Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

We are strongly opposed to the huge sand mine planed for Sutton Forest,
that adjoins the back of our property for the following reasons.
There is one bottling plant and six properties along Hanging Rock Road
with WAL works bore licences to sell bulk water to the bottle water
industry with a total yearly combined allocation of 300 Mega litres.
This is some of the best water analysed in NSW if not Australia
because the water is naturally filtered through the Hawksbury sand
stone in the local area and the large amount of virgin bush land in
the area.
Four of these properties run directly onto Long Swamp with natural
springs running of the properties into Long Swamp, which runs into the
Wollondilly River and eventually into Warragamba Dam.
The water industry has been well established along the road for over
twenty five years, it is an environmentally friendly industry that
employs over 30 people and it is an industry that is classed as
providing an essential commodity, as there is no GST on the sale of
bulk water.
If this destructive sand mine is allowed to go ahead the ramifications
will be long term.
The clearing of 63 hectares of native bush will have a great impact of
the local native flora and fauna.
The lights, noise, dust and blasting created by the 24/7 operation of
the quarry not to mention the hundreds of truck movements per day will
have a massive effect of the local community.
This quarry will have an enormous effect on our property values. Who
would want to live next door to one of the biggest quarried in
Australia.
But the biggest problem we see will not be evident immediately, but it
will happen, is the effect it will have on the water table. Taking
that much sand stone out of the ground and creating a 40 metre deep,
by 57 hectares hole below the water table will have a draining affect
for kilometres around on the local area and backfilling it with waste
from Sydney will change the natural ground, which the water flows
through, forever. Once the water table is polluted there is no going
back and we will have a similar problem as they are having in Medway
only on a much larger and permanent scale.
Why on earth would we consideer affecting an up and running,
environmentally friendly water industry that employs over 30 people
and effects nobody, but supply's an essential commodity, clean
drinking water, to build a polluting sand quarry that will effect the
lives of 1,000 of local people and ruin pur beautiful area for ever
not to mention the effect it will have on the quality of Sydney water
changing it for pristine to polluted.
You can get sand elsewhere, you can't get the same quality water
anywhere else.
You can drink water, you can't eat sand.

I am a resident of the Southern Highlands, and live within the area
doomed for ruination if this project goes ahead.

The sand mine proposed by Sutton Forest Quarries will be one of the
largest sand mines in Australia. Not only will the air become
hazardous with carcinogenic silica dust blowing over the entire
Southern Highlands in this very high wind area, but the security of
our water and Sydney's water could be permanently affected.

The lack of respect shown by Sutton Forest Quarries to the nearby
residents of the proposed mine is appalling - first dismissing the
need for consultation due to the fact that they have erroneously
deemed that there are mainly only weekenders here. This is highly
insulting and offensive to the people who have farmed and lived in
this area for many years.

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, after the State Government swiftly
changed the water protection law to allow another mine to expand, made
assurances that any project within the Sydney water catchment area
"either maintained or improved water quality". On this premise alone
the sand mine should be immediately rejected as in the EIS, Sutton
Quarries openly admits to the probability of water contamination.

The 24/7 noise, blasting, light pollution and the extra 400 B double
trucks needed for the project are completely unacceptable for this
very high tourist area. Sutton Forest Quarries claim in the EIS that
they will pause production during windy weather. However, upon
researching other sand mines in Australia I couldn't find one that
honored that promise. Silica dust causes silicosis, asthma and cancer,
and the many elderly residents of the area will be very vulnerable to
the toxic emissions of this quarry.

A further lack of respect was shown to the residents of the Southern
Highlands in giving us only four weeks to decipher an EIS that took
Sutton Forest Quarries four and a half years to complete - and even
then the EIS is apparently full of holes.

Another point of contention is the amount of farmers and landowners in
this area who have had enforced covenants placed on large tracts of
their land for fear of contamination of Sydney's water supply.
Allowing a project like Sutton Quarries Sand Mine to proceed would
make these covenants laughable.

Water and air are much more important than sand or coal - which,
unlike the former, we can survive without. I am at a loss to
understand why science is being blatantly ignored to the detriment of
this beautiful country.

As a new resident of Moss Vale I strongly object to the proposed Sand
Mine in Sutton Forest.

The Southern Highlands is home to many thousands of families who were
either born here or, like my wife and I, have moved here [in great
numbers] to build their lives and businesses in a spectacular natural
environment, far from destructive noise, air and light pollution of
the city.. we personally escaped from Newtown in Sydney's inner west.

