Martins Creek Quarry Project

"I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion" .

Currently the traffic at the intersection of Paterson Road and Hunterglen Drive, Bolwarra Heights is already a danger zone, and with the proposed increased number of trucks travelling Paterson Rd will no doubt become a death trap. Many families have relocated to the rural NSW areas for a quieter and safer life for their families and the proposed Quarry Expansion is certainly not in the best interest of the community nor its people.

Not everything in life must be about money, however allowing this expansion to occur will certainly and politically change voters opinions at the next election.

The expansion will create jobs and keep current employees working. It will also bring people to the Singleton and Muswellbrook areas and this will bring money to both towns.

I strongly support Martin Creek Project not only does it provide a stable position for me and my young family, but I know it helps the families of over 250 of the subcontractor that I deal with alone with in Daracon.

i am a member of a local cycling group of @ 12 veteran riders who regularly cycle in a loop around Paterson several times per week.We all wear high visibility clothing with flashing lights on the bikes and ride in single file and spread out along the road to enable vehicles to overtake.There is very little verge on the side of the road to allow you to ride on the outside of the left hand white line.Road traffic has increased over the last few years and I have noticed more " Quarry Trucks" The majority of the drivers of these trucks are courteous and give us a wide berth but we still have to be wary of their " air wave and suction " .If two trucks meet going in opposite directions there is no room for them to safely pass each other and us.We have to be particularly careful of the trucks having to swing out wide onto the incorrect side of the road to negotiate the corner at the Paterson Post Office and the Paterson Bridge.Increasing the number of truck movements per hour will increase the chances of an accident and injury with any cyclists .

Submission Attached

see upload

I oppose the proposal to increase operating hours and extracted volume from Martin's Creek Quarry.
As a resident of Bolwarra Heights I am daily and hourly subjected to the noise and increased traffic volume of trucks going to and from Martin's Creek Quarry. During normal operation hours the trucks are starting past my house at 5.30 am to be ready to load at the quarry at 6 am. The noise the empty trucks make when they drive past my house with far more than the allowed 60 kmh is bad enough as it is. An increase in operating hours and the enormous proposed increase in truck traffic is incomprehensible. Children have to cross the road to be able to access the school busses. During a period of increased quarry traffic three years ago (a breach of operating license, for which Daracon is currently being sued), my son regularly had to wait for 10 minutes or more to be able to cross the road. It is only a matter of time before a serious accident happens, if these conditions were to be repeated or, in this case, even exceeded.
I am suffering from heart arrhythmia and have been experiencing increased problems with my condition in the last months. This has been attributed to increased stress and anxiety levels. Having to worry about what will happen to my house and our life style because of the proposal has only served to worsen the problem.
The road through Paterson and Bolwarra is a residential road and was never intended to carry heavy traffic. Since the quarry was operating, it was for local use only. Greed and total disregard for residents mean that the quality of life will be severely effected by increased noise, dust, traffic volume and dangerous driving on the road. The quarry has a rail line attached and a functioning loading facility for rail trucks. It was given license to operate in the past under the condition that at least 70 % of extracted product was transported by train. This should not change and Daracon should be made to observe the conditions.
I am totally opposed to this proposal and hope that the commission will not recommend Daracon's ludicrous plans.

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Exapansion

I live about 700 metres from Paterson Road at Bolwarra and am regularly woken early by trucks using their exhaust brakes on the roundabout at the junction of Flat Road. To increase the number of trucks, and to start sending them even earlier will have a severe impact on the people who live in this area. The road is a long slope through a suburban area and the level of noise generated is already unreasonable. I can not imagine how people closer than I to the road cope.

Hi
As a regular visitor to Paterson I object to the expansion of the Martin Creek Quarry. People live in Paterson or visit the town to enjoy the clean air and the peace, the passage of large trucks through the town has ruined it. The town at times is more like an industrial area.
Yours Faithfully
Lindsay Carson

Hi
As a regular visitor to Paterson I object to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. People live in the town or visit it to enjoy the clean air and peace, both have been lost because of the number of large trucks passing through the town. The town centre of a lovely country town should not become an industrial area.
Yours Faithfully
Lindsay Carson

The Martins Creek Quarry site has been operation for many decades, it has provided much needed material which is used to construct many types of community projects over the past 100 years.

