Stone Ridge Quarry Project

I am writing regarding the application (Stone Ridge Quarry Project), application number (SSD-10432)
I object to the proposal. It appears that serious ecological and social impacts have been downplayed.
My reasons for objecting to the proposal are as follows:
Noise pollution
The site of the proposed Quarry is in close proximity to the existing Boral Seaham Quarry.
There are already unacceptable levels of noise from current traffic and blasting which will be worsened if the quarry is approved. This will adversely affect humans and native animals.
Air pollution
Various pollutants would be emitted into the air including dust, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. These pollutants have negative impacts on native animals as well as humans.
Pollution of water
Nearby Balickera residents are reliant on tank water. The proximity of the proposed quarry to the Balickera canal, within the catchment for drinking water for the Grahamstown dam
and the hunter region raises serious health concerns. The potential cost to the community and wildlife vastly outweighs possible economic benefits. This will adversely affect humans
and native animals.
Wildlife
Adverse impacts on native Flora
There are species of plants that are endemic to this area and have endangered status. The quarry would destroy a significant amount of native vegetation, including trees shrubs and
wetlands. Destruction of these species appears to be of no consequence to the developers.
If approved the quarry would destroy native vegetation in an area which supports both an intact regional biodiversity corridor, as well as three overlapping climate corridors what
government commissioned research has highlighted are essential to the survival of threated species population fleeing the effects of climate change.
Adverse impacts on native Fauna
This inappropriate quarry development encroaches into areas of habitat supporting threatened and endangered species such as the Koala.
Other Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable animals that would be likely to be significantly adversely affected and impacted by the quarry include the Swift Parrot,
Spotted-tail quoll, Yellow-bellied glider, New Holland Mouse, South-eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo, Squirrel Gliders, Brush-tailed Phascogales and the Grey-headed flying-fox.
Dog trainers will likely lose their tracking area
Dog trainers use the part of the proposed area for tracking. This area is likely to become an exclusion zone, particularly if explosives are used. Therefore, dog trainers will need to find
another tracking area, which is extremely difficult.
I have not made any reportable political donations in the last two years.
I acknowledge and accept the department’s disclaimer and declaration, which can be found
at (http://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/help/disclaimer-anddeclaration).

