Martins Creek Quarry Project

Bolwarra Heights and the surrounding suburbs support our workers and understand we all have jobs to attend & progress needs to be made; I know first hand, I am a truck and dog driver myself.
However we do not accept and agree with the magnitude of trucks to pass through such a peaceful, countryside town. Our area has an abundance of wild kangaroos that roam freely, the sound of cows mooing and birds chirping; that's what we all came here for, the pure nature and peaceful family living. The fresh air for our kids, the safe bike rides to school and parks.
Please re consider and stop the expansion.
There is always another way, let's all work together and find a greater solution than pumping so many trucks into a very much loved area and community

As we in the local vicinity have already experienced, this company have historically shown and proven that they have a total disregard for the current DA approval for the quarry. It is without a doubt their legal team seems quite extensive so should have been well aware of the obligations of this DA. We the community have had to already live through the total disregard for anything and anyone that got in the way of the copious amounts of truck movements and noise. To date no consequences have been awarded for the said DA breach!! Travelling these country roads daily, my children catching local buses to school, what will it take before someone realises that these villages,communities and roads cannot and will not with stand the amount of movements they are proposing. Being on the receiving end of not one but two incidents of tipper and dogs being on the wrong side of the yellowline coming towards me because the roads are narrow or a simple inattention by the driver is a very terrifying experience. Lucky for me I was paying attention and was skilled enough to move over enough to avoid a collision if not death. There are a vast amount of older generation living in the rural community and may not be as reactive as I was.
I do not believe for the sake of say a dozen jobs that maybe created, that this makes it viable to displace the thousands of people that live enroute to this quarry and endanger lives and also effect the rural areas that people have moved into these areas to enjoy the peace and quiet. There are other quarries and another two new quarries to open in close proximity to a major highway and not planted in the middle of people’s homes and inappropriate road routes. So competition for product will not be an issue for surrounding construction companies in the future. Interestly enough every submission that is for support of this quarry has been made by no one in the local area. How can you make a submission for support when you will never be in the path of these trucks and ruined roads. I desperately hope that the board will closely look at all aspects of this quarry and not be mind boggled by 6000 pages of big words. We already have a major expansion of Brandy Hill quarry , do these people really deserve a further demise of their rural lifestyle by adding more trucks past their doors.
Living through the constant air brakes, noise, congestion and danger is unnecessary and unacceptable to this community.

Dear Sir/Madam
I object to the expansion submission of the quarry as I feel it will greatly affect a larger community of the Dungog and Maitland councils and have an environmental impact to the air with diesel fumes and silica dust along with the noise from the multiple trucks that are expected to be moving their product, which we have experienced in previous years.
The historic township of Paterson of where we do most of our shopping in the past has been impacted when trucks were travelling through the town and people were trying to exit their vehicles and cross the road to the shops with multiple trucks moving through the township especially when the trucks have to wait for the train at the crossing the they accumulate in the time needed for trains to pass which results in a convoy through the town creating more noise. These trucks also have an impact on the tranquility and amenity of the township and the desirability for tourists to visit and move around the town on a heritage walk.
The negative effects of this expansion on the local residents, wildlife, traffic corridor and infrastructure far out way the financial gain of the company.
Regards

Blindside Rural Pty Ltd objects to this proposal

I fully object to this proposal

I object to this project and it’s impact on flora and fauna, koalas and the established environment, and the change to an established semi-rural community. Noise pollution and enormous increases in traffic volume is already problematic with single carriage way and historic bridge crossings with single lane passages, already with a bridge with single lane give way system. The project does not consider that it will impact residential roads inclusive of schools, childcare, and the wellbeing of the community in general. This is a submission about profit over community and environmental wellbeing. We are disgusted that this is happening to our home.

I believe that the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion should not go ahead.
The number of truck movements each day will adversely affect the standard of living of the people who live along the route. The noise of the many truck movements, the serious effects of the vibrations of heavily laden trucks and the accompanying dust and silica pollution from laden and also empty trucks will affect the mental and physical health of the people who live along the route. I have lived on the road that the when trucks were previously allowed to use it as a haulage route. My lived experience with many trucks using our local roads for haulage is that there will be serious compromise of the quality of life of thousands of local residents in the affected areas for years to come and should not be allowed.

I oppose the Martins Creek quarry project. Please see attached for details

Living within the Paterson village I have witnessed the impact the quarry trucking has on the community. The impacts range from the direct noise and vibration of the trucks, safety of road users on often narrow sections of road, and the ability of the community to engage with local businesses amid the constant barrage of trucks passing by. Until an adequate transport method can be established that does not result in such a heavy impact on the many small villages within the area this project should not be able to proceed.

