The Gunlake Quarry Continuation Project

1506 Brayton Road
Big Hill NSW 2579
31 October 2021
Dear Madam/Sir
Re: Gunlake Quarry Continuation Project
SSD-12469087
I have written to Gunlake on this matter in the past. I questioned the idea of increasing truck movements and suggested they should use rail to move their quarry material. Their response was that rail was not economical for them.
Gunlake are applying to increase their truck movements up to 750 truck movements per day for six days a week; this is treble the current average daily truck movements. These I point out are large B double trucks.
Increased truck movements will cause delays to the people living in this area. The people will experience crawling behind these trucks for the 8 kilometre trip. This is a major inconvenience for those that live in this area.
Increased truck movements will multiply the accident risk. An accident with these type trucks is serious and often cause gross injury or death.
The population in this area is growing rapidly. Increasing truck movements in a growing population is not logical. Seven hundred and fifty truck movements down George Street city is a no brainer!
Other quarries such as Boral Peppertree Quarry and Holcim Lynwood Quarry transport virtually all their product by rail.
The choice is between the people and the impact these severely increased truck movements have on the residents who live in this area versus Gunlake’s pocket. Is Gunlake’s claim that rail is uneconomical i.e. its pocket, more important than the impacts of these increased truck movements on the residents? I do not think so. Further, Gunlake will keep asking for more despite the area’s increasing population. That is its track record.
I ask that you reject Gunlake’s application unless they use rail.
Yours Faithfully
George Bautovich

1506 Brayton Road,
BIG HILL 2579

GUNLAKE QUARRY EXPANSION

I wish to make a submission regarding the above proposal. I live on Brayton Road and feel we are already impacted by this quarry. At present, the number of truck movement per day is very difficult to contend with. We have no other choice other than to travel via Brayton Road from our property. It isn’t possible to select a time when trucks aren’t encountered because they travel all day. The problems encountered are as follows:
(1) Having to follow behind a truck exiting the quarry, all the way to the Highway. The solid lines don’t allow overtaking. On Red Hills Road the trucks speed up downhill, then slow going up!
(2) Once on the Highway they drive in the same manner, because of the heavy loads. This causes traffic on our main artery to be affected. Some travellers overtake when it isn’t safe -from frustration.
(3) The B-double trucks often flick stones from their many tyres. I have had to replace windcscreens, and at present have another stone chip in our ute windscreem. This happens mainly on the Brayton Road section, from my experience.
(4) If the truck movements are increased from what is in operation now, up to 750 movements per day, we are likely to be in a “procession” behind B-double trucks every day. This will certainly impact the main highway as well.
(5) The entry of all these B- doubles onto the highway all at times of the day will be a major problem.
All the above, demonstrate the issue of road safety. Not only for local roads but also the main highway, in particular.
The obvious solution to this issue is to use the railway for transport. A submission was made by my husband some years ago when this subject was on the agenda and was informed that it was not economically viable. This demonstrates the attitude of the Gunlake management- profit before people. Saying that it will increase jobs etc isn’t really the reason for this application. Jobs will be there if the railway is used, but residents won’t have the impact of more large trucks on our road or on the main highway. Over recent years, the population in Marulan area has increased markedly, and will continue to do so. This quarry proposal will certainly impact a lot more residents in the future and once the increase is approved, I can’t imagine it ever being changed.
I strongly object to this proposal.
Yours faithfully,
Joan Bautovich

Gunlake quarry make use of a section of Brayton Road for truck transport of their product.
Brayton road was originally established for resident access to properties in the area but has been taken over by the Gunlake operation.
The Gunlake operation have made alterations to the road in the sense of pavement strengthening, but have excluded any provision such as widening or overtaking lanes to provide for the original rural traffic.
In short: Gunlake consider Brayton Road as their own and have done as they please by preventing overtaking and have even been talking about reducing speed limits to suit themselves.
As Gunlake are applying to increase truck movements very considerably, there will be greatly more inconvenience to rural travellers including vehicle damage by stones flying from passing trucks.
If Gunlake want to increase capacity, I suggest that rail transport be used as the rail line is close by and provides a far superior method of transport.

I support the application of Gunlake Quarries to extend and increase its operation in Marulan for many generations to come.
They support the community and surrounding areas with ongoing employment for locals, local business support, and donations to community projects.
The company is fully Australian owned and operated by a great family which has been in the construction industry for over 75 years.
Thank you for consideration of this ongoing application.
Cheers.

To Whom It may Concern,

we have been a long term supplier to Gunlake at there Marulan Site, they are great for the community bringing Jobs & opportunities to the local and surrounding areas. Gunlake spend local where they can which filters through the entire region. With this expansion this will not only benefit Gunlake but the Greater community.

Please see attached letter.

Our company has been working with Gunlake for a number of years and over this time we have seen it grow into a place that continues to provide goods and services in a number of different ways. It provides to communities and local employment. This project would see it grow even more and in return communities and local employment would grow. They are a great company to deal with and we look forward to having our continued business relationship with them long into the future.