The Sutton Forest Quarry Project will dig a massive hole in one of
Australia's most loved, historic and aesthetically beautiful rural
regions.

If approved, this would be one of the biggest sand mines in the
country; its creation will cause a number of significant environmental
issues such as:

* Removing sandstone at a critical point in the natural filtration
process, polluting the key filter for water entering the Nepean water
catchment [Sydney's water supply], Long Swamp and its aquifer
* The 47 hectare pit will sink to nearly 40m below the current water
table. The plan is to partially refill it by dumping 8 million cubic
metres of waste fill from Sydney, forcing contaminants into Sydney's
water supply by overflow, leaching mud and finings from the pit
* Lowering of the water table at Sutton Forest, decimating the bores
on which many locals depend for agriculture and life
* Creating adverse health effects through airborne dust carried by
prevailing winds right across the high population areas of the
Highlands
* Clearing vast swathes of native bush right at the most fragile
section of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, harming native flora
and fauna, along with many endangered species. As the company wishes
to have the right to operate the mine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
the site will be highly lit at night - blasting and grinding would be
allowed to run continuously for 30 years. How are our fragile
ecosystem and our residents expected to survive such an attack?
* A dramatic increase in heavy trucking in the region, and on the Hume
Highway.. up to 400 trucks A DAY will be required to transport the
sand out of the region
* Shattering the tranquillity of The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy -
Penrose Park.. an internationally renowned spiritual retreat and place
of pilgrimage

This proposal is a disgrace and an outrage in an area of such fragile
beauty and national importance as an agricultural powerhouse, wine and
food bowl, major regional tourism asset and home to thousands of
passionate residents whose property value and quality of life is now
under threat.

I visit the Southern Highland often and. we have just found that there is
a proposed sand mine quarry at Sutton Forest.
I am shocked that this is a possibility in such a pristine and within
and part of Sydney Catchment.
My children have visited and stayed on brothers and sister in-law's
farm and have seen them grow up and now have children to visit and
enjoy the beauty of this area.
I am particularly concerned with the water quality of Sydney water and
that the polluting mine will affect the quality.
This development will drastically change the Southern Highlands and I
am strongly opposed to this terrible development.

I am shocked to hear that there is a proposed quarry at Sutton Forest
that will affect Sydney's water quality and affect the Southern
Highlands' air, water, flora and fauna for generations.
My family visit Exeter regularly as we have family that have lived
there for over 35 years.
It is a very windy area and with the dust this quarry will produce I
am concerned that could affect the health of my child. The dust from a
sand mining quarry is highly toxic silica dust and I will not expose
any of my family to this possibility.
How can the government contemplate such a development in such a
pristine area and within close proximity to Sydney.
I am strongly opposed to this development.

The Southern Highlands is home to many thousands of families who were
either born here, have moved here and will continue to move here (in
increasing numbers) to build their lives and businesses in a
spectacular natural environment.

The Sutton Forest Quarry Project will dig a massive hole in one of
Australia's most loved, historic and aesthetically beautiful rural
regions and have an adverse affect on the local community and habitat.
This submission is also on behalf of Sydney residents who may not
understand how compromised their water supply is by this proposal.

If approved, this would be one of the biggest sand mines in the
country and its creation will cause a number of significant
environmental issues such as:

* Removing sandstone at a critical point in the natural filtration
process, polluting the key filter for water entering the Nepean water
catchment [Sydney's water supply], Long Swamp and its aquifer
* The 47 hectare pit will sink to nearly 40m below the current water
table. The plan is to partially refill it by dumping 8m cubic metres
of waste fill from Sydney, forcing contaminants into Sydney's water
supply by overflow, leaching mud and finings from the pit.
* Lowering the water table at Sutton Forest, decimating the bores on
which many locals depend for agriculture and life
* Creating adverse health effects through airborne dust carried by
prevailing winds right across the high population areas of the
Highlands
* Clearing vast swathes of native bush right at the most fragile
section of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, harming native flora
and fauna, along with many endangered species. As the company wishes
to have the right to operate the mine 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
the site will be highly lit at night - blasting and grinding would be
allowed to run continuously for 30 years. The fragile ecosystem is at
risk of such an onslaught.
* A dramatic increase in heavy trucking in the region, and on the Hume
Highway. Up to 400 trucks A DAY will be required to transport the sand
out of the region
* Shattering the tranquillity of The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy -
Penrose Park - an internationally renowned spiritual retreat and place
of pilgrimage
* There are no assurance regarding remediation, some vague comment
that a DA will be made in 30 years time with no estimate on time
necessary to backfill the huge whole - more years, more trucks, more
dust.

