is damaged it cannot be rehabilitated. It can be covered up, it can be modified but it cannot be rehabilitated. If we recognise this what level of modification are we willing to accept? What level of modification is the company willing to do? These are big questions and without a guarantee of an adequate, by community standards, modification the company should not be allowed to expand their operations. With regards to Aboriginal and other land and cultural heritage let me ask you, what price are we willing to pay for its loss? Indigenous Australians have been living in Australia for 60k years and have a wide and deep knowledge of the land. Damage the land and that heritage is damaged. European settlement has nearly 250 years of heritage with early settlers creating a history that affects us all. Damage the land and we damage that history. From a personal point of view, as a teacher and historian, if we lose our history and the ability to show it to future generations we lose the ability to teach them about how to look after the planet we all live on. Creating more environmental damage has an impact on a all facets of our existence, from the past to the present and continuing on into the future. It may be 1 little quarry but when we add up all the 1 little bit bits of damage we find a huge impact on our past, present, and future. Let us stop the continuous path of expansion and damage to our environment, community, and ourselves. Let us start repairing the damage we have made by stopping it getting bigger. Neil Armstrong said "1 small step for man, a giant leap for mankind" lets start making small steps that become a giant leap. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Traffic increases |
Craig Murphy
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Organisation |
Martins Creek Quarry Action Group |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
Traffic and Transport. The increase in traffic the a small rural town, Paterson, with very narrow roads close to houses and business will be unsafe forr wide vehicle traffic passing in oposite directions. Parking will create danger for people alighting from vehicles, this be especially dangerous for children. Business and shop in our Community. With the volume of trucks through be the decision i make again to shop where it is safe or risk my life and injury from a truck passing as i alight from my vehicle. Having limited movement with both limbs. Is the increase in truck movents fair to a village with a large percentage of people with similar problems Students catching the bus both to Dungog And Maitland will have to cross the road opposite Stockers petrol service sation. Also if you chose to fuel your vehicle at Stockers 50% you will standing on the road fueling your vehicle. i won't and i have opologised to owner and fuel my vehichle in Maitland. Travelling north along Tocal road Stationary turing right into King street where the Doctors surgery and the Pharmacy is Dangerous now. I was turning into King street stationary at this intersection as a Double boggy truck was turning i was forced to reverse back as well as the vehicle behind me so the the truck had sufficient room to get through. I was only 2 vehicles that had to move but dduring school dropoff or school pickup times this would be able to possible. The volume of trucks through paterson is unbearable especially the empty trucks returning to quarry. I do not understand why there only a small increase in rail transport. There is a limit proposed for both truck movements out and returning to quarry each day by that proposed time , in the past trucks return at anytime. Socioecoonomic Impacts Paterson will be trashed with road damage. Friends prefer to meet me outside of Paterson because of road conditions. A trip from the quarry to Maitland have more potholes repaired or existing potholes. Driving between Paterson to either dungog it is a challenge not damage tyres or tyre rims. Daracon don't see this as a socio economic cost to our community. Maybe if they paid for and laid a road surface suitable for heavy hallage trucks people may support this project. I dought Daracon will spend anything on the economic affects of communities related this proposal. The paterson Takeaway shop is a place that won't be safe to cross aswell as the Paterson petrol station. The risk turning of into Petrol station with both truck movements through the railway gates and and Post office corner, especially with truch movements both ways. Economic impacts affects the ares where the trucks travels. Previous meeting with Daracon and objections to propsals get smamped by people who work for daracon. Whilst it is every persons right to be heard the small numbers of a rural villlage are swamped by the people who support the project that don't live anywhere the quarry any of the affected communities. Ammenity Noise impacts Previoiosly comments of Danger to children and parents through a narrow street in rural village along with viabration to house and business, the echo of empty trucks returning trucks can be heard throughout the town travelling at high speeds aswell as air break througout the day. tocal road the Paterson shop area yoad smell the exhast fumes from heavy vehicles any increase impact the community shops Conclusions Thhe Independent Planning Commisioners on the panel who have a Mining background can see the affects on a small rural village aswell as other people in areas. The Gravel mine was approved for rail ballast mine. In changing it large scale for conscuction industry for the next twenty five years. In making your decision will still affect the communities after you retire. This not a rhetorical comment. |
Marc Le Brocq
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Location |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submission |
My wife and children frequent the Paterson area as we are looking to invest in a property in the area. Our visits to the area include a stop by the river followed either by the tavern or the Country cafe where we can sit, have lunch and enjoy the local atmosphere. Being a supporter of industry but also historical and small communities I feel there is need to retain the small country town feel that had initially drawn us to the area. Introducing haul trucks to the area will turn away potential residents such as myself a the town will lose all appeal as an inviting community with respectable values. Increased dust affecting roads and air will lead to higher risk of contamination through drains into the local river system and increased health risks for the residents in the area. My child suffers from asthma and requires cleaner air than offered in the area we currently reside but this move of industry into the area will unfortunately cross Paterson off our list. Noise pollution as well as increased heavy traffic (increased risk of traffic v traffic/pedestrian accidents) in the area will be a deterrent for day visitors as they can take in the same ambiance in any major city or industrial town. Council budget will also increase in the area to attempt to maintain the road to compensate. A rail system that is already in place would offer a viable solution to freight material from the area while maintaining a clear line between quaint little town and industrial progression. |
Jan Cheetham
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a Paterson resident for 40 years, I have seen the number of residential subdivision lots in the area grow from virtually none to hundreds. This has had the effect of vastly increasing the normal vehicular traffic in the Paterson Village and on the roads running to Maitland. There have been a number of "near misses" and a couple of accidents in the village involving quarry trucks. I have had headlights smashed on my car from rocks falling from the back of quarry trucks. The streets in Paterson are relatively narrow and are NOT suitable to be used as a haul route for Martins Creek Quarry and the neither are the roads leading into Maitland. The number of truck movements proposed by the applicant on a daily basis is totally unacceptable to the community and will inevitably, lead to serious accidents and quite possibly deaths. The commercial businesses in the village, which provide a necessary service to the local residents will suffer as the amount of SAFE parking will be further diminished. There is an alternative for the applicants. The existing rail facility in the quarry could be expanded and ALL the product could be taken out by rail A transfer station could be established at perhaps,Hexham to load the product onto trucks for further distribution. If the proponents wish to operate the quarry, they should NOT be able to do so at the expense of the local residents. |
Brodie Cowper
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Organisation |
Big Bear Builds |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to project, the roads are not suitable for the volume of trucks and the noise and environmental impact it has on our town of Paterson. I also run a business from our home which is the main route of the trucks which will cripple my business |
Krystal Barry
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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We DO NOT SUPPORT this expansion, please hear the pleas from the community. |
Rebecca Sibley
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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I have lived here in the same house located directly across from the Martins Creek Quarry on Dungog road for the past 14 years. In this time I have witnessed the Daracon Quarry go through many changes, I have also seen a quiet small town be transformed into a place that is constantly being threatened by a very unreasonable expansion to the Martins Creek Quarry. My biggest concern in relation to this quarry and the one that will directly affect our family is the proposed intersection planned for right outside our front property gate on Dungog Road. If this new turning lane for the trucks were to get approval this would make living in our current home unbearable. Not only would we have to battle with the constant noise and dust pollution coming from these trucks but the congestion from these queuing trucks would make access to our property almost impossible and very unsafe. If leaving our property and turning right to go down Dungog Road we are putting ourselves in a very unsafe position as we will not have a clear view of oncoming traffic coming from the Dungog direction. This proposed turning lane is also a safety concern for vehicles traveling from Dungog as this section of the road has many blind spots and people that are not familiar to the area will be faced with many challenges including trucks crossing this busy road to reach access to the quarry. As our house is located very close to the quarry we have experienced significant noise and air pollution. This has been something that Daracon have never addressed in the past and poses a huge health risk to members of the community. In previous years we have received very inconsistent information and support from the quarry. Very occasionally we would receive a letter to inform us of blasting times but this was only sometimes. This blasting would catch us unaware and has also caused cracks and movement in our home. The dust pollution is also of concern. Being a resident and having to live in a house close by has its challenges. The dust generated by the quarry makes it impossible to leave windows open on our house or hang clothes on our clothesline. We also have members of our family that have asthma and respiratory health issues related to the dust. This needs to be addressed promptly and with an outcome that moving forward will look after the health and wellbeing of people in close by neighbouring properties. The traffic congestion experienced in the past in our small township of Paterson is also highly unsafe and its totally unreasonable to allow this many large trucks to travel through this small town on a daily basis. Pedestrian safety and the success of the small businesses in this town of Paterson will be greatly affected and this needs some careful thought and planning as I believe there is no safe way to move this quantity of trucks through this small town. I suggest that Daracon look into upgrading the rail network so that they are able to export most materials via rail. I thank you for taking the time to review this submission and I truly hope that common sense plays a huge part in the decisions and outcome for our community moving forward. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Dear IPCN The Martin’s Creek Quarry reopening will have substantive, irreparable consequences to our community, for which I am writing in objection to the application on 3 key fronts: 1. Population growth: when the quarry was originally established, our community was far smaller and impact on roads, business and amenity was less significant. Our community has grown significantly since the quarry was closed, due largely to local government subdivision. The travel from Vacy through Paterson and suburban Maitland has increased travel time from c.25mins per trip to 40mins in the last 3years. Paterson Road will become more congested with increased truck traffic if the quarry reopens, on roads already compromised, and properties devalued at a time of looming recession, increased fuel prices and environmental disaster. The timing for potential reopening is inappropriate. 2. Feasibility impact planning State to Local Govt as a result of this Quarry. There is no evidence of State and Local Govt working strategically to mitigate the fall out of asset management of the poor state of road infrastructure of Dungog and Port Stephens Councils. The cost of benefits to the State Govt for this quarry do not appear to balance the cost of the impact on infrastructure on local governments affected by this application. Urgent action is required now for improved infrastructure prior to any quarry reopening/ expansion, not after approval. 3. Economic and social sustainability of Parerosn township: It is very challenging to slow down to park with trucks on car tails when seeking to park, going around Paterson’s corners , and exceptionally unsafe to have children exit cars / wait for school buses due to blind spots and truck speed. This will mean I will not be able to confidently buy fuel, groceries and medicines on a weekly basis as I do currently, and will now seek this from Maitland. The ripple effect is not the inconvenience to myself, it is the social connectedness to my community that will be lost, through the incidental conversations on the street, the feeling of safety crossing a road (there are no pedestrian crossings in Paterson so pedestrian safety is paramount in current state!) the sense of belonging to a place, the reason so many families have moved here since the quarry closed. I consider the current proposal to be environmentally short sighted, will increase burden on Dungog and Port Stephens Councils infrastructure and resources, lacks relevance to community values and importantly, lacks a vision for how it can sustain our community economically, environmentally and socially. I urge you to reject the current proposal for the reinstatement of the Martin’s Creek Quarry. Sincerely Brigette Uren |
denis shanahan
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Thankyou for the opportunity to comment. I live on Paterson Road, in that section between the BP Service Station and the roundabout at the Flat Road. I have lived here since March 2016. I experienced the traffic and noise from the Martins Creek Quarry when the quarry was operating illegally from 2016 to 2019. I found the noise and traffic from the quarry trucks unbearable at that time. The noise would wake me in the morning and be a constant invasion all day. The inability to leave and enter my property was a major safety concern. The current situation with the Brandy Hill Quarry trucks is very unpleasant now. When the Martins Creek trucks join the Brandy Hill trucks (at the BP service Station) I believe the situation will be disaster. I don't believe the The Department of Planning Assessment (SSD6612) adequately addressed the cumulative effect of BOTH quarries trucks converging at the BP Service Station. I live on that unique piece of Paterson Road that will be the subject of both quarries trucks. The thing that really hurts about all this is that the problems are avoidable by the use of the rail network. As you know the original Rail Corp operation was 100% rail. As detailed in SSD6612 the rail infrastructure access to the quarry is existing and suitable for the proposed operation of the quarry. I get the impression that the Applicant says that it is "too hard" to make greater use of the rail network. The fact that truck haulage is in Daracon's DNA is also, probably something to do with it. The Department of Planning seems to have accepted this argument. I say, try harder. It seems that the impediment is something to do with loading and unloading facilities for the product off site. Surely this is technically feasible. I suspect that the Applicant, simply does not want to spend the money to create these facilities. The Applicant's solution is to throw the burden on the community. It is inconceivable that the authorities would allow coal to be transported from the Upper Hunter to Newcastle Port by anything other than rail. The Martins Creek Quarry is an analogous situation. The Applicant wants to turn our urban roads into a "mine haulage road", it is outrageous. I am putting my faith in you, the independent umpire, to see through the false arguments from the Applicant and restore communities trust in the "process. Yours faithfully Denis Shanahan. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
06/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I cannot believe that this has even got this far, with support from the Planning Commission. It is a disgrace to think that nobody seems to care about other road users. This is me driving to work as a shift worker with already deplorable road conditions and potholes the size of craters (check out the ones patched on the side of the road heading from Vacy to Paterson near the property Tillimby and Sexton Coaches). Watch the cars and trucks swerve to the middle of the road to miss these. Add a mass of trucks in this equation and there will be blood on somebody's hands (Daracon's). As this is a RURAL area, schoolkids are impacted as buses stop regularly to pick and drop off. How can you approve 250 trucks on this ONE LANE road all the way into the Maitland area? This is so dangerous and disruptive. The town of Paterson is going to be massively affected - Government is trying to get people to move away from the cities to help with housing. If this proposal goes ahead no-one will be around to live in Paterson or will want to come further into the rural areas (Dungog, Vacy, Paterson, Tocal, Bolwarra, Largs). Half of the population of Paterson will be killed or maimed trying to cross roads or park cars to do their daily business. Forget any tourism or local money to be raised. It's always about the big companies with the big ideas and the money to throw at Governments. I wonder, has Daracon paid the outstanding bills that it generated from the last enquiry? Daracon broke the law with the previous tenure of the quarry extracting well over the amount that was agreed. They are liars and schemers with no respect for anyone or anything. From Daracon mouths - if you don't like it, why did you buy here and why don't you leave. Daracon - you can leave. I want to keep our little koalas up my trees (proof if needed in photos). Driving to work I saw about 20 men in hard hats on the crest of Dungog Road near Grace Ave all looking at the proposed entry from the quarry on the road - DANGEROUS. Accidents waiting to happen. This proposal should not go ahead. Use the rail line instead. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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05/11/2022 |
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the additional traffic this will create going through bolwarra during the day would cause considerable disruption and delays to all residents of bolwarra that commute to work / school. not to mention the disturbance & air pollution these trucks would cause to homes. |
Name Redacted
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05/11/2022 |
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Having major freight haulage along country roads is a bad idea when rail infrastructure is available. The local community will see detrimental impacts due to excess traffic and road wear due to this current proposal. |
Name Redacted
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05/11/2022 |
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When the rail was upgraded in Hexham the locals complained about Noise, Dust, Excessive traffic. After consultation another access road was built. |
Craig Murphy
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Organisation |
Martins Creek Quarry Action Group |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
05/11/2022 |
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Traffic and Transport. The increase in traffic the a small rural town, Paterson, with very narrow roads close to houses and business will be unsafe forr wide vehicle traffic passing in oposite directions. Parking will create danger for people alighting from vehicles, this be especially dangerous for children. Business and shop in our Community. With the volume of trucks through be the decision i make again to shop where it is safe or risk my life and injury from a truck passing as i alight from my vehicle. Having limited movement with both limbs. Is the increase in truck movents fair to a village with a large percentage of people with similar problems Students catching the bus both to Dungog And Maitland will have to cross the road opposite Stockers petrol service sation. Also if you chose to fuel your vehicle at Stockers 50% you will standing on the road fueling your vehicle. i won't and i have opologised to owner and fuel my vehichle in Maitland. Travelling north along Tocal road Stationary turing right into King street where the Doctors surgery and the Pharmacy is Dangerous now. I was turning into King street stationary at this intersection as a Double boggy truck was turning i was forced to reverse back as well as the vehicle behind me so the the truck had sufficient room to get through. I was only 2 vehicles that had to move but dduring school dropoff or school pickup times this would be able to possible. The volume of trucks through paterson is unbearable especially the empty trucks returning to quarry. I do not understand why there only a small increase in rail transport. There is a limit proposed for both truck movements out and returning to quarry each day by that proposed time , in the past trucks return at anytime. Socioecoonomic Impacts Paterson will be trashed with road damage. Friends prefer to meet me outside of Paterson because of road conditions. A trip from the quarry to Maitland have more potholes repaired or existing potholes. Driving between Paterson to either dungog it is a challenge not damage tyres or tyre rims. Daracon don't see this as a socio economic cost to our community. Maybe if they paid for and laid a road surface suitable for heavy hallage trucks people may support this project. I dought Daracon will spend anything on the economic affects of communities related this proposal. The paterson Takeaway shop is a place that won't be safe to cross aswell as the Paterson petrol station. The risk turning of into Petrol station with both truck movements through the railway gates and and Post office corner, especially with truch movements both ways. Economic impacts affects the ares where the trucks travels. Previous meeting with Daracon and objections to propsals get smamped by people who work for daracon. Whilst it is every persons right to be heard the small numbers of a rural villlage are swamped by the people who support the project that don't live anywhere the quarry any of the affected communities. Ammenity Noise impacts Previoiosly comments of Danger to children and parents through a narrow street in rural village along with viabration to house and business, the echo of empty trucks returning trucks can be heard throughout the town travelling at high speeds aswell as air break througout the day. tocal road the Paterson shop area yoad smell the exhast fumes from heavy vehicles any increase impact the community shops Conclusions Thhe Independent Planning Commisioners on the panel who have a Mining background can see the affects on a small rural village aswell as other people in areas. The Gravel mine was approved for rail ballast mine. In changing it large scale for conscuction industry for the next twenty five years. In making your decision will still affect the communities after you retire. This not a rhetorical comment. |
Geoffrey Trescott
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New South Wales |
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05/11/2022 |
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The roads these trucks ( not JUST trucks but trucks with a ‘dog’ trailer) will traverse are truly substandard for this class of vehicular usage. The roads are narrow with no proper ‘edge’ or ‘run-off’ area if a motorist has to get out of their way or a truck needs to park-up due to engine trouble. I’ve already seen the way the truckies drive these very trucks on the proposed route, and in my opinion they are reckless and travel at exceedingly high speeds for the road conditions. The staggering proposed number of truck movements to and from Martins Creek through Paterson and into Maitland per day is untenable. Many commuters traverse these roads to work every day ( as I do) and recreational cyclists also commonly frequent these roads. I have been intimidated by these trucks in my vehicle so I would NOT run the risk of death by cycling on these roads with the proposed truck numbers. All these trucks have ‘dog’ trailers which ( even under load) sway and bounce around on the roads, making a lot of unnecessary noise. Obviously, a lot of trucks means a lot of noise. The road surfaces will not be able to cope with the sheer weight of these trucks given the ridiculous number of movements they will make daily. I do not believe ANY statutory body can make this incredible number of daily heavy truck movements safe in any way at all. The proposal must be reconsidered, reviewed and ultimately rejected. |
Name Redacted
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05/11/2022 |
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traffic issues through Paterson and Bolwarra |
Geoffrey Trescott
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
05/11/2022 |
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Too many heavy truck movements per day. Heavy trucks (with dogs trailers) will wreck the roads, These trucks drive at exceedingly high speeds ( I have witnessed this as they drive to and from the Quarry, and make the roads unsafe for all road users; not only motor vehicles but a lot of recreational cyclists. The sheer weight of loaded trucks and trailers as they sway and bounce around on the roads will be nothing but detrimental to the road surfaces. This will generate a lot of needless noise. NO statutory body can ever make this proposal (with the ludicrous number of truck movements per day) SAFE for all road users. With upgrades (not too expensive compared to the continual road repairs that will be needed) to rail bridges, this transportation of gravel could be made by rail. This is a very ill-considered proposal and it should not go ahead. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
05/11/2022 |
