Posted: 13.02.2023
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today determined to refuse Buttai Gravel’s proposed Martins Creek Quarry Project (SSD-6612) in the Dungog local government area, due to significant impacts from the road haulage of quarry products.
In its Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission found that “the road transportation of 450,000 tonnes a year of hard rock quarry product over 25 years would have unreasonable and unacceptable impacts for the communities along the proposed haulage route”.
The Commission acknowledged that the Project did have strategic value and economic benefits, and that the on-site issues associated with the proposed quarry – including water, air quality,
noise and biodiversity impacts – could have been appropriately managed, if not for the significant off-site impacts along the road haulage route.
The Commission found that increased truck movements (up to 160 quarry truck movements per day) through the main street of Paterson and to a lesser degree, Bolwarra and Bolwarra Heights, would have impacts on residential amenity, tourism, local businesses and road and pedestrian safety that would result in significant and adverse impacts on the communities in the affected areas.
The Commission concluded that “the cumulative impacts of the proposed road haulage volumes are, on balance, not in the public interest, particularly given the 25 year period over which the
impacts would be experienced”.
All the documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/2022/09/martins-creek-quarry
We recognise the importance of community participation in our decision-making process. Using our ‘Make a submission’ form is the easiest way for you to make a submission on cases currently before the Commission.