This proposal is poorly researched and benefits few; with little
regard for broader community and environmental impact. The region is
emerging as an agricultural powerhouse, wine and food bowl, major
regional tourism asset and home to thousands of passionate residents
raising and educating their families; whose property value and quality
of health and life is now under threat.

I wish to make my objection to the proposed Sutton Forest Quarry Project
known.

I believe the proposal will have unacceptable environmental and social
impacts and so should not be given approval. Both the level of impact
assessment and the mitigation proposals submitted by the proponent are
insufficient for a project of this scale.

A few brief points:
1. It appears that potential impacts to Long Swamp are downplayed, and
maximum values for discharges are not considered.

2. Discharge salinity levels, which occur within the Warragamba
Catchment Area, appear to target levels higher than the average level
for the catchment. It therefore seems unlikely the project will pass
the NorBE test, and so should be rejected under the Sydney Drinking
Water Catchment SEPP.

3. The currently proposed biodiversity offsets appear insufficient,
and the fact that an ecological assessment of an 'offsite' offset area
is yet to occur is unacceptable. Further, a large portion of the
proposed 'onsite' offset area is in close proximity to the quarry and
will experience a range of impacts (noise, light and dust pollution,
etc) from the quarry workings. This area does not appear to be
suitable as an offset, and it appears the impacts that will be caused
to it have not been sufficiently considered.

4. Unacceptable impacts to the Greater Western Wildlife Corridor,
which stretches Bullio and Bungonia, and provides a vital link between
large natural areas of the Southern Blue Mountains and Morton National
Park.

Due to the short time for responses, I will not make a full case
against approval here but would appreciate the opportunity to do so to
the Independent Planning Commision in the future. To date, public
consultation by the proponent has been quite lacking, and general
public awareness of the proposal is low but growing.

I believe it would be most appropriate if the consultation period is
extended, both so that more individuals and organisations can express
their opinion, and so technical submissions (which require much time
and effort to prepare) and can be submitted on behalf of concerned
organisations.

I'm also quite surprised that given the DA was lodged more than 4
years after DGRs were issued, new SEARs weren't issued and made
public.

I am very concerned about the very narrow wildlife corridor that is
already in existence prior to the creation of this sand quarry / mine.
This is a vital corridor between the Blue Mountains and Morton
National Park.

The operation as I understand it will leave very little vegetation a
prececious habitat for the wildlife. With a proposed 24/7 operation,
lights, blasting and digging crushing and trucking the wildlife will
be scared, and frightened beyond belief. Not to met ion the adjoining
properties. As someone who volunteers on wildlife hotlines I am aware
of the impact this can have.

I am very concerned about the impact on the unique dragonfly
population at Long Swamp. Swamplands create unique micro environments
which can't easily be replicated. The threat to our pristine
environment should be paramount to consideration resulting in only one
clear choice reject this application.

Dust, water pollution and loss of sandstone a natural filter needs to
be taken into account. Please stop this project.

I am very concerned about the very narrow wildlife corridor that is
already in existence prior to the creation of this sand quarry / mine.
This is a vital corridor between the Blue Mountains and Morton
National Park.

The operation as I understand it will leave very little vegetation a
prececious habitat for the wildlife. With a proposed 24/7 operation,
lights, blasting and digging crushing and trucking the wildlife will
be scared, and frightened beyond belief. Not to met ion the adjoining
properties. As someone who volunteers on wildlife hotlines I am aware
of the impact this can have.

I am very concerned about the impact on the unique dragonfly
population at Long Swamp. Swamplands create unique micro environments
which can't easily be replicated. The threat to our pristine
environment should be paramount to consideration resulting in only one
clear choice reject this application.

Dust, water pollution and loss of sandstone a natural filter needs to
be taken into account. Please stop this project.

Our family regularly attends the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Mercy next
door to the proposed sand mine. The Shrine established over 25 years
ago is famous for the peaceful grotto, right on the property boundary.
Like over 100,000 other visitors to the Shrine, this development will
have a major impact on a well established popular destination in the
Southern Highlands, famous for the ability to have a peaceful
experience. The development is completely inappropriate considering
the neighbouring activities.