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Previous operations ( ruled outside of consents and approvals) utilised transport vectors unsuited to the number and capacity of the movement of bulk materials. These movements had generated material detriment to the condition of local roads affecting all local and transiting road users as well as the noise generated by the movements not allowing the reasonable enjoyment of occupancy by residents along the roadway. The quarry’s proximity to the rail network must be utilised to transport the materials not local roads. I previously resided on Tocal road and the noise generated by the trucks from the operation was a primary problem that resulted in my family relocating further away from the road but we would still be affected by the number of movements and road conditions as we still live locally to our previous address |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
05/11/2022 |
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This development is taking place with out the interest of protecting threatened and endangered species including koalas. I object to the destruction of precious habitat. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
N/a |
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05/11/2022 |
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I travel these roads frequently and an adverse to having so many heavy vehicles crowding and damaging our roads. Not to mention their "cowboy" attitude to other road users. Enough is enough. Use the rail corridor instead. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
no |
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New South Wales |
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Date |
05/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The Local Roads cannot cope with the traffic generated by the quarry, locals and other traffic using these roads which are in a state of disrepair as is are sick of damage to there vehicles due to the poor condition of the road. Alternate routes or alternate forms of transport for the quarry material need to be used (train) |
Name Redacted
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05/11/2022 |
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I strongly oppose the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. The Expansion plan still completely ignores the damage this operation would have on the Paterson township and surrounding communities. In a shire which already suffers from totally inadequate road infrastructure, the idea of sending masses of loaded trucks along the proposed haul routes is madness. Paterson township is a congested mess at peak commuting times during most days of the week and adding dozens of loaded quarry trucks to this each day is utterly stupid and dangerous. At present Dungog Shire Council already struggles to fill pot holes after each rain event, what hope do they have of keeping up with any repairs once masses of loaded trucks are added to the already fragile road system, not to mention ancient bridge infrastructure which can barely cope as it is. No significant additional upgrading to the road network is even proposed before the expansion plans are to begin. Yet the NSW planning department seems to completely ignore the impacts on local communities. The noise, congestion, reduced safety, dust and vibration damage to buildings, which will result from the proposed truck movements each day is totally unacceptable in a twenty first century Australia. Any additional quantities of quarry products produced above the current development approval must be put on rail or not at all. The recommended conditions of consent to do not adequately mitigate any adverse impacts from the proposed development and shows a complete disregard for the communities affected. The proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry should be scrapped. |
Kerrie Steward
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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I am a cyclist and a resident in Lorn. The increased heavy traffic will be a danger to those of us who use the roads which are designated for the increase in this heavy vehicle traffic. The particular roads from The Martin's Creek Quarry to Bolwarra are already a danger to all traffic with the road surface in an appalling state. They are narrow, full of potholes with no shoulder. It will also turn Paterson from a beautiful quiet village to a noisy thoroughfare. Please do not allow this to proceed. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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04/11/2022 |
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The increase to truck volume possibly 280 per day is horrifying with devastating impact on quality of life and property values of all properties along the route from Martin's Creek through Paterson, Tocal, Bolwarra, Flat rd and parts of Melbourne St East Maitland. In the past, I witnessed the structural damage and decreased sale price achieved to Regent St Maitland when volume of coal trucks travelled along it before the current bypass was built. I like many Bolwarra residents reside here for the safety, peace and sheer visual pleasure of the area. We all enjoy our early morning walks not impeded by the noise and air pollution from rumbling trucks . Truck movements proposed 7am to 6pm is diabolical? Imagine the surface damage to our roads which is a further expense for us rate payers Such drastic influence, expense to rate payers and damage to financially benefit only a Daracon and Umwelt while destroying thousands of residents' quality of life and property values. |
Name Redacted
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04/11/2022 |
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The roads used by the heavy trucks is the only one through our suburb. They are noisy and heavy and cause serious damage to our infrastructure |
Name Redacted
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04/11/2022 |
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I am writing to you to protest against the Daracon Martins Creek Quarry expansion application as a State Significant Project. If approved as a State Significant Project it should be up to the NSW Government (or Daracon) to facilitate the requirements necessary to address all the issues that have been raised by the community, local members of parliament and councils in the affected areas. So far, Daracon has made little or no concessions other than some minor changes to hours of operation and the ratio of truck to rail transport. The Department of Planning and Environment has recommended for approval, the project, without issues being appropriately addressed which include: the integrity of the historic Gostwyck bridge, a single lane bridge over the Paterson River which the NSW State Govt’s own Transport for NSW advised as being unsuitable for the proposed 500,000 tonne P/A transportation of product from the quarry. The Department of Planning and Environment have, in my opinion erred in their decision to approve Daracons development application. The application is based on current traffic conditions, environmental and community amenity impacts (which are already under stress) without considering the future impacts of the application in five, ten or fifteen years time to the fastest growing region in NSW let alone in Twenty Five years time. Daracon have a rail line directly into their quarry but are steadfastly refusing to use the rail line above the 60% of product they have put into their application (they would like it to be much less than this figure) citing issues such as insufficient windows to access the main northern rail line and extra costs of $1.00 per tonne cost against road transportation. Who has tested these costings? We shouldn’t trust Daracon to supply the figures! Once again if Daracon’s claims are true and the application is so state significant, the NSW Government should be made to facilitate the transportation of the product by rail eg. by duplication of the rail line or addition of sidings to allow more access for the quarry product. Duplication of the rail line or at least additional sidings should be considered given that this is a 25year project and potentially even longer. Rail transport is the only option that will remove the following road traffic issues that the project presents. Daracon have proposed, as part of the application, that they will build a new access entrance from the quarry directly onto Dungog Road by building a bridge over the main northern rail line. This will remove the need to use Grace Avenue in Martins Creek village to access their current entrance to the quarry and having to stop at the rail crossing in the village. While this may be somewhat beneficial for the residents in the village, this entrance will limit access to residents properties in Dungog Rd and create a major traffic black spot if approved, as the proposed intersection does not comply with the Austroads Guide to Road Design in relation to: sight distance for all movements at the intersection, approach sight distance to the intersection, access to private properties, and proximity to trees and property boundary fences. The fully laden trucks leaving the quarry will be turning left (south) and taking time to get up to the 80km/hr speed limit. Returning trucks entering the quarry will be turning right and crossing the south bound lane in an 80km/hr zone. Further to this Daracon have approached residents in properties opposite the proposed entrance several times about purchasing their properties to use as a truck and vehicle parking area for preloaded trucks to enable immediate transport of product at the 7.00am start. This will mean trucks crossing the road from the quarry after dark and outside the normal hours of operation. Road safety issues: created by an extra 280 truck movements per day will exist all along the road transport routes which pass through three local government areas before reaching any major thoroughfares capable of absorbing the extra loads and increased volume of truck and dog combinations used by Daracon. These issues include: The historic township of Paterson. which cannot survive if it has to contend with 40 truck and dog movements every hour on top of the already busy traffic load in peak times. When the railway crossing gates are down there can be a queue of cars for several hundred metres either side. Add to this six or seven Daracon trucks that will have banked up for the duration of the crossing closure. Remember, there is one truck every one and a half minutes. Several years ago, Daracon proposed the removal of parking zones on the northern side of King St in Paterson to allow their trucks to have a wider turning circle when negotiating the right angle turn into Maitland Rd. Imagine the impact on businesses in the town where there is no off-street parking. Throughout all negotiations with Daracon they have displayed a determination to have their way and disregard the needs of the community, to the point where at the first public meeting in Paterson School of Arts Hall, David Mingay,- Executive Director of Daracon and owner stood up and said “This is what we are going to do and if you don’t like it you can move. I would move if I didn’t like where I lived”! There is no safe place for schoolchildren to wait for buses and exit them in the afternoons on most of our rural roads. Currently buses have to stop out on the road and children have to walk along the roadside and wait for their bus to arrive due to no footpaths. This is the case in Butterwick Road which is designated as Route 2 by Daracon which will be used to service local contracts but could be used in the event of access restrictions on Route 1 eg. road maintenance and repair on Tocal Rd(which will likely become more frequent). If there is a substantial increase in heavy vehicle movements on these rural roads, the risk of a serious road incident is much more likely to occur unless the State Government conducts major road widening and improvement programs. The intersections in East Maitland at Melbourne Street/Pitnacree Road and in Lorn at Belmore Road/High Street are major bottlenecks in peak time now and the introduction of 40 truck and dog movements per hour, depending on which route they take, will make these intersections unworkable. The councils of Dungog, Maitland and Port Stephens who are directly affected by this project have all opposed the development being approved on the basis of its impact on the amenity of the areas, traffic noise, road damage, road safety and traffic congestion. David Layzell the National Party M.P. for Upper Hunter whose electorate encompasses the Martins Creek Quarry has voiced his strong objection to the development application in State Parliament. No-one has voiced their opposition to using rail haulage of product from the quarry except Daracon itself. Last year, Brandy Hill Quarry was given approval to clear an extra 52 hectares, doubling the current size of their quarry. This was after the then Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley gave approval to clear this land which was a designated Koala habitat area (Koalas are listed as “Endangered” under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,). No mention has been made of Koalas in Daracons environmental management plan even though the Daracon quarry is only 10km from Brandy Hill Quarry and it has Koalas in the surrounding bushland. Where does the “Buck Stop” in regard to preservation of Koala habitat in NSW? |
Jacob Martin
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New South Wales |
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Date |
04/11/2022 |
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How corrupt is this process? They've already ruined the road and don't pay to fix it or plan to upgrade it in anyway? How can this possibly be allowed to go ahead? There is almost no road left already. |
Name Redacted
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04/11/2022 |
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Traffic and noise are my main concerns on roads that are already choking in peak hour |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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04/11/2022 |
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The local roads are being destroyed by these big trucks. Increasing the amount of material being quarried and transported on the local roads is a very bad idea. It will further deteriorate the roads, add to the noise in local villages and towns and decrease road safety for other road users due to the destruction of the road surface. I cycle and motorcycle regularly in the area and the roads are extremely poor now. I don't feel safe when trucks pass as I can't avoid the holes and crumbling edge on the road in order to avoid the trucks. It's total madness to carry the proposed increased output by road. There is a perfectly good rail line the quarry has access to that is underutilised and suitable for the job. |
Kerryann Trappel
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New South Wales |
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04/11/2022 |
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I live and work near tocal. The road is not designed for that amount of heavy trucks daily. I have had near misses driving through Paterson now it’s that busy. I believe someone will be killed with that amount of traffic entering into a historic town of Paterson. It’s not designed to cope with that amount of traffic and the noise pollution and environmental pollution through the town. I work near Paterson on a property that offers accommodation for serenity which will suffer tremendously of the noise pollution. There must be other ways to direct traffic to cut majority of trucks coming through the town. |
Sui-Linn White
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New South Wales |
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04/11/2022 |
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I write to object to the proposed quarry expansion at Martin’s Creek on behalf of my family of five, residents of the community in Lorn. Among our concerns is safety, particularly that of children, with the increase in the volume of heavy traffic along Belmore Road where there is public school, an infants school. The school is for children from kindergarten to year two and as such, attracts families with young children. The classrooms are located close to the road and heavy industrial traffic brings an excessive amount of pollution and noise to that area, posing a risk to health and to safety. Proximity of pedestrians, school, shopping centre and residents to the volume of heavy traffic that the expansion would bring poses a huge safety risk. The current volume of traffic along Belmore Road means that crossing that road, even at the designated crossing (there are only two) an utterly terrifying experience. We have, numerous times, almost been run over at the assigned pedestrian crossing, even with three kids all walking bikes. In terms of pedestrians, further, other children in the community must also cross Belmore Road to access bus services to travel each day to and from their zoned schools such as the two public high schools. It seems that in other parts of the state, planning has directed traffic away from residential areas to preserve the safety and amenity of access to important local services. Instead, this proposal will do the opposite. We have observed that Elderly people accessing doctors surgeries, groceries and their local post office in the Belmore Road shopping area currently find it difficult to feel safe in the village From an environmental perspective, the increase in size will severely compromise the amenity of a tract of very attractive land and existing properties. For us, a major attraction of moving to this part of regional NSW was access to natural areas including Martin’s Creek. The attraction for us was, and remains, in preserving biodiversity of flora and fauna and the natural environment. We do not believe that the expansion of the quarry is compatible with the reasons that we chose to live in this area and we feel that this would be a fair representation of other choosing to live in the area. We are not of the view that the proposal adequately addresses these concerns. Thank you for your consideration of our submission. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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03/11/2022 |
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It is of big concern the severe traffic impacts and risks involved with the amount of truck interaction through school zones, and also neighbourhood residents. These areas of concern is something that should not be overlooked and taken light hearted, as congestion especially with recent flooding has brought the Maitland areas to a complete gridlock making it impossible to navigate. Alot of school foot traffic use these roads and with the added truck congestion will not mix well. Thankyou for taking the time to read my concerns, and please spare a thought of what impacts this could occur on yourself if you were in our shoes. Kind regards Joel. |
Name Redacted
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03/11/2022 |
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Attached file outlines specific issues. |
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Attachments |
ipc-submissiondocx.docx (DOCX, 25.68 KB) |
Name Redacted
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03/11/2022 |
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The increase of truck traffic will be unacceptable on the surrounding country and suburban roads. I am concerned about road safety. |
Jane Maroulis
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Organisation |
Toyworld |
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New South Wales |
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03/11/2022 |
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3rd November 2022 To Whom It May Concern, RE: MARTINS CREEK QUARRY EXPANSION- Letter of objection As a local business owner and local resident. I have serious concerns for Paterson and surrounds should the Martins Creek Quarry extension go ahead with the current conditions. The current road infrastructure from Paterson to Maitland and the safety concerns are at a critical level. I have personally witnessed many near misses on the current volume of traffic coming into and out of Paterson, the visibility, road condition and volume of cars is already at an alarming level. We are witnessing an increase in traffic with the already approved residential subdivisions, with more approved yet to be developed, there is also a large number of school buses carrying young children that board, disembark and cross these roads on a daily basis. Without adequate safety upgrades including pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, refuge islands and widening of the road to allow for school buses to safely stop, there is a fatality waiting to happen. The addition of a truck every 90 seconds to a road system which is already at breaking point is irresponsible and unfathomable. Under the current conditions put forward by DPIE, Daracon ‘as soon as reasonable and feasible, and no later than 18 months following the commencement of development’ upgrade parts of these roads. How is this reasonable for feasible for local residents and rate payers? If the DPIE recognise that these upgrades need to occur, why are they allowing Daracon 18 months to complete these rather than insisting on residents safety from day one? The conditions which have been put forward by DPIE are insufficient and do not adequately address the safety concerns. They are extremely subjective and need to be stronger and measurable giving Daracon more accountability. The current conditions state Daracon ‘make all reasonable attempts to minimise traffic safety issues’, Daracon ‘minimise traffic safety issues and disruption to local road users, including minimising potential for conflict with school bus operations’, Daracon ‘trial and evaluate self imposed speed limit of 40km/hr for trucks travelling through Paterson’, Daracon ‘Avoid trucks travelling though Paterson prior to 6.45am’. These conditions are very difficult to police and monitor and leave the local residents and business owners at the mercy of Daracon’s social conscious. From a business owner perspective, the additional heavy traffic is going to negatively affect revenue through decreased tourism and people’s confidence in investing into the area. Although I recognise the role a quarry will play in the progress of the state as a whole and its overall economy, it is unjust for the local residents and businesses to disproportionally bear the brunt of the social and economic impact. This seems particularly inequitable when the rail network is available which will greatly lessen the burden. If rail was utilised the region can still benefit from the economic advantages without the noted safety, social and economic concerns for vulnerable communities. Sincerely, Jane Maroulis |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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03/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the expansion of the Martin Creek Quarry due to the safety impacts the increased truck traffic will have on the local community. Specifically: - Tocal Rd between the intersection with Maitland Vale Rd and the intersection with Paterson Rd is very narrow and has several bends. Due to the lack of sight distance for residents exiting their driveways, and the lack of sight distance for truck drivers who will suddenly come upon people waiting in the road to turn right across traffic into their driveways, this area will be very unsafe. Trucks cannot stop quickly and this is an accident waiting to happen. - Residents turning right out of Hunterglen St onto Paterson Road at Bolwarra Heights, will not be able to get out at busy times of day. The size and speed of the trucks and their inability to stop will be a safety hazard. - Pedestrians trying to cross Tocal Rd and Paterson Rds to access bus stops and Bolwarra Public School will not be safe with the extra trucks on the road. They have trouble getting safely across at the current volume of traffic. The pedestrian islands that have been recently installed are a bit of a help but it is still treacherous, and will only get worse with the addition of the Quarry trucks to the traffic load. - The railway level crossing at Paterson coupled with the 90 degree bend nearby will be very unsafe for local traffic and pedestrians with the proposed truck traffic from the Quarry. - The increased truck traffic will make the flow of traffic from Flat Road onto Melbourne Street and then onto the New England Highway very slow and congested, especially during peak hours and school drop off and pick up times. Overall the impact of this expansion on traffic and transport for the communities of Paterson and Bolwarra Heights and surrounds will be terrible and dangerous. I don't believe the above issues have been addressed by the proponents of this development. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
03/11/2022 |
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Road conditions in Paterson and it's surrounding areas are already hazardous and local council can't keep up with the maintenance. Additional heavy vehicles would destroy our roads and endanger our community. I am also very concerned about the Additional traffic be a safety concern for children and local drivers. |
Name Redacted
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02/11/2022 |
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Bolwarra has changed over the years. When I first arrived in 1967 [from Sydney], there was no Bolwarra Heights, no flat road development, and no Aberglassyn. Largs itself was a village. All these areas are now heavily populated. I can remember when coal trucks used to rumble through Lorn. [Way before crossroads were installed outside the Primary School ]. House prices tumbled- Funnily enough, Major roadwork continued in Lorn for 2+ years. The noise of the trucks was intolerable. Not to mention damage for future roadworks [one of the reasons, presumably, why Maitland Council has objected]. Apart from NOISE, there is also the Pollution from uncovered trucks. The Quarry is a private concern, as such, it is out to make money. Drivers of quarry trucks will be "encouraged " to work to a deadline. So , safety will be sacrificed. There is simply no way the Operating Company can do things safely. They will give the assurances that are required, then, when consent has been given, they will ignore them. JUST ANOTHER PROJECT. I urge you to decline the Application- in the interests of children, adults, and the future. |
Luke Barker
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New South Wales |
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Date |
02/11/2022 |