There are 90 truck drivers who benefit from being employed by DARACON & the Martins Creek Quarry these drivers are either directly or indirectly employed as a result of the quarry operation. each driver represents a family who rely on income generated by the quarry operation and expansion, and in turn each family are an integral to the local economy and community/s, they spread the wealth generated by the quarry to local schools, shopping centers, sporting clubs, dentist, doctors, petrol stations, hair dressers, food outlets, financial institutions and alike.
DARACON have been pro-active when dealing with concerns raised by local residents who have migrated into the local area well after the quarry was established in 1914. the quarry has been providing employment and economic growth to the area since that time and should be allowed to continue to do so by expanding. The quarry expansion is integral to maintenance and growth of local employment and economic stability in the area, and one we support and behalf of our members and their family's.

Regarding Daracon's proposal for the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry.

I have some comments to offer around the Biodiversity Assessment Report Prepared for Martins Creek Quarry by Conacher Consulting Pty Ltd in August 2016.

This is a supplementary supporting document to the overall Environmental Impact Statement, prepared by Monteath and Powys Pty Ltd.

Reading through the report, I believe there are ambiguities in the data, methodology, results and recommendations around the surveys undertaken for two species classified as Vulnerable on the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage threatened species list.

These are :-
The Brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa
The Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus

Impact :-There must be no uncertainty around survey findings. Once the proposed 36.8 hectare site is cleared , habitat is lost permanently.
The presence or absence of one or both of these Species will have a significant impact upon the cumulative Ecosystem Credits incurred for the proposed clearing of approximately 36.8ha of existing vegetation.

There are four main points of uncertainty pertaining to these species :-
1. The detection strategy
2. The survey time frames and season
3. The assumptions made as to the ranges for these species
4. The areas surveyed

Please refer to the attached PDF file for a detailed discussion around these four points.


I do not want complete closure of the quarry, but if allowed to expand to the level under Daracon's proposal a significant and long lasting effect will be incurred for :-
1. The loss of biodiversity, [ refer to PDF file ].

2. The negative impact upon the lifestyles of long standing residents living adjacent to the quarry and downstream from the proposed road transport infrastructure.

3. The current qualities which appeal to and have traditionally encouraged new residents to move into the area.

4. The current "clean and green" reputation held by the area.

5. The local economy, due to the stagnation and possible reduction [ those who can afford to re locate will ],in the local population.

I am an employee of Daracon and the Martins Creek Quarry provides valuable employment opportunities for the region

I have had the opportunity on 3 occasions in the past to visit the Paterson and Martin's Creek areas as a visitor to this beautiful area and I am concerned by the environmental damage caused by these extraction and transport activities.
This activity significantly impacts the tourism potential of the location with heavy road use, loud noise and deteriorating air quality.
Furthermore, with this company having so blatantly breached the prior rules as set out, I would suggest a fine would be far more appropriate rather than rewarding a company for treating public processes with such contempt. How possibly have they engendered trust with such past behavior?

I have been an Employee of Daracon for over 10 years, in that time Daracon has helped me to gain financal security for my young family.
With this Extension Daracon will be able to continue to provide this security for many hundreds of familys well in to the future.

I also have adult family members with young familys of their own that operate landscaping and construction companys that benefi' from the avalablity of these hard rock products and also will into the future

I am objecting to the Daracon Project Application as it stands. Daracon have shown disregard and disrespect for the communities affected by Martins Creek quarry operations.

I would like to propose the following considerations be addressed and included in a revised Application:
a. That Daracon be charged 60cent per ton per kilometre of material trucked out of the quarry. (train not included) That money is to be paid to Dungog council (at this point in time) to cover road and infrastructure maintenance within the Dungog shire borders and is to be paid on a regular basis ( monthly or quarterly). Payments to commence as soon as this Project is Approved.

b. That any Approval to have a tonnage per day limit for truck movements only. Not tonnage per month.

c. That an alternative route be considered to by pass Paterson. for example exit the quarry onto Black Rock road-Martins creek road. All empty morning trucks could use this route eleviating the distress the township of Paterson currently experience every morning. Full trucks going towards Maitland to transit through Paterson. Full trucks going towards Raymond Terrace to transit along Martins Creek Road.
Daracon to fund the access road from the Quarry onto Black Rock road and provide significant financial assistance with the upgrade of Black Rock Road and Martins creek Road.
I appreciate it comes with significant costs but to date Daracon have contributed NOTHING to this community/area for road and infrastructure as we rate payers sit watching our roads and bridges deteriorate under the numbers of trucks transiting through our shire.
If feasibile this is to developed and completed with 2 years of Project Approval.