While I overall support the careful expansion of the quarry and the economic benefit to the regional and state economy, the current submission should be rejected as it relies on greatly increased truck volumes. I have 2 areas of concern around the 3-4 fold increase over the current truck volumes.

1. Impact on other road users - it is already the case that local vehicles travelling along Brayton/Ambrose Roads are greatly held up by the existing truck volume. On almost every occasion that I travel that route (which I regularly do for work) I catch a truck when I am travelling at the speed limit. I was unable to see the average speed of Gunlake trucks on the route, although that figure is obviously available as the data was used for specific points in the Road Safety report. The speed limit on that route is 100klm/h and the road is safe for light vehicle travel at that speed in most conditions. The trucks however travel no faster than 80 and often slower than that, particularly including the uphill section where they drop to 20 klm/h. It is dangerous to have vehicles travelling at such a low % of the speed limit. No overtaking lanes have been allowed anywhere between the quarry and the highway leading to multiple minute delays compared to if trucks were not using the route. With the 3-4 fold increase in traffic it is almost guaranteed that every trip for every user will be held up by a truck, leading to frustration and the likelihood of dangerous, illegal (double white on entire route) overtaking.

2. Impact on the environment - road transport is a terrible choice and inconsistent with our targets and obligations to reduce the impact of climate change. The air quality impact assessment notes that there will be an increase of over 20 kilo tons of carbon per year as a result of the increased truck movements. Due to the poor quality of Australian diesel, this will lead to a substantial increase in NOx and particulate matter in what is otherwise a comparably fresh part of the country. The report notes that even so, there are multiple breaches of air quality standards in the area, and that the frequency of these breaches will increase in line with the drought and bushfire conditions that will be much more common as we are not limiting warming to 1.5o. This proposal is in direct contradiction with a net zero carbon by 2050.

A massive increase in truck movements is dangerous in both the immediate and long term for life in the area, and the obvious and much more efficient option of transport by rail has not been proposed. I strongly object to having to trade my safety and that of my neighbours and future generations when a far safer option exists for the quarry's transport needs.

Main Objection.
The haul roads or primary transport route has been assessed for suitability in relation to alignment, cross section, markings, signage and intersection geometry but not for service life or load bearing capacity. There is no pavement assessment attached to this Continuation to confirm the haul roads can withstand the increased loading expected from the additional truck movements. This assessment would be in the form of a geotechnical investigation to determine the ability of the subgrade CBR, subbase CBR and thickness, roadbase classification, thickness, and the seal type's ability to withstand the number and type of proposed axle loadings. This investigation and report is vital to ensure the cost to maintain and repair the haul roads does not exceed the section 94 contributions paid to the Council. Subgrade or lower pavement layers are expensive and disruptive to all traffic to repair/upgrade if found to be deficient. Numerous patches of roadbase were stabilized on Brayton Rd and Ambrose Rd recently (within the last 2 years?), some of which are beginning to fail or show signs of fatigue prematurely with the current average of 170 truck movements each way per day.

Other Objections
i) App F.1 Traffic Impact Assessment has references to Johnniefelds Quarry as being a functional quarry in the area. Johnnyfelds has not been operating for several years, references to this quarry, especially the claimed truck movements in Table 5.1 should be removed.
ii) No other quarry in the area is permitted to transport more than 1.5 million tonnes of product by road. Gunlake should be no different, they have chosen not to set up rail on-load and off-load points.
iii) Gunlake Quarry Continuation Project Scoping Report 1 is in conflict with other documents such as the Traffic Impact Assessment and requires amending. This document refers to an average of 345 truck movements each way, averaged over all working days of a calendar year. In this document it is also stated that there should be no cap on the tonnes of product transported by road per year, rather Gunlake should be able to utilize larger payload trucks, seems this is likely to be in the next Continuation if this Continuation is approved and capped at 4.2 million tonnes/annum.

In Summary
The Gunlake Continuation should be rejected due to the absence of a pavement structural design assessment to show the 7.8km of primary transport route is structurally adequate to handle the proposed increased truck movements and loading. Other quarries in the area are capped at 1.5 million tonnes or less of product transported by road per annum. There are discrepancies or conflicts in conditions sought between key documents as well as misleading information such as Johnniefelds Quarry being operational.

Against 750 daily truck movements on a rural road one lane each way with no lay- bye and on a school bus route which is a safety issue I would think

I am a frequent visitor to the Southern Highlands, have friends I visit in Marulan and travel regularly on the Hume Highway. I also travel within Sydney. I understand the need of a major city like Sydney to have access to and use resources such as those mined at the Gunlake Quarry. However, a major resource like this requres it to be supported with appropriate infrastructure that enables the resource to be used without major adverse impact on others - be those local residents, users of other infrastructure such as roads and also the quality of life of others impacted. The use of roads and road transport to move the gravel is totally inappropriate. The local roads in Marulan are not adequate for the increased usage. The Hume Highway is a major interstate connection that is already at saturation with major road transport, local roads in the Sydney Metropolitan area are not suited to the increased road usage.
Further, the additional evironmental damage by use of diesel/petrol engined vehicles is inappropriate.
Alternate means of transporting the material is available and can also be enhanced. It is used by similar resource businesses in the area. This will also asist other projects in the area of being developed. We need to look beyond this 1 development and ensure adequate infrastructure for future development of resource industries in this region.