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I fully object to the proposal as the Quarry is not needed due to the recent approval of the Brandy Hill Quarry (owned by Hanson) and the recent establishment of the Karuah East Quarry (owned by Hunter Quarries). These two quarries combined have the capacity and longevity to support current and future demand of the Hunter and wider NSW requirements. Further, the Martins Creek quarry was originally utilised with all distribution of its output via its dedicated train line. It was not distributed through small village roads and did not destroy the amenity and community of its neighbours. The quarry’s proposal to use the local roads and infrastructure is disruptive and damaging to the local community of which we are proud members of. The tight Paterson community and its surrounding communities of Vacy, Gresford, Dungog, Martins Creek, Duns Creek, Woodville, Hinton, Largs, Bolwarra, Lorn and East Maitland will all be impacted from the increase in traffic from the excessive truck movements both to and from the proposed Quarry. The roads in all of these areas will become inherently more dangerous with the additional traffic and are themselves not designed to take the volume of traffic that this proposal will add. This additional wear and tear on the road infrastructure will not be able to be maintained, again, making the road even more dangerous. My house is on Gresford Road, only 1.5km from the Paterson township and the movement of trucks on this road (as it is the proposed main haul route) is already incredibly busy and not well regulated for its current speed zone. My house is very close to the roadway and the constant noise and rattling of the home with more heavily loaded trucks would be truly devastating. The noise from the unladen trucks as they make their way back to the quarry to get further loads would be even worse. We already have trouble sleeping due to the road noise that starts anywhere from about 4.30am onwards. The hours of operation for this applicant will increase road noise at a time when the traffic is already increasing to a very high level from people starting their work day, children going to school and childcare. We will have trouble both leaving (left turn on to Gresford Rd) and entering our own driveway (right turn from Gresford Rd across traffic). this will directly impact my farming business and the amenity of a rural lifestyle. We regularly transfer cattle between neighbouring properties on opposite sides of the road to pastures and paddocks best suited to the grazing requirements of our livestock using appropriate signage. This adds pressure to the existing roadway at varying times. adding more traffic to Gresford Rd only endangers the livestock and the other users of the roadway. Our children currently catch the bus from in front of our house. The increase in traffic makes this very dangerous and haulage trucks especially increase the risk of our children being injured or killed due to their size, reduced visibility (especially where children are concerned) and inability to stop at the speed limit. Our eldest goes to Dungog High School and needs to cross the road in the morning to catch the only available bus. Our youngest two, get off the only available bus in the afternoon from Paterson Public Primary School and need to cross the busy road (at times unsupervised) to get in our front door. when it is envisaged that 40 trucks per hour will be using this haulage route, the only logical and rational outcome is tragedy. The peaceful and quiet township of Paterson has several business that we regularly frequent (Cafes, Garage, Local Hall, Chemist, Barber, Hairdresser, Tavern, Butcher, IGA Food Market and Post Office) that will become impossible to continue any viable patronage. Just being able to cross the road to get into the required store will be a nightmare due to not being able to cross the road from where the car may be parked. The increase to damage to our vehicles from being collided with due to the narrow streets of the town is also exponentially higher especially when the weight and length of the haulage trucks are taken into account when passing each other to and from the quarry. The 90 degree turn at the junction of Duke and King Streets is not feasibly usable at the volumes of traffic being proposed. Combine the above with the increasing population as more and more estates are approved and inhabited. the volume of traffic on the main road between the valley and Maitland/Newcastle/Sydney is only growing and becoming increasingly incompatible to a development of this magnitude and Haulage expectations. When moving to our home, we were well aware of the quarry and its proposal. Daracon have been denied their previous proposal because they failed to heed the needs of the community in which they wish to operate, they illegally exceeded previous approvals granted and even expanded beyond their approved quarrying zone. The level of trust for Daracon in the community is very low because of this. We only hope the IPC sees the devastating impact that this proposal will have in its current form and that it still fails to address the needs of the community and lack of consultation and lack of adequate mitigations. I work in Beresfield and basically travel the proposed main Haulage route. This daily commute is already congested, with heavy traffic experienced at Tocal College, at the intersection of Hunterglen Drive Bolwarra Heights (I'm not even sure how the residents of that estate will be able to take the right hand turn across traffic onto Paterson Rd with the increased volume of traffic expected), at the roundabout turning onto Flat Road Bolwarra and especially at the intersection of Flat Rd and Melbourne Street East Maitland. This last intersection is a single right hand turning lane onto a very congested Melbourne Street which gets residents from many locations onto the arterial route of the New England Highway. Working from home is not an option with my employer and any further increase in travel times may make the commute untenable. losing my job becomes a very real prospect under this current proposal. i will not be the only one in this predicament. We are not opposed to the quarry as a business per se, but the current proposal is staggeringly inappropriate in regard to it's logistics. The quarry was initially designed to have its output freighted out by rail and this is still possible with the operational rail spur that the quarry has direct access to. Daracon just haven't explored this opportunity to freight their products by rail to a more beneficial location as a staging post for further distribution to their end markets. I worked for Daracon for over 2 years as their CFO and know first hand the ruthlessness and focus on profitability at all costs by the Directors and Management team. This quarry is no different. I imagine that an exorbitant amount of money has now been expended on consultants, planners, reports and solicitors to get to this point. Its an all in effort from here and no other option will now be explored. There are other options, maybe ones that aren't quite as profitable and possibly harder to implement...but they won't be on the table. And we know that this proposal will only be the start and further 'creep' of the approvals will only expand over time - whether it be legally or undisclosed as previously found. What is tabled is the best case scenario and that alone is scary as is. The current state of the Roads in our area is already very poor from both a lack of Local Government funds and aging infrastructure. Combine this with the past three years of La Nina weather conditions and we are already struggling with the condition of the local roads. An audit of the potholes or temporary fixes applied to the roads of the proposed Haulage route would be near on impossible as it is continually degrading. Adding the volume of vehicles onto the road as this proposal wants will be devastating and only cost the local ratepayers more in the long run through increased rates and special levies. Further the Gostwyck Bridge on the main haul route is a single lane only bridge that by their own reports will cost in excess of $9m to maintain over the 25 year proposed life span of the quarry with their requested haulage rates. Being single lane will basically mean this bridge used by a very large number of local constituents will primarily become used solely by Daracon and its Haulage contractors. A truck every 90 seconds, slowing to let other trucks past, slowly building up speed to get up the incline on the quarry side of the bridge as well as then considering and navigating regular community traffic will become the stuff of traffic nightmares for us locals. my wife uses this road to get to her High School teaching job at Dungog. Buses also use this route transporting children to the school. Agaiin, tragedy will only be a matter of time as impatience leads to riskier driving behaviour and eventually vehicular accidents. We were married under the poplar trees in Tucker Park Paterson and grew up in the area. We are raising Three very fine young community members that already contribute the the very fibre of what makes our area very special. We coach/manage local junior sporting teams, we are members of the school P&C, we volunteer our time for the community (as do so many others) and we live in and for the community. We know and love the township and the people that live here. There is a very strong community that often comes together in times of need, in times of celebration and when the chips are down. That is what we are doing now and the fight to save what we have will not be extinguished easily. Daracon already know this and unfortunately have spent copious amounts of money to try and turn us away. However, we are resolute, we are connected and we won't stop the fight for what we have and love. |
Name Redacted
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02/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposed development. I am concerned about the increased risks the proposed number of truck movements would add to the already fragile road network. The truck movements are not suited to rural, tree lined roads, where children walk to and from schools and bus stops. I am also concerned about the impacts on local wildlife. The destruction of habitats, the destruction of the rural amenity and the destruction of bushland. At a time where each of us should be doing whatever possible to help our environment, this proposal is extremely detrimental and not suited to this area. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
02/11/2022 |
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I strongly object to the quarry for all the reasons above and also the impact on the value of my property as i will have to sell and will find it hard to do so. There is also a koala sanctuary nearby that will be affected and these animals are already facing challenges in the wild. The constant traffic, air pollution and noise will greatly impact my land and the land of those in the area. Daracon are a liability and I strongly oppose this quarry |
Name Redacted
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02/11/2022 |
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-against truck movement through paterson and vacy for several reasons impact on noise, danger to community, too narrow around the bend at paterson, noise from blasts and from rock breaker. The expansion into bushland hinders environment and habitat for wildlife and the visual impact, also houses being affected by noise and pollution. |
Name Redacted
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02/11/2022 |
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I am concerned about impact to the rural community which would be unacceptable based on my lived experience. I am concerned for the koala community who are already at risk. I am a user of the Paterson Village activity centre and am very concerned regarding the impact the trucks will have on the village which will become a safety risk. These impacts and the overflow to parking parking will drive me away. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
02/11/2022 |
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The sheer amount of trucks makes it so much less safe for kids crossing roads, further deterioration to aleady rubbish roads, constant noise, and blasts from the quarry. This is not needed in our quiet country community. Go expand a quarry next to a highway |
Neil Ashpole
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
02/11/2022 |
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Having worked on contracts and T&Cs for the contracts for the power industry to various Governments and private companies, i am well versed in what should have happened and what should happen in the case of this application for expansion of the Martins Creek Facility. 1. For a reported 2 years the applicants knowingly and actively operated the Quarry outside of their Contractual agreement, in my experience with Contracts and their agreements this should have incurred penalties of up to the total contract value, also the applicate(due to their 2 years of no transparency and or integrity) should not have been allowed to hold a contract and or operate the quarry for either a period of years and or not be able to operate in the industry due to the lack of trust shown. 2, the local roads are not constructed for this type of continual use and it has been seen and show the level of damage inflicted on the roads and the Dangerous conditions it causes for the local communities in using these degraded roads(the community should not have to fork the bill to continually repair these roads and it should be upon the applicant to keep the roads in a serviceable conditions if the IPC make the devastating decision to allow this expansion, it is continually seen on the effected roads the motorist have to take to avoid the damages and therefore putting many more in danger of collisions. 3. If the IPC make the wrong decision and allow this community destroying submission the contracts should include penalties and a clause that would negate the applicants ability to operate the quarry ever again. 4. This expansion and the massive increase in Truck traffic will destroy the local communities and destroy the local tourist industry which is a Vast majority of the communities income stream, The Applicant if allowed to expand it's operations should be forced to transport 90% of their product by rail( the projected profits would be able to more than cover the upgrade to a rail loading facility) 5. it appears from reading the department of planning has not really investigated the damage that will be inflicted on the local communities and the local communities businesses, i find this lack of detailed investigation to be illegal at best and totally incompetent on the behalf of the Public servants and government ministers involved. 6. I also find it amazing that so many local councils are objecting to having their communities effected by this proposal and the Department of Planning is still going ahead with this wilful destruction of local communities, 7. I would like to know why Daracon and Umwelt have so much sway over the Government and it's departments when they have should such disregard for contractual agreements and laws and are so willing to work outside of said contractual agreements. 8. There is no valid reason that the applicants cannot deliver all their product via rail seeing as the product will be going to Sydney and other area's far from the local community, or is this just another case in the long lists of cases where the Governments are preferencing the Metropolitan area's over the Rural areas. This expansion should not and never be allowed to happen due to the Applicants previous actions, I continually have either followed and or been followed by the applicants haulage trucks and the only time they slow down is to go through the township of Paterson, if the Applicant cannot control it's employees or their contractors it very clearly shows they are not capable of safely and continually operate their quarry. |
Name Redacted
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02/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposal as the increase in trucks moving through village of Paterson will make shopping very unsafe. The loss of parking spaces will affect businesses and their customers. There are no alternate parking options. Majority of parking is on haul route making it unsafe getting in and out of car with goods and children. There is no safe place to cross which will be amplified with truck after truck movements . In the event of a flood the detour around flooded main street is completely unsafe and two trucks will not be able to pass each other safely which in turn endangers other road users , residents and pedestrians . Many school children wait for buses . Get dropped off picked up. How’s that going to be made safe? The noise and dust left by these trucks render outdoor eating unsafe on many levels as well as unpleasant so will reduce patronage of all eateries in Paterson and thus threaten their livelihood. Finally the effect of run off from quarry during wet periods will endanger the biodiversity of the streams adjacent to quarry and hence the water quality of the stream and river systems. The dust from on-site ends up on the streets , yards and roofs in martins creek and surrounds affecting drinking water from tanks and affecting residents health. As for a supposed increase in sales to truck drivers for lunches drinks etc . Where will they park? Not going to happen. There’s nothing good for Paterson with this proposal. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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02/11/2022 |
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I am 13. I catch the bus on Paterson rd and I have to cross the road. It’s already really busy on that road and it’s hard to find a place to cross. It freaks me out already. Also, I have really bad allergies at this time of year. I’m guessing the trucks will make heaps more dust. It also makes me worried about my dad. He has asthma really bad. Please don’t let this happen. (Written on mums phone, by me) |
Name Redacted
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01/11/2022 |
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I object due to increased noise and traffic. As a local resident this would largely impact myself and my family. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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01/11/2022 |
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To whom it may concern, I live in the Hunter Glen estate in Bolwarra and moved here in January. Since I've been living here there have been a number of accidents on the intersection of Paterson Road and Hunterglen Drive. With the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry and significant increase or large hauling trucks I believe this will be detrimental to the safety of this particular intersection. Additionally, I frequently travel to Dungog and at some sections the road is quite narrow. When you encounter a large truck there is very little room left other then being forced into the shoulder of the road where there are potholes, debris etc which will result in the damage to your vehicle. Lastly, the trucks will have to pass Bolwarra Rd where there is a large public school with approximately 400 students. Some of these students will walk home and cross Paterson Road. Additionally, lots of parents collect their children by car from Bolwarra Rd and then turn onto Paterson Rd. Having a significant increase of large trucks coming past, I believe that this will be detrimental to the safety of this area. With kind regards, Edward |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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01/11/2022 |
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I object to the proposal as the increase in heavy vehicles through small towns will result in a serious incident. It may be vehicle to vehicle or pedestrian and vehicle. But it will happen. I have witnessed the heavy vehicles mount kerbs, truck and dogs cut corners through Paterson. The management may say they will monitor driver behaviour but this is not good enough and will not happen. Numerous local businesses have put both time and money into their businesses and the planned proposal will only discourage visitors. Numerous people, families, car clubs visit the area to experience the country settings. I have concerns about the impact to the air quality and the impact to future generations. Common sense needs to prevail when there are more sensible options available. People will leave the community. Listen to the community. Upgrade the rail system, get the trucks off the road and reduce the hours. 6pm at night is absurd. Remember many people have weekdays off and visit the area. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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I regularly visit your friend up in Paterson and you strongly object to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. Concerned for safety, the impact to the rural amenity is unacceptable |
Amanda Albury
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Amanda Albury ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 1st November 2022 Dear IPC Panel, DPIE and the Government/Ministers, RE: Amanda Albury objection to Daracon being given any further approval to operate anywhere, regardless of it being in their quarry areas or any other properties they lease in Martins Creek or anywhere else. To all as listed above. I object to Daracon being given any further approval to operate anywhere in their quarry at Martins Creek, regardless of whether they own the land they are digging up or leasing it. I request the IPC panel refuses further approval to operate. 10km I am hearing they are outside their area. They also have taken out more rock than their approval. Why would/should anyone approve a company, that is being talked about by other quarry owners, employees and truck drivers that collect the gravel then the general public that have no vested interest to see this quarry continue to operate, and if they are approved what a mockery of planning laws and decisions made. This would show all companies, apply for a small amount of land, then go and mine where ever we can as their is no consequences and penalties for Daracon, or anyone else, and this is clearly one of many examples why the IPC panel must refuse any further mining activities/quarry activities on this or any other site. If the IPC/IPCN/DPIE/Ministers or Government Departments give them approval to continue to operate this is a shameful approval, it is a mockery of the planning approval process, it means that they set as an example to be deceitful, lie and cheat their way to destroying further bushland areas that they are not even supposed to be in at all. As an example our property is approximately 10km from the Pacific Highway, and there is no way that a company can be out of their area by 10km, 5km, 2km or one Km let alone metres. Therefore the IPCN panel must reject Daracon's application seeking approval to continue to operate, continue to remove vast areas of remnant forest areas. This is my introduction letter of my objection. I would like to claim submitters rights, so that I can add my main letter as my continued reasons, including maps and photos that I will hand in to the IPCN panel on the day of my oral objection submission. We are 10km away approximately to our East from Hunter Quarries who causes us and others, adults and children to have nose bleeds from the dust. We drink contaminated tank water and have 2 filters a year which is not enough. The blasting dust comes directly to us as we are parallel to the open cut pits/cliffs. Daracon quarry at Martins Creek township has impacted this town, business, people and their homes/properties. This company should be stopped from operating as others who do not act in the best practice/interest of the majority. They all have in common slaughtering wildlife in numbers undocumented and the health issues to people, while the environment is destroyed. To the IPC panel, refuse Daracon or any other company the ability to continue on this or any other site. If the IPC panel approves a company that has no regard for the loose legislation approvals they have been given and to rought those loose boundaries/operation guidelines/conditions, Daracon should not be operating at all anywhere. These companies are devastating on their own and together the cumulative impacts are catastrophic for each company multiplied by how many companies in a 20km radius. We are over 10km away from Hunter Quarries, On October long weekend Sunday with the dust in the air from Hunter Quarries my nose bled and would not stop bleeding. Reject Daracon and send a clear message that what they have done is unacceptable! I would like to advise, that I will send further documentation through to IPC panel. Thank you Amanda Albury ⬛⬛⬛⬛ |
Peter Harold
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New South Wales |
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01/11/2022 |
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I have been a resident of Bolwarra Heights for 18 years and of neighbouring Butterwick for eighteen years prior. Bolwarra Heights is a quiet, residential community all of which is located on or adjacent to Tocal Road where increased heavy vehicle traffic would be the direct result of approving this application. I am strongly opposed to this development and moved to this area due to the amenity of quiet and relaxed atmosphere it offers. Paterson Road is most unsuitable for heavy vehicular traffic, of any type, but particularly for massive size and weight haulage trucks. The footpath, where it exists, is centimeters from the edge of the road. This is an immediate and massive safety concern if truck traffic was increased. The path on Tocal Road near my residence (Moore Rd) is used daily by pedestrians and it is the collection point for school children and buses. The hazard may even be greater, if that were possible, for cyclists that would share the roadway with the trucks. Elsewhere on Tocal Road there is no footpath so the gap to pedestrians may be even further reduced. The increased chemical output from diesel exhaust and heavy vehicle noise will detract from the quietness of the neighbourhood, reduce the desirability of living in this area and lower the value of properties. Surely increasing road haulage is NOT the answer for any modern development. With the proximity of rail facilities to the Martin's Creek Quarry this MUST be the preferred method of bulk haulage. IF the expansion of the quarry is deemed essential so must be the investment in safe and suitable distribution. |
Ryan Martin
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New South Wales |
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01/11/2022 |
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I am writing in opposition to the planned expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry, specifically around the issues resulting from an increase in haulage along the already overcrowded and poorly maintained Paterson Road through the suburbs of Bolwarra and Bolwarra Heights. There is no additional capacity on this road as it is and any increase to trucking activities would put undue stress on the roads. Access to Paterson road from side roads, particularly Hunter Glen Drive would become completely impaired and already requires action from the state government to install a roundabout or lights, even without this potential increase to trucking from the Quarry Expansion. Increased noise pollution will also be a detriment to the local communities along the haul route. Whilst I’m not specifically against expansion of mining assets in the area, it is the vastly inadequate infrastructure to carry the material out from the quarry that is my main concern. The state government would need to commit to significant upgrades to the roads in the areas north of Maitland and also contribute to an additional river crossing to alleviate the congestion faced already, which would be further increased should this project go ahead. |
Linda Harold
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01/11/2022 |
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I live in Bolwarra Heights near Tocal Rd. I cannot believe the Department of planning has ignored the community objection to this expansion. The impact on the environment, roads, noise levels & small communities is clear to see for all. To completely ignore concerns & add to residents worry (mental health) & impact on standard of living is deplorable. People have a right to live in peace & relative quiet when they choose areas such as Bolwarra Heights & Paterson. The council have just upgraded footpaths in our area with road crossing areas for the many school children that walk to school in Bolwarra. To have 280 trucks per day on the main road has surely got to pose a threat.? PLEASE reconsider the enormous expansion of this project in the best interest of the public. |
Kerry Fagan
