Karuah East Quarry (MOD 10) - Increase disturbance area

I would like to lodge an objection to the proposed Hunter Quarries, Karuah East Quarry (Mod 10) - Increase Disturbance Area (MP09-0175-Mod-10).
The main objections are:
1. The difficulty encountered by the community with regards to communication from DPIE /the process.
2. The impact on existing residents of yet another modification.
3. The impact on the natural environment.
1. PROCESS.
It is assumed by the Department and the proponent that local residents and the wider community are informed and fully appraised of any planned changes to existing quarry operations. This has not been the case with this latest proposal by Hunter Quarries or it seems with at least 4 other amendments to operational consent which have been made in the past. It is understandable that the community wishes their concerns to be heard and believes that transparency is lacking. The local residents were only made aware of this modification proposal AFTER the submission period had started.

2. IMPACT ON RESIDENTS.
The residents of Brandy Hill and surrounding localities know only too well the issues that surround development , expansion or changes to the original consent to operate of a quarry. While changes seem minimal to the company, they can have long and lasting consequences for the community and the environment. It is imperative that best practice principles are applied to every extractive industry DA that comes before the DPIE and that the existing residents are not ignored in the process. Dust and noise are ongoing issues and can cause serious physical and mental health problems.
The community that will be affected by this proposal has every right to be heard and the process must ensure that their right to live a chosen lifestyle, their right to good health and well-being are not devalued.
Residents who will be affected by yet another modification to the existing consent to operate the quarry are under extreme stress.
The existing quarries, with another in the planning stages, has denuded a large area and now another 7 hectares is proposed to be clear felled for stockpiling product to be able to service larger contracts as well as provide new offices and parking and road access. This will increase the noise of trucks with loading and unloading of product. The extra dust and the run-off pollution created adds another layer of concern. Residents already report dust related illness and have reported water pollution in creeks feeding into Port Stephens. This will only be exacerbated by this proposal.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.
These environmental concerns need to be addressed. The wildlife corridors are already fragmented and the removal of yet another 7 hectares is significant. Habitat is being seriously compromised at a time when it is becoming quite clear that not only koalas but other species of native animals and birds are at risk.
According to members of the local action group, ICAG Inc, this proposed development would remove "offset" bushland and this bushland is the last remaining bushland on the north side of the Pacific highway.
We support the objections lodged by the community surrounding this proposed Mod 10 through ICAG Inc.

As Convenor of the Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens I have received a frantic email about community objection to Hunter Quarries, Karuah East Quarry (Mod-10) – Increase Disturbance Area (MP09_0175-Mod-10). Karuah East Quarry (MOD 10) - Increase disturbance area | Planning Portal - Department of Planning and Environment (nsw.gov.au)

Apparently the submission period closes today. I haven’t been aware of the situation and would like to apply for an extension of time – would 10 days be possible please? I’m sure you’ll be aware of how difficult it is for community groups to find all the relevant information affecting nearby land at all the different levels of government.

If you could let me know if an extension is possible, that would indeed be appreciated.

If an extension is not possible, then please note this email as an objection to the proposed increased disturbance of natural vegetation “primarily to establish additional stockpiling areas” due to the Federal Decision on deferral given by Kate Gowland, DAWE, 2/5/22, EPBC Ref 2022/9164:

“As a delegate of the Minister for the Environment, I have decided under section 75 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) that the proposed action is a controlled action and, as such, it requires assessment and a decision about whether approval for it should be given under the EPBC Act. The information that I have considered indicates that the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on: • Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 & 18A). Based on consideration of available information, the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on the following matters of national environmental significance: • Black-eyed Susan (Tetratheca juncea) – vulnerable. The proposed action will reduce the area of occupancy of an important population of the species through the direct removal of 2,102 Black-eyed Susan clumps in the proposed action area. • Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus (combined populations of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory)) – endangered. The proposed action will adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of the species through the direct removal of 6.98 hectares of critical habitat Koala. “

I am objecting because I don't want there to be loud noises that can be heard from my property or for there to be dust settling over my property and belongings. I do not like the fact that this will mean more of the bush land will be lost. I object to the expansion.

In terms of benefits, the additional space provided by increasing the disturbance area will provide a much larger ability to stockpile product. This will increase the number of available jobs at the site as well as additional jobs due to the construction that will be required to move this project from start to finish. The design to expand the old stockpile into the increased disturbance area reduces the need to double handle product, which will reduce fuel consumption as well as noise generated by machinery. Overall the utilisation of the increased disturbance area will massively assist the business, providing multiple avenues for additional jobs as well as being the least impactful option from a design perspective.

