Howlong Sand and Gravel Quarry Expansion

While in general, I support business development in Howlong , and in principle, support a quarry operation, I have 2 primary concerns:
I understand the study on the impact on water did not include a study on the impact this project will have on underground water. Howlong has extensive bore water, which is widely used for multiple purposes. It is important any project does not interfere with the high flows available to the township.
My second concern is the significant increase in traffic flows through the town. The main access to Victoria would be via the Bridges in Howlong, and the main vehicles would be large trucks, B doubles etc. Until a By pass is built, there is no alternative for these trucks other than to travel through the town itself. The obvious answer is to build a by pass, but I don't believe one is proposed or planned.
Most of the roads themselves are not suitable for heavy transport, raising the issue of safety.
Malcolm Whittle

EIS reviewed.
Whilst the impacts on public health is not specifically addressed in the EIS, no public health comments/issues to raise from the PHU.
Thanks.

TfNSW Response

Please see attached Response

Request for additional information

NSW DPI Fisheries has nil comment

Prior to any works being undertaken, the following steps need to be completed (as soon as possible):-

Undertake a status search through a solicitor or surveyor to determine ownership of the waterway - “Lester Lagoon” (the bridge site), and the Department should be advised of these results, to investigate tenure arrangements that may be necessary with the Department in this location

Apply to close and purchase Crown Road within Lot 231 DP 753744 & Lot 174A DP 753744; especially where excavation has already been undertaken in the past.

Ensure that the proposal does not impact or encroach on the Murray River.

Please see attachment

Updated version 2 with corrections

I’m very concerned about the amount of trucks that this project will bring to our little town, we have lots of children crossing the road to access parks and playgrounds, let alone the noise of trucks coming and going, our roads can’t handle extra loads on them.

I have one issue that is traffic movements within the business sector of Hawkins St Howlong.Current parking is angled parking nose to kerb.When in a conventional sedan parked beside an SUV or 4 wheel drive you can't see oncoming traffic if reversing out,you are three quarters of the way out before you get a clear view.
If there is an oncoming vehicle you are in its path,not so bad for a small vehicle but on occasions when it is a truck I have observed evasive action swinging into the oncoming traffic lane.
The main street has experienced significant increases in truck movements in recent years from both sides of the river,this additional increase in heavy vehicles will significantly increase the risk of accidents.
I look forward to be able to work with the developers to find a satisfactory solutions to this issue and assist in creating jobs

BCD advice attached

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed quarry expansion in Howlong, NSW. I have only lived in Howlong since December 2019 however what I noticed immediately after moving in was the high number of trucks that use the main st but more so how many trucks drive through the residential areas. We already have 5-10 trucks drive past our house per hour on a weekday. The noise pollution and dropped debris whilst barable at the current level, does not go unnoticed.
A large portion of Howlong has no footpaths only deep trench style gutter system with no storm water drains which becomes flooded during high rainfall meaning pedestrians only have the option of walking on the road itself. Many children wait on the side of the road for buses in the morning and elderly residents use the roads as a means to access vital services in the town. If the truck traffic increases to the level proposed I genuinely believe the roads would become unsafe for Howlong pedestrians.
The options when commuting to and from Howlong are limited. Increased delays on one lane roads with limited overtaking options would impact residents and their daily commutes to work, school and appointments etc. The proposed quarry expansion would put increased pressure on what is already a barely adequate road system for this area. There are already a high number of trucks using the logic centre, saleyards etc and there are often delays and many near miss accidents. Increasing the traffic in an area already black spot prone without improvements to infrastructure would be dangerous in my opinion.
An increased stream of trucks congesting the main st, significantly increasing noise and dust pollution would be dire to the outdoor eating viability of long term Howlong businesses. This would also impact on the desirability of the town to tourists. The main street is narrow in sections, increased truck presence at the proposed level would make crossing and visibility more troublesome for pedestrians.
Other local business already contribute a steady truck presence. An additional 80+ trucks daily impacting on the noise and environmental pollution and the wear and tear of roads would severely impact the town.
The balance of industry, retirees, young families, and a variety of other demographics is what makes Howlong unique and a increasingly desirable place to live.
I acknowledge that the quarry has its merits for employment and development but at this level of expansion, in current circumstances, Howlong would undoubtedly and sadly become an industrial thoroughfare.

I object to the Howlong Sand and Gravel Expansion Project SSD 8804

I object to the scale of the proposal on the grounds of the negative impact it will have for the local Howlong community and traffic infrastructure. Trucks already use residential "side" streets to avoid the main roads and this causes significant noise and hazards for residents. Increasing this to the scale proposed in this development would be a serious concern to residents safety. There are no footpaths on the residential streets these trucks are currently using (Hume St, Kennedy St etc) and with young kids walking to school and waiting for buses on these same roads it is just too unsafe. Significant traffic management strategies would be needed to ensure these trucks did not use residential streets. In addition to this the impact of truck noise and debris for residents is a serious concern. With the volume of trucks proposed in this development, Howlong would face a never ending string of truck noise and debris that would make the reasonable enjoyment of ones property impossible. Considerations for the impact for residents must be made. I'm sure there is an economic benefit in the proposal, but what must also be considered is the economic impact of lost tourism, residential property values and mental health costs associated with the ongoing noise and debris. I would have no objection to a reasonably scaled proposal, but the scale of development proposed and the consequential impacts it would have on the community is a serious concern that should be considered.