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New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Paterson is a village through which all traffic from Gresford, Dungog and surrounds must pass to get to Maitland, Newcastle and beyond. Paterson village and surrounding roads are NOT built to handle large trucking movements. Daracon's proposal to truck quarry material in 280 trucks per day will KILL Paterson village and severely impact the quality of life for all those people who live in the area and especially those who have to get to Maitland, Newcastle and beyond for work. The noise of trucks, the air pollution and the resulting congestion to Paterson and other roads are not justified for the sake of quarry material. People should come first. Daracon has shown that they can ship the quarry material by rail - so they should send all the material by rail. The other alternative is for Daracon to build bypass roads so as to not impact Paterson village or feeder roads. The vast majority of respondents to the first round of submissions showed you that we residents do NOT agree to Daracon's proposal. But the Planning Authority has still approved the project. The people's voices should be listened to and Daracon's proposal for so many trucks be refused. |
KAISEY Macdonell-scott
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New South Wales |
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01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
As a Person With a Severe Respiratory Disease and a Parent Of A Child also With the Same Respiratory Disease I am Deeply Concerned about the Effects This Quarry Going ahead will have On Our Health. We Only Recently moved to this Area in the Last 2 Years To Get Away From the Added Pollutants of The city, only to realise The Quarry was So Nearby and Would Pose the exact risks We faced Living in town. We are Well Here and if this Goes Ahead We Will be In a Really distressing situation. There are also So Many Children on this Route On Narrow Road Edges Waiting for school Buses, small Town Of Paterson in Which you Can't safely Exit your Cars On Roadside Due To Over Sized Trucks Taking on our narrow and Already Damaged Roads. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
There are already significant issues with traffic through Paterson township, and the additional movements would add further congestion especially for locals. The main street of Paterson has no areas for turning around at either end of the main street, the side residential roads are almost unusable due to damage and potholes. The town also comes to a standstill whwnever the train crossing is down and addidng further traffic would stop local businesses/employees from having access to their workplaces for significant amounts of time each day. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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This quarry has a history of ignoring the rules. Roads in this area are inadequate for light traffic and will deteriorate more rapidly with the number of heavy vehicles using them. This will certainly lead to congestion through pinch points like Paterson and Gotswick bridge with the potential of casualties when speeding trucks ignore the road rules. As a resident of nearby Vacy, living close by Dungog Road the loss of air quality and noise pollution will definitely affect our family personally. We plead with you to stop this development and give the residents of this area the peace they deserve |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads onto which the vehicles would drive are roads I frequent on my bicycle. I ride because I love the country roads - away from the pollution and heavy traffic of city and highway. I use the chosen roads for this reason. The number of heavy vehicles estimated on the chosen routes per day would make that impossible. Impossible. The environmental impact of this development is widespread in the immediate area, with dust being a major issue not to mention the noise impact on the local community. Digging bigger holes in our earth will mean eventually that we all fall in rhetorically speaking. The earth can only handle so much raping of its resources. |
Jennifer Long
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to this proposal due to the above key issues. A few years ago there were so many trucks on the Dungog Rd/Gresford Rd/Tocal Road that it caused near misses and 2 accidents (which were not reported). So many trucks will old up traffic, making other drivers more reckless when trying to pass these behemoths. There have already been numerous car accident misses. I believe the amount of trucks that are going to be on the road is very dangerous. We live in a rural area, not a main highway. Our country has been decimated by bushfires, droughts and floods. I am sick and tired of companies wanting to get rich, rich, rich and give no thought to the people, flora and fauna in our rural areas. The recommended conditions of consent do not mitigate or offset any adverse impacts from this proposed development. I believe this will ruin our quiet little hamlet, I believe there will be more road kill of various animals and birds, not to Would YOU want all these trucks going through your neighbourhood if you live in a rural area? |
Sue Jakes
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the above proposal for the following reasons: The proposal intends to increase production from a currently approved figure of approximately 300,000tpa to 1,100,000tpa. There is distinct potential for significant impacts on the physical health, emotional and mental wellbeing of all those who reside along or adjacent to the proposed haulage route as well as to the rural lifestyle amenity, the tourism potential, economic viability and the region’s biodiversity. This is not an assumption based on the proponents of SSD6612 modelling. It is my family’s lived experience demonstrated during the period when illegal operations were being undertaken at the quarry. What we experienced was: • Locals were so intimidated by the trucks in the town they started shopping elsewhere. This impacted our economy and local employment opportunities suffered. • Amenity within the village suffered due to excessive dust, exhaust fumes, unbearable noise and horrendous traffic congestion. This extended the entire haulage route to East Maitland and also through Lorn to Maitland. • Our local tourism visitation decreased as pedestrian safety became a major risk. The amendments to the existing proposal do not clearly quantitatively define: 1. The air quality impacts from the base of 300,000 tpa to 1,100,000 tpa either at the quarry site or along the road and rail haulage routes. 2. The noise impacts from the base of 300,000 tpa to 1,100,000 tpa either at the quarry site or along the road and rail haulage routes. The quarry is currently audible several kilometers away. 3. The health and wellbeing impact from the base of 300,000 tpa to 1,100,000 tpa either at the quarry site or along the road and rail haulage routes. 4. How the product will be treated to minimize air silica loaded airborne dust. Both the road and rail haulage routes traverse through built up residential areas. Either form of transport will require to be treatment uniformly, this has not been addressed. 5. How they will proactively manage the core Koala habitat. Photographic evidence of koalas from lands adjacent to the quarry confirm the proponents finding of the significance of this area as habitat. Although not sited in the surveys local are confident this area is also habitat for the quoll who’s conservation status is listed as vulnerable in NSW and endangered under the Commonwealth legislation. 6. The economic impact due to the loss of tourism for East Maitland, Bolwarra Heights, Tocal, Paterson and the Dungog Shire due to the impact on heritage and rural amenity by the proposed truck haulage. 7. The impact on Maitland and Dungog Councils residential development plans. Should the proposal be approved by the State, how and who will compensate these Councils and their community members for the loss of amenity and residential potential for the next 25years. Today allotments are being sold in Bolwarra Heights and the buyers are not informed of SSD6612, a proposal which will impact upon their amenity, health and wellbeing, their sense of community and region, future property values and their safety. SSD6612 in my opinion is not conducive to building better, stronger, healthier and more resilient communities for the future. This proposal due to the impacts and the lack of adequate assessments provided within the applications should be rejected. |
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Attachments |
mc-quarry-011122docx.docx (DOCX, 18.16 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
The condition of the road at the moment, which has recently been upgraded (within the last 5 years) reduces the noise generated from the road as well as vehicles maintaining the sign-posted speed limit. The main concern is the maintenance of this road in good condition so as to keep the noise to a minimum. Daracon should be held accountable on a pro-rata basis for the ongoing upkeep cost for the road on a commercial user pays basis. The increase in vehicle movements in the area artificially increased due to a lack of investment in infrastructure by Daracon to improve and utilize their rail siding. The the current quarry has a 30-year life at 1.5 million tonnes per annum with the current desired output of 80 truck movements per hour in the first 3 to 4 hours of operation commencing at 0530hrs. Generally, industry in and around built-up areas is not allowed to commence until 0700hrs and completed by 1700hrs on a six-day basis to reduce the impact on residents and yet still allow commerce to proceed. Daracon should work to the same obligations. Daracon has stated in their EIS response that current limitations give them a maximum output of 40 trucks per hour ( 80 total truck movements) however, there isn’t any mention that that will be the maximum number of truck movements per hour in the future. What are the restrictions on the truck movements per hour on our “quiet country roads”? Sorry, not-so-quiet country roads. Why isn’t the possible expansion of Brandy Hill quarry factored into the total impact on the area as a whole. There shouldn’t be expansion at any cost to the environment and the community! If you can’t run an efficient operation at the currently approved production levels and comply with your environmental obligations, then choose another business, no business lasts forever. The report in the EIS on the roadways has a statement from the Maitland Council outlining limited expansion and development in this area, however, we will have to suffer the increase in vehicle movements on a regular, read daily basis because of this expansion proposal. The expansion shouldn’t be granted. You will be destroying the community amenity of the area which attracted us all here in the first place. |
Anne Hodgson
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Organisation |
Shepherds Gully |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
I completely object to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry I have lived for more than 32 years at Mindaribba which lies between Martins Creek and Maitland. Since Martins Creek Quarry began unlawful increased production at their site, the road has become a very dangerous place. I used to ride my bicycle to work in Maitland but had to cease this activity as I was almost knocked off my bike by one of the Daracon trucks & dog vehicles. It was an extremely close call so I had to stop the activity I loved. My husband and I have recently purchased new bikes and, due to the steep increase in the price of fuel, I had hoped to once again brave the road and ride to Maitland daily. But if the mine expansion is approved, this plan will be completely out of the question. Shortly following the bike near miss event - I personally have witnessed many trucks speeding along Tocal Road. I followed one going back toward Martins Creek and thought it was going very fast. So along the straight section of road at Mindaribba I kept up with the truck for a short period to see just how fast it was travelling. It was speeding at over 130k/hr. I slowed down and let it continue. I reported this to Daracon but never had any feedback from the company. I'm pretty sure they ignored my complaint. Their road safety record is extremely poor. And the damage these trucks cause to the road is staggering. My feeling is that IF this project is given approval it will destroy the beautiful country township of Paterson. The number of proposed truck movements will make the sleepy country village a very unpleasant area. The road and the design of the street is completely unsuitable for the type and number of trucks that will dominate the road. It will make the roads between the quarry and their route through to Maitland - very dangerous to all who use the road. Paterson is rural village. This development will devastate the character of the town and destroy any chance of it developing into the niche artistic centre it has opportunity to grow into. Numerous small businesses rely on local patronage to survive. People will not be wanting to travel there with the impact of this development meaning businesses will close. My grandchildren live nearby and are approaching the age where they will be seeking to get their drivers licenses. It is difficult enough now to enter Tocal Road from the side streets, so with an additional 280 trucks each day, it will be an extremely dangerous proposition. I would hate to see dangerous accidents due to this development particularly for families who have moved to the area with young learner drivers. Currently, local Maitland roads such as the intersection of Flat Road and Melbourne Street East Maitland and Belmore Road Lorn are really struggling with the existing traffic. The area has grown substantially. The road network, in particular, the bridges to cross the river, are insufficient to allow reasonable travel commute times into Maitland and beyond. I travel to Maitland daily. Regularly the traffic is so congested that it can take me 25 minutes to travel 2 kilometers along Belmore Road over the Hunter River into Maitland. Throwing in another 280 trucks each day will make it impossible to get to work and get children to school on time and safely. Another issue of the quarry expansion - is the noise. Even where we live, at Mindaribba - we hear the operations. I cannot imagine how terrible it must be for those who live closer to the site. While those people knew there was a quarry in the area - they could never have imagined that this business could ever have been expanded to the extent they are asking approval for. Paterson and surrounds are an area blessed with diverse wildlife. It’s a struggle now for wildlife as their habitat shrinks due to housing expansion and commercial developments. The Martins Creek Quarry will add to biodiversity stress as more traffic will inevitably mean more wildlife road kills and less habitat. I was under the impression that the Government had committed to no new extinctions. Koalas live in this area and they are threatened by extinction. They might not have a voice or as deep as the pockets of Daracon, so we must speak up for them and demand this development be denied. So, in conclusion I will say - this project is totally not in the interest of the community. It ignores road safety, the pollution - both air and noise. It will devastate the township of Paterson. It will make local roads that are already extremely congested around Maitland a nightmare to travel on due to increased traffic. Approval of this project will quite seriously destroy the quality of life many people in this area enjoy. Is any commercial proposition really worth this? This project should definitely not be approved. |
Jane Pryor
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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Submission |
Impacted Risk Area : View St Vacy , Paterson Valley Estate, NSW 2421 Zoned as a Rural Residential subdivision Years lived in the Paterson Valley Estate – Residents 35 years Objections to Proposal -We strongly Object to the Proposed change from a Ballast Quarry to a General Construction aggregate Mega Quarry. Our Lived experience objections include: Increase in dust and pollution, due to expansion of the mine area and proposed hours of operation will impact our personal respiratory health including intensifying asthmatic and rhinitis conditions. Impact of noise of operation in such close proximity to a peaceful rural residential estate • Compromises our health and well-being- constant shunting, blasting, crushing 24/7 will severely impact residents sleep, anxiety of disturbed sleep and recreation. • Dust & Noise Impacts to our livestock - Horses, Sheep, cattle and domestic pets There is an expectation that both People ,Livestock domestic pets and wildlife should be able to have peace and a restful sleeping pattern without continual noise and dust due to the proposed 24/7 rail loading, directly behind the property boundaries of Paterson Valley Estate. Impacts of increased road movements-lived experiences • It will be dangerous to ride my horse on the surrounding roads with increased heavy traffic . • It will be increasing dangerous to enter private properties with a horse float along Tocal, Dungog & Paterson Roads. • The township of Paterson is a hive of activity for both locals and visitors and is not designed to have increased heavy truck movements through the middle of it. • A quiet coffee at the local Café will not be a relaxing and enjoyable experience with 40 heavy trucks passing through per hour , one would be lucky to cross the road. 35 years ago we chose this peaceful small acreage to make our forever home. At this time there were only a scattered few homes and the Martins Creek Quarry was small and in a controlled area. This allowed residents of the area a liveable environment where we could happily co-exist. * The continuing expansion, and proposal to change the use to a Mega General Construction Aggregate Quarry , extending for a period more than 25 years is in No-WAY LIVEABLE, and will be detrimental to our ongoing physical, mental health and well-being * Our Property value will inevitably diminish as the area is downgraded to meet commercial desires. As residents who have lived here for 35 years, who chose this location for its quiet tranquillity amongst nature, including many species of native birds and animals ,we intensely object to our lifestyle , day to day routine and health being compromised by the expansion of the Martin’s Creek Quarry to substantiate a Commercial need. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
01/11/2022 |
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I have been a resident of Bolwarra Heights for 18 years and of neighbouring Butterwick for eighteen years prior. Bolwarra Heights is a quiet, residential community all of which is located on or adjacent to Tocal Road where increased heavy vehicle traffic would be the direct result of approving this application. I am strongly opposed to this development and moved to this area due to the amenity of quiet and relaxed atmosphere it offers. Paterson Road is most unsuitable for heavy vehicular traffic, of any type, but particularly for massive size and weight haulage trucks. The footpath, where it exists, is centimeters from the edge of the road. This is an immediate and massive safety concern if truck traffic was increased. The path on Tocal Road near my residence (Moore Rd) is used daily by pedestrians and it is the collection point for school children and buses. The hazard may even be greater, if that were possible, for cyclists that would share the roadway with the trucks. Elsewhere on Tocal Road there is no footpath so the gap to pedestrians may be even further reduced. The increased chemical output from diesel exhaust and heavy vehicle noise will detract from the quietness of the neighbourhood, reduce the desirability of living in this area and lower the value of properties. Surely increasing road haulage is NOT the answer for any modern development. With the proximity of rail facilities to the Martin's Creek Quarry this MUST be the preferred method of bulk haulage. IF the expansion of the quarry is deemed essential so must be the investment in safe and suitable distribution. |
Name Redacted
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01/11/2022 |
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I object the development because it will cause extra traffic on Seaham and Brandy Hill Drives. I live on Seaham Road. The traffic and noise is already too high. |
Paul Gresham
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Bolwarra Heights I travel regularly along the proposed truck haulage routes, either to Lorn or East Maitland, additionally I travel to Dungog every 0ne to two weeks. This means I am exposed to the increased truck movements over almost the entire haul route. The roads into Maitland form Patterson road are already heavily congested, especially at peak times, the road are barely adequate for light vehicles, let alone larger gravel trucks. Anyone who drives on the rural parts of the route, from the quarry to Maitland will also testify that the condition of these roads is totally inadequate and in such poor condition they are dangerous. Recently I was almost run off the road by two trucks who frankly didnt have enough room to enable me a full lane. Large trucks and suburbia do not mix, already congested roads in poor condition are no place for the numbers of trucks proposed. I would Sincerely hope the members of the commission take time to travel the proposed routes and see for themselves what a ridiculous proposal they are considering. Paul Gresham |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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It is with tremendous anxiety I face the next confrontation with Daracon as it seeks to encroach on our rural lifestyle. There is no doubt that the expansion of Martin Creek Quarry will have an alarming impact and the following lists some of the most obvious and egregious affronts. Last time Daracon explosions shook the ground under our feet and cracked the walls of our house. The trucks created a very real traffic hazard, creating pot holes from the impact of the trucks. The trucks huge weight damaged our heritage listed bridge and sped unrestrained in a very scary manner. The diminished air quality caused an exacerbation of my breathing problems. My doctor has doubled my asthma medication. Tank water quality, our only source of water, is visibly contaminated by the dust and fumes. And the noise is relentless. We came to the area over 20 years ago to enjoy the wildlife and the rural idyll, not to compete with a craven industrial monster that cares nothing for our environment. And what positive can we hope for? There will be precious little jobs created and a very certain decrease in the value of our properties with zero compensation. I remember that man telling us at the last meeting I attended “to move if we didn’t like it”. Even as he undermined the real estate both literally and financially. I can’t trust their duplicity and deceit, their win at any cost mentality. So I send a pox on Daracon and all their houses. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Bellevue Architects Pty Ltd |
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31/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Hi There, I'm a user of the Paterson Village Activity Centre and the impacts to the activity centres will be unacceptable to me. |
Paul Evans
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Organisation |
paterson Valley Farm |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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Paterson and the surrounding areas have been supportive of the quarry over the years, but now that Daracon wants to increase production to maximize their profits and greed at the detriment of the local communities and environment. Truck movements should be kept to a minimum, the rail corridor should be preferred, and the material should be offloaded at a more suitable site. This is pure greed from Daracon and they are in no way considering the local community or environment. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
www.cprplantrepairs.com |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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I am a member of the local community and live in the township of Paterson and am deeply unimpressed with the proposed travel method of the ore by truck. The local road infrastructure cannot safely support the volume, if any truck movements for that matter. Majorly my issue is with the one lane bridge coming off a blind corner putting locals and road user at risk and the narrow design of Paterson township streets which will ultimately end up in a fatality or injury if not addressed. The streets in Paterson are too narrow, there is limited space for people to park and gain safe access to surrounding shops and amenities, there are no pedestrian crossings, the corner of Prince st and Tocal road is blind and the corner of Gresford road and Tocal road is also blind and narrow. Paterson streets were not designed to take heavy vehicle turning circles and the blind nature of many of the corners through the township means a heavy vehicle breaking to avoid collision will be virtually impossible. I have no issue with the quarry operating however the methods of transporting the ore leave a lot to be desired. The train loop is functional and should be used to transport all of the ore effectively removing all chances of heavy vehicle, light vehicle and pedestrian interaction. I have a young family and would not like to see the heavy vehicle traffic on the streets and would not feel safe to allow my daughter or family outside of my yard. Please see sense and understand the dangers of that many heavy vehicle movements in a small town. |
Judith Crawford
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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The extention of Martins Creek Quarry is a terrible proposal. If allowed the impact on affected rural communities would be devastating. For a large number of people all amenity would be lost. The negative impact on the physical and mental health of the communities from Martins Creek through to Paterson, Bolwarra and Lorn would be immense. The finacial losses would also be inflicted on these communities and businesses through a decline in property value and trade due to the horrendous noise and pollution caused by the constant trucking of gravel. The damage caused to the roads by the passage of thousands of heavily laiden trucks per year would lead to a cost impost on councils and the State. An extention to the quarry might enrich a few but at enormous cost to others and the environment. The route taken by the quarry trucks is completely inappropriate as it passes through villages where houses, shops, business, childcare facilities and a school are situated very close to the road. A large number of large trucks travelleing, often at speed, along the Dungog, Gresford, Tocal, Paterson and Belmore Rds is positively dangerous. The road is used by commuters to Maitand from Dungog, Gresford and Vacy, school buses and elderly people who need to go to to Maitland for medical appointments or to do a weekly shop. At certain points there is a considerable amount of pedestrian and cycling activity. Allowing hundreds of trucks a day to join the mix is inviting tragedy. Previously, when there was a lot of trucking from the quarry, the route (only one lane in each direction for its entirety) became almost intolerable and at times quite frightening. The number of dead kangaroos and other wild life to be seen rotting by the roadside also increased substantially. The recommended conditions of consent do not adequately prevent, mitigate or offset the adverse impacts from the proposed development sited above. The quarry was originally built on the railway for a purpose. I strongly object to the current proposal for an extention to the Martins Creek Quarry. |
Name Redacted
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31/10/2022 |