Due to natural environment of the local area the proposed project is based around, this plan is not suitable for expansion.
It will have a major, detrimental effect on an already strained environment, especially surrounding the local koala population.
The roads in the area are made for semi-rural transportation at most. Two-way roads and single lane historical bridges will not be able to maintain integrity and constant use over a period of time. The roads around have already suffered due to the current amount of trucks that are on this route. Expanding it will damage it even further.
It proposed plan will also be detrimental to those who live in semi-rural and rural areas who require constant updates with medical conditions. Traffic will impede those who need to use the roads most and they will suffer as a consequence.
Overall, this area was never proposed as a big area. Mostly encompassing residential areas, it is clear that this is how the area was indeed to be many years in the future. And this plan will stop that part of the area from becoming a reality for future generations.
As someone who uses the roads for a variety of reasons mentioned above, it is also the only road out of the area to more populated regions. Impacting this part of travel will increase travel time by tenfold and will highly impact those who are using them for school or work related proposes.
To summarise, the expansion of this plan should go forward as it will further impact those who live their, both flora, fauna and residents as well as impacting heritage-listed architecture and potentially contaminating the local ecosystem.

As a resident of Paterson, I reject the proposal made by Daracon for an extension of the quarry.
We here in Paterson have already experienced the effects of such a proposal when Daracon illegally increased it’s output in 2016. Parking in the township, became problem. Walking across the road became a hazard. Driving on poor roads, became even more dangerous. The noise of blasting echoing up the valley, became a source of discontent.
I am father of two young children who attend the local school. As a family we shop in the local butcher, supermarket, collect mail and buy petrol from the service station. My daughters also attend the local dance school. Each of these activities become increasingly difficult and to some degree hazardous, when truck movements increase to the proposed numbers ( ie similar truck movements that occurred in 2016). Frankly, I now am fearful about the impact of such a proposal as it affects road safety, particularly for young families.
Aside from the issues of parking and crossing the road within the township of Paterson. I also hold concern for the effects of increased quarry output. The increased hours of operation, mean increased dust. The increase in dust emission as a result of the blasting as well as transportation of the products ( and the returning empty trucks ) is something that I am very concerned about. I have an asthmatic daughter and it is for this reason that my family relocated from the Upper hunter. We know what it is like to have particulates flying around, and to have the concerns of local people disregarded by professionals in the extraction industry, whilst children and adults still get sick with respiratory illnesses.
I also hold concerns for the local flora and fauna. The area adjoining the quarry is locally known to be a Koala habitat. Expansion of the quarry will further endanger this already threatened species, through habitat loss, as well as increased noise and dust.
I am also concerned about the road quality. Many of the roads in our local area are not built to sustain the kinds of heavy haulage associated with the quarry. Alternatively, there is a perfectly good train line, that goes right into the quarry.
If such a proposal is to go ahead – and I hope it doesn’t, I find myself feeling compelled to say that it is both alarming and disappointing that the convenience and financial benefits associated with Daracon’s proposal benefits so few, yet effects so many citizens. The negative effects of such a proposal extend beyond Paterson, and well into adjoining suburbs that are along the main road thoroughfares. I fear greatly that the character of this area will be effected by the proposed operational extension and the lifestyle of many compromised for those who don’t live in or love the area.

I have lived near Martins Creek for most of my life. My children attend Paterson Public School and have after school activities in Paterson and Vacy. I strongly oppose Daracons proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry due to my previous lived experience of Daracons illegal operation of the quarry and the negative impact that directly had on the rural amenity of Paterson, the safety of road users (both pedestrians and drivers) from increased truck movements on roads that were never intended for industrial haulage; and the negative impact of the noise on residents from blasting and trucking. The proposed expansion will negatively impact the safety and quality of life of myself, my young children and my extended family.

