Martins Creek Quarry Project

See attached letter of objection

I totally disagree with the expansion of the quarry and Daracons desire to increase extraction and increase trucks on the road . I have lived in the beautiful Paterson Village for 20 years and remember when there were lots of Quarry trucks on the road , this is when they were operating illegally , it was noisy , there was lots of extra dust ( possibly with silica in it ) it was difficult to cross the road to shops and post office . Due to the narrow streets in front of the local IGA shop and butchers it was terrifying to open your car door when trucks went by . We have small children attending dance classes at the local hall with cars coming and going . To add to the increasing traffic on Paterson Rd Flat road and Melbourne st East Maitland any time of the day is insane , there are already traffic hold ups in peak times as people get to and from work . Tillys childcare at 84 Paterson Rd Bolwarra will be dramatically affected with extra trucks on the road , making it difficult for families to pick up and drop off their children . All our properties will be devalued due to truck increase and our quality of life will be dramatically affected . No one will cope with that for 25 years . Daracon should be fined for operating illegally in the past . The owner lives over in Newcastle in a waterfront mansion so it will have no direct effect on his life only to increase his bank balance . they contribute nothing to the village but only offer insults when attending public meetings. our area certainly doesnt need any more vegetation cleared with endangered koalas and native animals affected . If it needs to transported it should go on the rail . Thankyou

I am writing to strongly oppose Daracon's proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry.

As a resident I am extremely concerned about the potential negative impacts of which there are many including:
* Noise and vibration - not just from operations, and trucking, but also rail loading
* Air pollution including silica dust
* water pollution to local waterways in particularly feeding into the Paterson River
* Safety on local roads, including those not listed as official haulage routes but already shown to be 'short cuts' by quarry drivers who fail to follow approved routes despite all promises to the contrary
* Destruction of the amenity and attractiveness of a beautiful heritage village and surrounding rural areas, and the tourist economy in this town.
* The impact of the expansion, noise, vibration (blasting), and pollution on endangered and threatened local species such as the spotted tail quoll and koalas. This is an area rich in native Australian animals - you just have to walk around to see echidnas on Martins Creek road, koalas in the trees (or hear them grunting at night), turtles, monitors, flying foxes and a huge array of birdlife including small wrens and large king parrots. Plus a thriving population of wallabies.

In balance to this, Daracon representatives at the social impact assessment (unpublicised) meeting, were asked if there were any benefits to the local community - they did not say there would be many more but made a veiled threat that if the quarry did not expand, existing employees and drivers would lose their jobs. When asked why the project was so important to NSW as to be a state significant development, Daracon said that NSW was running out of rocks. I was incredulous to hear this stated to the small audience, having recently driven around our large and empty western part of the state - where I believe there are rocks which might be available without destroying a whole community, making roads unsafe and putting endangered quolls and koalas under even more threat - their habitat and future disappearing one development application at a time. When will the NSW Government view this as a responsibility to future generations and not just the financial ambitions of privately owned companies.

We moved to this area because of it's charming rural character. The beauty and peacefulness of the area. The abundance of wildlife. The scale and heritage nature of the town of Paterson. The friendliness and safety of a strong community. I am truly horrified that a company which has shown itself in the past to have no regard for any planning conditions imposed on it, which has previously lied about its operations, and even in this process continues to pretend the the amended proposal is an improvement on the 'approved' proposal, when it is only an improvement on the previous version of its unapproved proposal, and a massive step backwards on its actual currently approved operations, is a company which nobody trusts or believes.

The IPC may decide to approve this with multiple conditions - but that will be a death sentence for our town, environment and history - as Daracon will never comply with any conditions, will blatantly ignore them and continue to act like bullies to the residents who stand up to them. Our local councils are tiny and underfunded, as soon as a green light is given, regardless of the conditions, they will be unstoppable. It took years to stop them when they acted illegally previously. Some corporations have no respect for the law or the community. Daracon's previous operating behaviour proves it is one of them.

Please do not give them an inch - they will take a mile. NSW can get rocks, or recycled roadbase, elsewhere, from more responsible operators.

Comments as per attachment "MCQSubmission31072021.pdf".