To: Directors of Resources Assessments, Jessie Evans
As a resident of East Seaham, and Part of the Seaham and Balickera community I strongly object to the proposal for the Stone Ridge Quarry (SSD-10432). The Port Stephens region is known for its natural beauty, and proximity to Wallaroo State Forest was a major reason my family moved to East Seaham. We moved from Maitland to Seaham for the peace, tranquility and beauty of the region, and the opportunity to enjoy extraordinary native flora and fauna. We appreciate that the State Forest is part of a wildlife corridor that enables many wonderful species to flourish.
1.) Wallaroo State Forest is a locally loved Natural Asset enjoyed by the wider community for recreation, health and wellbeing
The proposed quarry will take up 139 ha. This is a huge footprint and dramatically reduces access to Wallaroo State Forest for my family, the local community and wider Hunter community.
My family are heavy users of the state forest for recreation and exercise. Wallaroo State Forest is a favorite site for orienteering competitions, both local and State League events. My family has played an active role in promoting orienteering in Wallaroo State Forest and set many events here, including on the proposed quarry site. We have held 2 junior coaching camps where we used Wallaroo State Forest, including parts of the proposed quarry site. Juniors who took part in these training camps have gone on to be selected for state and national teams.
One of the unique attributes of Wallaroo State Forest is the many different types of people who enjoy using the State Forest in different ways. The wider community use the forest for wildflower walks, wildlife spotting, birdwatching, running training and exercise, orienteering, dog training, horse riding, mountain biking, trail biking and 4 wheel driving. In years past, beekeepers have been on the lookout for private property close to the state forest to access the abundant wild flowers.
The State Forest attracts people from across the Hunter, including Newcastle and Maitland. It is well documented that access to nature supports mental health. In fact, the Department of Planning’s own website states:
Connecting with nature is so important as it improves your mental health and connection to place. Australians have endured a lot recently - drought, bushfires, and a global pandemic – and we need to connect with nature now more than ever for:
• Respite - from the demands of our fast-paced society
• Recovery - evidence shows nature supports mental health and recovery from stress
• Resilience - by supporting respite and recovery, nature helps build our long-term resilience.
(Source: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/programs-and-initiatives/urban-greening/everyone-plant-one/mental-health, accessed on 1/8/23)
2. Wallaroo State Forest is home to endangered species. All of Wallaroo State Forest is part of an important wildlife corridor, a “climate refugia” that can reduce species extinction in a warming climate.
The EIS states that it will impact on critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species of flora and fauna. The quarry states it will directly clear 94.3 ha of habitat for endangered koala’s and grey headed flying fox. Other impacted species include the critically endangered Swift Parrot, as well as the Spotted-tail Quoll, Yellow-bellied Glider, New Holland Mouse Black Cockatoos and many others.
The “Barrington to Hawkesbury Climate Corridor, connecting regional climate change refugia for species persistence in a warming world”1 identifies important bushland corridors that can help species survive climate impacts, and connectivity is key. Wallaroo State Forest is a significant part of this corridor and a site where three key climate corridors overlap. Taking out chunks of these corridors, as is proposed by the quarry, undermines the ability of native fauna and flora to withstand the stresses of climate change.
For example, the year after the 2019-2020 bushfires, Seaham and Wallaroo State Forest was awash with bird life, with many, many more birds in residence than I have ever seen in the 10 years that I have lived here. The region was NOT impacted by catastrophic fires. The WHOLE of Wallaroo State Forest played an important role of refuge for birdlife, and provided habitat and food sources to those birds who lost habitat to the fires. Without it, they would have died. If the quarry goes ahead, it will not only impact on the species that live in the State Forest, it will undermine the connected “refugia” where birds and insects can survive while their own habitats recover from drought, fire and floods.
3. There are now alternative sources of the material available for the products Stoneridge Quarry want to develop.
The Stoneridge Quarry says they will produce:
Concrete aggregates, Asphalt Sealing aggregates Railway ballast Roadbase materials – to TfNSW requirements.
There are alternative resources available to produce these largely road building products. New industries and technologies now use Circular Economy resources . For example, Nu-Rock, located near the AGL Liddel site between Muswellbrook and Singleton is making engineered Rock from recycled flyash waste. “Nu-Rock technology has important application in the road building process as a long overdue replacement to concrete road base, sub-base and aggregates2. “ The new Toowoomba Airport used “Earth Friendly Concrete” that uses recycled materials including fly ash.
1 https://www.scribd.com/document/611694638/B-H-Climate-Corridors-Alliance-REPORT# DEC 2022 accessed on 1/8/23 2 https://nu-rock.com/road-building/ ccessed 1/8/23)
Transport for NSW has a responsibility to deploy circular economy in its requirements for road building going forward. By Transport for NSW expressing its preference for circular economy products it would support these new Hunter Businesses and protect the local environment from unnecessary destruction.
Conclusion
- ALL of the Walleroo State Forest is a much loved natural space that is shared by a variety of different groups from the local community, and also Maitland and Greater Newcastle. It provides wild green space where our communities can share activities from dirt biking to birdwatching and everything in between.
- All of Wallaroo State Forest is home to endangered species, and is an indispensable part of the Barrington to Hawkesbury climate corridor that is critical for Native species to survive extreme climate events. It is essential that the WHOLE State Forest remains intact to prevent extinction.
- There are now alternative products being manufactured in the Hunter that can provide many of the same roadbuilding materials the quarry wants to produce.
Thank you for taking my submission.

Submission | Stone Ridge Quarry: SSD-10432 Monday, July 31, 2023
The Australian Resource Development Group’s Stone Ridge Quarry proposal is going to
destroy native vegetation in the Wallaroo State Forest—important green/climate corridors.
Within this area is habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species including Koalas
(Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation [EPBC] Act;
Endangered under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation [BC] Act), Rusty Greenhoods, Squirrel
Gliders (Vulnerable under the NSW BC Act) and Brush-tailed Phascogales (Vulnerable under
the NSW BC Act). There are four Endangered Ecological Communities within the area
proposed for destruction. The environmental impact statement lists 10 Matters of National
Environmental Significance (MNES) including:
1. Three migratory bird species given the Ramsar listed Hunter Wetlands close by. The
4. Grey-headed flying-fox (Vulnerable EPBC Act and BC Act),
5. Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest of NSW and South-East QLD (Endangered Ecological Community, BC Act),
6. The Swift Parrot (Critically Endangered EPBC Act; Endangered BC Act),
7. Spotted-tail quoll (Endangered EPBC Act, Vulnerable BC Act),
8. Yellow-bellied glider (Vulnerable EPBC Act and BC Act),
9. New Holland Mouse (Vulnerable EPBC Act), and
10. South-eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo (Vulnerable EPBC Act and BC Act).
We are at a critical juncture with cumulative habitat loss contributing to a very high extinction
rate—the highest in the world for mammals1. These vegetation corridors provide refuge and
safe passage for our native fauna and flora and are increasingly important as climate change
accelerates. Industry practices need to change.
Please use your powers as Federal Minister for the Environment to prevent the Stone Ridge
Quarry from destroying significant habitat and green/climate corridors. A good step forward in
reversing species decline.
Thank you for your consideration.