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The substantial impact of this proposal on wide-ranging aspects of country life is staggering. My submission could cover the full range of concerns expressed above, but for the purpose of brevity, I will focus on one area -traffic and transport. Our local roads are already badly affected by recent floods and even after repair they will be totally inadequate to take the numbers of trucks proposed on a daily basis. Our roads are narrow; single lane carriageways not built for large numbers of laden and empty trucks. Last week we returned from Dungog via Paterson, and noted the speed and total arrogance of truck drivers who claimed the centre of the road. This situation will increase substantially if the approval for the quarry expansion is granted. In cities, it is possible to skirt around congested areas, but in rural areas there is one main road from smaller communities to larger towns where business is done. Thus, safety of residents attempting to go about everyday life, let alone in times of emergency, will be substantially affected by the proposal at hand. |
Sue Wells
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New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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I strongly object to any expansion of the Martins Creek quarry. The increased safety risk to any resident along the truck route is completely unacceptable. The increase in the noise levels from blasting and the increase of dust levels involved will continue to cause emotional and physical health problems. The prestigious and valuable quality of life in the village of Paterson the centres around Bolwarra needs to be preserved and will be directly impacted by continued and increased expansion. SAFETY is a top priority but all other issues are relevant and of major importance. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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31/10/2022 |
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Traffic and transport The introduction of increased truck and dog movements will have a detrimental impact on the condition of local roads. Most of the local roads are already in a bad state of repair and appear to have new potholes each day. I'm not sure if local councils will appreciate the extra repair costs to their already stretched budgets. Entering and exiting residential properties will also be impacted with more trucks to wait for until they pass by, currently sometimes faster than they should. Locals had to fight to have their gravel road sealed and with extra trucks, it will soon return to gravel. Amenity (noise and air quality) Living in a rural environment was a priority when purchasing land and building our home over 30 years ago. Our children were very lucky to attend local schools with like-minded families. Friendships were soon made and still going strong today. Many of the younger generation have moved back to the area for the same reasons as their parents. They will now be impacted also. The local township of Paterson is particularly at risk as it is one of the major routes from Martins Creek quarry. Local businesses must cope each day with extra trucks, noise and exhaust fumes. It is also quite risky when crossing the road. Environmental impacts (biodiversity, water resources) Living in a rural area brings some amazing sights - particularly of animals and birdlife. We never lose the excitement of seeing a kangaroo or wallaby, even a koala in the back yard. Our garden also encourages birdlife, such as kookaburras, magpies, finches and others. But we also see the sadder side of their life when they have been killed or injured when trying to cross the road. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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31/10/2022 |
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To whom to may concern, This is to reiterate my opposition to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. As a resident of Bolwarra, I’d be directly impacted by the expansion, particularly the proposal to allow up to 280 extra trucks onto the roads in the region. We live directly on Paterson Road, and along with other residents with driveways where the views are restricted, the thought of such an increase in heavy fast-moving trucks is terrifying. The current road is already not fit for purpose, and the trucks pose an undue hazard on roads that are very narrow and susceptible to breaking up. Also, the speeds these trucks are meant to adhere to appear rather arbitrary, as when traveling between Bolwarra and Paterson, at the speed limit, there always seems to be an impatient truck driver trying to get past! More of these can only exacerbate the situation. There already appears to be a substantial increase in truck traffic, which seems odd and the road is suffering as a result with big holes on both sides! It seems strange that the company is reluctant to use the proposed safer option, rail, as the infrastructure is already in place. For this reason alone I’m don’t feel they should be allowed to expand their operations. A company that has already been proven to have "unlawfully obtained” around $100 million in revenue, is not one to be trusted, and I don’t feel that any of the promises they come out with will be adhered to! Finally, as someone that regularly cycles along Flat Road, it worries me to think of how exponentially more dangerous it will be to me as an individual with the increase of truck traffic, as the existing vehicles already cause concern, with what appears to be a disregard for the rules of the road! So, again, I strongly register my opposition to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. Regards, ⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛ |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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31/10/2022 |
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I strongly object to the Quarry proposal. 1. The increased movements will cause death. Make no mistake I had to quickly pull over as I was tail gaited at 100kph. Felt as if in the movie Duel. 2. It is easy to see the road damage these vehicles cause. The pot holes are all along the route especially on the outgoing side when they are fully loaded. Any bridges will also suffer the impact. 3. The noise they create is horrendous. Braking and accelerating. This is distressing to locals humans and the wildlife. 4. The increased dust and fumes effects the water for all people on tank water. Has there been any environmental research on this? Allergies also increase. 5 Local employment? None that I can see. I have also not seen any proof that there will be any in the future. 6. The last time trucks were running the vibrations stared cracks in my chimney. exacerbated by explosions 7. This is a rural area. Our future is in keeping it rural and not as the Daracon representative (owner?) stated to the meeting I attended "If you don't like it move!" |
Name Redacted
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I STRONGT OBJECT to this proposal. This development application MUST BE REJECTED. My husband and I live approximately 1km as the crow flies from the quarry We hear and feel the quarry blasts when we are standing in our yard at the time the blasts occur. I have FELT the blast in my chest on many occasions if I am outside when they occur. The crusher noise is a constant in our house when it is running. As a result I request that the hours of operation be set at 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday only for the Quarry. We live here in Vacy because we love the rural lifestyle and the tranquility of our surrounds. This is our home – these are our lives that are being impacted by this proposal. I do not understand how this proposal has been given consent by the Department of Planning. How has the Department ignored the major road safety issues and the massive damage – ongoing and dangerous – to our roads that are caused by the truck numbers we currently have – let along increasing these trucks movements to 280 trucks per day for 50 days then 200 per day thereafter? I have driven to/from work for years and been sandwiched amongst a convoy of up to 16 trucks so many times I have lost count. It is terrifying. I do not drive a massive 4WD vehicle, I drive a small hatchback. These trucks from the quarry move in convoy, they cut corners; they have no regard for cars on the roads. I have had my windscreen broken by a rock from one of them. I have been cut off and run off the road at the Post Office corner in Paterson by trucks who are too large to make that corner and simply move into the opposite side of the road – regardless of any oncoming traffic. I have also had to negotiate the Gostwyck bridge daily to/from work with these trucks for years. It is dangerous, it is terrifying and if this proposal goes ahead it will get so much worse. It is only a matter of time until someone is put in hospital or killed. The state of our roads is atrocious as it is. My husband and I are both members of the Vacy RFS. We both have first hand experience of how dangerous the conditions of the roads are currently as we try to negotiate the potholes and the state of the crumbling bitumen when attending Fire calls and MVA calls. Having the roads deteriorate even further by adding the number of truck movements every single day to the roads that this development application requires causes me great concern indeed. Council does not have the funds for current repairs. How on earth are they going to manage roads under this new proposal for the next 25 years? The quarry has operated as a rail ballast quarry for 100 years. This new proposal goes so far beyond that it is frankly ridiculous that this is even being considered – let alone given a green light by the Department. It was NEVER the intention that the quarry be used as this proposal sets out. The Paterson community is a historic quaint community that does NOT have the road infrastructure to withstand the numbers of truck movements per day being proposed. The negative impact to local businesses having the number of trucks attempting to negotiate roads and infrastructure not up to the job can not be ignored. The Dungog Shire and the Maitland City Council are opposed to this development application. The Dungog Shire has already REJECTED this proposal. How is it that this can be taken higher and higher to more bodies who have no local knowledge of how this will impact our community for an overturning of decisions ALREADY MADE by the local governing body???? The decision should have stopped at the Council and it disgusts me that local Council have been ignored in this. I am not asking for the Quarry to be closed down – it has been operated sustainably for 100 years. I also have no objections to the use of the rail to move the rocks out from the quarry. However, the scale of the application being requested is totally incompatible with the surrounding roads and infrastructure and unacceptable to the local communities. There have already been more than 600 objections submitted to date. How can these be ignored? There is benefit for only one entity in this proposal and that is Daracon. One commercial entity should not be considered above the local community members who live and work in this area. Daracon has no personal presence in this community or any care factor at all for the negative impacts they are proposing to our communities. I respectfully urge the IPC to REJECT this proposed development application. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I live within 2km of the quarry property boundary roughly. It has been very peaceful since the quarry operator has been forced to comply with conditions. A return to frequent blasting and noise from loading and crushing operations would be a real detriment to us. When going into Paterson for groceries or fuel the heavy vehicle traffic will increase risk as pedestrians or drivers of light vehicles. Gostwyck bridge, the rail crossing at Paterson and main street of Paterson are all pathetically inadequate for sustained levels of heavy combination trucks. |
Marian Hawkins
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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Submission |
We are already struggling with the current volume of trucks rendering paste every day with little to no regard for the road, properties and people who reside there. We have a working alpaca farm with multiple activities requiring people to have access to our property. The damage to the road is a concern as is the difficulty getting in and especially out of our property, as we are near a bend, which is a real safety concern. The trucks have a negative impact on the health and safety of our livestock as it causes them distress, it pollutes our waterways and air quality. The current state of the road is disgraceful and although partially because of excessive rain events, the trucks are deteriorating the road to the point of no return. Last week I got a chip in my front windscreen of my car following a truck on our local roads. The proposal is simply is not sustainable for locals |
Michael Walsh
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
31/10/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of Lorn and a frequent visitor to Paterson I have had the benefit of experiencing life under Martin’s Creek Quarry operating illegally beyond its approval consents. It was not a pleasant experience. Trucks taking a shortcut through out residential streets for their own convenience, rattling windows and waking the house with their noise and diesel fumes. It was interesting to note that the company did could not control the route their drivers took despite being well aware of the impacts.. What will change this time? The Village Amenity of Paterson was destroyed as truck after truck roared through town on a rush to deliver to construction sites before crews arrive. School dropoffs or a quick coffee in the morning in our village centre we’re like dodging across mine haul roads. What did we do to deserve this? While this might be the cheapest way to get rock to some construction sites, the proposal puts too much burden on the community. The proposal and approvals must move these trucks off our local roads at the expense of the developer. Please, do not send us back to those dark days of bemoaning the “bloody trucks from the quarry” our communities deserve better. Surely you can’t reward these mongrels that exceeded their consent for years by handing them a right to trash our communities to chase their profits. Please don’t leave this hanging over our heads and please put an end the constant manoeuvring and spin merchant statements of impact from the developer and their hired gun consultants. We know what it will be like. We lived this when the quarry operated illegally. We cannot compete with their resources but please be left in no doubt that we will be the ones paying the price for their greed. |
Nicholas Adamson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
30/10/2022 |
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Submission |
This quarry going ahead at anywhere near the scale suggested would have massive impacts on the local communities that have been completely ignored by the department of planning. It would have huge impacts that were detailed in the 600+ objections the department received that have been ignored. Paterson village, as well as much of Maitland would have massive amenity impacts, business impacts, as well as social and safety issues. It is not reasonable to expect that the quarry can operate that many trucks in our communities, and they should have to use rail only if they want to get any bigger. There are plenty of local old mining facilities with rail connection they could use as depots. It is completely unreasonable to expect the community to pay the cost for the quarry so that Daracon can save money. The local community lived for several years with the quarry operating at the proposed scale, while Daracon operated illegally for a massive profit, so we know the impacts it will have on our community, and we know that these have been completely overlooked and ignored by the department of planning and the Daracon submission. That is why 94% of people, along with both affected councils have objected to it. Their reasons cannot be ignored, to allow this to go ahead would be grossly unfair to thousands of people. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
30/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I live locally and travel the proposed heavy haulage transport route regularly and strongly object to the proposed development application for Martins Creek Quarry giving the following reasons 1. Current roads and investment capacity by the local councils DOES NOT support the current heavy truck usage. Truck movements urgently need to be decreased on these country roads to ensure residents of this community are safe 2. The local Councils are financially unsustainable given the level of roads infrastructure maintenance required and these costs and delays will be passed onto residents. Intersection upgrades and spot road fixes will not alleviate this issue 3. Increasing the environmental impact due to heavy truck haulage diesel emissions does not align to the global carbon reduction goals Martins Creek Quarry has rail infrastructure in place that can, and SHOULD, be used to transport "ALL" of the Gravel (concession only for very local destinations declared at time of collection) to a location such as Hexham, where a gravel distribution point can be established for all Trucks to collect. Stockpiles can allow high volumes from trains to be dumped in a similar fashion to coal processing, hence reducing the impact on regional communities' and councils, that intern impacts air quality, noise pollution, bio-diversity and road safety. |
Solene Pichereau
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
30/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The quarry cannot be allowed to go ahead. If Daracon drive that many trucks through our village of Paterson, it will kill it. It was also have massive negative impacts on Maitland. Daracon need to find a much better way of getting the quarry products out of the quarry without impacting on everyone else, otherwise they are expecting everyone to pay for their lack of investment in infrastructure. The reasons why not to have the quarry expansion have been detailed in the more than 600 objecting submissions that have been ignored by the department of planning. - It is unsafe - It will have massive impacts on local businesses - There is a train line that they are not using enough - Historic Paterson village will become not much more than a haulage route for Daracon - It will make too much traffic - There are too many small country roads they would have to use - It will be impossible to do any shopping in the town The wishes of one company do not outweigh the lives of thousands of people their wishes impact upon. The local people and their councils are correct. This cannot be allowed to proceed. |
Gillian Adamson
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
30/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposed expansion will see a drastic increase of semi-trailers and large trucks through the Bolwarra-Paterson area. These roads are not equipped for this ridiculous amount of traffic, not to mention the countless families and occupants along these roads that will be directly impacted, my family included. The expansion is a step backwards for an area already environmentally stressed and damaged from recent bushfires and flooding. The quarry expansion should NOT happen. |
Mitchell Stambolie
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
30/10/2022 |
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Submission |
We live on Tocal road and so will e directly effected by the large increase in vehicles - heavy vechiles for that matter driving passed. Will endanger lives of children who call the area home. Noise pollution will increase. The roads are already congested with the current expansion of houses in the area, we can’t have more trucks adding to the gridlock I note that if this was a coal mine not one piece of coal would be allowed to be transported …. Rail is the correct way to get this out of the area. I have no issue with the expansion if it is taken out by rail. |
Kelvin & Beryl Rumble
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
30/10/2022 |
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As a long-term elderly resident of Bolwarra Heights, we are expressly concerned about the number of truck movements on out residential Tocal Road. The road currently is a 60km/hr zone and many of the residence, such as us are required to reverse out to leave their properties. As residence, we are also concerned about the impact to housing values based on the proposed 250 trucks per day, the impact to residence of the additional associated noise, road condition and dust residue. We have lived on Tocal Road for 61 years and we are really concerned that the impacts of the additional truck movements will force us to have to relocate due to the increased danger associated with simply entering and exiting of our property. We seriously would like the department to reconsider this approval because it will have serious consequences on ourselves and our community. Please don't destroy our lifestyle. |
Graham Hutchings
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Organisation |
n/a |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
29/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Re: MARTINS CREEK QUARRY (SSD-6612) I believe this proposal to be unsuitable on the following grounds: 1: This proposal is little different to the previous proposal, which was rejected both by the community and government, no matter how it is glossed up. 2: 280 + truck movement per day is not a suitable proposition for residential roads and suburbs involved in this submission. 3: The number of truck movements (most with extra trailer) will cause an unacceptable accident risk on already congested roads, past schools and within growing residential areas. The entry to Tocal and Paterson Roads to & from residences, is already dangerous, and will be nearly impossible with extra truck movements. 4: There will be more major problems at the Paterson Junction, the two sets of traffic lights in Melbourne Street East Maitland, Lorn and through Bolwarra Heights and Bolwarra. 5: There are significant hold-ups at traffic lights at Melbourne Street/ Pitnacree Road, East Maitland, Melbourne Street/ New England Highway, East Maitland and Belmore Road and High Street, Maitland. With the added truck movements these roads will not cope. 6: Exhaust fumes from diesel trucks will increase pollution in the atmosphere, and cover residences in greasy soot, to a much greater extent than now. 7: Noise pollution will be increased by the approx. 280 truck movements per day. 8: This proposal is for 25 years, with residential growth increasing at a great rate every year, creating more local traffic. 9: It is problematic that the applicant can be trusted to abide with any conditions approved, in view of its previous history in this regard. Who will police the conditions and who will pay for future court costs, if the applicant does not strictly abide by the conditions over the next 25 years? The conditions for consent to this application by the Department, appear to be quite generous to the applicant in respect of timelines. 10: It is noted that the applicant will be making more use of rail for transport. I believe that all production should be transported to depots throughout its customer areas by rail, to reduce the need for up to 280 truck movement through the Lower Hunter area. 11: I do not consider this application to be a State Significant Proposal, as there are many suitable quarries in New South Wales that can provide such material. Or is this to circumvent taxpayer opposition to this unacceptable application. 12: It is noted that the responses in favour of the application, in the last survey, were mostly made by employees, and friends of the Daracon Group, most of whom do not reside in the affected area. 13: I strongly object to any approval of this application. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
29/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The heavy vehicle traffic will be very disruptive to Paterson and the community. Businesses will be affected and I believe the local patrons will be in danger with such a large amount of trucks driving through town. The roads are already falling the pieces and the trucks will add more damage to the already pot hole filled roads. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
29/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Roads in our LGA are already in a deplorable state largely due to rain damage, but heavy vehicles are also taking a toll. If corporates want to do business in our area, let them build their own roads that do not impact on the local villages and community. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
29/10/2022 |
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Submission |
. |
Dave Bailey
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
29/10/2022 |
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Submission |
To Whom it may concern, I wish to oppose the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. I feel it will have a negative impact on the surrounding Communities due to #Increased traffic movements due to expansion of the quarry. The infrastructure (roads) will not hold up to increase of the number of vehicle movements that is proposed. The Councils can't keep up with the maintenance of the roads now as it is let alone having an expansion of this size which will only benefit a few high rollers. We purchased property out here 20 years ago and, in that time, we have seen an increase in the number of vehicles using the arterial roads to get to their destinations, (including trucks). We have seen speed limits reduced due to the increase of traffic and the deterioration of these main arterial roads #Due to the increase of vehicle movements, you will get increased noise/air pollution. Those of us who live out here our only water supply is from tank water and with the increased air pollution we will have more dust settling on our roofs so when it rains the dust will get washed into our tanks which can't be healthy. In regard to noise pollution, we live near another quarry in the surrounding suburb, (when I say near, I mean about 5kms in a straight line, and we can hear it operating at night so God help those residents of Martins Creek. Due to the increase in traffic movements all you hear is the rumbling of trucks to and from the mentioned quarry, and the number one reason a lot of us purchased property out hear was due to the peace and quiet which will be taken away if this proposal goes ahead. I have nothing against progress but something of this size and nature in this area would be detrimental to the local communities, why have increased traffic movements when the majority of it can be transported by rail. Kind Regards Dave Bailey |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
29/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Roads through Paterson are a nightmare as it is. This number of trucks will ruin the roads and the town |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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Submission |
There are way too many trucks on our roads and they should be decreased not more. They have already created thousands of pot holes and chipped my windscreen now twice. I have concerns in regards to the wildlife population (koalas and birds just naming 2 of many), Another concern is water contamination & the effect on our animals |
Sandra O'Donohue