Subject: Martins Creek Quarry Project , Application Number SSD- 6612
 
Dear Sir/ Madam;
I wish to object to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry due to the negative impact it will have on me, my family and people in Bolwarra.
My main concerns involve the significant increase in truck movements on Paterson and Tocal Roads.
• Increased traffic congestion
There has been a significant increase in population and traffic in the Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights, Largs and Maitland Vale areas in recent years.
It is estimated that extra truck movements will occur every 90 seconds due to empty trucks travelling out to quarries at both Martins Creek and Brandy Hill and loaded trucks returning significantly increasing congestion and delays at intersections of Paterson and Tocal Roads and Paterson and Hunterglen Rd, Victoria Rd, Canna St, Bolwarra Rd and Maitland Vale Road. Residents living on Paterson Road will also have increased problems entering and leaving their properties. There are already delays especially at drop off and pickup times for Bolwarra Public School, Tilleys Day Care, and Mother Goose Day Care.

The estate of ‘Hunterglen’ already has traffic problems with residents merging onto Paterson Road. This problem will increase exponentially if the project is approved.
 
Travel to and from East Maitland via Melbourne street will also be impacted.
 
• Increased risk of accidents
Increased truck movements will increase the danger and risk of accidents especially with loaded trucks travelling down hill on Paterson Road. Pedestrians especially children will face increased danger when crossing Paterson Road. This is a major concern in such a dense residential area with a primary school.
 
• Increased noise
Noise from empty trucks early in the morning has been so bad families have had to sell and move in the past, negatively impacting property values. Noise issues have increased significantly in the Bolwarra area since the roundabout was constructed at intersection of Flat Road and Paterson Road. Noisy trucks stopping and starting at the roundabout will be unbearable especially early in the morning.
 
If this development goes ahead major roadworks including traffic lights and roundabouts will be needed on Paterson Road to address the above issues. Restriction on travel times (eg 7am similar to building site start times) will be needed especially for empty trucks in the morning.
 

Comments as per "MCQSubmission31072021.pdf".

as per attached submission

Dear NSW Planning I strongly object to Daracon and Umwelts Proposal to convert the Martins Creek Railway Ballast Quarry into a Mega Quarry. The local area is ahas specific historic villages, shopping precincts, local schools that will be impacted by the number of vehicles that will be driving past them on daily basis. The number of HEAVY vehicles that will be on the road if this submission is accepted poses a RISK OF LIFE to all road users in the vicinity. It will make it unsafe for road users to exit several roads along the route due to the hundreds of extra trucks will be using these roads daily, including my own exit from Maitland Vale Road at Bolwarra. It appears that many Threatened and Endangered Species have been ignored including Spotted Quoll and Koalas. This submission is definitely NOT in the best interests of the local community and has been opposed by Maitland City Council. Daracon operated this quarry illegally for years and made millions of dollars! The Noise will be atrocious for local residents and it does not appear that the Risk from Silica Dust has been addressed anywhere - Risk to Workers and the General Public as it is trucked past houses daily, very concerning considering iCare are a Government Department and will need to pay out on the Workers Compensation and subsequent Fatality Claims for the Workers. Please d not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss my submission. Yours Sincerely Louise Cameron.

To whom it may concern.
I wish to express my complete objection to the expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. The village of Paterson and our rural roads will not sustain the proposed increase of truck haulage. The proposed 280 truck movements per day is not sustainable for our community. Previously when Daracon were illegally running their large number of trucks through Paterson we struggled as a community. I have children on school buses that have had to dodge trucks cutting corners through Paterson, with its tight corners not designed for such large trucks. Similarly whilst driving on our local roads I would regularly have trucks sitting up close behind me or flying past me on narrow roads that were constantly deteriorating. It was dangerous and frightening. Our roads were not created for such heavy large vehicles in such large numbers. My 2 sons still catch the bus to and from Paterson for school and we also regular go their for our shopping needs and I am deeply concerned for their safety and what this will do to our small rural village. It is an issue of safety and noise pollution. I also am deeply concerned about the clearing of 21 Ha of vegetation they propose to expand this operation. We are all aware of the loss of habitat and the impact this has on our wildlife, koalas in particular in our area.

I ask you please as a citizen of the Paterson community to not allow the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry for our the sake of our small village and the environment.
Thankyou.

I strongly oppose the application of the Martins creek quarry expansion for the following reasons.
- As a past resident of the Dungog shire & previously a daily user of the road network, I am highly conscious of the fact that Dungog council are unable to maintain the present road conditions to an acceptable & safe standard due to limited funds. Currently there are a large number of ‘pot holes’ in the roads that are yet to be repaired & I am concerned that with an extra 280 truck movements/day, the roads will further deteriorate. Consequences of this could include damage to vehicles or incidents which could cause harm to drivers & passengers.
- The environmental cost of removal of 21 ha of native vegetation, the home to threatened species such as the koala, swift parrots & slatey red gums will be significant. Wedge-tailed eagle nests & dens used by petaurus gliders have been located on site. Removal of their habitat will only add to the growing list of Australia species which are threatened due to human intervention.
- Land clearing is a lost opportunity for carbon capture, with climate change being the consequence.
- The loss of rural amenity will be significantly impacted. The rural village of Paterson, it’s heritage buildings & road network will not cope with the increased volume of truck movements & risks may include damage to buildings in the town. The residents of the village of Lorn & East Maitland will also suffer negatively due to noise & pollution from such an increase in truck movements.
Sincerely
Meg Bray