I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion due to:
Direct negative impact on the rural amenity of the area due to increased blasting noise, increased truck movements, increased dust in the air, increased noise from the constant stream of trucks (as per previous lived experiences). The increased blasting noises that occurred when Daracon was illegally operating outside their scope was psychologically stressful at the time. I did not have concerns with the blasting prior to Daracons operation of the quarry.
Negative impact on the native wildlife due to clearing of habitat and increased truck movements. It is common local knowledge that we have a healthy koala population, as well as many other unique species such as the critically endangered Regent honey eater in the Paterson, Martins Creek area.
Negative impact on road safety. Empty trucks already sneak along Martins Creek Road as a ‘short cut’ to the quarry. Our road is narrow, winding, mostly unmarked with blind driveway entries, very poor and crumbly road edges, many informal bus stops for primary and high school children, entries to subdivisions on corners or at the crest of hills, and is often requiring a significant amount of maintenance. The direct haulage route caused significant disruption to the Paterson community when Daracon previously illegally operated outside of its agreement. It was (and still is) extremely dangerous navigating the sharp 90 degree bend near the post office with the number of large trucks struggling to make the turn coming towards you. This is also near the bus stop. It was also very difficult to park and exit your car safely near the shops, It was difficult to remove children from car seats and cross the road with children due to the number of trucks particularly when trucks are passing each other near the shops between the parked cars. The constant noise of the trucks in town meant that local people were discouraged from spending any time near the main street as it was too noisy. The sheer volume of trucks proposed will result in significantly increased road damage, increased damage to vehicles from stones and debris (as per previous lived experience) and increased (unacceptable) risk to road users and pedestrians. The road risk with the dramatically increased daily trucking movements continues through to East Maitland/ Maitland where many residents travel for work, education and sport on a daily basis.
Thank you for taking the time to read my submission against the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry. I believe the current proposed expansion prioritises the profit making of one company; Daracon; over the safety, amenity and needs of my local community and communities along the haulage route.

I cannot believe that this proposal by Daracon and Umwelt is actually being considered? Before anyone agrees to Allow this proposal, i invite, expenses paid, for all of the deciding panel/committee, to spend a week night and morning in the centre of the beautiful little hamlet of Paterson. I would like you, to witness the local traffic, and then to imagine 40 truck movements per hour! Do you not understand Paterson has the main railway line to Queensland run through it? So when a slow freighter goes through town, local traffic is stopped for up to five or so minutes, and banked way back beyond Prince Street, imagine 5 more, plus, truck and dog lined up each way of the rail line? From East Maitland , Lorn, Bolwarra, Bolwarra Heights, Mindaribba, Tocal, Paterson is an advertised scenic route to the Barrington Tops, and a well known “Day Out Ride/Drive” and it’s not just on weekends.
I’ve lived in Paterson for 26 years and love this area, I moved here without any thought that one day our friendly local quarry could turn out to be the downfall of this historic village…..(to whatever historic means)? Would this mean the value of our homes/businesses drop? Would Daracon compensate? Our local roads have not got the infrastructure to accommodate the amount of heavy vehicles along with the expanding traffic of growing locals, tradies, couriers etc..and Day Trippers!
In the years I have witnessed many natural disasters, usually flood/storms, when floods occur, the back roads of Paterson village is the only way through, again how unfair is that to the locals in quiet streets having to experience quarry trucks negotiating on already potholed residential streets along with locals, some frantic! Usually their first flood, and of course the Rubber Necks…
So! Daracon and Umwelt want to operate through this route for the next 25 years! “Two and a half decades”,”quarter of a century”? And this may happen? Why?
My biggest and heart felt concern is for the love of nature! The Proposed 21 ha of untouched bush land to be cleared?…. I guess someone had to sign off an Environmental Report! Did they note the following?
Native fauna which are local to the proposed travel route from the already congestive Melbourne Street, East Maitland via Flat Road, Pitnagree, to the Roundabout at Lorn/Bolwarra, Paterson to Martins Creek Quarry are listed
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Brushtail Possum
Echidna
Redneck Wallaby
Bandicoot
Ringtail Possum
Flying foxes
Sugar Glider
Squirrel Glider
Wombats
Lizards/Snakes/Frogs
Eagles/birds
Brush tailed phascogales
Native Rodents
And last, The Koala. Were we not, twelve months ago, as a nation and internationally rocked by the Black Summer Fires we experienced?
Did not, everyone feel for the loss of Koalas? Promos, ads, donations, etc.. Well, hopefully the Envorimental Report , importantly notes the abundant healthy colony of koalas through Paterson and surrounds including Martins Creek Quarry 2021. Blasting 21 ha of bush land is a huge area, no one could ever say it would be no cost to flora or fauna. And Why? A Big Fat Greedy Company, Daracon and Co. that brings no economic value to any of the towns they travel! if this proposal gets the OK, I’d be horrified!,
Daracon and Co should be made liable for the costs and care of injured/orphaned wildlife along with maintenance to all Roads applicable to the travel route along with any other cause of impact by Daracon for the term of their allowed contract. Please consider how many people and wildlife will be impacted by this approval, it is totally wrong!
Brandy Hill (Hanson), somehow won the rights to expand, that quarry isn’t to far from here, but there are no villages to distroy on their haul route.