1 https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-is-australia-a-global-leader-in-wildlife-extinctions-20200717-
p55cyd.html

I am writing on behalf of Animal Liberation to object to the proposed development SSD-10432 lodged by Stone Ridge Quarry Project.

I confirm Animal Liberation has not made any reportable political donations in the last two years and we acknowledge and accept the department’s disclaimer and declaration, which can be found at (http://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/help/disclaimer-and-declaration).

Animal Liberation has worked to permanently improve the lives of all animals for over four decades. We are proud to be Australia’s longest-serving animal rights organisation. During this time, we have accumulated considerable experience and knowledge relating to issues of animal welfare and animal protection in this country. We have witnessed the growing popular sentiment towards the welfare of animals, combined with a diminishing level of public confidence in current attempts, legislative or otherwise, to protect animals from egregious, undue, or unnecessary harm. Our mission is to permanently improve the lives of all animals through education, action, and outreach.

Our objection points to the proposal include the serious risks, impacts and cumulative impacts, including ecological and social impacts, which appear to have been grossly understated. Our reasons for objection include the following important considerations:

Noise pollution

The site of the proposed Quarry is within close proximity to the existing Boral Seaham Quarry. There are already unacceptable levels of ‘offensive’ noise from current traffic and blasting which will be greatly exacerbated if the Stone Ridge Quarry is approved. This will adversely affect humans and native animals.
Air pollution

Various pollutants would be emitted into the air including dust, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. These pollutants have negative impacts on native animals as well as humans.
Pollution of water

Nearby Balickera residents are reliant on tank water. The proximity of the proposed quarry to the Balickera canal, within the catchment for drinking water for the Grahamstown dam and the hunter region raises serious health concerns. The potential cost and adverse health risks and impacts to the community and wildlife vastly outweighs possible economic benefits for a minority. This will adversely affect humans and native animals.

Wildlife

Adverse impacts on native Flora

There are species of plants that are endemic to this area and have endangered status. The quarry would destroy a significant amount of native vegetation, including trees, shrubs and wetlands. Destruction of these species appears to be of no consequence to the developers, and other similar harmful development rarely include the required oversight, compliance or enforcement controls.

If approved the quarry would destroy native vegetation in an area which supports both an intact regional biodiversity corridor, as well as three overlapping climate corridors what government commissioned research has highlighted are essential to the survival of threated species population fleeing the effects of climate change.

Adverse impacts on native Fauna

This inappropriate quarry development encroaches into areas of habitat supporting threatened and endangered species such as the Koala.

Other Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable animals that would be likely to be significantly adversely affected and impacted by the quarry include the Swift Parrot, Spotted-tail quoll, Yellow-bellied glider, New Holland Mouse, South-eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo, Squirrel Gliders, Brush-tailed Phascogales and the Grey-headed flying-fox.

Dog trainers will likely lose their tracking area

Dog trainers use the part of the proposed area for tracking. This area is likely to become an exclusion zone, particularly if explosives are used. Therefore, dog trainers will need to find another tracking area, which is extremely difficult.

Animal Liberation supports the Open Letter dated 27 July to Hon. Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water opposing this planned development and which was signed by the following credible and respected organisations:

Barrington to Hawkesbury Climate Corridors Alliance:
Community Environment Network (CEN)
EcoNetwork Port Stephens (ENPS)
Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC)
Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC)
National Parks Association NSW – Hunter branch
Brandy Hill/Seaham Action Group (BHSAG)
Eagleton Quarry Action Group (ERAG)
Gloucester Environment Group (GEG)
Gloucester Knitting Nannas
Knitting Nannas Hunter Loop
Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens (KKEPS)
MidCoast Knitting Nannas
Permaculture Hunter
Renew Hunter Region Branch
SaveBalickera Incorporated (SBI)
Voices of Wallalong and Woodville (VOWW)

Regards

To whom it may concern,

RE: My objection to SSD-10432 for the proposed Stone Ridge Quarry ARDG - Wallaroo State Forest Italia Road Balickera. The Cumulative impacts in the area of Limeburners Creek, surrounding areas, then add all the operating quarries/developments, then add to that; all the NEW proposed quarries/development, there is a dreadful catastrophic impacts that must stop. All the proposed Quarries and the (cattle business) are clearing bushland and building roads on whose approvals? They start the demolition process and have not been given any approval to do so, therefore they should not be rewarded with any sort of official approval.

