SSD 6395 - Bobs Farm Sand Mine Project

I would wish to object to this proposal as it is inappropriate for the
gateway to Port Stephens. It will be an environmental catastrophe as a
loss of habitat for many flora and fauna. Also the destruction of an
ancient sand dune.

The sand dune is right at the entrance to Port Stephens and the
proposed Worimi World Heritage area. All people will see when they
arrive in Port Stephens is b double sand trucks driving in and out of
Marsh Rd every 3 minutes. I travel to Nelson Bay everyday and it hard
enough for me to get out of Marsh Rd without having trucks lined up in
front of me trying to get out, let alone them gettin to the Port
Stephens Dr roundabout and then turning around. The roundabout will be
gridlocked.
The noise factor of the trucks going past the school will be
unbearable for the children and the school that has celebrated its
centenary will have to be closed. When my children attended Bobs Farm
School when a bus drove past you couldn't hear at assembly.
The effects of silica dust exposure to our whole community will be
disastorous, I don't my children to become sick. Also the effects on
the groundwater by digging a massive hole, it will change the water
table and effect the natural aquifers.


We strenously object to this proposal on behalf of our community and
our family. We hope that you will make a wise decision as well and
close this proposal down and stop this uncertain we have been living
for years.


Kind Regards
Suzanne and Darren Alchin

Key concerns

Noise/vibrations

It is proposed that at peak operation, 200 truck movements will occur
over a 10 hour day starting at 7am, exiting entirely onto marsh road
heading east. Viewing the proposed route for exit provided in the EIS,
several neighbouring properties as well as Bobs Farm primary school
are seen existing within meters of these tuck movements. Mitigations
proposed include physical barriers, those only exist at the mine site
its self (not the exit route). Stated measures to control noise and
vibration in proximity to residents/school (exiting to marsh road) are
listed as "a lean fleet of mobile equipment, controlled haul road
speed limits and driver behaviour" (page 708/709 volume 1 of EIS). I
do not feel this will be adequate. My concerns lie with these
residents/school and the impact noise and vibration will have on
quality of life. Hours for sleeping will surely be affected as well as
the general stress added by this significant noise being introduced
into what is and has been a quiet neighbourhood.

Ground water

Anecdotal evidence provided by Bobs farm residents with existing bores
suggests that groundwater is sensitive to change. It was said that a
small amount of water provided by a period of rain significantly
improves the quality and clarity of ground water. It is stated in the
submission provided by Hunter Water that with the proposed area left
exposing ground water there would be on ongoing loss of 90 million
litres of water PER YEAR. With as little as a few days of rain
improving water quality I am concerned that in our unique environment
this volume of water being lost will adversely affect the many
surrounding farms that rely on groundwater. Furthermore, in section
2.7 it is evident that there is no definite outline of planning around
final landform, only suggestions of providing opportunities for a
solar farm or tourist facility based on water sports, water activities
and recreational accommodation. This being the case the 90 million
litre per year loss looks to be indefinite.

I have 4 young adults, mostly inexperienced drivers (p-platers) who daily
travel along the Nelson Bay Road in and out of Newcastle; as well as
my husband and myself. It is deeply concerning that so many heavy
vehicles will be on the road in an already high traffic area.
Congestion during peak holiday seasons is already an issue and further
compounding this is greatly concerning. I strongly object to the sand
mining in Bobs Farm.

I would like to voice my sincere concerns in regards to the proposed
sand mine at Bob's Farm for the following (main) reasons:
- Safety of my children who attend Bob's Farm Public School, increased
truck activity directly outside the school, air pollution and noise
pollution directly impacting their learning and health
- Risk of carcinogenic airborne pollution from silica dust caused from
the mine directly next to the children's school will mean we will have
no choice but remove our children from their beloved school, causing
undue stress and disruption or risk their health (which we will not
gamble with)
- future water, the destruction of ancient sand dunes and the
underground layers of ancient sand which hold the water as it
percolates to the aquifer below. Locals rely on the underground water
for their livelihoods, this mine will destroy these dunes and sand
layers that will never be able to be recovered
- one truck every 2-3 minutes RIGHT NEXT to a primary school, not to
mention the rich animal life that are already at risk from cars
passing by (baby peacocks, birds, koalas, lizards), cars can at least
stop/swerve/slow down to avoid fatalities, trucks can not. It is
inevitable a fatality will occur if this sand mine goes ahead
- NO LOCALS support this mine, it will see the school closed, teachers
loose their jobs, local businesses at risk of carcinogenic overflow
from silica dust on water and air quality, homes, farms and
livelihoods ruined.
- irreparable damage to the plant and animal biodiversity in the
wildlife corridor that is proposed to be cleared.
- the site is classed as supplementary koala habitat under the Port
Stephens Council Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management
- threatened fauna, including squirrel gliders, several threatened bat
species, koalas, brush tale phasocogales and tiger quills habitats
- economic loss to the local community
- further impact on port Stephens waterways and industries

