Stone Ridge Quarry Project

This is incredibly important koala habitat - a species on the road to extinction, and which the Australian government has vowed to protect. This is the opposite direction we should be going to protect Australia's biodiversity. The mine is planned to drill deeper than the water table, which will affect ground water right before an El Ninio event. The only corridor across Italian Rd is over the Balickera tunnel, where this quarry is proposed. The noise from the site will be enough to affect animals in the area. A quarry in a State Forest is completely inappropriate. Please live up to your election promises to protect Australian animals.

People have to accept that to have a modern built environment the raw materials have to come from somewhere. Provided the developer of the mine/quarry does it in a responsible manner and is held accountable to restore the site then that is as good as things will get.

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

• Vastly increased traffic resulting in noise, road damage and safety implications. Italia road is a rural road connecting the Pacific Highway to East Seaham Road. For much of its length the road is rather narrow and in rather poor condition. It is well suited as a local use rural road but over the past few years the amount of traffic, particularly truck traffic, using Italia Road has greatly increased. Entering Italia Road from a private driveway has become more concerning. Turning onto the highway from Italia Road has also become more difficult due to the increase in traffic on both roads. An article in the local newspaper has recently suggested that the proposed Stone Ridge quarry, together with a proposed expansion of the existing quarry on Italia Road, could result in over 1000 truck movements per day. Italia Road simply cannot handle that much traffic.
• Loss of natural habitat. The proposed site of this quarry has generally been considered by many locals to be part of the local National Park. We believe that this site should become part of the National Park, not a Quarry.
• Noise, vibration and dust from blasting.
• Possible loss of air quality (dust).
• Possible pollution of surface and ground water. Town water is not available on Italia Road. Most properties on Italia Road use rainwater tanks – any significant increase in airborne dust would therefore pollute the drinking water of most residents.
• Change to the ambience and character of the rural setting. We have been residents in this area for over 30 years. For most of that time the area has been a pleasant, quiet, rural setting. We would prefer that it remain that way.

We do realize that quarries are necessary – our civilization is literally built on quarry products. There has been a quarry on Italia Road for the entire time that we have lived here, and this quarry has generally been a good neighbor. We do not, however, consider that an increase in the number of quarries or a significant increase in production from the existing quarry on Italia Road (both of which are being proposed) would be in the best interests of residents for the reasons noted above.

We have not made any reportable political donation in the last two years.
We acknowledge and accept the Department’s Disclaimer and Declaration.
We would appreciate it if you would please acknowledge receipt of this submission.

R & J Francis
570 Italia Road East Seaham
Phone (02)49886082 Email [email protected]

Please see attached letter

LOCAL FLOODING AND ROAD CLOSURES

The EIS for ARDG’s Stone Ridge Quarry does not take into account that in 2007; 2015; 2016; 2021 and 2022 all roads to access Raymond Terrace and Maitland/ East Maitland except Italia Road were closed due to flooding. All roads but Italia Road were affected by major river systems in flood and low-lying topography. In 2015 the roads were closed for 6 days. It was longer in 2007.

According to Pt Stephens Council in July 2022 local roads were closed with water ingress on 10th July 2022 as follows:

“Road Closures
Newline road Eagleton
Six Mile Road Eagleton
High Street Hinton
Old Punt Road Hinton
Seaham Road Seaham
Newline Road Seaham
Clarence Town Road Woodville
Italia Road OPEN”

And this was just ‘minor’ flooding of the Hunter, Williams and Paterson Rivers impacting the low-lying areas of Raymond Terrace, Seaham, Wallalong, Hinton and surrounding areas.

Again, flooding in March 2021 with flood waters impacting the same low-lying areas and Italian Road being the only road open.

On 6th January 2016 the Port Stephens Hunter Police District published:

“ Seaham Road closed
Newline Road Raymond Terrace closed
High Street Hinton closed
Clarence Town Road closed
Italia Road open”

In 2007; 2015; 2016; 2021 and 2022 the residents of East Seaham; Seaham; Brandy Hill; Wallalong; Butterwick; Woodville; Dunns Creek and Glen Oak PLUS trucks from Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry and Booral’s East Seaham Quarry were all trying to access the Pacific Highway from Italia Road. The cumulative traffic of two quarries; local residents; local emergency services; Council workers and two local plant hire businesses and the associated road safety was extremely bad.

Italia Road is the link to Seaham from the Pacific Highway to Seaham for those wishing to access local communities. When roads are closed Italia Road is the only way to access the Pacific Highway for residents to attend appointments; seek medical assistance; get to supermarkets and hardware stores; go to work, etc.

There will be more meteorological events resulting in flooding. The Hunter is prone to severe east coast lows.

When local roads are closed ALL truck movements from ALL quarries using Italia Road should cease for the duration of any road closures due to flooding or other emergencies such as fire and this should be a requirement of their Licence to operate.

