Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

This is an area of great natural beauty and we visit often. This
initiative will lower the water level and affect many locals. It will
damage the water quality of Long Swamp Creek and the underlying
aquifer, which feed the Nepean water catchment for Sydney. Dust will
become a health issue. Heavy trucking will be an issue. Flora and
fauna will be adversely affected by the land clearing, noise, blasting
and light pollution. The attraction, peace and tranquillity of Shrine
of Our Lady of Mercy - Penrose Park, which attracts 10,000 national
and international tourists a year to the Highlands, will be
compromised.

I have reviewed the EIS and have come to the conclusion that the Project
is worthwhile. I fully support this mining project and wish it to be
developed to see the continuation of sand products to the market place
at a time when other quarries are reaching the end of their life span
and closing. It is important to continue to see these supplies being
continually proven up, extracted and put to good use for the local
community, for Sydney and for the State of New South Wales.

As with all Projects there will be impacts from minor to moderate and
the impacts, including flora, fauna and the environment will be
varied. The EIS outlines these potential impacts in a realistic and
forthright fashion and I have every confidence that the company and
the various NSW Government departments will work together to ensure
that the Project will progress safely with the aim to minimise harm
and ameliorate any potential long term effects to the environment. At
the same time providing essential materials for other developments
that will for example use concrete for just about every resident in
the region and the urban sprawl and multi-story high rise buildings
that is Sydney.

I acknowledge that my views of the visibility of Projects may differ
to those of the general community and clearly the company has gone to
great lengths to ensure that the quarry will not be an eyesore and
will not be seen by the population in general. Personally, I would
make it compulsory for the company to provide viewing platforms for
the general public to come and see the mine and see how it operates
and develops. Mines are wonderful and fascinating endeavours.

The Illawarra Highway already cannot cope with the large amount of trucks
and traffic on it.
The heavy traffic now starts up at 5am, there are traffic snarls in
the middle of rural areas -
we are NOW stuck in traffic yet surrounded by paddocks.
The infrastructure simply fails to cope.

This quarry will only add to the terrible congestion of the area -
congestion which is exactly the reason why people move from Sydney
(and elsewhere) to escape from -

yet this proposal will exacerbate it further. It's a form of insanity.

I call for this proposal to be rejected.

I support the proposal SSD6334 (Sutton Forest Quarry Project).

I understand the need for high quality sand for the construction of
all the infrastructure, in our regions and cities for the everyday
enjoyment of modern life. And the harsh reality is, sand must be mined
from somewhere and the sand must be of a quality and quantity to use
economic and environmentally sustainable.

Fortunately for the Southern Highlands, we have the sand. And that
means we will get the jobs and the economic benefits that accompany
projects such as the Sutton Forest Quarry Project, whilst having the
security of a well researched, designed and operated sand mining
operation.

Furthermore, it is up to private businesses within our region to boost
economic development and prosperity. Our council has no forward plan,
no economic development committee and no real options for any type of
future investment in our region. Projects such as the Sutton Forest
Sand Quarry will accomplish what our council so often fails.

A suggestion for the proponent would be to consider synergies between
their proposal and the Hume Coal project. How could these two project
work together to lessen the overall impact whilst improving their own
efficiencies? I don't have the answer but I am sure there would be a
benefit for each party.

I support this project and look forward to the development of this
critical raw material.

I support any industry which will bring much needed jobs and economic
diversity to the Southern Highlands region.

It is unfortunate that there is a small minority within this area
(composed mainly of people who's residential address is within the
wealthier suburbs of Sydney), who oppose any development to the
highlands. These people are not interested in jobs or economic growth
for locals.

This proposed sand mine will have a negative effect on water quality in
and far beyond the local area, destroy habitat for endangered native
wildlife and dispossess people from their homes. Productive farming
country will be destroyed. Please do not go ahead with the sand
mine/quarry proposal.

I am very concerned about multiple aspects of the quarry. Particularly
the Black cockatoo Wildlife in the area. A vulnerable species in NSW.
The bird relies on the wildlife corridor which is being reduced.

And although the dust assessment is listed as minimal, I worry about
the quality in the area being affected, along with water quality in
the area.

The assessment lists water quality effects on the Hawkesbury Aquafier
as minimal, but any effect should be worriesome to not only the local
area but all of Sydney.

I object to this project, as my family's farm is directly affected!
Regards, Catherine Godward

I stay in Sutton Forest with my brother in law and his partner at this
property 3 months of the year and cannot believe what is being
proposed to such a precious area. This bush land region is unique with
its birds and animals all of which will be impacted yet alone the
people and the disruptions they will face with noise, air pollution,
truck traffic etc. This CANNOT go ahead.