As per attachement

I strongly object to the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion. I completely agree and stand by both Maitland and Dungog Councils objection to this proposal. The expansion of the quarry would be a "trucking hell" to all the residents of Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Lorn and surrounding suburbs. Our roads are congested and in poor repair as is, the existing congestion experienced at Bolwarra Service station, Bolwarra lookout emerging lane, Hunter Glen ,Flat Road roundabout, Melbourne Street Lights, Lorn Bridge etc is totally unacceptable. The safety of pedestrians,cyclists and school children trying to cross Tocal and Paterson Road is already a major concern as we have all witnessed accidents or near misses under our currents conditions.

These proposed trucks would not only further deteriorate our roads, congest them even further, pose a real danger to all road users, cars, cyclists and pedestrians, including children, effect real estate prices, put existing wildlife in further danger, effect both air noise and air pollution, contribute to even greater stress and mental health issues to hard working tax paying residents of all the above stated suburbs.

The quarry has existing established rail infrastructure designed to remove trucks from our community roads this fact further frustrates myself and all residents of the Paterson, Lorn, East Maitland and Bolwarra areas as it appears to be the solution.

I am objecting to the Martins Creek Quarry Project due to the destruction of natural habitat of our local wildlife, and the impact to our local communities with the amount of trucks moving back and forward on roads not able to cope with normal local traffic as it is.

Martins Creek quarry is located in an area experiencing a rapid growth in population. While the growth is a positive for the economy, it also brings higher volumes of traffic. The increase in traffic is already putting a strain on roads in the Dungog and Maitland areas. Now add the high volume of trucks hauling product from the Martins Creek quarry and the road network becomes overloaded increasing the risk of traffic and pedestrian accidents.

It is with concern that I object to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. I have lived in the area for 35 years and, although I live a few kilometres from the quarry, during the period from 2012 -2019 I noticed an increase in noise levels from the site along with an intensification in blasting and resulting vibrations. The roads in the local area are country roads, many in poor repair and not built to sustain the constant heavy vehicle movements which impacted on road surfaces and general driving conditions.
The proposed expansion of operations at Martins Creek Quarry will have drastic consequences for communities not only in the local area but also in rural areas and residential areas along the route along which the trucks will travel each day.
Expansion of quarrying can only mean acquisition of more land resulting in more people experiencing the effects of blasting and vibration, dust and noise. Local wildlife and habitat will also be affected with the removal of 21 hectares of native vegetation.
The proposed increased hours of operation and the resulting noise will also impact on neighbouring residents. Operating hours of 7.00am to 6.00pm daily and 24 hour train loading can only make life for local residents, especially those in the village of Martins Creek, unbearable. People live in these areas for the peaceful lifestyle and this dream should not be overruled by the desires of a large company. Sales and trucking movements from 6.45am to 7.00pm Mondays to Fridays is also going to impact the local villages and residential areas along the route the trucks will travel.200-280 truck movements each day can only have an negative impact on the lives of residents of these areas as they live with the resulting noise and constant truck movements outside their homes, schools and childcare centres.
The roads through the village of Paterson are not designed to accommodate continued use by large vehicles. Many elderly people live in the area and use the local shops for their daily supplies, as do younger families with children The parking around the shops is very convenient but this means there are cars parked on either side of the road and most people will find it difficult to cross the road safely with up to 40 truck movements each hour.
Overall there are no positive outcomes for residents in the local areas around the quarry and for those who live along the routes the trucks will travel. Their quiet peaceful lives will be impacted and moving will not be a consideration as properties will lose value and it will be hard to find potential buyers who would be prepared to live with the negative impacts of quarry expansion. The amenity and social impacts that will be imposed on residents who live adjacent to the site or in surrounding areas and on residents of villages and residential areas along the route must be considered and put above expansion of the quarry.
Perhaps the quarry management, if it must continue to operate, should look at the present operations which have approval and continue with those while implementing some of the proposals they have made for the expansion to reduce noise levels and to care for the resources, heritage and environment of the area.

Truck movements through Bolwarra Heights and East Maitland at the Melbourne Street intersection make this completely unviable as the public roads infrastructure can simply not support the addition heavy traffic movements.