Hunter Quarries is a major employer in the Karuah community area and deserves the local support for the MOD 10 project which will continue to increase the employment opportunities for more local unemployed persons. Karuah is a small community that requires business to support its locally unemployed and Hunter. Quarries is a major economic supporter of our unemployed community. Hunter Quarries is also a major sponsor of the Karuah Golf Club providing products that are used for the maintenance and upgrade of the golf course and it surrounding areas such as the car park. This project is supported by the board of directors of Karuah Golf Club.

I support the submission in relation to the Karuah East Quarry (MOD 10), application number MP09_0175-Mod-10. The MOD 10 proposal will improve the capabilities of the Karuah East Quarry to service the increasing demands of the local and regional civil and building construction industries.

Additional stockpiling area is required to ensure adequate lead times for the preparation of materials to meet the stringent testing requirements of bodies such as Transport for NSW, ARTC, Australian Standards and private specifiers of major infrastructure projects. Approval of MOD10 will help to ensure the highest quality of quarry materials are available to support major regional infrastructure projects as well as the forecast growth of the Newcastle/Hunter region.

Increased stockpile area will provide the capacity for larger quantities of stock to be kept on hand, if and when required. This improves supply chain reliability, particularly in times of adverse weather when production is severely impacted.

The increased stockpile area will also support local employment as the quarry continues to develop. As well as providing local employment opportunities, Karuah East Quarry is active in its support of the local community, through donations and sponsorships to a number of local organisations and groups.

It is also noted that the requested modification is consistent with key strategic planning documents:
• Hunter Regional Plan 2036 and draft Hunter Regional Plan 2041; and
• Mid Coast Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement.

For the reasons stated above, I support the submission.

The proposal will support the local and regional economy
The proposal will support and provide local employment
The proposal is consistent with the Hunter Regional Plan 2036 and draft Hunter Regional Plan 2041
The proposal is consistent with the Mid Coast Council's Local Strategic Planning Statement
The applicant is a fantastic supporter of the Karuah local community

I would like to object to the project, due to it being close to my property.
Kind Regards
Noel Mc Cool

Hunter Precast management and employees fully support The Karuah East Quarry's(MOD 10) development.
The Karuah East Quarry supplies materials to our Precast manufacturing facility directly through the supply of concrete required to facilitate the manufacture of Precast concrete panels. Without the ability of the quarry to increase supply capacities at peak times the manufacturing facility will be directly impacted affecting , the ability of the plant to manufacture panels in line with fast paced construction environments. Further to this my Hunter Install business employing 12 full time local employees rely fully on the supply chain to continue installing our manufactured Precast Panels.
An ability to increase in stockholding capacity will ensure my 42 local staff remain gainfully employed and be able put money back in to their local communities. There is no doubt Karuah East Quarry also both directly and indirectly assist the local community of Karuah, with increased capacities comes increased employment and potential population growth into a town that appears to be somewhat slowing down over the past years as main road freeway developments diverted traffic out of local CBD.
Hunter Precast and Install welcome any changes required to ensure the viability of the plant well into the future.

Karuah quarry is an important employer in the local Karuah area, as well as a keen supporter of this community. Without large employment opportunities in the local vicinity, Karuah quarry offers meaningful and skilled employment.
Moreover, I support the stockpile expansion to allow a local operation supply to what are some very major local infrastructure projects currently and soon to be underway, including the Newcastle Airport runway expansion, and the M1 Pacific Motorway expansion. These projects will progress, and supplying local product means the less impact on the environment, roads and gives back to the very local community.

The extra space is needed and allows for proper stockpiling procedures to be maintained and avoid segregation, ensuring homogeneity of product. The crushed rock that is made is for civil construction mostly including asphalt and concrete which oftens ends up as infrastructure for public use. So the public benefits.

This will benefit the local construction industry as it will allow for manageable stockpiling and an orderly movement of vehicles

Karuah is a small community and Karuah East Quarry Pty Ltd (KEQPL) supports and sponsors a number of local organisations and community groups; as well as providing local employment opportunities. The modification (MOD 10) to the Karuah East Quarry (KEQ) will contribute to ongoing local employment as well as the generation of new employment opportunities; both directly and indirectly. Noting that MOD 10 is important for the long-term efficiency of KEQ, support for the proposed MOD 10 is support for ongoing employment opportunities, and support for local and regional organisations and community groups of which KEQPL supports.

I support this project as I beleive it will;
a) benefit the local construction industry (of which i am a part of)
b) Provide jobs for the future (Mine and my work colleagues)
c) allow the M1 and large infrastructure projects to be built.