Martins Creek Quarry Project

I wish to lodge an objection to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. I attended the recent meeting along with hundreds of other concerned residents. I have lived in Butterwick for the past 28 years and have noticed the increased volume of quarry trucks using Butterwick Road. The current volume of quarry trucks has significantly impacted on the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere of Butterwick. There is also an increase in the amount of dust. Butterwick Road has recently been upgraded - many trees were removed, the bitumen upgraded. It now looks like a freeway which means quarry trucks can travel at speed. This upgrade was supposedly carried out specifically for the quarry. I just wonder how long it will be before there is a fatality. Let's hope it never comes to that!

See attached letter

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I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. I do not believe that the roads and bridges to be used by the trucks are adequate. I believe the expansion will destroy the amenity of our small rural country town with the increased truck movements and I worry about driving the roads, particularly in the early hours of the morning, with such a substantial increase in truck movement.

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. I believe the roads and bridges to be used by the trucks are insufficient and I believe the amenity of our small rural country town will be destroyed by the increased truck movements. I am on the road a lot in the early hours of the morning and I am concerned about the increased number of trucks using the same roads, particularly in the dark.

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. Paterson is a small village with a number of buildings listed as of Heritage Interest and these buildings are being affected by the heavy trucks passing through 6 days a week. Some of these buildings are recording cracks and destabilisation now without extra trucks passing through. The roads are continually being repaired and pedestrians have difficulty getting across roads in the village. Maybe it is time to classify the village as Heritage to preserve it. The Heritage submission only looks at Martins Creek and not the effect this expansion will have on areas that trucks move through.

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion because we already have too many trucks using Brandy Hill Drive and Seaham Road from the Brandy Hill Quarry. Martins Creek Quarry (MCQ) trucks also use the roads. The roads are not adequately built to cater for the number of trucks already using the roads and the dangerous pot holes are constant.
I have lived in Brandy Hill for 14 years and in that time the quantity of trucks has increased as well as the increase in noise levels and dust. The proposed expansion of MCQ will further impact our lifestyle and amenity. It will also further threaten the local wildlife.

LETTER ATTACHED

I oppose Martins Creek Quarry Expansion.
1) increased production will mean increased blasting, this has already impacted on our lives, as repairs are ongoing due to the the cracks in our home caused by blasting.
I have lost precious items of china falling from cupboard after blasting.Each time there is a blast the glass ware rattles in the cupboard & I have watched a crack in our ceiling travel during the blast.
2)Increased number of trucks on the road will also affect the time it will take to travel,having had 3 broken windscreens in one 12 month period. One company refused me insurance due to this.
3)There are no pedestrian crossings in Paterson,trying to cross the road is difficult NOW with back to back trucks not observing the 30 metre distance between them.I stood for 15 minutes last week trying to cross to the Post Office.
4)The removal of vegetation for the new access road will greatly affect the wildlife in our area.As a regular walker in this area I have seen koala bears,1)dead platypus floating in the milky water in Grace Av. I have dragged many kangaroos off the road as well as echidnas & numerous rabbits & hares.
5) When we moved here 21 years it was to enjoy the fresh air peace & quitet. The dust & noise coming from the quarry now is bad , if production increases it will force us to move,but then our houses will not sell due to the damage.
6) we catch the train at Martins Creek on a regular basis, walking to the station, there is no footpath unless Daracon are going to build a pedestrian access this will no longer be safe. As it is now many trucks DO NOT REDUCE SPEED when approaching pedistrians. It is only a matter of time before someone will be killed or severely injured.
We urge you not to grant this increase, surely we have a right to live our remaining years in peace & quite & breath fresh air

Martins creek quarry is very important to our business as well as our community in general.
10% of our business is generated from Martins Creek quarry and although the material we cart may be sourced from another quarry it is then going to have greater negative effects on the community.
Alternate quarries in the area are already busy and if Martins creek quarry closes it is going to increase truck movements in other areas creating problems for residents there who are feeling hard done by.
Also given Martins creek supplies materials that aren't available from all other quarries the price to tax payers will increase through managers of infrastructure projects not having competitive options for material supply that will drive up costs dramatically.
From my perspective as a haulier Daracon do everything they can for the community to try and limit the impact of trucks on local residents and the environment.
If their consent is rejected there's nothing to say a newly elected local council in the future won't approve a less thoughtful and proactive company to run the quarry and all the locals say "I wish Daracon still owned the quarry down the road"
The closure of the quarry will have a massive affect on local companies/jobs as well as dramatically reducing the infrastructure that will go ahead in the local area, meaning less schools and poorer roads and rail lines.

I oppose the Martin Creek Quarry Expansion.
The safety of the community of Paterson village and residents of Gresford road and surrounding areas are my greatest concern.
The integrity of the structure of my house as it shakes with every truck movement. My house is 12 meters from the white line on the edge of the road in an 80km ph zone.
My concerns are, will my property value decrease due to conditions that people are not prepared to take on because of the expansion of the quarry and the increase of truck movements.
Increased truck movements means more pollution. My concern is the impact on local flora and fauna and the local area.

