Calga Quarry - Extension

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am strongly opposed to the expansions that Rocla Materials Pty Ltd at Calga have proposed in regard to it's extraction, processing and the transportation of sand.

As an agister at Glenworth Valley I travel to Calga regularly via the F3 and then turn off onto Peats Ridge road. I have been an agister for over three years.

Since the expansion of the mine, there has been an increase in the number of trucks on the road, both on Peats Ridge road and the F3. Recently a friend, who also agists at Glenworth Valley, had her windscreen hit by debris from a truck who's load wasn't properly covered. She had to pullover and have the windscreen repaired - she was travelling with her 10 month old son.

The F3 is dangerous enough without the extra trucks,not to mention the wear and tear on the roads especially in vicinity of the entrance to the Rocla mine. The noise from the trucks is excessive on Peats Ridge road and with the extension of it's operating hours will impact on residents even more.

Peats Ridge road is also a well known route for both social motor bikers and cyclists. Both of these activities do not mix well with trucks, which often do speed and are intimidating on the road..

My friends who live in close proximity of the mine are also impacted by the effects of the dust, to the point that they are now unable to hang their clothes out to dry!. Their houses are covered in dust, especially after a windy day, which occur often.

The destruction of precious resources whether it be water, native flora and fauna is tragic.The change in the landscape over the last two years is blatant environmental vandalism and no amount of rehabilitation is going to bring back what has been destroyed!.

There are many other sandmines in the area, why does Rocla need to expand? Who actually benefits from the expansion? Certainly not the local and wider community and the environment is the big loser...again.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely

Chrissie Bell

Please see attached document

Please find submission attached

Please find attached my comments concerning the proposed extension to mining operations at Calga Quarry.

It is my view that potential impact on the habitat of local fauna, both threatened and protected, would exceed the social and economic benefits of the operations.

It is evident that the proposal would result in a net loss of valuable habitat and wildlife individuals, both threatened and protected. The offset, although providing some confidence that the parcel of land may not be cleared in the future, is under no stated threat of clearance now and would not provide additional habitat to offset which would be cleared for this proposal (aside from some speculation that it may be cleared in the future). Clearing proposed by this proposal would result in permanent removal of habitat for many species, resulting in loss of individuals both short term and long term. For this reason, the proposal does not meet an objective of the DEC draft guidelines for the proposal that states:

Maintain or improve biodiversity values (no net impact on threatened species or native vegetation).

It is also my opinion that, although many ecological studies have been undertaken, they have not adequately assessed the impacts on threatened species (please see detailed comments attached).

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Name provided.