To whom it may concern,

My letter comes from a place of sincere respect to your business and
what I imagine to be an incredibly insightful understanding of how
this world works, and what one must do in order to be great within it.

I urge you however, to take a step back and think not of me
personally, but of yourself in my situation. Here is a place that I
grew up in, one that I cherish so dearly that after many years away I
have returned to raise my own child; so that she may enjoy the beauty
and adventure of fresh air and a simple childhood. I ask you, whomever
may be reading this, to think of all the children in this area, and to
think of what you would like your children to grow up surrounded by.

I plead with you to reconsider the destruction of our land, of the
fauna that flourishes here, the air you will poison, the water you
will contaminate.

I ask you directly - is this what you would wish upon your own family?
Are you going to be able to clear your conscious when you go home at
night, after a hard days work and your pockets lined with money? What
will this money buy when there is nothing left?

I beg of you. Please stop. Think of my daughter, as if she were your
own. Think of this land, as if it were your own. Think of yourself -
because we all depend on the health of this world. If there is nothing
left but money, then we have nothing at all.

I wish to object strongly to the proposed sand mine at Sutton Forest,
Application SSD 6334. This extremely large sand mine will affect the
water table and the bores on local farms. It will pollute the Long
Swamp and its aquifer, which connect to the the Nepean catchment for
Sydney's water. Strong winds, which are regularly experienced in the
Southern Highlands, will carry dust across the Highlands towns and
rural areas, with potential major effects for people with asthma,
including myself. Above all, the clearing of 63 hectares of native
bushland in the Great Western Wildlife Corridor should not be allowed
under any circumstances. This bushland is home to the Vulnerable
Glossy Black Cockatoo as the Allocasuarinas on which it feeds are part
of this bushland. This bushland is also visited each winter by Gang
Gang Cockatoos, whose numbers in NSW are quite low. The clearing of
forest plus the blasting and light pollution will have a devastating
effect on wildlife in this important bushland. On this basis alone
this project should not be approved. The Southern Highlands has had
small scale quarries in the past but this proposal is of a massive
scale and will bring no benefit to this community. The huge increase
in truck numbers will have an adverse effect on local residents and
increase traffic danger in an area which should be retained for its
heritage and natural beauty and which attracts large numbers of
visitors wishing to escape crowded urban areas for weekends and
holidays. The overall effect on the Highlands will be negative and the
small number of jobs created will not compensate for the loss of
important bushland and peace and quiet for both wildlife and local
residents. This quarry should not be permitted to go ahead in this
region and the size of the quarry should not be permitted anywhere in
the state.

I oppose the application on health grounds.

The EPA requires the applicant to "demonstrate that environmental
outcomes for the project ensure unacceptable impacts do not occur on
human health or the environment".

The subsequent data presented by the applicant outlines increases in
particulate matter at nearby residences. At Residence 15, held by our
family, there is a predicted:
* 7% increase in PM10 levels
* 4% increase in PM2.5 levels
* 6.5% increase in TSP
* 12.5% increase in dust deposition

Furthermore, there are areas on the family property that are much
closer to the planned mine than the residence specifically. These
areas would be subject to larger increases in particulate matter at
all levels. Also importantly, these figures represent "annual average"
increases and do not account for periodic higher increases caused by
local wind gusts.

These increases in particulate levels may have a significant impact on
human health. It is noted on the NSW Health Fact sheet
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/mine-dust.aspx
that "that fine particles below 2.5 μm in diameter may be of a
greater health concern than larger particles as they can reach the air
sacs deep in the lungs. However, coarse particles (PM 2.5-10) could
also be associated with adverse health effects. Importantly, the
periodic higher increases in particulate levels cause by wind gusts
would have the greatest health effect.

Furthermore, the factsheet continues to warn that "people who may be
more susceptible to the health effects of fine and coarse particles
are:
* infants, children and adolescents
* elderly
* people with respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and
emphysema
This is significant to our farm, as it is regularly used as a place of
congregation for family (with an expanding generation of young
children and of ageing grandparents) and where there are a significant
number of asthmatics and atopic allergy sufferers.

It is therefore impossible to suggest that there is no "unacceptable
impact on human health".

Finally, the applicant suggests that the aforementioned requirement
relating to detrimental impact on human health is covered in "Section
7" of the "Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment". Interestingly,
and of note, neither the words "human" nor "health" are used in this
section. It is therefore questionable whether the applicant has a
genuine regard for the health of the residents of the Sutton Forest
area.