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I lived at 23 Tocal Rd Bolwarra Heights in the narrow section of Tocal Rd between the intersection of Maitland Vale Rd and Paterson Rd. We moved there 14 years ago due to the attractive green and well vegetated large blocks, and quiet/peaceful setting of this area. We sold and moved out 2 years ago mainly due to the increased traffic noise and danger on this already congested and narrow section of Tocal Road where we lived. We still travel there and surrounding areas regularly to see family and friends so will still be directly affected if this expansion project is approved. History, Tocal Rd: The section of Tocal Rd my wife and I lived on is now classed as a ‘main road’ as it is a primary access road to towns such as Paterson/Vacy/Dungog, but originally it was built as a very minor gravel road to access the small localities such as Maitland Vale and Lambs Valley. The larger towns of Paterson, Gresford, Vacy, Dungog etc was then accessed via Paterson Rd (Tocal Rd was not a through Rd). In later years housing subdivisions and other progress altered Tocal Rd forever and made it the main thoroughfare to the towns of Paterson/Gresford/Vacy/Dungog as well as Maitland Vale and Lambs Valley.... and of course the Martins Creek Rock Quarry. Unfortunately though, this 1 km section of road was never widened or made suitable for the high volume of traffic it sees now, it is barely 8 mtrs wide, gutter to gutter, with no possible parking in either direction and exposing pedestrian pathways either side EXTREMELY close to the 60km/h traffic passing. What Changed: Prior to 2014 the amount of traffic was high on Tocal Rd, but manageable in the opinion of myself and other residents here, but in 2014 serious concerns developed for road/pedestrian safety along with increased road noise and congestion caused by a major increase of quarry truck traffic on Tocal Rd. This increase in quarry trucks movements was a result of Daracon’s Martin Creek quarry supplying large quantities of hard rock for the Hexham Rail Depot upgrade project. The quarry increased output from 300,000TPA to an estimated 1 million TPA for the duration of the project. This increase was way outside their DA approved output capacity and was not approved. Unfortunately continued complaints from residents in all affected communities to the EPA, Dracon, Maitland Council, Dungog Council and State Government had no effect on the situation. Having lived through the nightmare of the extremely high volume of truck movements on our road, I STRONGLY OBJECT to Daracon’s recent application to expand the quarry even further to an output to 1 million tonnes per year with the increase number of trucks on our local roads. My Objections: I ask for the application to be rejected for the following reasons: 1. Pedestrian and vehicle SAFETY. The section of Tocal Rd between Maitland Vale Rd and Paterson Rd was originally built as a minor access road to local farms from Maitland Vale through to Lambs Valley. Now it is the main road to Paterson and Dungog areas; it is narrow, congested and not suitable for fully laden 50 ton double quarry trucks at a rate of 80 movements per hour. It is very narrow with no road shoulders to avoid a potential accidents with pedestrians, other vehicles or power poles. One side has a pedestrian footpath with no room for error with the pedestrians walking within one metre of these large heavy trucks driving at 60kmph or above, the other side has a gravel/grass track that is not formed adequately for pedestrians due to the lack of road width available. 2. NOISE at our homes. This section of the road is a tree lined, previously quiet part of the community to live. That’s why many of us moved here. With the illegal increase of truck movements in 2014/15 as mentioned above the noise was unbearable for all, with empty quarry trucks rattling through as early as 4:30am and going well into the evening each day.. It is totally unacceptable that we and other residents should endure this just to allow one company to enjoy healthier profits. According to the surveys presented in the EIS the Tocal Rd area will be the most affected by proposed increased (69dba). 3. DUST and AIR QUALITY. Houses on Tocal Rd are very close to truck movements and exposed to high volumes of dust and diesel engine exhaust emissions from these truck movements. Diesel emissions contain carcinogenic substances and increase the risk of lung cancer, therefore I deem it unacceptable to be exposed extra truck movements on the top of regular traffic on Tocal Rd. 4. The EIS has not taken into account future housing developments in our area, one of the fastest growing residential areas in NSW. Car and transport movements will increase significantly in future years as towns such as Newcastle and Maitland spread westward. 5. The EIS has not taken into account vehicle loading for the COMBINED TRUCK LOADS of both Martins Creek Quarry and nearby Brandy Hill Quarry. Trucks from BOTH quarries now meet at the intersection of Tocal Rd and Paterson Rd which makes this very busy intersection very hazardous for all users. The vast increase in trucks proposed by the Martins Creek Quarry and nearby Brandy Hill Quarry expansions would see this intersection and the roads south of that point extremely congested and dangerous. 6. The vast majority of trucks that haul to and from the quarry are not Daracon owned trucks (contractors and private trucks). Darcon (David Mingay) has openly admitted, and the company has proven, that Daracon have NO CONTROL over the non Daracon trucks. These trucks currently do not conform to Daracons’ road use policies in the way of speed reductions, engine breaking and general poor/noisy condition of the trucks. Any expansion of the quarry would see the number of non Daracon trucks and their associated problems increase dramatically and it will be out of Daracon’s control once again. 7. Buttai Gravel Pty Ltd (part of Daracon group) have proven to be not good corporate citizens in the past and cant be trusted in the future to comply with requirements if the expansion project was approved. They have already fined four times in the last 5 years by EPA for breaching the conditions of its Environment Protection Licence for Martins Creek Quarry. 8. Daracon’s demands are in stark contrast with the character of settlements such as Paterson, Martins Creek, Bolwarra Heights and Lorn. They are all small villages frequented by tourists and cyclists. They are not only significant in their own right, but are also on the route to Barrington Tops and other popular recreational/tourist destinations. Their reputation as places of safe recreation would be jeopardised by noise, dust and danger from truck movements associated with the quarry expansion 9. Already the increases in truck activity have already led to the DEVALUATION of our property prices. So far Bolwarra Heights has been sought after, leafy, semi-rural area. Extended Daracon’s operations would change our suburb into an industrial corridor. My suggestions/requirements regarding this application: Due to the long list of negative social and environmental impacts on our community and lack of any tangible positive impacts (except for Daracon’s profits), I ask the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to REJECT Daracon’s application for the expansion of the quarry. If however if the project is allowed to expand in any way, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for the following limitations and improvements to be imposed on the Martins Creek Quarry: 1. That the output tonnage carried by trucks from the quarry is limited to 300,00TPA. If any extra to previously approved 300,000TPA is approved it needs to be transported by means of RAIL transport only. 2. That Daracon enforce a 40kmph speed limit to ALL TRUCKS (not just the Daracon trucks) that haul to and from the quarry and travel this section of Tocal Rd between Maitland Vale Rd and Paterson Rd, and that engine breaking is not used in residential areas. At present Daracon trucks voluntarily reduce their speed to 40km/h for the 1km stretch of Tocal Rd and this is well appreciated by local residents, but contract drivers do not comply with the reduced speed limits. 3. A system be implemented that gives clear identification of ALL TRUCKS that haul to and from the quarry, similar to the high-vis ID labels used by coal mines. This will help identify rouge truck drivers on the public roads. Also, that Daracon enforce a disciplinary system to deal with contract or other drivers who contravene Daracon’s public road procedures. 4. That Daracon enforce that ALL TRUCKS that haul to and from the quarry comply with a ‘minimum good condition standard’ which will minimise noise on our roads. Currently the owned and operated Daracon trucks appear to be to such a standard, but nearly all non Daracon trucks are below standard. 5. That Daracon supply new electronic speed advisory signs on either side of Tocal Rd in our vicinity. IN CLOSING PLEASE NOTE: If this was COAL mine wanting to transport up 500,000 tons of product BY TRUCK through small residential streets to the Newcastle Port Coal Loaders, it would NEVER be approved! It would be seen as totally unacceptable by all, hence nearly all coal is transported to the Port via the rail network. Our local residents should therefore NOT be subjected to extra trucks, as per Newcastle residents would not be with a coal mine expansion. |
Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Tocal Agricultural College Advisory Council |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Tocal Agricultural College Advisory Council (TAC) C/- David Anthony (Chair Tocal Advisory Council) via Tocal Agricultural College, Paterson 28th October 2022 Independent Planning Commission Suite 15.02, 135 King Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Re- Proposed Martin’s Creek Quarry Expansion. TAC is an independent advisory body to Tocal Agricultural College (Tocal). Council members cover a range of agricultural and primary industries both in the Paterson and Allyn valleys and in other regions of NSW providing advice to College staff and the NSW DPI on issues affecting Tocal including risks as well as opportunities. Tocal is a leading agricultural education and training organisation that accommodates many on-campus students undertaking various diploma courses as well as providing external training courses to thousands of people across rural and regional NSW. The Council is not against the quarry and recognises the need for gravel in the community but rather we are objecting to the proposed expansion of Daracon’s Martins Creek Quarry due to likely impacts on the College including: 1. The increase in traffic, especially heavily laden trucks without an enforceable undertaking for Daracon to improve road infrastructure through the Paterson region and ongoing maintenance contributions to the roads used by Daracon in the Paterson region. 2. The increase in heavy transport traffic causing safety concerns for Tocal staff and students entering and leaving Tocal including high risk that congestion at Tocal’s entrances will be a significant safety hazard as well as student movement across the Tocal Road between the College teaching facilities and the College Dairy and other operational sites. 3. The increase in noise pollution from increased heavy transport traffic will impact certain parts of the educational facilities and hence Tocal staff and students. Furthermore, the increased quarrying and traffic movements will create more dust and hence requires effective dust control measures to be put in place. 4. A concern that Daracon might exceed its extraction licenses as evidenced by the NSW Land & Environment Court hearing in 2019 leading to the operator of the quarry being restrained from unlawful operations at the site. What controls will be in place to ensure compliance with any expansion approvals? The TAC has never sought to close the Martins Creek Quarry and recognises the quarry has been in operation for a very long time and coexisted with the regional communities in the area. However, the proposed expansion by three-fold is a step too far. Yours Faithfully David Anthony Chair Tocal Advisory Council |
Karen Newby
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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I totally opposed to re opening of the quarry and cartage of aggregate by road . The roads can not take anymore traffic let along a continuous flow of truck and dogs along our narrow fragile roads. I have lived here over 20 years and the amount of traffic has tripled , that’s without trucks. I personally have been run off the road by theses trucks twice over the years both due to wet unsafe roads and speed by the trucks. Both incidents were reported to company and police. I implore you not to let these trucks on our country roads law of averages now there will definitely be a serious accident happen. Kind regards Karen NEWBY |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I object to the extra 280 trucks a day on Gresford Rd and through Paterson if the quarry expands. Our roads around here are unable to cope with the traffic we currently have. Let alone the safety aspects of our children getting on and off the school buses. |
Paul O'Donohue
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New South Wales |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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My wife and I lived at 23 Tocal Rd Bolwarra Heights in the narrow section of Tocal Rd between the intersection of Maitland Vale Rd and Paterson Rd. We moved there 14 years ago due to the attractive green and well vegetated large blocks, and quiet/peaceful setting of this area. We sold and moved out 2 years ago mainly due to the increased traffic noise and danger on this already congested and narrow section of Tocal Road where we lived. We still travel there and surrounding areas regularly to see family and friends so will still be directly affected if this expansion project is approved. History, Tocal Rd: The section of Tocal Rd my wife and I lived on is now classed as a ‘main road’ as it is a primary access road to towns such as Paterson/Vacy/Dungog, but originally it was built as a very minor gravel road to access the small localities such as Maitland Vale and Lambs Valley. The larger towns of Paterson, Gresford, Vacy, Dungog etc was then accessed via Paterson Rd (Tocal Rd was not a through Rd). In later years housing subdivisions and other progress altered Tocal Rd forever and made it the main thoroughfare to the towns of Paterson/Gresford/Vacy/Dungog as well as Maitland Vale and Lambs Valley.... and of course the Martins Creek Rock Quarry. Unfortunately though, this 1 km section of road was never widened or made suitable for the high volume of traffic it sees now, it is barely 8 mtrs wide, gutter to gutter, with no possible parking in either direction and exposing pedestrian pathways either side EXTREMELY close to the 60km/h traffic passing. What Changed: Prior to 2014 the amount of traffic was high on Tocal Rd, but manageable in the opinion of myself and other residents here, but in 2014 serious concerns developed for road/pedestrian safety along with increased road noise and congestion caused by a major increase of quarry truck traffic on Tocal Rd. This increase in quarry trucks movements was a result of Daracon’s Martin Creek quarry supplying large quantities of hard rock for the Hexham Rail Depot upgrade project. The quarry increased output from 300,000TPA to an estimated 1 million TPA for the duration of the project. This increase was way outside their DA approved output capacity and was not approved. Unfortunately continued complaints from residents in all affected communities to the EPA, Dracon, Maitland Council, Dungog Council and State Government had no effect on the situation. Having lived through the nightmare of the extremely high volume of truck movements on our road, I STRONGLY OBJECT to Daracon’s recent application to expand the quarry even further to an output to 1 million tonnes per year with the increase number of trucks on our local roads. My Objections: I ask for the application to be rejected for the following reasons: 1. Pedestrian and vehicle SAFETY. The section of Tocal Rd between Maitland Vale Rd and Paterson Rd was originally built as a minor access road to local farms from Maitland Vale through to Lambs Valley. Now it is the main road to Paterson and Dungog areas; it is narrow, congested and not suitable for fully laden 50 ton double quarry trucks at a rate of 80 movements per hour. It is very narrow with no road shoulders to avoid a potential accidents with pedestrians, other vehicles or power poles. One side has a pedestrian footpath with no room for error with the pedestrians walking within one metre of these large heavy trucks driving at 60kmph or above, the other side has a gravel/grass track that is not formed adequately for pedestrians due to the lack of road width available. 2. NOISE at our homes. This section of the road is a tree lined, previously quiet part of the community to live. That’s why many of us moved here. With the illegal increase of truck movements in 2014/15 as mentioned above the noise was unbearable for all, with empty quarry trucks rattling through as early as 4:30am and going well into the evening each day.. It is totally unacceptable that we and other residents should endure this just to allow one company to enjoy healthier profits. According to the surveys presented in the EIS the Tocal Rd area will be the most affected by proposed increased (69dba). 3. DUST and AIR QUALITY. Houses on Tocal Rd are very close to truck movements and exposed to high volumes of dust and diesel engine exhaust emissions from these truck movements. Diesel emissions contain carcinogenic substances and increase the risk of lung cancer, therefore I deem it unacceptable to be exposed extra truck movements on the top of regular traffic on Tocal Rd. 4. The EIS has not taken into account future housing developments in our area, one of the fastest growing residential areas in NSW. Car and transport movements will increase significantly in future years as towns such as Newcastle and Maitland spread westward. 5. The EIS has not taken into account vehicle loading for the COMBINED TRUCK LOADS of both Martins Creek Quarry and nearby Brandy Hill Quarry. Trucks from BOTH quarries now meet at the intersection of Tocal Rd and Paterson Rd which makes this very busy intersection very hazardous for all users. The vast increase in trucks proposed by the Martins Creek Quarry and nearby Brandy Hill Quarry expansions would see this intersection and the roads south of that point extremely congested and dangerous. 6. The vast majority of trucks that haul to and from the quarry are not Daracon owned trucks (contractors and private trucks). Darcon (David Mingay) has openly admitted, and the company has proven, that Daracon have NO CONTROL over the non Daracon trucks. These trucks currently do not conform to Daracons’ road use policies in the way of speed reductions, engine breaking and general poor/noisy condition of the trucks. Any expansion of the quarry would see the number of non Daracon trucks and their associated problems increase dramatically and it will be out of Daracon’s control once again. 7. Buttai Gravel Pty Ltd (part of Daracon group) have proven to be not good corporate citizens in the past and cant be trusted in the future to comply with requirements if the expansion project was approved. They have already fined four times in the last 5 years by EPA for breaching the conditions of its Environment Protection Licence for Martins Creek Quarry. 8. Daracon’s demands are in stark contrast with the character of settlements such as Paterson, Martins Creek, Bolwarra Heights and Lorn. They are all small villages frequented by tourists and cyclists. They are not only significant in their own right, but are also on the route to Barrington Tops and other popular recreational/tourist destinations. Their reputation as places of safe recreation would be jeopardised by noise, dust and danger from truck movements associated with the quarry expansion 9. Already the increases in truck activity have already led to the DEVALUATION of our property prices. So far Bolwarra Heights has been sought after, leafy, semi-rural area. Extended Daracon’s operations would change our suburb into an industrial corridor. My suggestions/requirements regarding this application: Due to the long list of negative social and environmental impacts on our community and lack of any tangible positive impacts (except for Daracon’s profits), I ask the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to REJECT Daracon’s application for the expansion of the quarry. If however if the project is allowed to expand in any way, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for the following limitations and improvements to be imposed on the Martins Creek Quarry: 1. That the output tonnage carried by trucks from the quarry is limited to 300,00TPA. If any extra to previously approved 300,000TPA is approved it needs to be transported by means of RAIL transport only. 2. That Daracon enforce a 40kmph speed limit to ALL TRUCKS (not just the Daracon trucks) that haul to and from the quarry and travel this section of Tocal Rd between Maitland Vale Rd and Paterson Rd, and that engine breaking is not used in residential areas. At present Daracon trucks voluntarily reduce their speed to 40km/h for the 1km stretch of Tocal Rd and this is well appreciated by local residents, but contract drivers do not comply with the reduced speed limits. 3. A system be implemented that gives clear identification of ALL TRUCKS that haul to and from the quarry, similar to the high-vis ID labels used by coal mines. This will help identify rouge truck drivers on the public roads. Also, that Daracon enforce a disciplinary system to deal with contract or other drivers who contravene Daracon’s public road procedures. 4. That Daracon enforce that ALL TRUCKS that haul to and from the quarry comply with a ‘minimum good condition standard’ which will minimise noise on our roads. Currently the owned and operated Daracon trucks appear to be to such a standard, but nearly all non Daracon trucks are below standard. 5. That Daracon supply new electronic speed advisory signs on either side of Tocal Rd in our vicinity. IN CLOSING PLEASE NOTE: If this was COAL mine wanting to transport up 500,000 tons of product BY TRUCK through small residential streets to the Newcastle Port Coal Loaders, it would NEVER be approved! It would be seen as totally unacceptable by all, hence nearly all coal is transported to the Port via the rail network. Our local residents should therefore NOT be subjected to extra trucks, as per Newcastle residents would not be with a coal mine expansion. |
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Attachments |
tocal-rd-bolwarra-heights-for-dope-0317pdf.pdf (PDF, 767.51 KB) trucks-patersonjpg.jpg (JPG, 39.15 KB) |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
28/10/2022 |
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The increase in heavy traffic on already damaged roads as well as safety to other tii Ppi ad users and pedestrians will be creating conditions which makes it extremely unsafe. I recently purchased a property in the area to get away from traffic congestion, and now it is considered to literally destroy the piece & quit of a rural community. Not acceptable |
Name Redacted
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27/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Too many trucks for an already small infrastructure on the road |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Heavy vehicle truck movements on residential area is not acceptable. We have public schools in the area too. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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Submission |
This is a peaceful rural area with many small scale hobby farms, retirees and families. It is absolutely not suitable for a large scale quarry which will not only be very disruptive to neighbouring properties, but to the entire local area. There have been several instances in the past where the quarry trucks have caused serious accidents with other cars on the road, increased amounts of roadkill of native species and the major damage they cause to local country roads which are not built for the volume of quarry trucks proposed to use them every hour of every day. We already have some serious road infrastructure issues within Dungog LGA made worse by the wet weather conditions during 2022. I would fear for mine and others’ safety when driving on the roads with these trucks and the damage they cause to the surfaces. I am also very concerned about the noise pollution which will result. As a local horse owner and competitive rider, the constant blasts from the quarry will be terrifying to the horses, making it very unsafe to ride while the blasts are happening. There are many other local horse riders who share this concern which will make our properties unsuitable for horse training purposes. It will also cause big issues for other pets and animals such as dogs, who are often frightened by these blasts and will likely escape out of fear and be injured on roads. The community feels that it would be a huge mistake for this quarry application to be approved, given the widespread concerns about the many facets which will be severely impacted if it goes ahead. Please do not allow it to happen for the sake of our rural community. |
Name Redacted
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27/10/2022 |
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- taking away from the peace/quiet and serenity of country towns and local parks. - more at risk of an accident due to so many trucks travelling through. - our roads cannot handle the amount of trucks. - noise and air quality. - dangerous due to so many trucks on the road. - reduce tourism which will affect businesses. - overall dangerous!! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads in our area can’t handle the current traffic let alone 280 trucks per day. Also, I’m concerned about the impact on our village and especially the intersection near the local post office. This turn is not suitable nor safe for the extra truck traffic. Lastly many children catch school buses along the route of trucks. They have to cross roads to catch these buses it’s not safe with just car traffic let alone trucks. |
Rita Melville
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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I live at 43 Belmore Road Lorn. I am objecting to the proposed development. I am retired and spend a lot of time in my garden and yard. I fear that the additional traffic will have a negative impact on my time outside. Traffic queues particularly in the morning and the fumes from extra traffic created will not be good for my health. The length of the queues will increase and so will the duration. I am also concerned about the possible damage done to my residence as a result of the vibration caused by large heavily laden trucks. The noise they create will not be pleasant. My son and his family live in Vacy. I assist in the canteen at Vacy school. When traveling to Vacy, I am apprehensive about meeting the big trucks, particularly in the township of Paterson where the roads are not wide. There is one particular 90 degree turn in the middle of the township which would be difficult for the trucks to navigate safely, especially when they are heading from Paterson towards Dungog. The road condition around the railway line in the township is not good. It seems it is beyond the ability of the local council to keep it in good repair. Its condition would deteriorate markedly with extra traffic, particularly heavily laden trucks. |
Garry Clements
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Attached |
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Attachments |
submission-2docx.docx (DOCX, 16.36 KB) |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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As a resident of Butterwick which is in close proximity to Paterson I regularly frequent Paterson Village to go to the general store, chemist, takeaway etc. I have seen first hand the unsafe transport route of the quarry trucks barreling through town especially on the blind corner near the takeaway. Paterson is such a beautiful, quiet village and to see the quarry trucks charging through town at their current numbers is, in my opinion, unsafe and takes away from the culture, ambience and natural environment of the community. The development will dramatically increase the number of trucks through the village which will further exacerbate this issue. We also live within view of Butterwick Road and use it several times a day to transit to work, school and other activities. Quarry trucks regularly use this route throughout the day, and in my opinion are causing damage and stress to already poor road conditions. Further trucks will cause even more damage to our roads plus increase the road traffic noise to our quiet and peaceful area. Despite the plans proposed ANY increase in traffic will adversely impact our community! The Paterson Valley is a beautiful area full of nature and we tax paying, voting residents moved here for that very reason NOT to have quarry trucks impacting our way of life. I strongly object to the quarry expansion! |