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion........ because



1)that will mean more damage to our already cracked ceilings.We moved here 21 years ago & have lived a very peaceful life, until Daracon took over the Quarry. Much of my leasure time is now spent repairing cracks caused by blast,my chooks even run to the hen house each time there is a blast.
2)The dust is already a problem to my health, with increased blasting this will further impact on my health.
3)As a daily pedestrian on Dungog Rd. & Grace Av. my safety is threatened now, however with increased truck movements it will be near fatal.NONE OF THESE TRUCKS OBSERVE THE 30 METRE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM which is law.
4) The noise from the extra blasting & extra trucks will greatly impact on our lives.
5)With the proposed clearing of native vegetation the native animals will move closer to the roads resulting in more ROAD KILL.This is a koala habitat.
6)We do like to support our local business in Paterson, however crossing the road with bags off meat & groceries is very difficult as there
is NO PEDISTRIAN CROSSING ANY WHERE IN PATERSON.

I have uploaded my letter

Dear Sir/Madam,
I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry expansion for the following reasons.
1. There are already too many trucks on this road without adding more, thus adding more noise and increased danger, particularly in the 100km zones.
2. Butterwick Road is a school bus route, already dangerous to cyclists and joggers.
3. There is absolutely no benefit to the community from this expansion, only to Daracon.
4. At some point the quality of life to communities has to be considered and not just the financial gain for a few.

I have lived at View St, Vacy for 29 years. For the last year the blasting has impacted on my home. The noise from the blasting has increased to deafening. My house shakes, the items on the shelves rattle and some roll off onto the floor smashing.
There has been damage to my house, in such as cracking in the walls and cornices, as well as the concrete slabs and tiles.
The impact of all the damage is on the house is going to cost an enormous amount of money to repair.
In respect to the new route and the increase in trucks the road is already suffering severe degradation, and is on the cusp of being undriveable between View St and Martins Creek. In order for the increase capacity of trucks that will be travelling this road, and to do so safety along side other motorist the road will need to be completely resurfaced and widened on both sides. There is also the damage done to windscreens on motor vehicles when the trucks lose stones.
When we bought at View St, there was never the aspect of MAJOR mining in the area. Because of the damage already cause to my home and vehicle, I oppose the expansion to Martins Creek Quarry.

As a resident of the Hunter Valley, Daracon creates opportunities for people and businesses like mine from many different backgrounds. The more viable Daracon are, the better off the community and my business remain.
The Quarry obviously provides materials to many projects crucial to the growth and prosperity of the region: road construction, housing, railway construction and other public infrastructure.
For the region to grow at the rate we would like, and at a rate reported in the Hunter Regional Plan 2036, not only do we need to support local jobs but we also need to be able to service the demand of a growing population with the necessary construction materials.
Martins Creek Quarry generates a percentage of my business revenue that will help me afford the resources I currently maintain.

My Husband and my son contract to Daracon and operate a truck and dog each out of Martins Creek Quarry. I have two sons that are employed by Daracon that work at Martins Creek Quarry. The development of Martins Creek Quarry directly effects every member of our family. We have my father in law, my mother, brother(who's partner recently passed away) and youngest son living under the one roof. My other son who is married with two young girls and recently learned his wife has just fallen pregnant has recently purchased a house.This quarry directly affects every member of our family. We also are active in charity donations, we sponsor multiple children at an orphanage in Indonesia through a company called Compassion a non for profit organisation. Where possible we always use local people for the maintainance of our vehicles in the Maitland area. The expansion of the quarry is paramount for the entire community as we both directly and indirectly benefit from the economic input that is provided through progress of this facility. I cannot stress enough how the quarry expansion could make or break our family dynamic. Thankyou

As a sub contractor I rely on Daracons continuous growth to provide work for me and thousands of others in the Hunter. Expanding the quarry is very much needed to keep up with the population growth in the hunter valley.

I am a resident of Bolwarra Hts.

I am unable to attend the meeting at Patterson tonight re extension of Martin's Creek Quarry because I will be in Sydney for three days. I received notice about the meeting in my letterbox yesterday.

Please record my total opposition to the proposal. There is no justification to make an already dangerous road system through our suburb more dangerous. As an employee in a school where a young child was killed because a truck was racing through a suburban area I am particularly sensitive to this issue. Once the decision is made there is no control over these vehicles.

I also happen to be from a family plagued with allergies caused by pollen and dust.

There is no benefit here other than to the profit margin of the company. If it must go ahead use the rail system. If that is not user-ready have the company contribute to updating it. If this is not viable abandon the project but please don't use endangering the lives of our children as the companies fall- back position.