To Whom It May Concern
I object to the expansion of Martins Creek Quarry especially with the movement of trucks along country roads which are not designed for continual heavy haulage. Between the quarry and Paterson there is a single lane bridge which the trucks must cross and there may be a line up of trucks waiting to cross which then looks like a convoy as they make there way through the townships of Paterson and further into Bolwarra Heights. As there is limited public transport in the area many of the young people drive to school and work in Dungog which concerns me with them dealing with so many trucks especially at the bridge. The school buses stop often on the road as the road is not wide enough for them to get off to the side, this then becomes more dangerous for children waiting for buses and traffic in general in dealing with the increased trucks . As the full trucks move through Paterson causing noise and air pollution there are blind corners which will become more dangerous with the increase in truck movement. Just out of Paterson there is another already busy intersection at Paterson Road which will also become more difficult to navigate with increased trucks. As the trucks move along Tocal Road into Bolwarra Heights the road intersects with Paterson Road again which has many cars merging together from both roads to travel into Maitland and the increase in truck movements will create more congestion at the intersection through to Flat Road and Lorn.
I am concerned with the parking and crossing of the road in Paterson as I try to get to my local shops where I do a lot of my shopping and there are many older residents who will have more difficulty especially crossing the road to reach the shops, I had many near misses the last time there was increased trucks. The ability to walk around Paterson and reach the services that you need will become increasingly difficult and dangerous for pedestrians. The ability to sit and enjoy a coffee and chat in relative peace will be shattered by the trucks continually going past.
The amenity of the local area will be lost and the heritage value of Paterson will become second to the haul road which it will become if this expansion goes ahead.
Regards

As a long term resident , the choice to live in the semi-rural environment is not recent and with significant expansion in the Maitland area, my family are aware of the growth on and impact on the environment, social structures and community. Our concern is not about the current level of movement or impact but the potential for significant change in community that is not meeting its current needs and therefore unable to accommodate the expansion of traffic and social impact.
The impact will decimate a significant area of Koala habitat, impacting surrounding bushlands, a broad range of fauna and the traditional lands of the Worimi people. Beyond the impact of the site itself the increasing noise and movement around the area will impact the communities and social fabric of a rural environment.
Further the site , located in Ports Stephens Shire aims to access and impact the Maitland Local Council area which is as mentioned, seeing increased changes, which is challenged by traffic and restrictive carriage ways at this present time.
Along with the significant increase of 280 trucks per day, on roads systems that have not been designed for such an increase in heavy machinery or profiteering equipment, there will be the issue of noise and the danger of trucks in built up areas with residence accesses their home, childcare centres, schools , parks and essential services.
This is a semi-rural environment with single lane carriage ways that are already impacted by increased residential expansion. Several bridges in the area have no passing, so only one way traffic possible, adding to the congestion and potentially impacting land values, quality of life for residence who have chosen a more peaceful environment with further impact on mental health in our community.
Any expansion needs to comply with community expectation and the noise, environmental impact of expansion and cost to the society must take precedence over company profits.
It is not a closure that is expected but fair governance which would consider community natural and manmade over mere profit.
Equally, the access to a road system that is maintained through council rates paid by residence, but would be subject to degradation from heavy traffic flow with excessive tonnage would seem inequitable and further impact the fabric of the community. Given that our community is challenged by the current pandemic it would be overwhelming that the community is not considered a priority over profits and the damage to the environment.
Upon these ground i implore you to value society over greed.

I strongly object to the proposed expansion of Martins Creek Quarry on the grounds of Daracon being unable to prove the long-term impact/protection of human health, environmental health and the livelihood of the historic village and families surrounding the proposed expansion.

Will Daracon be using Martins Creek Rd for any vehicles? I am a local resident and the road barely supports local traffic as it is. Just to mention the already damaged road pavement with many potholes and broken parts of tar which cause broken windscreens and damaged tyres.