I have a grandchild who attends Bob's Farm Public School. I cannot see
how a silica sand mine metres from the back fence can stop the toxic
dust from blowing into the playground, with the toilets at the back of
the oval near the fence, and into the class room. Please check
silicosis as a disease and take note these are five to thirteen year
old's you are subjecting to this damage.
Quite apart from this 18 movements of trucks an hour (noise and
danger) behind and next to the school and entering the dangerous
corner of marsh road and Nelson Bay Road.
A child was killed here in recent years and many accidents have
happened before this many trucks have entered into the equation.
We are supposed to look after our children and if the school closes as
an easy alternative 8 people will be out of work and Anna Bay school,
Tanilba Bay school are both full and Salt Ash School is in the red
zone. Where will these children be placed. Bob's farm school is the
oldest in the area, over 100 Years old, but greed maybe the end of it.
Do not allow this mine to go ahead I am not against mining but this
mine is in the wrong place. Do not allow children to be damaged by
others greed.

The environmental effects would be devistating, the water level/quality
would be affected, near by homes are not on town water, the personal
heath and safety of Port Stephens would be compromised. I object
massively.

The proposed sand mine is too close to existing homes and businesses.
It seems ridiculous to allow such deep excavation.
Far too many mines have already been approved for reasons of greed
without proper consideration for environment or overriding studies and
findings that clearly outline how WRONG it is to proceed. DO NOT MAKE
THE SAME MISTAKES AGAIN. IT IS NOT NECESSARY, PRACTICAL OR FAIR TO
ALLOW THIS MINING TO GO AHEAD

I am apposed to the sand mine for a large number of reasons.
Bob's Farm Public School is within and very short distance of the mine
resulting in probable dust contaimination to the school, classrooms,
children and teachers both from the mine itself and the trucks coming
in and out.
The dust from the mine is not course sand but fine silica dust that
even small exposures can result in sillicosis. Particles of silica
dust can be very fine and as small as one to six microns (millionths
of a metre) in diameter. Scarring is the lung's reaction to dust which
gets deposited in the lungs air sacs. This results in shortness of
breath and can lead to Silicosis. Is this the future you would plan
for your child/partner?
The number of trucks coming in and out off Marsh Rd onto Nelson Bay Rd
which is a bad corner where there have been many accidents in the
past.
The trucks entering and leaving the mine one house away from the
school vibrate the classrooms to the extend that the smart boards do
not work. If this is to happening 18 times an hour as quote in the
news that is one every 3 minutes. How long does it take to start your
computer?
With the mine digging down below to water table the natural aquifer
will be damaged.
The mine may create 8 to 15 jobs in its life but there are 8 people
working at the school that may lose theirs if it is decided to close
the school. There are also the people working on the other farms and
properties next to the mine.
Their are a number of profitable farms in the area including olive,
blueberry,avocado and fig farms.
There is also the damage to the environmet resulting in the loss of
habitat for native animals, including koalas (on the endagered list)
rock wallabies, echina, and all manner of birds.
Mining is not the problem, it is the place that is to be mined. So
close to a school, removing too much, removing habitat for endangered
animals, creating unsafe areas where children walk to school, and then
the dust itself can cause health problems. Too many things are wrong
with this proposal.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to express my strong opposition to the proposed sand mine
at Bob's Farm.


*SERIOUS PROBLEMS caused by TRUCKS (traffic flow & accidents)

We are situated on a peninsula with only one road for access for both
locals, those commuting here for work and the 1.3 million + tourists
we receive each year. Accidents on this road cause major problems, not
just inconvenience. With an extra 200 truck movements on this road the
potential for accidents is very high. Given that this is our only
access to proper hospital facilities, it would be ludicrous to allow
this increased risk to the well being of residents of our peninsula.