The phot attached (IMGP5763.JPG) is taken with me standing on our back verandah looking at the bushland (south), we are 10km from the highway approximately at this point on our property. The photo is showing the intact bushland canopy todate which will be destroyed (if our neighbour has his sickly way/Local Land Services staff and bushland/tree/wildlife killers) and the mountains of bushland he will also destroy if he is approved (you can see the first mountain closer to us, he wants to bald this of all trees). This must not proceed. There are many bushland mountains on this property and he wants to clear them all along with the creeks, billabongs and dry creeks that are 15 metres high gorges and can be 15-30 metres wide, this is NOT cattle country in bushland that remains in any area. These are all the headwaters of Stony Creek that flows directly into Karuah River via many creek lines under The Bucketts Way, through the Karuah National Park and flows into the Karuah River. He has already and his employees made such a mess. They are affecting our property, they are changing the climate on our property, making it hotter, dryer and prone to more wind storms. This is neither fare at all, while the environment is destroyed, wildlife and aquatic wildlife are killed all to support the ego of one person wanting to be a cattle farmer in remaining bushland/forests is all heinous in anyway its looked at.

I have sent this email to the resources regulator, EPA, DPIE and Midcoast Council and Daniel Maher’s email address (though he has disappeared from investigating illegal bushland clearing from years ago), yet the bushland keeps being cleared and is happening again today one property over from our neighbours behind us, some 200+ acres of bushland forest and Stony Creeks and Billabongs that can be over 10-15 metres or wider and 50+ metres long, these creek systems have water in them all the time, despite our neighbour falsely stating they don’t. Daniel does not respond, I don’t know what has happened to him though I am worried about him and his welfare, he was the ONLY one doing his job and investigating the obvious that we are in bushland/forests remaining with old growth trees with hollows and wildlife living in these bushland areas must be protected. If he lost his job, he did nothing wrong, he has obviously been silence either way, still working and told to shut his mouth if he wants to keep his job, or he has been fired and forced to sign a ‘gag order’. Either way, what has happened to him, what has happened to him is wrong and he was investigating my evidence of “illegal bushland clearing by our neighbour and Daniel his employer and his staff”, he was also investigating the bushland area, clearly is NOT “saplings, regrowth and seedlings as Jesse of Local Land Services has falsely claimed to me on the phone, to me in emails and had the hide to say that he had not seen any trees with hollows, shows how disgusting the cover-up really is.

The Local Land Services Department of Taree and Tocal are disgustingly responsible for destroying 27.33 acres of remaining bushland/forests with the most amazing old growth trees with hollows and wildlife species including the Regent Bower Bird living in the creek lines and billabongs of Stony Creek. He wants to be a cattle baron in bushland and it was Daniel of DPIE Newcastle that agreed looking at my photos that the area had been wrongly categorised RU2. Yes it has and all other remaining bushland/forest areas that have been wrongly categorised allowing mining/quarries, CSG and housing developments and cattle barons is vile.

Where is Daniel Maher of DPIE Newcastle? He was waiting for USB sticks to be dropped in which my husband did twice and in this time he has vanished. My USB sticks have not been returned. I received a sick twisted Ombudsman’s letter advising me that Daniel had found no evidence of illegal bushland clearing. When clearly in emails from Local Land Services they had advised my husband and I and over the telephone that they had NOT given approval for any other property to be cleared except for the property of 27.33 acres on our western boundary fence. Yet like mining companies and gravel and CSG and developments they are not happy with destroying one area, they want it all, like Hilton Grugeon/Hunter Quarries, in beautiful thick bushland and rainforest, is now their approved under false pretences MOD10 and Yes I have seen the bushland from the ground all pegged out with pink tags saying “disturbance area”.

Our neighbour has been advising me for months, that there should not be anyone on his property. We can clearly hear the chainsaws and tractors knocking over trees and grinding away at the ground. This is happening again today. This 200+ acre property he wants cleared of every tree he says, infact says if he could burn it all he would. Through his bushland clearing for the last two and a half years (2 ½ years), he has permanently damaged our hearing, and we are left with screeching in our ears 24/7, imagine that! He says it is not personal. Shows how void of his accountability to his victims. Let alone the numbers of wildlife species being killed in this last remaining bushland being cleared for all various reasons from his cattle business while he works for a CSG company destroying the environment from Queensland to NSW, he is and his workers destroying these areas of Limeburners Creek. He also wants to subdivide the land and this is where Council of Midcoast Council staff have not advised if this is actually happening next door to us and behind us by one property over, and YES we on our 82 metre high mountain look down and to our west and will clearly see the destruction as it is happening (which we can already see to our west), our property is now getting more sun and more wind, the more trees he has cleared or clears himself on his property to our west. We will look out our windows and see his destruction and standing on our back verandah and walking around our property on the top of our mountain property. We get all the diesel fumes and the noise that comes and vibrates the house. It took him 6 months and extremely rude and bad interference/advice from Local Land Services staff to not come to our place or speak to us. When he finally did contact us and come over and stand on our back verandah, our neighbour said that the chainsaw noise was very loud and he did not realise. We have asked him to put this in writing, which he has not done todate. The Midcoast Council staff, ran a fraudulent noise test from our neighbours property (not our property) and had the hide to write a scripted letter that there were no issues (my words). Yet the day they came, on our sound monitor and one only chainsaw and (the old one that splutters one not even being ¼ crank’s and kept stopping), was at 30-35 decibels. It was 75 decibels inside our home one chainsaw/two chainsaws double and add 2 tractors and another 2 chainsaws, it drove us out of the house and off the property for years. How is this reasonable, fair etc. It is not! Conveniently the Council left that day and then Daniel the tree destroyer used his other chainsaw and the noise was deafening inside and outside our home/property, we put your hands over your ears, which other people did who came to visit me, they did not stay long at all, telling me how sorry they were and got in their car and left in a hurry. I cried at how people like us/me are played by the Council staff, by the tree destroyer Daniel, by our neighbour, who I had told the noise decibels needed to be at 75 already before adding more noise. All these parties continue to heap coals on my head, yet will not acknowledge that if you are going to hold an investigation, you sure as heck make sure it is not being done underhandedly, untruthfully, deceitfully to write the false narrative that all is well. This is also cruel to the real-time victims of these inappropriate developments affecting me inside our home, and other people in their homes and around our properties.