SUBMISSION FOR THE EIS FOR STONE RIDGE QUARRY (APPLICATION # SSD-10432) – EPBS 2022/ 09368

TRANSPORT AND TRUCK MOVEMENTS

It is the cumulative effect of 4 quarries within 10 minutes of each other that is not taken into account in this EIS.

ARDG’s Stone Quarry’s 344 truck movements per day COMBINED with Boral’s East Seaham Quarry’s current and future movements in relation to its application to extend its operations TOGETHER with the truck movements from Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry (when it has business north of Raymond Terrace or Seaham Road is closed) will cause congestion; noise and pollution from diesel particulate. Eagleton Rock Quarry Pty Ltd on Barleigh Ranch Way off Italia Road has yet to lodge its application.

To get the trucks of 4 quarries (Boral’s East Seaham, ARDG’s Stone Ridge, Hanson’s Brandy Hill and the proposed Eagleton Quarry) off Italia Road and the Pacific Highway there should be a freight only rail spur line installed between Hexham and East Seaham.

If the rail siding was south of Italia Road then ARDG could build a flyover over Italia Road for access.

The Government owns land from Hexham to East Seaham adjacent to the Pacific Highway which could be used for this purpose. The spur line could operate similar to the rail freight lines to and from the coal mines in the Hunter.

There is spare rail freight capacity into Sydney even more so when the Brisbane to Melbourne inland rail project is finished. Transport of quarry products in and around Newcastle and surrounding areas could be from Hexham which is designated an industry hub.

With the 4 quarries having a life of 30 or more years and making billions of dollars the cost of a spur line is affordable (especially as the land should not have to be purchased).

A bridge over the river at Hexham would be costly but such costs were paid for road intersections and flyovers by other extractive industries south of Sydney so they could get their licences as well as the coal mines in the Hunter. A bridge for a rail freight line has lesser structural/ engineering requirements than a public transport line.

Should a rail spur line not be feasible then, a question not addressed by the EIS is will the trucks involved in the 344 daily truck movements of ARDG’s Stone Ridge Quarry be owned and operated by ARDG or contractors? Experience with Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry has shown that the most ill-feeling between the community and Brandy Hill Quarry has been created by contractors' behaviour regardless of whether the contractors have signed the Quarry's Code of Conduct or not.

Italia Road is classified a local road by Port Stephens Council. As noted on the Port Stephens Council’s website 2022-2023 “the current safety hazards evident on Italia Road:
- Pavement has deteriorated beyond normal maintenance
- lack or no shoulder width along Italia Road with trees lining the pavement
- current road width approximately 3m travel lanes
- table drains within close proximity of road edge and section with steep batters.”

Council is spending $550k to upgrade the central part of Italia Road. Italia Road is not meant for the traffic it is experiencing now or in the future. It is not fit for the purpose of either heavy truck movements or emergency access to the Pacific Highway for local residents.

From the entrances of Booral’s East Seaham Quarry and ARDG’s Stone Ridge Quarry there should be a four-lane road to allow local residents to move freely on this section of Italia Road and residents should not be stuck travelling behind slow moving trucks which can lead to dangerous driving trying to overtake trucks and cracked windscreens from gravel spilling from trucks. Trucks should have designated lanes.

Quarry trucks should not travel west along Italia Road and this includes those of Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry which travel in both directions.

BOORAL’S EAST SEAHAM QUARRY

“Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Limited would like to introduce you to the proposed Seaham Quarry Project (the Project), which involves continued operations at the existing Seaham Quarry (the Quarry) site, on Italia Road, Balickera in New South Wales.

The Quarry has been continuously operating since 1995 and has a development consent, which allows it to operate until 2035.

However, it is now close to exhausting its approved hard rock reserves, both laterally and vertically. To secure resources in the short term and to allow sufficient time for assessment and determination of the Project, a separate application to Port Stephens Council will also be submitted to modify the Quarry’s existing development consent for a small lateral extension to the Quarry pit floor (Modification 6). Modification 6 does not propose any additional disturbance or changes to operations.

Booral’s East Seaham Quarry Project
The Project will propose a long-term plan for the site, with operations to continue for an additional 30 years, to 2057.

Key project elements (subject to change as a result of the environmental assessment process):

• increasing the extraction area from 26 hectares to approximately 64 hectares;
• maximum production rate of 2 million tonnes per annum;
• frequency of blasting will increase to one blast per week, between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday; and
• operating hours to be extended, to 24 hours, seven days per week (subject to noise assessment outcomes).

Approvals process
The Project will be assessed as a State significant development (SSD), under Part 4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission is the consent authority for SSD applications.

A Scoping Report is currently being prepared which will be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) along with a request for the Secretary’s environmental assessment requirements (SEARs). An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will then be prepared, in accordance with the SEARs issued for the Project. As part of preparing the EIS the following studies and impact assessment investigations are anticipated to be required and are currently scheduled to be completed in 2023.”