There is a section of Nelson Bay Road between the proposed sand mine
site and Lemon Tree Passage Road, which is a single lane in each
direction for approximately 6 kilometers. This section of road is
already notorious for accidents and not in good repair. It hardly
copes with the regular traffic flow and at peak times eg. Holiday
weekends, school holidays, summer weekends, major tourism events, the
traffic heading West can be at a snails pace.

There is an exceptionally high traffic flow past the proposed site on
weekends, long weekends, school & public holidays. As well as at peak
hours through the week as many residents commute to Newcastle for
work, school, university and TAFE. Port Stephen's coaches alone run 7
buses each morning and afternoon for school children commuting to
Newcastle and Raymond Terrace. Delays can often be experienced at peak
times.

In addition we have a very high percentage of retirees, many of whom
travel often out of 'The Bay' for medical appointments, shopping,
visiting family and friends as well as leisure travel. In the past
year four new 'over 55's lifestyle Villages' have been approved, and
are being constructed. Our population is increasing and is
predominately older people. The risk of serious accident involving
trucks is too great!

I personally have had two occasions in the past 2 years where sand
trucks entering Nelson Bay Road between Paul's Corner and Williamtown
airbase have just come flying out in front of me from the side road.

IMPACT on HEALTHCARE

The Tomaree peninsula has very limited medical services. It is
necessary to have clear road access to enable travel by ambulance to
Newcastle for emergencies. We have a high proportion of elderly
residents who often require hospital care. There are no birthing
facilities here and expecting mothers need to travel outside the area
to deliver their children. Trucks slowing ambulances would infringe on
the rights of all residents of the whole Tomaree Peninsula to vital
health care.

IMPACT on ROAD MAINTENANCE COSTS
The wear and tear to roads made by constant heavy trucks would result
in huge costs to local council, state and Federal government.

SMALL BUSINESS
The many small businesses that already provide vital income for the
residents of Bob's farm should not be wiped out to create a handful of
jobs and provide a few people with a big profit. The sand mine would
neighbor organic produce farms, a popular family restaurant and
brewery, a winery, as well as farm stay holiday accommodation, and
many others.

TOURISM AFFECTED

This area is one of outstanding natural beauty, Bobs farm is the
gateway to an area whose main income is tourism. We receive over 1.3
million local and overseas visitors all throughout the year who enjoy
the feast of beauty this area is, whale watching from the shoreline or
boat in the winter, fishing, boating, kayaking, sailing, paddle
boarding, surfing, hiking, camping, biking, running, great
restaurants, sand boarding, the Sand Dunes that run from Birubi to
Stockton, Tomaree Head, our area is unique.

Many of our retired local residents were once 'tourists' who loved
this beautiful place, holiday end here and then made it their home.
Still many more families have had holiday homes here for generations.

'The Bay' as our area is known, would suffer greatly if tourists just
didn't want to 'deal with all the hold up caused by trucks, the
greater risk of accident and decide the 45 minutes drive off the
highway and who knows how long of being held up, just couldn't be
tolerated and instead go somewhere else for their holiday.

The frustration of having trucks congesting traffic to this long
established and growing tourist area would cause significant decline
in visitors. This would have too great an impact on the vital income
from this industry to the local community.

Bobs farm, the name says it all. People who visit this area of Port
Stephens are escaping the city, going to unwind. If you have the
opportunity to drive down this road as we do, you will understand how
much, just the visual impact of this mine will have, in such a
prominent position on the main pathway to one of the greatest
treasures of Australia's coastline!

IMPACT on SCHOOL CHILDREN

The proposed mine would be situated too close to a primary school.
These children attend a country school, clean fresh air, windows open.
The impact on the children's learning would be great, disrupted by
noise and vibration of heavy trucks. Damaging effects to their health
caused by excessive diesel fumes. 15 years of sand mining will not
provide them with jobs but will likely negatively impact their
emotional and physical well being for a lifetime.


THINKING about OUR FUTURE

The impact on the local community of Bobs Farm could be irreversible.
When the tourists don't won't to see big holes in the ground, or swim
in polluted waters, and there are no more fish to catch, it will be
too late to say 'perhaps we should have found a better way to do
this'. It really is time that our planning policies caught up with
what is taught to our children at school, A sustainable future.