There are several of us that meet for a girls weekend of bush walking and
wineries locally to Sutton Forest twice a year. We stay on Hanging
Rock Road. I was horrified to hear of what is being proposed with the
sand quarry and cannot imagine walking the areas we do and having to
come across open mines, trucks, tolerate the noise in such a tranquil
area etc. I cannot begin to think of the effects to the wildlife,
their drinking holes etc uet alone local wineries and farmers that
depend on the water table remaining as it is.

I have concerns about the negative impacts this quarry can have this
area. Abundance of wildlife, the peaceful ambience and water resources
are going to be impacted if it goes ahead. I object to this proposal
and it should not be allowed to be approved.

Whilst I am a small builder and obviously use sand, I was shocked to hear
about this proposed quarry in such a pristine bush area as Sutton
Forest. The natural habitat that would disappear forever is terrible.
There has to be other areas that can be mined.My father lives locally
to where the mine is being proposed and I can imagine taking my
children to that area to have it spoilt by greed and money.

We have just left my father in laws place at Hanging Rock Road and were
saddened o hear of this proposed quarry. What are people thinking???
This is such a beautiful, peaceful, natural bush area that cannot be
lost. We relish staying there and spotting the beautiful birds, seeing
the wildlife, the children love it! We cant begin to imagine having an
open quarry in such a great spot yet alone having it filled with waste
later on. The environmental damage this would cause would be
horrendous

My Dad lives in Sutton Forest and we visit him often. We go there to
enjoy the peace and natural surroundings. We love walking the dogs to
the back of his property and over to the monastery and shrines; it is
all so tranquil. We cannot begin to imagine what it would be like if a
quarry were to be allowed o go ahead there. We feel for the animals
too that rely so much on the water. Surely too the quality of the air
that is currently so good would be polluted with the dust etc. This
must be stopped!

My girlfriend lives on Hanging Rock Road and has just contacted me and
told me all about the proposed quarry. I cant believe it! At Sutton
Forest? This cannot be allowed to happen. You have to know the area
and appreciate all its natural beauty to understand that a quarry of
the size they are proposing would destroy so much. From what I have
seen when spending time at her place there are so many birds and
animals in that area that would be impacted and thats without the
extra trucks etc on the local roads and the roadkill they would cause.
PLEASE do not let this go ahead -

My partner and I visit the Highlands often particularly our friend who
runs a winery at Sutton Forest. He has told us about the proposed
quarry and we felt the immediate need to write. You cant let this
proceed! The Southern Highlands is such an awesomely naturally
beautiful area and to even think of doing another large sand mine
there is preposterous! Why not let them mine Kurnell that is closing
down and based on sand? Wouldnt that make more sense??

I regularly visit this area when I visit friends who have been residents
there for decades. I cannot believe that consent to this mining
proposal is even being entertained. How could there NOT be a negative
effect on the flora and fauna of the region, when their habitat is
ripped away?

One of the main attractions of the area is the peace and tranquility
it offers to visitors. Once that is disturbed that attraction
disappears.

It is said that this venture will create 400 jobs. Counter that with
the loss of jobs that is likely to come about from a reduction in
tourism because the area is no longer a place that people want to
visit, and the final figure could well come out as growth-negative.

This plan is not reasonable. So far, it would appear that the
relatively few number of residents directly affected are considered
cannon fodder for the interests of the wealthy mining company in
question. It is OK for locals to be subjected to noise and air
pollution, and a drop in ground water levels.

This is not ok.

Stongly object! Is going to effect my family friend's family home &
beautiful wildlife!

I object to this porject.

I am writing to oppose this sand mine. I grew up in the southern
highlands, the best part of my childhood was the access to the
surrounding bushlands, state forests and national parks. As an adult
now, I often go mountain bike riding in the bush trails of
Canyonleigh, Sutton Forest and Penrose. This area has amazing
wildlife, clean streams and wilderness. The bike clubs often have
organized rides in this area as do the hiking clubs and other groups.
I am outraged that this natural beauty is not recognised by these
greedy miners, that they just see it for its dollar value in its Sand!
This mine will ruin it for hundreds of people that use this area for
cycling, hiking, picining, birdwatching and RELAXING. Locals have
waterholes they swim in and fish in, this will be wrecked by silt and
runoff from the mine once they start filling it with unnatural fill.
The reason the water is so pure in Long swamp creek is because it's
filtered through Sandstone, not mud. Huge mistake to allow this mine
to progress. Protecting the wildlife down there is far too important
to ignore. They have rights, as do us, locals. Stop it NOW.