This bushland clearing must be stopped 200+ acres, started off as a verbal from my neighbour as almost 80-100 acres. Our property is 25 acres 10.22 hectares and the wildlife living on our property is amazing. On the 27.33 acre property we have not had fires in the area for around 60 years?, this property was protected from the cyclonic winds, yet our property we lost 35 major habitat trees and hundreds of smaller person width size trees, all significant to wildlife, and this property of 27.33 and 200+ acres on the other property runs directly into Karuah National Park. Local Land Services is always stating to keep the continuity with adjoining properties and into forests and National Parks, and yet are responsible for approving the annihilation of wildlife and flora species on the 27.33 acre property and the 200+ acre property being illegally cleared (in 2023 I do not know the underhanded status of these properties to know if they have been falsely approved or not by Local Land Services, yet those in this email, you would know, or know how to obtain this information and I ask for your help and forward any information that any of you find out please.

The (Karuah) National Park Manager at Nelson Bay (Gabb

I object to the proposal for the Stone Ridge Quarry Project (SSD-10432) for the following reasons.

● This project will cause significant noise pollution with increased operating times to 24 hours a day and blasting increasing from once a month to once a week. This will have extremely detrimental impacts on native fauna, with the potential to cause additional human safety concerns.
○ Anthropogenic noise is a significant factor contributing to the threat posed to Koalas that are native to the river-flat eucalypt forest, subtropical coastal floodplain forest and subtropical eucalypt forests which will be impacted by this project.
○ Koalas are twice as likely to respond to human disturbance when placed in a highly populated site with increased human activity compared to a natural park where disruptions are reduced (Gallina Kinsella 2014). These responses include relocation, vocalisations and scent-marking which induces significant stress responses, resulting in hypersensitivity to human noise disturbance.
○ The mean estimate of the probability of koala response is predicted to significantly increase in the Port Stephens area resulting in a catastrophic impact on the current koala population. Koalas typically rest for 19 or more hours a day and constant noise disruption will result in an excessive production of glucocorticoids which compromises their immune system (Charalambous and Naraya ). The greatest cause of koala death in Australia over the last 29 years is disease, which will only be exacerbated as stress reduces immune function and increases susceptibility to contracting chlamydia.
○ Although replantation may appear as a viable solution to support native life, the removal of koala populations from areas with suitable tree species will only prologue their exposure to stress and increase the potential for disease. It is also not viable to relocate 200-400 koalas from this area for the time it takes this replantation site to reach maturity, which is approximately 4 years for eucalypt species (NSW Inquiry 2020).
○ Studies have shown that koalas in Lismore are more likely to be admitted into clinical care as a result of increased human disturbance compared to other regions within New South Wales. Increased agricultural human activity in Lismore led to deforestation, reduced habitat availability and heightened the incidence of disease in Koala populations. This cascade effect is also likely to occur in Port Stephens if quarry proposals are approved, however, Port Stephens Koalas has a maximum capacity of 20 koalas at a time which is unlikely to be able to cater for the 200-400 koalas which will likely be impacted. The current infrastructure within the Port Stephens area is not able to adequately support the increasing demand for support which will inevitably occur if this project goes ahead.
○ Additionally, loss of habitat and land degradation is a key threatening factor for the squirrel glider. This quarry is likely to negatively impact squirrel glider populations are they are negatively impacted by noise pollution similar to the koala (Francis et al. 2015).
● This project will also cause a significant increase in air pollution as quarry activities typically release dust which settles on land, plants, trees and on surface water, causing a significant detriment to the ecosystem (Nyapala and Kamwele 2015).
○ The dust particles have a physical impact on plants as particulate matter blocks and damages plant cuticles, causing abrasions on leaves (Guach 2001).
○ Leaf trichomes will also become unable to function, reducing their natural defence mechanisms against pests and diseases (Missanjo et al. 2014).
○ Additionally, quarry dust has shown a direct negative impact on vegetation health and crop yield which poses a significant threat to the surrounding areas (Mbuyi 2017).
○ Dust may also reduce photosynthetic activity as a white film covers leaves, resulting in the inability of chlorophyll cells to be adequately exposed to light (Raina et al. 2008). In this way, plant respiration and transpiration are ultimately hindered, reducing the health of surrounding fauna. A direct result will be a reduction in the number of leaves per plant, surface area and size of each leaf, which will likely reduce the health of Wallaroo State Forest.
○ Squirrel gliders have been able to persist in certain areas in Australia despite significant habitat loss and disturbance, which ultimately relies on the availability of rough-barked eucalypts with high retention of regional forest cover with high structural and functional connectivity. Due to the dust impact of the quarry, this is highly unlikely to be maintained (Lawton et al. 2021).
○ People who live in close proximity to a quarry (less than 500m away) reported exposure to dust, land destruction, plant leaves covered in dust and the inability to grow crops.
○ There will also be chemical effects as quarry mining typically releases toxic compounds including fluoride, magnesium, zinc, lead, copper, sulphuric acid and hydrochloride acid which will be extremely damaging to vegetation. As this proposal doubles its maximum output to 2 million tonnes a year, air quality is predicted to significantly reduce as there are already two functioning quarries nearby which would cause a cumulative effect.
○ This will also have adverse human impacts as lung function is likely to decrease in residents who live close to the quarry. People reported a greater incidence of eye and nasal allergy, eye soreness and dryness along with chest tightness and chronic cough.
○ It is not possible to reduce silica dust from quarries producing granite products, even if safety measures are in place which will inevitably result in silicosis in the future.