Our government through the school curriculum is constantly reinforcing
to our children the need to be sustainable, to protect our
environment. What will we be handing to our children, empty words or a
land where they have a future. We can give them so much, we can get
the sand we need to build, but we can do this in a smarter way. We can
preserve our integrity with our children. Let's look at things clearly
and weigh up the costs.

I understand that the building industry need sand. The Tomaree have
provided much in the past, but our region has grown since those days
it was just a very small fishing village. The Port Stephen's area
already has too many sand mines. It's seems ridiculous to knock down
old growth forests and destroy our local economy, which is tourism,
for obtaining sand a little closer to home.

In creating just over a handful of jobs this project has the potential
to wipe out far too many others.

IMPACT on WATERWAYS

The impact on the water ways is something that also needs to be
considered. Port Stephens encompasses a vast area that is marine park.
It is a vital breeding ground for fish and wildlife. The impact of a
sand mine creating pollution so close to the marine park could result
in disruption to the food chain and consequences to the fishing
industry.

It is also very close to Hunter water catchment area and Worrimi
Aboriginal Lands.

WEIGHING it UP

Any profit gained from this proposed sand mine could not possibly
outweigh the negative impact that it would have across all the areas
outlined above.

RESTRICTIONS

If the project were approved I strongly request that restrictions are
put in place that will not allow mining below water level.

Water pollution Monitoring by independent agency.
Air quality Monitoring by independent agency.

Further conditions should approval of the sand mine go ahead:

No movement of trucks during school zone times.

No movement of trucks during peak commuter times.

No movement of trucks during known tourist seasons: e.g.

Friday to Sunday each week.
All school holidays (including private school holidays & Lunar New
Year, as we receive many Asian tourists).
Easter, Queens birthday and October long weekend.
From Friday over Weekends when major tourist festivities planned:
Triathalon series
Jazz festival
Country music festival
Tastes of the Bay
Shoal bay food and wine festival
Clans on the Coast
Sail Port Stephen's Regatta
Other visiting sporting events
(Obtain full list from the tourist information centre)

Any profit gained from this proposed sand mine could not possibly
outweigh the negative impact that it would have across all the areas
outlined above.

Please thoughtfully consider all these valid points. I feel confident
that you will come to the same conclusion. If there must be another
sand mine north of Newcastle it must not be placed on the Tomaree
Peninsula.

We on the Tilligerry Peninsula have suffered from sand mining and sand
extraction since 1960s and on going. We have degraded environments
littered with weeds, burnt cars and dumped rubbish. Ausgrid have now
ruled that they wont repair the gate on Rutile Rd that runs between
Tanilba Bay and Oyster Cove opening up miles of sand tracks for bush
camping, hooning and dumping of waste . Our peninsula has now been
burnt to lifeless black sticks on ash covered white sand by 2 out of
control fires one of which was fought on the edge of Lemon Tree
Passage with evacuations. We ask ourselves WHY ARE THERE NO KOALAS????
Now we leave Tilligerry Peninsula and drive south dodging sand trucks,
Do we have to have the same problem driving north at the gateway to
beautiful Port Stephens. Are the wonderful old trees thoughtfully
labelled OLD GROWTH FOREST valued at nothing????

I am writing to appose the Sand Mine at Bobs Farm for reasons below:

* I wish to send my children to the Bobs Farm School when they are old
enough. It is an iconic school and it will be lost with this mine as
nobody will subject their children to that.
* I work in that very forest and know all the species in there, we
have the forest that touches the mine- never in a million years would
we chop down the trees, they are such important habitat for so many
species!
*Nelson Bay road cannot handle any more traffic in the peak season- we
need the holiday makes to continue to visit us- they will begin to go
elsewhere- this whole town runs off tourism- why risk that for the
back pocket of a few.
*Marsh Road is not wide enough and its dangerous already let along the
added trucks
The round about the trucks will turn at is not equipped for that kind
of load- the south bound entrance will never be able to enter due to
the ready stream
* We do not want to pave the way to turn our nature "strip" or
corridor into a mining corridor of Port Stephens
The people trying to build a water park have failed to be approved for
years yet next door basically somebody is allowed to dig 15m down!
*Hardly any jobs will come from this- so many more will be lost in
tourism in the bay
* The land around it will slowly subside into the hole since its
mostly sand based- the road as well.
* This is Koala habitat- I have personally seen Koalas in that forest
*keeping old growth trees is extremely important for the future. Most
of the state is in drought as the have cleared most area- now this
last stronghold of forests on our peninsular is the target. Soon
Australia will be like Africa- the only place you actually see animals
is in the national parks and they are fenced in. The rest is just
grass, crops and livestock.
*I am absolutely gobsmacked that I am sitting here having to write
this- my 5 month old son is coming into a very scary world. How is
this even being considered at all is beyond me.
*This submission is nothing compared to the ones you can view online-
UNBELIEVABLE! What a waste of everybody's time. I really hope the
passion and regard for this shines through and I really hope the greed
of humans does not yet again win over the importance of nature.