Dr Andrew Allenby
BSc MBBS (UNSW) FANZCA

I wish to express my very strong opposition to this proposed mine,
because the positives do not outweigh the negatives, and because time
and time again it is discovered, too late, that the EIS statements
provided will not be accurate, or applied correctly to avoid the
following types of damage:
- it will impact on our bores by lowering the water table
- the negative impact on the catchment water
- dust pollution
- the land clearing of pristine bush and loss of habitat to wildlife
- as it is to be a 24/7 operation, it will destroy the peace and
tranquillity of this area and our land values with it - think how you
would feel if this was in your backyard!!!
- it will be destructive of the very essence of this area - it's
natural beauty and tranquillity, and the tourist industry that is so
key to the Highlands local economy
- it does not benefit our community in any significant way but it DOES
damage our area in very significant ways.
Yours sincerely
Lucy Bainger

I am writing to express my strong objection to the proposed sand mine in
Sutton Forest.

I think the mine should not be allowed to proceed for a number of
reasons.

Firstly, for the sake of the environment. The proposed mine would
destroy 63 hectares of native vegetation which is the habitat of
countless creatures. It is proposed to mine 39 metres below the water
table. This cannot do other than affect the adjacent creek and Long
Swamp which is home to rare and endangered species including one of
the largest and rarest dragonflies in the world. As well as lowering
the aquifer. The mine is smack in the middle of the narrowest part of
a major wildlife corridor joining Morton National Park to the Blue
Mountains National Park.

Secondly, the water. Why would anyone risk damaging in any way part of
the Nepean and thus the Sydney water catchment? The mine would need to
use enormous quantities of water for its operation, diverting this
water from agriculture and private property use. And the waste water
will re-enter the Sydney water supply along with any pollutants from
the mining process.

Thirdly, the impact on people. There would be an enormous increase in
heavy traffic, noise from blasting, crushing of the sandstone, dust
and light pollution. This will have a detrimental affect on local
residents and would impact on tourism which is a major source of
revenue for the area which promotes itself as a peaceful, clean rural
destination close to Sydney.

And then there's rehabilitation. How do we know that the fill is
clean, or suitable. The proposal allows for a pH as high as 8 which is
completely inappropriate for a sandstone environment with an acid pH
around 6 - 6.5. This is not rehabilitation but plain old dumping. All
water passing through this fill, clean or otherwise, will drain
eventually into the Sydney water supply.

The mine should not be allowed to proceed. Leave the environment alone
and the water table will be safe, the habitat will remain intact and
the beautiful Southern Highlands will benefit. It is the right thing
to do.

I am a military historian and make this submission with respect to the
proposal's impact on a significant historical feature and the lack of
recognition of this in the Environmental Impact Statement. In
particular, the proposal makes no recognition at all, other than to
recognise by name, that the Kingsbury VC Rest Area exists in the
vicinity affected by roadworks and subsequent traffic.

I could see no reference as to any physical impact from the proposal
on the existing Rest Area facilities other than access and my
objection relates purely to that aspect.

In 1954 a road route between Sydney and Canberra was created as the
Remembrance Driveway in memory of those who served in the Australian
Defence Force in World War Two and subsequent engagements. It was
commenced with the planting of trees in Sydney by Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II on her first visit to Australia. The route now includes
that part of the Hume Freeway affected by the proposed quarry
interchange access from the Freeway.

In 1995, as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th Anniversary of
the end of World War Two and titled Australia Remembers, a program was
developed to construct a number of rest areas along the Remembrance
Driveway. This consisted of the construction of a spaced series of
off-freeway areas for drivers to take necessary road safety, meal or
comfort rest breaks at the provided facilities.

Each of these areas was dedicated to the memory of an Australian
serviceman who had been awarded a Victoria Cross during the
Remembrance period with each area having a commemorative information
plaque to describe the bravery of each of the dedicated servicemen.
One of the first constructed and dedicated in 1995 was at Sutton
Forest to the memory of Private Bruce Kingsbury VC.

Kingsbury was a member of the 2/14 Battalion AIF which was the first
of the AIF troops to return from the Middle East and reinforce the CMF
troops on the Kokoda Track. On 29 August 1942, after several days of
sustained Japanese attacks against the Australian positions at
Isurava, a Japanese attack penetrated the defences and threatened the
Battalion headquarters. Kingsbury was in a party that rushed forward
to repel the attack. He charged forward with a Bren light machinegun
killing a number of the enemy and breaking up the enemy party until he
was killed by a sniper.