● There is also a significant concern for traffic congestion and safety that will only be exacerbated by this quarry proposal.
○ Squirrel gliders living near the Hume Freeway were estimated to have a survival rate which is 60% lower than squirrel gliders who lived near local roads. The proposal will drastically increase truck movements along the highway, with a total of 1000 truck movements per day. As squirrel gliders typically live closer to urban establishments, it is undeniable that increased traffic will create a significant threat to their livelihood (McCall et al. 2010).
○ Additionally, road construction and traffic are more likely to kill slow-moving animals such as the Koala. Vehicles are one of the top three causes of mortality for koalas who will only be more encouraged to relocate as a result of their inability to tolerate noise and human disturbance. Studies have shown that of the 1409 Koalas hit on the Koala Coast, 83% of those hit were killed and 61% were healthy young males. Traffic is therefore a significant concern and very likely to cause mortality, resulting in a disproportionate amount of male deaths. This is likely because males disperse more rapidly to find a mate and therefore will reduce the amount of breeding-aged males within the population.
○ This is likely to have a dramatic effect on the breeding pool of both squirrel gliders and koalas within the Port Stephens area, resulting in reduced genetic drift and biodiversity which may encourage inbreeding and consequent disease.
● There are also concerns about the damage to cultural heritage that this will have on Wallaroo State Forest.
○ It is important to acknowledge that Indigenous and Aboriginal communities have a strong association and connection with the land. Aboriginal heritage and connection to nature are inseparable and this must be taken into consideration in the quarry project. Before European settlement, the Worimi People occupied a region which went from Port Stephens to Forster and then extended to Gloucester. The Worimi Nation is sacred and the Wallaroo National Park should be treated with respect for the Aboriginal communities that once used the natural resources from this land.
○ Consideration must be taken for historic sites within Wallaroo National Park, including cattle yards on Ripleys and Callaghans trails, the old sawmill site, a post-and-rail fence near Ten Mile Road, two bridges on Drews Road and a bridge on Ten Mile Road.

I have not made any reportable political donations in the last two years.

I acknowledge and accept the Department Disclaimer and Declaration.

I do not wish for my address to be disclosed.