My lived experience of moving here in 1978 when I was 10 years old has been idyllic. As a child I was quite unwell with respiratory issues and it was the clean air that drew my parents to this way of life in the sleepy Paterson Valley. Growing up on Martins Creek Rd I was free to ride my push bike to the local pool and into the village of Paterson to visit the corner store. This is in stark contrast to the present. Every day now I take my life in my own hands entering on to Martins Creek Rd to go to work and to head into the village of Paterson to do my shopping when the quarry was operating. The impact of a huge increase of traffic could prove to be fatal. I come face to face with trucks on our village roads constantly. The roads are not built to handle the current traffic and not the proposed expansion and should be stopped to preserve the village life that is still here. There are dangerous intersections that will result in grief with the proposed truck movements. In question too is the proposed building of a new bridge access over the railway onto Dungog Rd which is on a crest. How do you propose that this is safe with the busy local traffic and then in addition to 280 truck movements a day?
Our beautiful flora and fauna will be adversely impacted by such an enormous increase in road traffic and quarry work, the natural eco system damaged and in some instances destroyed. Endangered species such as the koala and the spotted quoll will struggle to stay in existence with a much diminished habitat. Preserving the native animals surely must come before immense dollars that will go to people who do not have their heart in the beautiful Paterson Valley? I ask what future are we leaving for our children’s children? My husband and I chose to raise our family in this beautiful valley because of the clean air and quiet life within the natural surroundings of native animals and vegetation. During this time our life style has been adversely affected when Daracon took over the control of the quarry by increase in truck movement and increased dust, noise and vibrations from the truck movement. Four of my family of 5 suffer from respiratory illness and the impact of the Daracon takeover and the proposed expansion has and will be detrimental to their health with exponential increase in fine dust. My lived experience from the past has proven this. How does Daracon propose to look after / protect the health of the people of Paterson?
I live and breathe my community from supporting the local grocer, butcher, cafe, chemist, Post Office, local school (when our children were younger) and the church. This all could be in the balance with the possible expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry. I am disheartened to think what many have built as a legacy for their children and grandchildren could be crushed by so called progress.
The impact on the social amenity is enormous. For instance the removal of the park directly outside the Post Office to allow ease of access for trucks – many people use mail for delivery of many items and some being of weight and awkward shape. How are people able to safely cross the road from the IGA and the Paterson Butchery when there are 280 proposed truck movements on top of the already busy residential traffic from people who love and support their semi-rural place of bliss??
When raising a family you think and plan very carefully what is going to be the best for all involved and to give your children the best of what you can. The impact on the individuals emotional health must be incorporated in such a plan due to the huge emotional and financial investment that the people of the valley have invested in the interest of their families. I ask Daracon how are they going to support the local families with the de-valuation that their proposed project will bring to the inhabitants of the Paterson Valley?
This is disempowerment of the local people who make up this quiet semi-rural lifestyle. The quality of life will be drowned in the industrialization of this magical area.

To confirm I strongly object to the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry and would like the impact on the human health, native flora and fauna health and the livelihood of the small villages around the quarry to be given due to consideration in this process.
Kind regards

As a current resident of Bolwarra Heights and soon to move to our future property in Paterson, I am deeply concerned at the prospect of the Martins Creek quarry project.

I work in the mining industry where community and environmental compliance is of the utmost importance for sustainability and longevity of the project. I am incredibly dissapointed at Daracon's severe lack of commitment to the community to find other means to reduce the impact to Paterson and Bolwarra. The revised conditions that were absolutely necessary for the town of Martins Creek do not go far enough to offset the damage that this expansion presents to the wider community.

I fear for the safety of our children who attend Bolwarra Public due to the increase in trucks. I am dreading the thought of what impact it will have to the traffic on Paterson Road where the estate of Bolwarra Heights already struggle to enter. I am angered at the damage these road trains will have on these already beaten roads. The local council can't keep on top of these potholes as it is currently and no matter what Daracon were to commit financially for road resurfacing, and what time constraints the trucks are to abide by, the scale of this expansion presents a SIGNIFICANT impact to the local community.

For a large construction company such as Daracon who have contracted their services to so many projects in the Hunter, their commitment for such a small road diversion is appalling. A small road diversion of Martins Creek 4 years down the track, and absolutely no other means of avoiding Paterson and Bolwarra is not good enough. The noise, damage and safety for cars entering intersecting roads of Paterson Road is a major concern.

I do not believe the socio economic study of Paterson is reflective of the increasing potential and furthered interest for development that it presents in current times. This is the reason we recently acquired land in the area, although we are deeply concerned at the prospect of declining housing prices in the area if the quarry continues to cause damage to the area via poor management.

Daracon have not been able to prove they have truly changed their management of the operation to address the problems of the past. They have been in breach of compliance for issues which in my profession shows an absolute lack of commitment to their the health and well-being of the local flora, fauna and community members.

Daracon seek to profit off the increasing demand from the market and have not in so many years truly sought to work towards coexisting with the community. This expansion should not be granted.

If Daracon can commit to a proper road diversion for their fleet of tracks that would bypass the local towns, I think this discussion could then be had. I do not feel this is unreasonable given the scope of Daracon's business in construction. Further use than the bare minimum of railing should also be enforced.

I thank you kindly for patiently reading and acknowledging my concerns. I hope the the sake of this wonferful and prospering community that the expansion proposal is rejected or the conditions of development strengthened.

See attached letter

See attached letter.

See attached letter from the Office of Conservation of Birding NSW organisation.