Whilst the Kokoda Track is widely recognised in Australian military
history and folklore, what is little understood or recognised is that
the Kokoda Track was in what was then known as the Australian
Territory of Papua. So this makes Kingsbury's VC arguably the most
significant bravery award in Australian military history being the
first Victoria Cross ever won on Australian soil.

So with this background and specific information, I make the following
observations and comments with regard to the current proposal and an
attached supporting document prepared by the consultant dated December
2013. This will indicate deficiencies, omissions or errors of
interpretation of study data in the EIS and its assumptions.

Traffic studies have been taken over three locations, Illawarra
Highway Interchange, Sally's Corner Interchange and Penrose Forest
Access. The EIS then refers to peak traffic movements with an
unexplained assumption that the access will be by construction of a
single lane overpass and southbound slip lane at the Penrose
Forest/Kingsbury VC Rest Area location connecting to a north-south
access road to the quarry site. This appears to be in contradiction to
the attached 2013 supporting document which states that there was a
distinct financial advantage to the construction of an east-west
access road to the existing Sally's Corner Interchange and was
preferred.

There appears to be an implied assumption that the Kingsbury VC Rest
Area facilities will not be affected by the proposed traffic works
other than by the access lane from the Freeway. However, if my
assumption from the EIS is correct that the facilities will remain if
the proposal proceeds, then there appears to be an issue about how
exiting from the Rest Area will be addressed as the current
access/exit to and from the Freeway is at the proposed construction
zone of the access overpass.

The proposal details that the estimated peak operating hours for the
entry/exit of heavy vehicles will be between 4-6am each day. The
proposal documentation does not appear to match the estimated daily
vehicle movements with practical quarry operations. It assumes that
maximum vehicle impact will occur during that time without an apparent
assessment of operational quarry time to load stored material into
each vehicle. I am assuming that the majority of traffic accessing the
quarry site will be contract vehicles where actual commercial
operating time is critical to the contractor's operating costs.

This is important as it affects the duration, nature and impact
traffic movements in the vicinity of the Rest Centre. I undertake
frequent long trips with the necessary occasional rest or comfort
breaks to the point I consider myself a typical driver. I try to avoid
using rest stops that are subject to frequent heavy vehicle usage. If
other drivers are like me and recognise that many heavy vehicles are
operating in the immediate vicinity of the Kingsbury VC Rest Area then
they will continue on to the next rest area except in urgent
circumstances.

If this is the case then Kingsbury's deeds and significance, as
published on the Commemoration information board at the site, will
diminish in the general public memory because of lessening patronage
at the rest area as a result of quarry operations.

Finally, the EIS contains an environmental risk assessment and risk
register that, in part, addresses the risk impact of the proposal on
historic or heritage issues. The only issue addressed was the loss or
destruction items of a heritage or historical significance with the
consequence moderate and the likelihood very rare which meant no
mitigating treatments were considered.

The register also identifies a traffic risk creating local loss of
amenity but, without access to the risk assessment working papers, the
reader can only guess what the consultant is identifying or the scope
of his identification and whether the impact of traffic on the rest
area is part of this assessment.
From a professional view point and without examining in detail each
segment of the risk assessment or having access to the working papers,
I would reserve my opinion on its value to my identified risks to the
Kingsbury VC Rest Area and to the proposal overall.

For the record my father was a member of the 2/14 Battalion and
colleague of Bruce Kingsbury VC. I am a Life Member and former
Secretary of the 2/14 Battalion Association Incorporated. Amongst
other activities I currently provide honorary historical services to
the Association.

WR Wilkinson B. Bus. CPRM MRMIA (ret.)

We VEHEMENTLY REJECT this proposal of SAND MINING in this
location....PLAN # 6334 / Sutton Forest.

We are not so-called "holiday-makers" nor casual drop-ins as suggested
in the proposal documents.
THIS IS OUR HOME - WE HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 1979. Our children were
born and raised on this property and our grandchildren are now
visiting and growing up here.

The major purpose of our property (aside from being a home) is cattle
breeding and farming, producing MEAT for human consumption.

Our property is also used as a retreat at times, with our friends and
guests enjoying privacy, fresh air and the quiet and peaceful ambience
of a rural landscape.