d. An alternate consideration for morning empty truck movements could be that all morning empty trucks come in from Dungog side (much longer route so trucks won't like it and would impact Clarencetown but provide some relief to Paterson). Although considerably longer route could be put in place immediately.

e. The current proposed access road onto Dungog Road, is not in a safe place at the top of a rise with visibility of traffic coming from Dungog side limited. Due diligence must be undertaken to ensure this will be a safe introduction of trucks onto Dungog road with a long run in lane. Noting that residents beside this proposed access road were not consulted prior to this application being submitted.

Any new access road out of the Quarry to be completed within 12months of Project Approval with a daily financial penalty to apply for any delay after 12 months. For the environmental/emotional impact and distress any continued use of Martins Creek residential streets for Quarry use will incur.


f. That Daracon be requested to amend their documentation to correctly state to volume of production they are licenced to take out, not the increased amount they are currently taking out. The difference between licenced and current significant.

Although we are notified of the blasting days, these blasts are quite severe with windows and anything not bolted down rattling. Under the previous ownership we did not even know when a blast took place as we never felt anything. The constant dust is another environmental issue with it not uncommon to see dust clouds regularly coming from the quarry.

The proposed new road out of the quarry onto Dungog Road goes towards relieving some of the stress the township of Martins Creek endures everyday with the number of trucks transiting through their streets, but does nothing to address traffic through Paterson with its tight corner through town and badly maintained road it is quite unpleasant to be in town when the trucks are rolling. This community is not set up to deal with the number of trucks proposed by this expansion which is why an alternate route must be considered in the short term and not sometime within the next ten years.

We are a small transport company who have been suppling truck support to Daracon for the past 40 years. We currently employee up to a dozen drivers all located in the local area. Without Daracon supporting our business we would not be able to provide for our employees and their families . It is extremely important that the current application at Martin Creek proceed.
With the current climate and lack of work in the coal industry service providers like Daracon play an important roll in the community and as such we support this application.

My husband has worked for Daracon for over 10 years and I give my full support to any proposed expansions or projects that will continue to benefit and help to grow and strengthen Daracon and its employees.

Many of our family memebrs work in mining and landscaping industries and I encourage continued growth and development of our resoruces to assist in providing employment and ongoing security for growing families and individuals.

I am against the Daracon proposal for the Martins Creek Quarry expansion, on the following grounds:
1. The size of the expansion, and the operational issues will cause considerable discomfort, health issues and inconvenience to all areas surrounding the site, and communities along the proposed (and existing) haulage routes.

2.The increased hours and days of operation are unreasonable, considering proximity of quarry and haulage routes to residential, historic, communities.

3. For residents along the proposed haulage routes the operation hours will be considerably longer than 6am to 6pm to allow trucks to arrive at, and leave the quarry site by the proposed times.

4. The roads to be used are not suitable for the size and weight of loads to be transported, particularly through Paterson
and the Flat Road, Bolwarra to Melbourne Street/ New England Highway, East Maitland area. The amount of residential and other traffic already using these roads, combined with the proposed additional heavy haulage traffic
will make these areas extremely dangerous.

5. With continuing residential expansion, particularly in the Bolwarra Heights area will further increase the ordinary citizens use if these roads

6. The cost of deterioration to the roads will have to be borne eventually by the residens of the area, with increased rates and charges, no matter how much the proponents contribute to Government and Councils.

7. Some form of compensation system will need to be put in place for rectification not only to roads, but properties in the areas of operation and transport. This compensation or fund must be designed and sufficient to cover present and future damage, even after operations cease.

8. It should be a condition of consent that the proponents, acquire land and construct and maintain a dedicated road between the quarry and the New England Highway. The high cost of this will be far less than the death or health of other citizens of the area, buildings, roads and quality of life of residents, from the current proposal.

9. This proposal is in most respects adverse to the well being, health and quality of life of residents and communities affected by the expansion and operation of the quarry.

Our economy requires infrastructure construction and jobs which this project will provide. Daracon is a large, local engineering company employing a large number of employees and contractors - they spend money in other local businesses.
Limiting supply of quarry products will only lead to higher prices and delays in construction.