Posted: 08.07.2024
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has today approved a proposal by Eagleton Rock Syndicate Pty Ltd for the development of a new hard rock quarry located in Eagleton, in the Port Stephens Local Government Area. The Eagleton Quarry (SSD-7332) is a State significant development comprising the extraction, processing and transport up to 600,000 tonnes per annum of hard rock material over a 30-year period.
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure completed its whole-of-government assessment in April this year before it was referred to the Commission for determination because at least 50 people objected to the proposed development. The three-member Commission Panel, comprising Adrian Pilton (Chair), Juliet Grant and Alison McCabe, met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection, and received written submissions from the community.
The Panel has today, 8 July 2024, determined to grant conditional development consent to the project.
The Commission found that the proposed site is “suitable for a hard rock quarry given its hard rock resources, topography, avoidance of major environmental constraints and access to the regional road network."
The Commission acknowledged the concerns raised by members of the community and found that the impacts of the development could be mitigated through strict conditions of consent. These include conditions setting strict noise, blasting and air quality criteria which the Applicant must comply with for the life of the project. The Applicant must also offset biodiversity impacts, including by establishing a Biodiversity Stewardship Site covering an area of 60.83 hectares of land within its land holding adjoining the southern and eastern portions of the site.
These and other conditions of consent are designed to:
• prevent, minimise and/or offset adverse environmental impacts;
• set standards and performance measures for acceptable environmental performance;
• ensure regular monitoring and reporting; and
• provide for the on-going environmental management of the development
All the documents relating to the assessment and determination of this proposal can be found on the Commission’s website: www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/2024/04/eagleton-quarry
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