We are terrified of the water aquifer being LOST as our stock rely
solely upon this source of water. Water is also essential for our
personal consumption. We grow organic vegetables, fruit and olives for
our table.
The entire area, inclusive of our property, is within the Sydney Water
Catchment precinct. Collection of uncontaminated water is deemed
essential to human survival. With the proposed drilling and mining,
the water source will become polluted or could vanish. HAS THIS BEEN
CONSIDERED?

At times, after suffering pneumonia, I endure EPISODES of ASTHMA
ATTACKS and I cannot be subjected to pollution from sand and dust
fines. My health and breathing will certainly suffer with masses of
pollutants (dust, debris, sand particles) swirling in the air.

The position of our property is in a direct line to the proposed site,
which means dust and contaminants will be blown towards and over us.

Noise from blasting, bulldozers and other heavy machinery will destroy
the peace. Interminable day and night truck and semi-trailer movements
and earth moving equipment being loaded and hauled away, will
definitely cause relentless noise pollution.

We are extremely mindful of our environment and its locale. We have
farmed with sensitivity during our tenure upon this land, always aware
of native bush, trees and the vegetation bordering our property.
Endangered animals live and flourish undisturbed.
Over twenty years ago we willingly elected to fence off and isolate
50+ acres of our property, thus ensuring it remained pristine
Australian bush. This allows indigenous species of flora and fauna to
grow and prosper and we are extremely proud of nurturing and
protecting the area.
The 50+ acres of native grasses and bush regenerate totally naturally.
This also defends and shelters the natural rain forest and tree ferns,
as well as the waterfall and stream which are deep within the rain
forest.
We consider this area vitally important as a pristine, native wildlife
corridor.
THIS PROJECT IS ENVIRONMENTAL VANDALISM.
THERE IS NOTHING POSITIVE ABOUT SAND MINING IN THIS LOCATION...THE
ENTIRE MATTER IS IRRESPONSIBLE, NEGATIVE AND CRITICALLY DETRIMENTAL TO
ALL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

..Habitat of native animals and birds will be erased.
..Australian bush, grasses and trees will be destroyed, with no
opportunity of regeneration - as outlined in the project notes.
..The water table and aquifer will certainly be harmed or destroyed.
..Our personal physical and mental health and general well-being will
be under attack. Future humanity will suffer and carry the burden of
this proposed devastation.
..Our cattle industry and livelihood of meat production, although
minor, is a major concern for younger generations. This farm will be
ruined and no longer viable, becoming impotent land, unable to support
food production.
..Our general security and happiness will be shattered. We are unable
to adapt to a heavily industrial zone after forty years of clean
living.

THIS IS A RECKLESS PLAN.
IT IS AN APPALLING AND CRIMINALLY INSENSITIVE PROPOSAL; A TOTAL SNUB
OF OUR LIVES AND THE COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENT.
IT SHOULD NEVER GO AHEAD.

Dear Sir/Madam
My family and i are frequent visitors to an adjoining property to this
proposed mine site on Hanging Rock Road. We have been visiting this
property for the past 12 years. we are invited there to relax in this
magnificent untouched peaceful and tranquil setting, the Hume Hwy is
approx 1.5km from the residents some days when the wind blows from the
south east you can here the truck noise on the Hume i cannot imagine
the noise and dust this mine will generate so close to rural
property's let alone the truck movements in and out of this area.

I moved to the Southern Highlands area 20 years ago, drawn largely by the
bushland beauty, peace & quiet & clean air. The proposed Sutton Forest
Sand Mine is a potential travesty to this area and the residents for
many reasons...the main ones being noise, dust, lighting, and water
and sediment run off and erosion. This fragile ecosystem will be
severely affected by this operation particularly the hydrology of the
area such as Long Swamp Creek and Sting Ray Swamp. The risk of
contaminated groundwater could affect local use of bore water & also
Sydney water catchment systems. The 24/7 noise, dust, lighting and
truck movements will negatively affect not only the local residents
but also the wildlife. I am deeply concerned about this project and it
undermines the reasons I moved to this area. Please do not let it go
ahead.

I am very concerned about the impact on Long Swamp Creek and Sting Ray
Swamp especially in regard to the following:
* risk of contaminating groundwater
* the narrowing and clearing of a section of the Great Western
Wildlife Corridor, the only native vegetated habitat from the Blue
Mountains to Morton National Park, that was established to facilitate
the interaction of endangered animals.