Thank you so much for your time,

Lia Pereira

I am opposing the sand mine in Bobs Farm.

I think the reasons are all relevant and obvious.

I am distressed that this sand may go ahead as it will severely change
the landscape, displace the native wildlife and it can never be
replaced.

We object to this submission due to the environmental damage that will
cause to native animals and local habitat.

The excessive movement of heavy duty trucks over a long period of time
is only in the financial interests of the investors behind this
submission. the trucks will disrupt the local traffic conditions and
substantially increase the chance of accidents on a high traffic road
like Nelson bay Rd.

Stop the mine the water table and our environment will be affected
forever and will kill the area for further tourism.

Dear Sir/Madam,
this is a submission to formally object to the sand mine at Bob's
Farm. To let it go ahead would be yet another act of gross neglect for
the community here who value their beautiful surrounds and will have
their lifestyles irrevocably changed. This entire area is under threat
of the worst kind. Proposals that plan to eradicate the very things
the community hold dear are springing up in alarming quantities. The
sand dunes are a stunning natural feature that should be left alone,
not to mention the beautiful ancient forests that will be destroyed.
Once they are gone, they can never be replaced. To cap it all off,
members of the Bob's Farm community will have their way of life
negatively and irreversibly impacted for years to come. Making the
area a thoroughfare for heavy duty trucks puts people's lives at risk.
Only a lack of integrity, accountability and responsibility would
allow this to go ahead.

As I understand, there is inadequate consideration of the possibility of
pollution of the local aquifer from pollution risks. Hunter Water has
serious concerns about this, as well as impact on local flora and
fauna. I therefore object to this proposal on environmental grounds.

I am a long time resident of this council area.

I DO NOT APPROVE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION.

At some time in the near future this Council has to start making
decisions that reflect the strong feelings of the residents rather
than always decide on the basis of profits for the very few. Always at
the expense of the beautiful environment that we share.

The Tomaree Peninsular thrives because of the appeal to the tourists
who visit because of the unspoiled beauty of the area. The summer
holidays have just finished and the tourists have gone home. How many
will continue coming here once their road trip includes a view of the
smashed natural environment that we all value so highly? Replaced with
a huge "hole in the ground" sand mine! The idea appals me and it will
repel visitors to this area as well.

The insanity of proposing to dig 15 metres underground into the ground
water table is not believable. And then, of course, the increase on to
our roads of hundreds of truck movements each day puts all of our
lives at increased risk on the roads (and the record of the Council in
maintaining our roads is bad enough as it is and I doubt it will
improve any time soon, rate rise or not!).

Basically, the only benefit that can possibly accrue to anybody will
be the profits made by one greedy company. Everybody else, especially
the PSC residents, lose, lose, lose.

I oppose the proposed sand mine at Bob's Farm, as allowing the operation
to dredge sand from below sea level would endanger the aquifer. I saw
how indiscriminate sand mining at Kurnell resulted in environmental
degradation and the formation of large pools of unusable water.

I wish to strongly object to the Bobs Farm Sand Mine project which I and
my family believe is completely inapproprate for the area. We live in
the area and are concerned with the impact it would have on the local
area, the clearing of bushland, destroying ancient forest growth and
the impact on wildlife. We are horrified by the excessive numbers of
trucks it would bring to Nelson Bay Road which already struggles with
the present traffic and the effect of these trucks on Bobs Farm
School. A delightful school that I hope my grandchildren will have the
opportunity to attend. A Sand mine is not ecologically sustainable and
should not be approved.