Martins Creek Quarry Project

As a farmer in the area we have used the quarry many times. And with the population growth in the area it only seems a natural progression to expand as the services are being used in greater volume.

I wish to lodge my objection to the expansion proposal for Martins Creek quarry. My concerns relate to the increased volume of quarry trucks using Butterwick Road (and other local roads). There is already heavy movement of quarry trucks and the proposed expansion will mean a lot more. This morning the first truck drove past at 5.46am - so does this mean that when the proposed operations starting time is offically at 5.30am we can expect the trucks to be using Butterwick Road even earlier. My other concern is who will be responsible for cost of repairs to Butterwick Road when an increased volume of quarry trucks will surely break up the road surface in due course. Butterwick Road falls within the Port Stephens Shire Council and I don't think PSSC will be happy to carry the repair costs. The same concern is for Tocal Road into Maitland which falls in Maitland City Council -
I doubt that both these Councils are even aware of what may be expected of them in relation to road repairs. It was established at the public meeting on 2/11/16 that Daracon do not contribute any funds to Dungog Council for road maintenance so I can only assume the same applies to PSSC and MCC. I settled in the area 28 years ago to provide my family with a peaceful lifestyle. This will now be jeopardised if the proposed expansion is approved.

See Uploaded File

I have been working with Daracon for 2 years on Reception and have seen the important role that Martins Creek provides for both Business and the community. I often get phone calls regarding prices for home jobs as well as many local business jobs throughout the hunter valley region and can see this Quarry plays a vital role. Daracon employees over 800 people and this quarry keeps our jobs secure.

I oppose the expansion of Martins creek quarry for the following reasons.......
1. IT WILL INCREASE HEAVY TRAFFIC, NOISE, DUST and EXHAUST FUMES.
As a resident living just off Paterson road I am woken most mornings before 5am by a procession of loud empty haul trucks. Turning from Victoria and Bolwarra Road onto Paterson Road is very difficult and dangerous already and can take up to 10 minutes due to current traffic volumes and speeds. Heavy vehicles should not be allowed to drive through residential areas let alone at the hours they do. This is a residential area not a mine site.
2. RAIL NOT ROAD.
The raw material from the quarry should be railed out to a satisfactory distribution load out point just as it is for the Hunter Valley coal mines.
3.SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARES EXIST ALONG UN SIGNALISED PATERSON / BELMORE ROADS
Two Schools and two childcare centres exist in Bolwarra and Lorn along the haulage routes. If there is a significant increase in heavy vehicle movements (up to 80 truck movements per hour ) on this road it will be more of a death trap than it is already. The Paterson and Bolwarra Road intersection to the Bolwarra school (500 + students and growing) is a particular concern and should be signalised for current traffic volumes.

The quarry has been an employer of many people over many, many years. It contributes to the region's and the state's economic growth.
The quarry provides materials to a large number of infrastructure projects, many of which are major infrastructure projects. The quarry needs to expand to be able to continue to supply the increasing demand for hard rock /materials for these projects
Daracon Pty Ltd, the operator, is a supporter of local communities and charities.
The success of the quarry and therefore the expansion of the quarry will see the continued employment of so many direct employees and contractors, in this chronically underemployed region.

Although I haven't been employed with Daracon for very long, in my time with Daracon they have demonstrated what a positive impact they have had to many families of Newcastle and the Hunter. The quarry is a large part of the organisation's business and the continued success of the quarry would secure the futures of many of the employee's families.

See attached letter of Support

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion.

This project will not have a positive effect on the environment, road conditions, road safety, noise pollution, house and land prices and will generally be a nuisance to the people of Martins Creek, Paterson and all the way through the road journey including Bolwarra Heights.
In particular I am most alarmed at the proposal to build a road entering onto Dungog Rd. This must not be allowed to go ahead s it is unsafe, detrimental to residents and their land values and will dissipate the rural feeling of the area.

I vehemently oppose this quarry expansion.

Please see attached objection

Please see attached letter of support

We completely support Daracon.
They are a valued client of ours and have been for a number of years now.
Daracon is supporter of local communities and charities and they create opportunities from many different backgrounds.
They created ongoing employment to not only our company but so many in the wider community.
We've had ongoing work at Martins Creek and believe that there are many projects outside of Daracon that rely on the materials from Martins Creek Quarry.

Bolte Civil support the Martins Creek Quarry Project. See attached letter.

As an organisation, we support the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry

Uploaded

As a regular cyclist from East Maitland to Patterson, I am exposed to regular Daracon trucks, many illegally passing myself and fellow riders. The narrow roads in this country area are not adequate to accommodate the current trucks and cyclists in a safe manner. Our cycling to Patterson occurs on numerous days of the week due to the larger number of our group being retired and shift workers whom are not restricted to weekends or only Sunday.

I oppose the quarry expansion. I feel that the following things have a negative impact; increased trucks, increased noise, increased dust, increased road use/damage. Despite trucks using multiple roads to try spread the load it is still noticed by local communities.

I have been employed with Daracon for 6 years and have enjoyed the stable employment it provides.
Martins Creek Quarry is a big part of the organisation and supports many of the infrastructure jobs we undertake
The Success of the quarry helps maintain the jobs of over 850 employees and over 1000 contractors and their families

Please see attached file for our submission.

"I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion"

The expansion of the Quarry will significantly increase the level of heavy vehicles /trucks traffic through the small village of Lorn. The current traffic level is already proving to be unsafe with the speed and volume of heavy vehicles moving through the built up community, passing by a school and retail shops and residential homes.

The impact the proposed quarry expansion and road haulage routes will have on the surrounding community is going to be nightmare.