Submission to the NSW Planning Department in relation to
Stoney Ridge Quarry Project Proposal
This is my submission to reject the Stoney Ridge Quarry Project.
• The Boha portion of the Wallaroo State Forest is well known to be inhabited by a koala population listed as a threatened species in New South Wales.
• I believe listed threatened ecological communities are matters of national environmental significance (protected matters) under the EPBC Act assessment and approval provisions.
• Any action that has, will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on a listed threatened ecological community without approval from the Australian Government Minister for the Environment.
• Koalas and other threatened species identified in this area are:
South-eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo
New Holland Mouse
Spotted-tailed Quoll
Grey-headed Flying-fox
Yellow bellied Glider
Swift Parrot
South-eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo
• There is a conflict of interest by the Forestry Corporation of NSW supporting this project and is inappropriate for this to happen. The Forestry Corporation of NSW must operate within the principles of ecologically sustainable development show ecological integrity and have regard for the community it operates in.
I have major concerns that this location has three types of climate corridors moist, dry and coastal essential for the migration of threatened species in respond to impending climate change.
Following the most recent report from the United Nations regarding the dangerous situation the World is in with the seriousness of Climate Change the Wallaroo Forest should continue to be protected including the threatened species in this area and the Stoney Ridge Quarry Project Proposal REJECTED.

Rosalie Cogger Collins
01/08/2023

To Director, Energy and Resource Assessments,
NSW Planning, Department of Planning and Environment
I object to the Stone Ridge quarry project on Wallaroo State Forest on several grounds, primarily that it is not an ecologically sustainable development and endangers several threatened species including koalas and threatened ecological communities.
Plesae see attached submission
Your sincerely, Sue Olsson

I am an 8 Year old girl
I live in the bush with mum dad and my big brother
please don't build a quarry, it will be super bad for all the pretty animals we see in the bush.
mum and dad have said the traffic on the highway will be bad, i get boarded now when we have to wait to drive on to the highway
no more trucks.
you need to save the enviroment, the koalas need a home too

we as as family strongly OBJECT to this Quarry going ahead, the truck movements alone will create havoc on an already busy highway, and the impact to the environment will be devastating, to the native fauna.

Firstly, I must preface this objection submiss to this proposed quarry in Wallaroo State Forest by stating that I have been unable to access the attachments and resources on the planning portal linked to this submission for the past two days as the pages will not load and, as such have therefore been hindered in my attempts to respond to issues addressed by the developer. I am writing as a concerned citizen and nature enthusiast to express my objections regarding the proposed Stone Ridge Quarry project in Wallaroo State Forest. I strongly believe that this development poses significant threats to the invaluable natural resources and ecosystem of this forest and must be stopped to preserve its ecological integrity and recreational value for current and future generations.
Wallaroo State Forest has long served as a haven for biodiversity, offering a habitat for various flora and fauna that thrive in this unique ecosystem, including but not limited to:
• Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) – Endangered
The proposed action will result in the direct clearing of 94.3 ha of known Koala habitat.
• Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) – Vulnerable
The proposed action will result in the direct clearing of 94.3 ha of known Grey-Headed Flying-fox foraging habitat.
• Coastal Swamp Sclerophyll Forest of New South Wales and South East Queensland – Endangered
The proposed action will remove 1.5 ha of the endangered ecological community and fragment a patch into two smaller remnant patches which may then be isolated from wildlife with the potential to leave the rest of the patch isolated and functionally lost.
In addition, the proposed action may significantly impact on other listed threatened species including but not limited to the following:
• Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) – Critically Endangered
• Spotted-tail Quoll (southeastern mainland population) (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) – Endangered
• Yellow-bellied Glider (south-eastern) (Petaurus australis australis) – Vulnerable
• New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) – Vulnerable
• South-eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami) – Vulnerable
* Brush-tailed Phascogale
• Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)
* orchids
The forest plays a crucial role in maintaining the region's ecological balance, acting as a carbon sink, supporting water retention, and contributing to air quality improvement. The establishment of a quarry in this area could lead to irreversible damage to the delicate ecosystem, potentially leading to the extinction of rare and endangered species and the loss of critical plant diversity.
Furthermore, the proposed quarry's activities may result in severe environmental degradation, soil erosion, water pollution, and noise and air pollution.
Quarrying on this site would be via drill, blast, excavation and haul of rock from the quarry pit with processing on-site using a crushing and screening plant. The dust and emissions generated by quarrying operations could not only harm the immediate vicinity but also have far-reaching consequences for nearby residential communities. Blasting to quarry rocks in a state forest can have significant impacts on both animals and humans. These impacts can be far-reaching and affect the ecosystem's balance and the well-being of nearby communities. Some of the key impacts include:
1. Disruption of Wildlife Habitat: Blasting activities can lead to the destruction or alteration of natural habitats for animals, displacing wildlife and disrupting their normal behavioral patterns. Many species may be forced to leave the area, affecting their population dynamics and potentially leading to local extinctions.
2. Noise Disturbance: Blasting generates loud and sudden noises that can be distressing and disruptive to both animals and humans. Animals that are particularly sensitive to sound may experience stress, changes in behavior, and reduced reproductive success. For humans, ongoing exposure to blasting noise can lead to annoyance, sleep disturbances, and potential long-term health issues.
3. Air and Dust Pollution: Blasting releases fine particles and dust into the air, which can be harmful when inhaled by both animals and humans. Inhaling particulate matter can cause respiratory problems and other health issues, especially for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
4. Water Quality: Blasting may affect the groundwater and surface water quality in the area. Dust and debris can contaminate nearby water sources, leading to potential harm to aquatic life and affecting the quality of drinking water for nearby communities.
5. Fragmentation of Ecosystems: The process of quarrying can fragment the natural landscape, creating barriers that hinder the movement of animals and disrupt ecological connectivity. This fragmentation can lead to isolation of animal populations, reducing genetic diversity and making species more vulnerable to extinction.
6. Loss of Biodiversity: Quarrying activities can result in the loss of native plant species and the destruction of critical habitats for various animals. This loss of biodiversity can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, including disruptions to food chains and ecosystem services.
7. Safety Risks for Humans: Blasting operations carry inherent safety risks for quarry workers and nearby residents. Accidents, such as flyrock incidents or misfires, can occur, leading to injuries or property damage.
Given these significant impacts, it is crucial for decision-makers to carefully assess the potential consequences of quarrying activities in state forests.
In addition to the environmental concerns, the construction of the Stone Ridge Quarry may significantly impact the quality of life and well-being of nearby residents. Increased traffic congestion, noise levels, and potential impacts on local water supplies could adversely affect the health and safety of individuals residing in the proximity of the quarry site. It is anticipated that there will be 364 heavy vehicle movements daily, with vehicles required to turn left at the Pacific Highway, travel 11km and then head south. Who will monitor that this happens? Vehicles will also 'not be permitted' to head west along Italia Road. Again, what processes are in place to monitor this?
In light of these concerns, I earnestly request that decisive action be taken to halt the Stone Ridge Quarry project. Instead, I advocate for sustainable land use practices that prioritize conservation, habitat preservation, and community welfare.

