BLAKEBROOK
,
New South Wales
Message
As a resident who lives on Nimbin Rd approx. 150m from the entrance to the quarry, I am concerned that this application will increase traffic as a result of the extra modifications to the quarry. To date the Nimbin Rd has had minimal maintenance between the quarry entrance and Wilson Street over the past 40yrs of my residence. This has resulted in a speed limit of only 80kms per hour. I would surmise that trucks have been a major contributor to damage of the road surface, as it is worse on the side where loaded trucks are travelling. The traffic counts supplied in the application appear to be an extrapolation of data collected in 2008 and as a resident I do not believe this actually represents the current volume of traffic. Increasing the volume in the quarry operations, in addition to the noise, will increase damage to the already poorly maintained road surface. There does not appear to be a provision for road maintenance (such as surface repair, repair of damaged safety barriers) or significant road upgrades with the application. This is of concern to me as a resident who travels on this road frequently. While application outlined reported accidents, I have witnessed that condition of the road has contributed to the rate of unreported accidents. The road is is frequently marked with painted areas to highlight problems like potholes and unexpected dips. I would like the project to have lower prescribed limitations on volume of trucks which is monitored and adhered to during the time of operation. The current operational conditions of 100 trucks per day with no night trucks is often not adhered to as there are trucks operating prior to sunrise and after sunset. Therefore increasing volume of truck activity, I would also be concerned that these breaches of operational conditions would increase and be flaunted even more.