* Increased trucks will cause delays. Cars can drive from the quarry to Hume Highway in 5 minutes, trucks take 8 minutes. Gunlake can dispatch a truck every 1.5 minutes. So regularly cars will crawl behind trucks for the 8km trip.
* Increased trucks will multiply crash risk. Gunlake, recognising this, are advocating a speed limit reduction from 100 to 80kph but no upgraded intersections or overtaking lanes.
* Increased trucks will impact property values. Nobody wants to drive home on a quarry haul road with those problems plus emissions, dust etc..
* Gunlake started just over 10 years ago with approval for average 100 truck movements per day (50 each direction). Gunlake continue to keep getting approval for more trucks – now seeking up to 750 a day—When will it stop?
* Gunlake will be larger than Boral Peppertree Quarry and slightly smaller than Holcim Lynwood Quarry. These quarries transport virtually all their product by rail.

As per our attached Letter of Support

I am a resident of Marulan about 4 kilometres from the quarry as the crow flies and impacted by the quarry dust and the truck movements to and from the quarry. At present the truck movements are a significant danger to normal traffic on the truck route, in particular the the intersections of Brayton Rd. and Ambrose Rd., and at the intersection of Ambrose Rd. and Red Hills Rd. This is particularly dangerous at the intersection of Red Hills Rd. and Ambrose Rd. which is on the peak of a steep hill where the view of oncoming traffic is 100 mtrs one way and 180 mtrs the other way far less than Ausroads requirement of 285 mtrs. Turning onto Ambrose Rd from a Stop sign on Red Hills Rd. would be lethal if a vehicle was approaching from either direction at 80 or 100 kph. A vehicle approaching from the northern end of Red Hills Rd. and turning on to Ambrose Rd. would have nowhere to go as Ambrose Rd drops off on either side. I believe this intersection is extremely dangerous and makes for an accident waiting to happen. No mention of this intersection is made in the Gunlake EIS. In my opinion Gunlake should not be allowed to extend their production any further until they transport their product to Sydney by rail just as the other quarries in the area have been required to do.

I understand that Gunlake Quarry is undergoing an Expansion Project. My business, Superb Spring Water has been associated with Gunlake Quarry for the past 5 years. In my experience they have always conducted themselves in a business like manner and adhered to safety requirements. They also support local businesses like mine which in turn receives a lot of goodwill from the surrounding areas.
When I am on Site I am always greeted in a kind and friendly manner.
Doing business with Gunlake Quarry has always been an easy and beneficial experience for all and that is why I am happy to support this Gunlake Expansion Project.

Our company supports the Gunlake Continuation Project and we see projects such as this critical to build the infrastructure of NSW. There are big benefits of this project for the local community, the region and the major cities of Sydney. Having a reliable source of building materials for roads & housing is extremely important. Gunlake have produced a variety of well written reports and we support this application. This development will provide ongoing employment for many staff members & contractors - the whole region will benefit from this employment and this will have a positive economic impact for many local people.

Gunlake have produced many well written reports and have addressed the issues associated with continuation of their Quarry at Marulan. I support this application and I support the benefits of this project for the local community and for all of Sydney. There will be huge economic benefits for the local community with employment of staff and contractors - this will then flow on to other businesses in the region.

As per the Infrastructure Market capacity report, The major projects to be undertaken in NSW will have a shortfall of Quarry materials of approximately 48%. The expanded capacity of Gunlake quarry works towards mitigating the slow down of key infrastructure projects and successfully delivering projects on budget and on time. It will improve job security for not only the local workforce but the greater construction industry by supplying downstream businesses.

I object to the expansion of Gunlake quarry. Their method of community consultation and the nature of their massive truck movement quota impacts the local community in a grossly unacceptable way.
I live three km away from Gunlake and yet I saw no announcement either publicly or private communication of their intention. Neither did my adjacent neighbours.
The increase to a possible 750 truck movements a day will make community commuting both dangerous and slow. No passing lanes are available and there is no stated intention to construct them.
The other quarries near Marulan move their product by rail. Gunlake stated this is not viable for them even though their production is comparable to Boral and Holcim. Why can’t they choose the rail option?
The massive increase of possible 750 truck movements into Sydney and south west suburbs will impact both transit to Sydney and south west suburbs. Is this fair and reasonable to impact these suburbs and the commuters to Sydney.
The environmental impact in a time when the government rhetoric is to reduce GHG’s surely should be given due consideration.
The publications in the local newspaper conceals the complete data that I have sourced from other entities. This is very disappointing as I am a supporter of the growth of Marulan but Gunlake has overlooked the needs and consideration of the lifestyle of its residential neighbours .

I object to the expansion of Gunlake quarry proposed expansion.
As a commuter from south of Sydney for both work and social purposes, the increase of truck traffic is grossly unfair to commuters.
In this era of decreasing green house gas emissions aim, this contravenes any attempt to respect this current policy.
Other quarries in the area use rail. Why is this not a consideration to both local residents and commuters in and out of Sydney.