Name Redacted
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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- Air quality is large reason we moved to the country enviromemt. Not only for our lunges, but also for our drinking water (tank water). This is a health concern for us and our young children. - The air quality will not only be impacted by the mining dust, but also by the exhaust fumes from large amounts of diesel trucks. - The large amount of trucks pose a large risk to traffic safery, not only in relation to direct accidents, but also from them destroying country roads, creating a unsafe roadways. - The local surrounding area boasts an impressive array of flora and fauna. Mining will subtract from this in numerous ways, including; dust and run off into water ways, reduction in vegetation, etc. - The trucks will be travelling straight through small towns where children and other community members use the roads and footpaths regularly. The trucks will also be passing parks, community halls, and other small shops that egress directly onto the road side, causing great safety concern. - If this development is approved, I urge officials to consider the transportation of minerals by train only. Although there is still many other issues not addressed in this solution, it will still assist in keeping the raods and road ways safer. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
27/10/2022 |
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I live in the local Martins Creek community and am very concerned regarding all the extra truck movements daily. The local roads were NOT meant to carry these huge trucks and especially not the amount with this proposed development. I really don't have a problem with the extra rail movements, as there is an existing rail line directly linking the mine to other large towns, like Maitland and Dungog. Dungog Council does not maintain their roads as it is and this project will only make them worse, in fact they are getting to the stage now after all this wet weather we have been having, that they wont be able to be travelled. Maybe the Developer should be made maintain the roads they travel, as Daracon have a Civil Department which may be able to help here. Please don't give the proposed development the green light till all these things have been worked out, and please don't rely on the Dungog Council to maintain the road, with funds contributed from the Developer. Dungog Council will take the funds elsewhere and spend it on irrelivent projects not connected to this proposal. They are broke and will not maintain the roads. I believe that - Yes - this proposal should be granted, as the added jobs this will provide much needed work for the community, but most of the movements should be sent by Rail, and not Road. I am not sure where the gravel is currently sent by rail, but there must be a better way than by Road Transport - It is ruining all the Roads. Please don't do it. Please come and monitor the current roads where the trucks travel and it will be very clear to you why the community have very little or no support for this proposal - especially transport by road. This project should be like other mining companies - if there is a rail loop to the site, then the movement of the gravel should be by rail - It MAKES SENSE to SEND THE GRAVEL BY RAIL and NOT BY ROAD |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
26/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Traffic through Paterson village of hundreds of trucks is unsustainable and extremely dangerous. There is a huge amount of pedestrian traffic in the village. Also Tocal road is not suitable to carry this amount or type of traffic. |
Brenda Tanner
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Organisation |
The Growth Edge Group PTY Ltd |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
26/10/2022 |
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The latest revised submission by Daracon, has not adequately addressed the concerns raised by individuals, businesses and the local community. AMENITY Once again Daracon have given with one hand - ie reducing the number of trucks, BUT have then extended the operational hours. Firstly, if trains are being loaded 24/7, then light, noise and dust pollutions has INCREASED. All these are HIGHLY detrimental to health and wellbeing of everyone in the local area. Dust from this kind of rock, is actually more detrimental due to its' surface profile, than coal dust. How are Daracon/NSW Government agencies going to ensure adequate monitoring and publication of data? Would they be willing to pay for the distribution of noise, light and dust monitors on local residential properties and fund the collection of data to safe-guard the health and wellbeing of the local community. Also, the submission is stating the quarry will be working 6 days a week, not the 5 days being asked for by the community and I believe in this latest submission the hours of operation have extended - now 0700 - 1800, previously 0700 - 1700. TRAFFIC & TRANSPORT Still there has been no modelling/analysis of the vibrational impact to the foundations of any houses/buildings that are on the route from Martins Creek, through Paterson and Bolawarra. Structural impact to ALL buildings and residence along the route must be assessed, as house-hold insurance is unlikely to pay for subsidence caused by Daracon haulage. ALSO, there will be a devaluation to all affected properties due to noise of 40 'truck and dog' per hour - Has Daracon/DPIE considered future financial compensation claims that might be made as a result of environmental devaluation. Again, the fact that the proposed truck route is the primary School Bus route, with school children and their caregivers being on the roadside between 0800 - 0900 and 1500 - 1630 each. Accident rates are likely to increase as too will damage due to flying 'stones' from these vehicles. Even though covers are used, loose debris is still ejected. Also, with roadside parking in Paterson being the main stopping areas for people using the local amenities, there is likely to be an increase in accidents with people getting into & out of their vehicles. SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS For me personally, my Counselling/consultancy business is based from my property over the ridge from this quarry. My client base comes to this area for the tranquility and ability to disconnect from the noise of urban living in order to work on their problems. Even if I were able to shift my business to weekend programs, with the proposed weekend working and 24/7 loading of trains the environment impacts will be highly adverse and detrimental - therefore future growth/revenue of my business will be adversely impacted. In summary, the current submission has failed to address the objections raised by residents and local community. Daracon have not adequately prevented, mitigated or offset any of the really impacts the expansion will have to the local area AND what are DPIE proposing in terms of regulatory monitoring to ensure that Daracon abide by any of the conditions that ultimately will be agreed to by DPIE? As for Paterson, this has just started to thrive again as a tourist spot, with cafe's, shops, park and taverns - Increase in Trucks, noise and dust will severely mar any visitors experience of the area and almost certainly extinguish any growth in tourism. Certainly for families using the park with their children, wouldn't want 40 trucks an hour thundering through the village! ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Further extension to the quarry will remove native bush that is home to Koalas, eagles and many other species of wildlife, all of which are on the endangered species list. It's not a question of re-locating these creatures - it's vital that the habitat remains un-impacted, not only by removal, but also noise, light and dust pollution. The current proposal makes no mention of control measures for water pollution in normal operation and more importantly in adverse weather conditions, such as the La Niña currently being experienced. Where is polluted waste water going to be stored - how is this going to be cleaned or how will it be discharged? REHABILITATION Rehabilitation and landform, needs to clearly set out what provisions Daracon is making on-going to rehabilitate the land as they go, AND what financial impost is being put on them in terms is profit allocation to fully rehabilitate the quarry - The final landform needs to be contoured to support proper re-habilitation - Soil structure needs to be replaced and for every tree that is taken down, there needs to be provision for it to be replaced with 'X number' native bushland plants/trees - Not just scatter grass seed with drones (used by the Coal mines). IMPACTS TO ABORIGINAL HERITAGE This section of the submission appeared to be cursory. Although it mentioned that Local Council had been consulted with, it didn't show or outline the areas around the quarry that remain of significant importance to First Nation and which in line with all other areas being addressed, would be impacted by the expansion of the working of this quarry. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
26/10/2022 |
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Stones will be scattered on the roads and could damage windscreen of other cars and endanger the life of their drivers. Traffic is already very bad st Hunter glen drive intersection , and this project will make it much worse. |
Beth Wozniak
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
26/10/2022 |
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I object wholeheartedly to the expansion of the Martin's creek quarry. Paterson is a thriving community orientated town. It sees family's enjoying it's beautiful parks and tourists visiting to enjoy it's beauty. That happiness that you feel when you drive into Paterson would quickly decimate. No one wants to have a sunny picnic while trucks drive past one after another. The roads can not cope with the traffic that goes through the town as it is. The trains that currently pass through are loud and quite frequent. If the quarry goes ahead the noise from either trucks, trains or the quarry itself would make living in the area a nightmare. In a climate where family's are struggling mentality, this is just another issue we don't need. Please let us keep our piece of paradise! |
Name Redacted
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25/10/2022 |
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The number of trucks on our roads to support this development is preposterous! It would make a mockery of the entire process to see the analysis done and ignored. Surely the only answer is to decline this development. That is all. |
Ainslie Fortune
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New South Wales |
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Date |
25/10/2022 |
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We totally object to this proposed development. It seems no consideration has been given to the small historical town of Paterson. No consideration to the amount of trucks that will be on the road. I have young drivers that travel from paterson to Maitland everyday & the thought of all these trucks on the roads is quite alarming. The impact of the businesses in Paterson will be immense. It will drop the housing prices down. No thought whatsoever has been given to this proposal. The only thing of concern to tthe developers is MONEY. This development of this scale should be illegal in small townships. This company make so much money they should be forced to make alternative routes away from theses towns. But once again huge companies couldnt care less about the impacts they inflict & only about how much extra they will make each day. The roads are bad enough as it is. There is no way they will cope with this amount of heavy traffic |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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25/10/2022 |
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As a property owner less than 2km from the quarry I am not asking for the quarry to be shut down, this quarry obviously supplies product that is needed for infrastructure, but that the expansion is detrimental to the lives of not only the people living nearby but also to lives of those who will be living along the travel corridor with multitude of trucks coming through each day. As someone who lived in the area in the height of the quarry taking more than they were licenced for, I can attest to the constant interruption in life from the continuous stream of trucks (including those who went over the speed limit in our small rural town of Paterson), to the noise & vibrations caused by the quarry itself, the dust that we had to deal with that not only got in to our houses but in to the water tanks of those in surrounding properties (all of which I’m sure we don’t have to remind you is carcinogenic). Who will be the one to pay for repairs and maintenance not only to our roads, which are already in a state of disrepair, our cars that cope abuse from the extra pot holes & flying stones from the trucks but also to our houses and commercial buildings in the Paterson area from the consistent vibrations of blasting, truck movement, extra trains? In a world where we are told to plant more trees, help stop global warming the removal of beautiful bush land which I often walk amongst, and doing my part to restore on my own property, seems like a step in the other direction- but all for the bottom line right? The dollar. As well as another example of someone in Sydney deciding what’s “best” for an area they’ve never been to, never bothered to visit, never bothered to ask. |
Name Redacted
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New South Wales |
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Date |
24/10/2022 |
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I strongly object to this project being approved for a number of reasons. These are listed below 1. The impact to the traffic through the local area will lead to road safety being compromised. The roads are narrow and include a single lane bridge over the Paterson River at Gostwyck bridge. Trucks travelling towards the township of Paterson would be moving at speeds which could lead to them not having time to give way to oncoming traffic and causing accidents. 2. The roads in this area are severely compromised due to weather and inadequate repairs. Large potholes on Dungog Road and Gresford road mean that motorists are often forced to use the centre of the road to avoid damage. Having to negotiate these will be more difficult with oncoming trucks to avoid. 3. The proposed number of trucks will have significant impact on the township of Paterson, a beautiful small community full of history and character. There will be significant impact on the small businesses and patrons who live near and visit this small hub regularly. 4. Our property is quite close to the existing quarry. The dust and noise will significantly affect our ongoing quality of life. As an asthmatic I fear the impact the resulting dust will have on my health. We also fear for the impact this will have on the native wildlife. 5. Noise pollution is also a factor. The proposed unreasonable hours of operation will also affect the residents sleep. We live in an extended family setting which includes 3 small children who are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. One is severely disabled and has poor quality sleep at the best of times. If the hours could be reduced to normal work hours it would at least be a concession to residents. My husband also suffers from chronic pain and difficulty sleeping. This matter has already caused distress amongst many who live in this area. Some of the angst is due to feeling powerless in the face of Local Government and big business riding rough shod of the individuals who happen to be in the way. It’s hard to measure the impact of this on the feeling of well-being of individuals however we hope that such things will be taking into account. |
Anthony Fleming
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New South Wales |
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Date |
24/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I am resident on the proposed traffic path from the quarry, living on Paterson Road in Bolwarra. I am in no way objecting to the quarry expansion as I am all for economic growth and being a coal miner, I understand what our natural resources are used for and the importance of them, and not being directly affected by the quarry operations itself I do not fully understand the effects and therefore should not comment on this area. I object to the way that the material will be moved from site. The Bolwarra area, and other suburbs on the proposed path, is far different now, in terms of population/ traffic movements/ children on roads, than it was when the quarry had peak truck movements in 2013-14 (as per Daracon information) due to the expansion of housing developments from Bolwarra, Largs and Paterson. I believe that, due to safety reasons for the residents of the proposed truck path that this should not be allowed to proceed under its current proposal. The rail line is next door to the quarry site and this should be the way that material is transported. Coal haulage traffic was taken off the roads of the Hunter Valley years ago due to similar concerns to those raised in opposition to the quarry. In my opinion the same should apply in this instance. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
22/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Due to the large number of proposed truck movements on a daily basis if this project is approved and the damage to local roads, disturbance to people's lives along route and extreme traffic congestion these trucks would cause, I believe that Daracon should only receive approval for the quarry operations if 100% of their gravel and rock, dug from the quarry is transported by rail. The roads in the Dungog and Maitland LGA s are not built to withstand the pounding all the fully laden trucks would cause. There would be too much noise and disruption to local communities. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
22/10/2022 |
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Submission |
My concern is with 40 trucks travelling through Bolwarra, will have a devastating effect on our roads (that are already in a bad shape) our roads can't handle that amount of trucks per hour and was never built to either, and I know this, as I have lived in Bolwarra all my life (47years). It will absolutely destroy our rural community. Traffic on Pitnacree Road is already a nightmare for morning work traffic, without an additional 40 trucks per hour added to this each morning. It's a disaster waiting to happen. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I live in port Stephens and volunteer for port stephens koala hospital. Please reject the Daracon application for mining . Nsw is fast losing its native bush and pushing the native flora and fauna into a “corner” literally! And they might not be able to survive. It’s distressing to see so much road kill carnage there is along our main roads . We must stop using native bush for corporate gain. The time has come NSW government…we need to stop before it’s too late! Please….!!! Kind Regards A very worried ratepayer! |
Douglas Hamment
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The main objection I have to the Martins Creek Quarry Proposal is traffic related. There are two areas that are likely to of a negative impact. From my perspective the first is the Gostwyck Bridge on Dungog Road. As with many bridges in the Dungog LGA, this bridge is single lane with a Give Way sign on the northern entry to the bridge. This section of road inclines down to the bridge. Entry from the other (southern) end of the bridge is not signposted. Personally, I have been forced to stop suddenly entering from the southern entry of the bridge, so as to avoid inconsiderate drivers entering from the northern entry, who have disregarded the Give Way sign. So, if one considers the number of proposed truck movements per day (280) departing the quarry and those trucks returning to the quarry, the likelihood of accidents increases substantially. My second area of concern from a traffic perspective, is the ninety degree road turn within Paterson village at the intersection of King Street and Duke Street. The majority of the trucks used by Daracon and their contractors are Heavy Rigid trucks with a Trailer. Trucks turning from King Street into Duke Street have a tendency to "cut the corner" thus encroaching on traffic on Duke Street. The sheer volume of truck movements through the village of Paterson is most unacceptable. I appreciate the concerns of the residents and business owners of the village. As a resident of the View Estate, located on the Vacy side of Dungog Road, and adjacent to the Martins Creek Quarry, I am concerned the increase in production at the quarry will lead to increases in noise and dust levels. I fear the NSW Planning Department has not fully appreciated the concerns of the local residents and the impacts on the local infrastructure. |
Nigel Pereira
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Organisation |
Orica |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
22/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I am a landowner directly impacted by the excessive noise pollution created from the full and empty trucks along Gresford Road Paterson. Our family has experienced these issues when Daracon were first mining the quarry at illegal levels of extraction. Full trucks travelling on Gresford Road tear up the asphalt generating excessive road damage. potholes become very large and dangerous for general road traffic that need to cross the road to get around them. The noise of empty trucks returning to the quarry is significant due to the road damage. There is also inadequate compensation for the road damage conducted by the quarry to the local council, my council rates and government taxes are subsidising the operation of the quarry. Another concern I have is the reduced safety of the local road system as it is not designed for the level of truck movements Daracon is proposing. The first is the excessive speed of trucks along Gresford Road during school bus pick up which occurs along Gresford Road and into Paterson. I have experienced first hand quarry trucks overtaking school buses at excessive speed while pick up is occurring. The second concern Daracon have proved that they cannot control the speed of contractors who conduct most of the haulage. The second issue is the corner of King and Duke st Paterson, this 90% bench through the town is dangerous for quarry trucks to safety turn, I have seen first hand trucks cut the corner and the increased truck and near misses with other vehicles. There are no suitable proposed safety controls from Daracon for this corner, that do not negatively impact the local businesses, the road is unsuitable and should not be used to transport of quarry materials by truck. Since the quarry has not been operational our Paterson community has been a better place to life, we have seen significant growth in new families coming to the area, new businesses have started in Paterson and we have seen many more visitors to our beautiful and tranquil area. I cannot understand how the quarry expansion could be in the interest of the community, the jobs are very limited and not needed and there are well established large scale quarries in the area and in the Goulburn region that already service the market. The Daracon proposal as is would devastate our local community. The controls that Daracon propose do not address the truck movement issues mentioned above, rail is the only option however Daracon need to have in place the additional capacity and noise controls prior to restarting the quarry, not 2-4 years afterwards. Please consider the people in our region before allowing this expansion to go ahead. |
Angus McGee
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
22/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Noting the Dept of Planning and Resources require significant raw materials for upcoming major infrastructure projects, and my objection is based on the locality of the quarry in relation to arterial roadways, requiring significant impact to surrounding residential communities to reach major roads for haulage. The quarry was designed to export material by rail only, based on the location of the quarry and it's adjacency to the North Coast Line and this needs to be closely considered when assessing the impact on the proposed quarry operations if operations were to occur based on road haulage, Further to the above, the ongoing damage to roads, particularly in inclement weather, will provide unsatisfactory risks for motorists on the road where articulated vehicles carrying 30+ tonnes of material at the rate per hour proposed by the applicant. The roads within Dungog and Maitland Councils were not designed to every take this demand of heavy vehicles, which will be further detrimental to the current condition the roads are in with ongoing inclement weather. With consideration trains are proposed to be loaded 24 hours a day 7 days a week is incomprehensible given the quarry shares the local surrounds with residents in all directions. No amount of acoustic screening will prevent the loading of trains and the associated shunting disrupting the community during the night hours. Our property is approximately 2km from the quarry. During peak (illegal) operations mid-2010, the disruption to the community through road transport was completely unacceptable and unsustainable. There have been countless incidents where trucks have incurred damage to my vehicle where road resurfacing has been carried out and speed limits placed were not followed. The illegal route to Martins Creek Quarry via Martins Creek Rd where a 12t limit is placed on the road was frequently infringed. Dust build up inside the house required and within the water storage tanks was a problem despite the applicant implementing control measures within the operation. Road surfaces were frequently damaged and posed unacceptable risk to motorists with potholes requiring drivers to avoid, whilst often facing oncoming heavy vehicles travelling at speed. The Dept of Planning and Resources have stated they have considered community concerns, however have dismissed all valid concerns and issues, and have provided full support of the proposal. Given the requirement of raw materials required for major infrastructure projects, there is an element of concern as to how the Department have given their full support of the application, and the potential conflict of interest this raises with how the department will deliver projects where raw material was required to be imported from quarries that may be a further distance from the applicant's proposed operation. It is noted there have been conditions placed on the support of the proposal, however, the majority of these conditions are grossly inadequate, are completely insufficient in addressing community concerns, and given the applicant's previous belligerence of past conditions imposed on the quarry operations, there are viable community concerns the conditions recommended are not in the best interest of the community; rather, in the best interest of delivering infrastructure upgrades in the Hunter area. It is unacceptable the community must bear the weight of expanding raw material mining for state projects where there are quarry operations in the Hunter area that are located adjacent to major arterial roads and are not in close proximity of rural communities. The Department of Planning and resources state it is financially unviable for the applicant to extend the railway in order to export quarry material, however, the Department has completely ignored the community's concerns that the properties in proximity to the quarry expansion and its proposed haulage route will decline in value due to the disruption and danger this will cause affected residents. Most of the reports provided by Umwelt were heavily biased in support of the project, and in some instances were grossly misleading, which was not flagged by the Department of Planning and Resources during their review process despite omissions and factual misleadings being pointed out by the Martins Creek Quarry Action Group. The community is now relying on the IPC to undertake an objective assessment of the proposed quarry expansion, a legitimate assessment of the impacts the proposed haulage route will have on the community, and if indeed the proposal is in the public interest, or in the interest of infrastructure projects. If the Department of Planning and Resources deem the extension of the rail line financially unviable for the applicant, this should be lobbied to the State Government to provide funding to maintain export of quarry material via rail as always intended rather than imposing unacceptable impacts to a considerable area of community due to a claim that upgrading infrastructure that will make millions of dollars in revenue and profit over the proposed 30 year period is simply not financially viable. |