See attachment

1 August 2023


NSW Planning, Department of Planning and Environment

Ref: Stone Ridge Quarry Project, Italia Road, Balickera, NSW 2324
SSD-10432, EPBC ID: 2022/09368, LOT: 1, DP 724372; LOT: 36 and 65, DP: 753200; LOT 540, DP: 1207159

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Stone Ridge Quarry Project (“the Project”).

Should we look at the Project in isolation, it might be suggested that 79 hectares of clearing would have minimal disturbance to the flora and fauna of the area. Unfortunately, this is what occurs when proposals are being considered – for this process to occur in this area is a disservice to conservation efforts in the area. In reality, when weighed against the approvals being considered (and made) in the Port Stephens LGA and surrounding Hunter Valley we can see that this proposal is only a small part of what is occurring in the area.

One of the key threats to the koala Phascolarctos cinereus as outlined by the Threatened Species Action Plan includes “habitat loss due to clearing for … resource extraction”, with suggested on-ground strategies to conserve their population to “increase the area of protected habitat”, engage and partner with the community in conservation and restore listed habitat. The State Forest is mapped as habitat likely to occur under the Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT Profile)

Koalas are an iconic and vulnerable species, and it is our responsibility to protect their habitats to ensure their survival. The destruction of their habitat for the quarry project would undoubtedly lead to the displacement and potential loss of koalas in the area. It is crucial that we prioritize the conservation of these unique and cherished creatures by safeguarding their habitats, including the Wallaroo State Forest.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I kindly request that you take my objection into serious consideration during your decision-making process.

Yours sincerely,

Please see attachment

I oppose the quarry proposal owing to two main reasons:

1. increased traffic and hours of operation on local roads and infrastructure.
2. clearing of native bushland associated with endangered species including koala, phascogale.

I am happy to provide details if required.

Regards,

Gavin Farley
(Local reisdent)

I oppose this project due to the huge environmental impact this will have on our already vulnerable wildlife, mainly our koalas.
Any report would suggest the current status of the koalas in Port Stephens are extremely critical and dire. This project would place enormous pressure on their already threatened existence.
We as a community realise the seriousness of the koala population in Port Stephens and should act accordingly.
I vehemently urge those decision makers to please oppose this project for the sake of our wildlife, our community who also want to protect our koalas and the tourism in this region will be affected by this also.

I object to the project as outlined in the attached submission.

Please see attached objection letter in regard to the Stone Ridge Quarry proposal.

I hope that Department of Planning will take all my concerns into account as outlined in the ATTACHED PDF. There are enough quarries and certainly no need for this one. Please consider the community and the complete environment when determining the outcome. Please save our beautiful forest, animals, flaura and fauna that we still have before it is too late PLEASE!
Please protect the beauty of our habitat and not give in to the ugliness that another quarry will bring! This is fact; protect this beautiful land while you still can PLEASE!