I have been a resident of Bolwarra and a business owner for over 40 years, I have experienced the movement of trucks over this time. The issue that is most relevant to me in the noise of empty trucks heading to the quarry during all times of the day. Consideration should be given to making sure all trucks tailgates are fitted with dampeners . As my place of residence is located on Paterson Road, the noise early in the morning was previously considerably loud. If my person vehicle made as much noise as empty trucks I am sure I would be pull over and issued with an infringement notice.
People have validly concerned about the amount of truck movements yet no one considers the noise aspect, which I believe is more intrusive and I have suffered noise from empty trucks when they use to run. Dampeners should be made mandatory so empty trucks don’t disturb people living on the roads these truck pass.

The Martins Creek Quarry is poorly located to support the increase in production proposed by Daracon. No matter what Daracon propose, the problem does not go away. The location of the quarry is not suitable.
The quarry is located in the middle of a small country village. The roads leading to the quarry are poor quality and are not suited to heavy truck haulage. The roads are full of pot holes and in poor repair at the best of times. Constant truck movement makes the condition of the roads worse.
Martins Creek road is not suited to heavy truck haulage. This pushes trucks through the idyllic and historic town of Paterson. The community of Paterson is besieged by trucks roaring through the town. The trucks also have to cross the historic Gostwyck bridge. This bridge is single lane and the Dungog side of the bridge is on a blind steep decent with a give way sign at the bottom. In the past the trucks never stopped- they can’t. Increasing the number of trucks will increase the danger of this situation.
The proposed new truck entry on Dungog Road is ill conceived as trucks will be entering Dungog Rd just after an 100 zone after a rise in the road.
Trucks also regularly cut the corner entering Grace Avenue, risking the lives of cars traveling on Dungog Road.
The increase in production will increase dust and noise for properties surrounding the quarry. It is noted that dust meters have been set up to measure dust however only some areas have been monitored. The dust from the quarry affects many properties, including those on the other side of the ridge from the quarry.
I oppose any plans to increase production at the Martins Creek quarry. It is not located in a suitable place to support any plans to increase production. The plans will unacceptably affect the lives of the residents surrounding the quarry.

Having just moved to the area, we came to escape the traffic, noise and dirt of Sydney and it seems that all that we wanted to escape is being hoisted on us with the plan of more of the same here in in the quiet community's. Will it bring more jobs to the area or more damage?. I think more damage, to the roads and the houses adjoining these roads, these roads are not in good shape as it is let alone when you have b-doubles and single tippers rolling up and down them , and who pays for the shaking damage (internal cracking ) to the houses as the trucks thunder though, my guess is not the quarry and not the government but the poor home owners when they are told its not the trucks but your house is poorly made and maintained. not to mention the extra cleaning of the homes from all the dirt that these trucks will kick up from exhaust fumes and break dust and coming from living on the m7 I am not talking rubbish here. also more slow trucks on the small roads will inevitably cause accidents as drivers get impatient to overtake the slower trucks . You want safety then you need to figure out anther way to get the goods to market so to speak.

Then we have more blasting and dirt from the site to suffer, why do we need to suffer this as the people who make the decision will not be having to live with it and if they did then i suspect that they would be as against this as much as the resident of the community and where does it stop. In another few years the quarry will want more and we fall over ourselves, all over again with the same thing again and someone wanting to make the quarry happy but not the community. The quarry wants more and the rich get richer the locals just suffer more.

Then there is the cost to the animals getting run down on the roads and lose of habitat they don't have a voice to shout ,we must shout for them.

i understand that we need these quarries and that this one has been there for a long time so they should be able to move the goods another way after all the practice that they have had at doing it.
if this extra usage is granted then look forward to more pot holes, deaths animal and humans on the roads locally i am sorry to say.

so i and my partner are happy to say we whole heartedly object to this project

If permission is granted to put nearly 300 trucks a day on small country suburban roads that are already congested in mornings and afternoons, the consequences will be disastrous.
Of course, this is what the company is telling us now – 300 trucks a day but will they keep to this over the next 25 years? Very doubtful.
The massive negative consequences of this decision will last for years and the responsibility of the people making the decision will also last for a long time.
No-one should need to be reminded of the enormous and constant danger of allowing this number of trucks to be driving through small townships, past shops, schools and pre-schools. But the issue of congestion entering East Maitland will be beyond belief. As a health worker I am frightened about the outcome for me going to work. The very least is that I will have to allow 20-30 minutes extra time to get through the congestion.
The answer to Martin’s Creek gavel being transported by road must be NO!
There is no other sensible decision based on common sense.