Mark Grant
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I live on Vogeles Road, which is adjacent to the Quarry. My family has lived here for 6 and 1/2 years. We were always aware of the Quarry and noticed a steady increase in noise and dust over the first 5 years. I am objecting to the development going ahead for a number of reasons. The increased development of the site will cause substantial damage to the local bushland, of which there are many native and endangered species, including Koala's, Spotted Quoll's, echidna's and many bird species. We have photos and have sighted these species and numerous other species on our land. The development will destroy habitats and in some causes the death of these species, again raising the issue of the impact of such a Quarry on our local community in Martins Creek. With the obvious destruction of animal habitats, there is the issue of far increased noise and dust levels. I have severe asthma and I have been told that additional dust will be a concern for my health, of which this development will generate. There will be major additional noise pollution and explosions ( of which are shake our home and have done over the years we have been in this location). The roads are currently in very poor condition from the recent heavy rain and weather, which will not cope with the additional 2 to 3 fold of heavy vehicles passing on them every day. I am very concerned that my family may have to move out of the area if this development proceeds. I think it will be far too noisy, dusty and cause too much heartache to the local animal species for us to consider staying. In summary, we love this area and location. We dont want to move and have always found it to be a haven of wildlife. I hope you will consider my concerns as a small and insignificant resident of the Martins Creek area and surrounds. I am whole heartedly oppossed to the development. |
Rebecca Creswick
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
I object the submissions for proposed plans |
Melissa Tnokoski
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I am concerned about the impact to house prices in the area. My house backs onto pateraon road and I feel there has not been enough consultation with the community about the impacts of the trucks coming and going. I have 2 autistic children, I chose to leave a city and move here for the lifestyle. Not for constant trucks to drive past. My children have sensory issues and the extra noise will not be good for them and their well being. Plus they could also access the back of my property and having extra trucks on the road could be dangerous if one of them wanders out on the road. Plus my back yard is very close to the road. One of them could be playing at the back and all a truck needs to do is swerve off the road 1 metre and it will be in my back yard and potential kill one of my children simply playing outside on MY property! This is not acceptable and this road is not meant for this kind of traffic. Local traffic only! My three children also attend tillys at bolworra and it is already difficult enough getting out of there at peak times. If more trucks are added to this route it will create a major safety issue with trying to pull out from tillys and into fast moving traffic. I have friends that live in vacey and paterson and this will destroy the beautiful town of paterson. This is a small community and DOES NOT need this many trucks coming through there. The roads are not build to withstand that plus there are so many children and tourists it's just not compatible. Not to mention the reduction in house prices this will cause there. So either train it out or reject the proposal. |
Leah Hawe
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The traffic issue will be huge it is already a busy road and it doesn't need more trucks using the road and also the noise and polition I will not be happy about. It is disappointing about how many natural animal habitats that will be affected. Less trucks would be great. I also think it shouldnt be allowed to be expanded. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I am concerned about impact of traffic and transport on roads. I endorse the concerns raised by Dave Layzell and the councils about haulage and safety- including pedestrian safety in Paterson and other locations the additional trucks will move through. The roads in the region are already poor- if maintenance of roads impacted by additional impost placed by haulage is required, there is likely to be higher priority given to those which will impact to the priority given to repair and maintenance of other roads in the region. I would welcome further information about why rail is not suitable - in particular in addition to the matters raised suggesting rail be considered as a preferred mode of transport to trucks, I would find it useful to have some insight into any comparison that has been done re things such as carbon emissions from truck rather than rail transport. Others have raised the potential impact of trucks on their business in Paterson as well as the amenity and air of the local area - I agree with the points they have made. Thank you |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission |
This proposal goes against every reason we moved from the city with our children. Slowly over the last 4 years Bolwarra has changed. More houses, more traffic, more accidents. Having come to terms with this we now object to the proposed even more traffic, noise, dust continually driving through our semi rural community. |
Kerry Broad
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
Water run off from dams from quarry into a Creek which runs through my property. Needs water quality control on this. Noise and traffic hazard of number of trucks going past my front door. I don’t object to it all going by rail if noise constraints are put in place with reduced production. |
Joshua Deaves
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
Please use rail and make the company pay for a spur The effect to road wear and infrastructure upgrades require dual lanes and an additional very high level of rail/road crossing If the proposal is prepared to pay for this like a residentia/commercial development this case is null and void. If you want to utilise the infrastructure for a organisational benefit the organisation needs to pay for it. It is no different to the coal industry which pay far higher royalties. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
21/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposal to have up to 400 trucks an hour traveling along Paterson Road is a clear disregard for the community. This road is not designed for this type of traffic and comes at great risk to those who live and travel along the road. Previous restrictions such as trucks not traveling in convoy have not been abided by drivers who regularly would fly through the Paterson road round about not only in convoy but also with no regard for other traffic on the road. The noise , dust and extra traffic is not welcomed in our community! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
20/10/2022 |
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Submission |
As a retired large scale mining executive, I believe that this has to be the only mine (it is a mine, regardless of however you may wish to describe it) in Australia that does not have a designated and mine-funded access road which avoids local business and housing communities. To have substantial mining traffic despoiling an historic village is a travesty of good governance. One wonders why this mine has been exempted from bureaucratic common sense for so long. One cannot but have suspicions. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
19/10/2022 |
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Submission |
There are so many concerns about the quarry expansion, but the most obvious one is the impact to the roads and traffic to and from the quarry. As a resident the number of times I have had HR and B double trucks failing to give way on Gostwyck bridge is innumerable, they come hurtling around the corner at speeds that do not allow adequate breaking distance. With the expected increase of heavy vehicle traffic it is a fatal accident waiting to happen. This also happens to a lesser extent on Horns Crossing Road as the larger trucks tear across in the center of the bridge at higher than safe speeds. The roads at the end of Dungog Shire may not be as bad as the ones near Dungog itself but they are in no where good enough condition to take the vastly increased residential traffic. Who will be in charge of fixing them in a timely manner? The traffic congestion through Paterson is also an additional problem, the roads there are not equipped to handle such significant additional traffic burdens. I have a child with severe Autism, we actually moved from metropolitan Sydney to this idyllic rural setting for him. As a child with extreme sensory issues including traffic noise etc he was under constant stress in the city, since living in this area he has stared to come out of his shell. We have grave concerns that the additional noise pollution from the quarry blasts, machinery and heavy vehicles will cause another regression in him and also trigger him self harming from the stress of the noise. In all probability nothing anyone can submit that will make a difference in the quarry expansion taking place, but this proposal should be stopped. We are small rural centeres with insufficient infrastructure to cope with developments like this. Historically there is little concern for residents objections and the damage done to our local area, then once your lease or the resources run out and you move along to the next thing leave the locals to deal with all of the issues left behind. I vehemently oppose the expansion and I hope it is not allowed to proceed. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
19/10/2022 |
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Submission |
It is well known that approximately 56 000 more people are to move to Maitland. Whilst the area has agricultural use and previous mining activity, the fact is the roads are single lane 80km/hr roads used by locals, with no verge. The impact of trucks as suggested is out of proportion to the residential, agricultural and native flora and fauna in the area. This will lead to major accidents, major road damage, death of wildlife, and traffic congestion in the area like night follows day. Maitland has changed in that it is now an extensive feeder suburb to Newcastle and the Hunter more generally. It would be the equivalent of placing a large quarry in Penrith in Sydney. |
Bruce Newton
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
Object |
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Submission method |
Website |
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Submission |
The quarry has a train line going directly into the business for the transport of gravel, and ballast. The quality and narrowness of local roads that the trucks take are not suitable for the types of trucks and trailers that are used currently. The small village of Paterson where the trucks travel through is heavily impacted by the large trucks travelling in close proximity to members of the public who live in or are visiting this historic village. We have already seen what issues an increase in truck traffic caused in a previous situation when a large amount of product was needed for a facility that was being built, the facility had a rail line running right next to it which would have been perfect for delivery, but hundreds of trucks were used!!! Why can't the product be transported by rail to locations close to where it's needed and taken to sites from there? |
Ella Coleman
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
WE OBJECT! So many trucks going through our town and so much noise, very dangerous and not good for the community No one wants this to happen you are going to ruin our lives and peaceful towns |
Allyson Dolman
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The increased truck movements along Paterson and Tocal Roads would put significant pressure on these already busy roads. Not to mention the dust, noise and impact on the road surfaces. As a resident of Bolwarra Heights for 47 years, I am extremely concerned that our quiet, safe neighbourhood will be grossly impacted by this quarry expansion. and the associated truck movements that it would occur. I strongly object to this proposal. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The proposal will destroy roads, destroy air quality, bio-diversity. There isn’t sufficient infrastructure to be able to support this kind of project and also keep the roads clear for everyday traffic. There is no room for this proposal to go ahead in any capacity. It’s not safe, the region you will need access to, to complete this project cannot be entertained as the roads are already unfit, this will negatively impact the environment, the local communities, the infrastructure. Even traffic controlling would become a nightmare. Leave rural communities alone. There is a reason for the areas around this proposed site, not growing in size and it’s because a lot of money is paid from us citizens to keep it as it is! |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I object the roads cannot cope with the heavy vehicles. Martin's Creek Township roads are a disgrace let alone the impact of constant blasting to the houses. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submission |
To much traffic .noise .damaged roads bad for the environment |
Greg Homan
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Organisation |
Paterson Rotary |
|---|---|
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
We cannot support the increased movement of. Trucks through our township of Paterson and surrounding areas and this development goes against the original approval |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submission |
Roads can't cope with current traffic, let alone more. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
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|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The Quarry should remain viable without needing additional road transport as the rail link used as per previous consent conditions. The additional heavy truck movements would severely affect - Quality of lifestyle for residents - Road conditions with damage to rural roads - Safety for children on school buses - Death of wildlife on roads -Safety of all road users |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
18/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission |
These roads are narrow enough without adding more trucks to the roads |
Neil Coutts
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/10/2022 |
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Submission |
My home is very close to the Quarry we feel the blasts from the quarry and have movement and cracks in our gyprock and plaster it’s quite unsettling hearing the blasts which are unannounced you never get use to it , the roads are in a terrible state whilst there been little trucks moving in the last years I can’t fathom I remember when the quarry was in full swing before Daracon was pulled over the coals the trucks where a nightmare I can’t imagine how bad it will be if the quarry is granted approval, I also noticed on the submissions for the approval it is mostly from Daracon trucks drivers and businesses that deal with Daracon this understandable but they they will not have to live with it at their homes or loose value in their property value. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads in my local community can not cope with the amount of trucks that are planned to be on the road. What about all the children at the school, who will be affected by blasting and the dust that blasting will create ? There has been a whole lot cleaner air in the village and surrounding suburbs since that place ceased operations. I am truly offended given all the negative submissions this has gone as far as it has. Clearly it’s all about who’s pocket is being lined with $$ rather than what is right. No such thing as democracy. Hope Daracon can continue to grease the palms of the powers that be. No one listens to the locals anymore and that is just sad. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/10/2022 |
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Submission |
i strongly object to the proposal to have up to 280 truck movements per day from via Tocal Road and Paterson Road. This route is through several suburban residential areas where residents already have difficulty exiting their properties at peak traffic times. Tocal Road is narrow in parts and unsafe for increased truck traffic to co exist with cyclists, pedestrians and residents trying to exit and enter their homes. Another route needs to be found to move any increased extraction from the quarry that does not go through suburban areas and more needs to be moved by rail. |
Name Redacted
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Location |
New South Wales |
|---|---|
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Date |
17/10/2022 |
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Submitter position |
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Submission method |
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Submission |
Objection to the proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry I've resided in Martins Creek with my family for 36 years , it's a beautiful place to live. Our narrow country roads are not built for heavy haulage, they are single lane roads and anyone can tell you, they are already damaged with potholes and in constant need of repair. It's not hard to imagine the state of the roads with Daracon's proposed haulage and empty truck movements daily It wasn't that long ago that Daracon acted with no consideration to residents or communities and we felt the impact. There is already traffic congestion at Bolwarra roundabout in the mornings and afternoons and on flat road, communities are growing, this will be a nightmare with the number of trucks Daracon is proposing to add to that. The proposed expansion including the new entrance to the quarry along Dungog road is going to totally destroy the habitat of our wildlife, it will be ugly, noisy and industrial and the impact will be felt through many communities. We could hear the blasting, our house shook and the windows rattled, it feels like an earth tremor, no doubt that's coming again. While there may not have been one "reported" truck accident on the roads previously, I can assure you, I've had a few close calls with trucks failing to give way, not stopping at stop signs and taking huge risks overtaking on narrow roads. There is nothing in the recommended conditions of consent that come close to offsetting any adverse impacts from the proposed development, how do you offset air pollution and still propose hundreds of truck movements per day? It's disappointing that the monetary value overrides the environmental impact of the proposed expansion, especially in the light of climate change. The proposed development will not benefit local communities. Dungog Shire Council raised valid concerns with the Land and Environment Court and WON their case, how is it that now, all of that simply falls on deaf ears? So please consider the impact this will have on our communities for the next 25 years, consider the impacts on the air quality, the noise, the roads, the congestion, our health and wellbeing and our fauna and flora. |
David Day
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
16/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I completely object to the the Martins creek quarry re opening for several real issues that are not being addressed by Darcon. The use of local roads with the volume of heavy truck transportation will have a direct negative impact on the communities safety with deteriorating road conditions and truck numbers increasing traffic flow through the community substantially. The amount Daracon etc have said they would pay per tonne to cover the damages to the road won’t even cover a 1/3 of the cost of the actual cost. The plan to expand the quarry has not acknowledged the direct impact in the wildlife and most importantly the declining koala population. The delicate habit that is unique to this area can not be replaced or simply moved. Is the flora and fauna not important? Are we putting a higher price on money and resources versus things that are irreplaceable? “Only after the last tree has been cut down… only then you’ll realise that money cannot be eaten”. I live by this very famous Indian prophecy and the environmental council should too. In conclusion, due to the fauna and flora, safety in town and on our roads with traffic, road conditions deteriorating due to heavy vehicle use, noise from the trucks in a small rural town ruining the well-being of residents and purpose of such a town, I completely object to the latest application for the quarry at Martin’s creek. |
James Ladwig
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The roads used by the Quarry truck can not sustain the damage caused, at local council expense - both in lost safety and cost of continual repair. |
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Name Redacted
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Organisation |
Community |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
14/10/2022 |
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Submission |
I believe Martin's Creek is a residential village and deserves to be treated as one. The quarry can operate without huge extensions and continual pollution and noise to the residents. We deserve to live in environmentally friendly surroundings without our health being impacted with dust and noise pollution and trucks passing our doors for the entire day. We need to care for our environment and neighbours. |
Joanne Way
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Organisation |
Paterson country cafeteria |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/10/2022 |
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Submission |
The shear volume of truck movements a day is unrealistic and ridiculous to say the least. The consequences for my business are huge our customers come to sit and enjoy the quiet rural aspect of our village no one wants to see the amount of trucks going past how it was before when the quarry was operating illegally beyond there quotas and perimeters let alone not being able to park in the Main Street the impact on the village would be catastrophic there are several other routes s to go and options that should be used with less impact on the beautiful town of paterson come and sit out the front of my cafe have a coffee and rethink this proposal |
Loretta Saunders
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/10/2022 |
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Submission |
As my property is over the ridge from the quarry the noise and the amount of dust on my windows and roof is very worrying as my family is on tank water and we are consuming it .If the are going to pas this quarry more like Mine .Daracon can pay to run water from Blackrock Rd to my property Loretta Saunders |
Susanne ARBLASTER
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Organisation |
SUSANNE CLARE ARBLASTER |
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
12/10/2022 |
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Submission |
My family and I have objected to this proposal way back since the early 2000's. I am so surprised this request continues to be raised again. NO MEANS NO, as our communities have stated in our objections every single time. Why is it necessary to destroy more of our natural environment. Destroy the natural flora and fauna, homes, and havens for wildlife. Cause damage to our roads and to our heritage homes and properties in this area, which Maitland Council so strongly enforces homeowners to maintain, at our own expense. This proposed extension will increase the number of heavy trucks that already thunder down past our homes, preschools, primary schools, shops, eateries, and heritage landmarks and sights that visitors to these areas, not to mention residents and workers patronise EVERY day. Trucks are already a hazard and since typing this objection I can honestly say several trucks have passed by our house vibrating it, we have a heritage house and constantly deal with the issue of cracking and movement due to heavy vehicles - and the Quarry wants to increase them. This expansion is not considering all concerned and therefore a decision cannot be made to the affirmative of Martins Creek Quarry while residents, visitors, businesses etc are objecting. We stress that - oh there goes a truck now as I type.... sheesh - yes, my floorboards vibrate - moving on - we stress the importance of maintaining our area and properties in Bolwarra, Maitland, Morpeth, Paterson, Tocal and surrounds. On behalf of my family, I will once again and CONTINUE to object to the expansion of this quarry and any other in this area - since living here we have witnessed extensive ruination of the surrounding environment with house building and cluttering of already overcrowded roads - which are in a shocking way, due to heavy vehicles. I also would like to add – our peace and quiet is affected with the trucks noise – you cannot disguise the noise of a large heavy vehicle. Even when it’s empty and it hits a rough patch on the road, or a pothole it rattles. It’s just a big NO, sorry we are entitled to a peaceful, safe living environment. There goes an empty truck, rattling past and I’m sitting in the back room of a large property. I strongly object to the expansion - however cannot attend the meeting due to work commitments - I give back to Maitland in many ways, work and volunteering, charity, fund raising - perhaps you can give back too. |
Andrew Wernbacher
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Location |
New South Wales |
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Date |
11/10/2022 |
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Submission |
As a resident of the Bolwarra Heights community, I and the local community are deeply concerned about the safety of our friends and neighbors as a result of the additional proposed heavy truck movements. With the truck movements, we also don't welcome the additional noise. |