Booral’s plan to extract 2Mtpa equates to +400 truck movements per day. This combined with ARDG’s 344 truck movements per day together with Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry truck movements and local truck traffic and the proposed Eagleton Quarry’s truck movements could see +1,000 truck movements per day on Italia Road which is designated a local road. A rail freight line is preferred.



LOCAL FLOODING AND ROAD CLOSURES

The EIS for ARDG’s Stone Ridge Quarry does not take into account that in 2007; 2015; 2016; 2021 and 2022 all roads to access Raymond Terrace and Maitland/ East Maitland except Italia Road were closed due to flooding. All roads but Italia Road were affected by major river systems in flood and low-lying topography. In 2015 the roads were closed for 6 days. It was longer in 2007.

According to Pt Stephens Council in July 2022 local roads were closed with water ingress on 10th July 2022 as follows:

“Road Closures
Newline road Eagleton
Six Mile Road Eagleton
High Street Hinton
Old Punt Road Hinton
Seaham Road Seaham
Newline Road Seaham
Clarence Town Road Woodville
Italia Road OPEN”

And this was just ‘minor’ flooding of the Hunter, Williams and Paterson Rivers impacting the low-lying areas of Raymond Terrace, Seaham, Wallalong, Hinton and surrounding areas.

Again, flooding in March 2021 with flood waters impacting the same low-lying areas and Italian Road being the only road open.

On 6th January 2016 the Port Stephens Hunter Police District published:

“ Seaham Road closed
Newline Road Raymond Terrace closed
High Street Hinton closed
Clarence Town Road closed
Italia Road open”

In 2007; 2015; 2016; 2021 and 2022 the residents of East Seaham; Seaham; Brandy Hill; Wallalong; Butterwick; Woodville; Dunns Creek and Glen Oak PLUS trucks from Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry and Booral’s East Seaham Quarry were all trying to access the Pacific Highway from Italia Road. The cumulative traffic of two quarries; local residents; local emergency services; Council workers and two local plant hire businesses and the associated road safety was extremely bad.

Italia Road is the link to Seaham from the Pacific Highway to Seaham for those wishing to access local communities. When roads are closed Italia Road is the only way to access the Pacific Highway for residents to attend appointments; seek medical assistance; get to supermarkets and hardware stores; go to work, etc.

There will be more meteorological events resulting in flooding. The Hunter is prone to severe east coast lows.

When local roads are closed ALL truck movements from ALL quarries using Italia Road should cease for the duration of any road closures due to flooding or other emergencies such as fire and this should be a requirement of their Licence to operate.

HOURS OF OPERATION

There has to be a balance between the needs of industry and the needs of local residents for peace and harmony. 24 X 7 or even 24 X 5 operations are not conducive to the health of the community which is what Booral’s East Seaham Quarry is seeking.

For quarries to operate within daylight hours is fair and reasonable. That’s 10 hours (Winter) -12 hours (Summer) X 5 or 6 days per week, daylight hours only. This should apply to the ARDG’s Stone Ridge; Boral’s East Seaham and the proposed Eagleton quarries.

The cumulative effect of all three quarries operating beyond daylight hours, especially the noise of truck loading and crushing/screening, would be intolerable especially during enhanced meteorological conditions.

ALL quarries should operate within daylight hours.

I support the Stony Ridge Quarry on the following basis.
Now more than ever there is a high demand for construction materials. This demand is having an impact on housing and construction industry Australia wide. Not only for housing, but for the infrastructure that is required to support the growing population, especially in the Newcastle / Sydney areas.
There is an urgent need for new hard rock quarries to meet this demand. I hope to see this project go ahead. I frequently visit the Newcastle area and I believe it would also benefit the local community creating jobs, skills and having flow on effects to the local economy.

We need this quarry for the future


Bring it on 👍🏼

I work in the industry. With the lack of volume in quarry materials in the area this project is a needed quality resource with the Martins creek quarry being refused. There is little to no impact considering the quarry will be located so close to a major highway more than capable of handling a few extra vehicles on the road

The volume of trucks and traffic on an already very dangerous road would not be in the best interests of the local community.

The noise and dust impact would not be in the best interest of the community.

Seaham already has 1 quarry as well as proposed solar and battery installations. Another quarry would totally destroy the quiet rural environment that we love.

The loss of flora and fauna on top of all the other major proposed projects would destroy our peaceful enjoyment.

My road is already too busy from trucks rumbling past every day.

More trucks would completely surround us and make our entry and exit to Seaham a living nightmare.

I strongly object.

I support the Stone Ridge Quarry Project because:
1. It will provide a long-term source of much needed aggregate and hard rock quarry products to road building, property and construction projects in the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
2. The supply of this material will help stabilise construction costs and reduce project time frames.
3. It will provide jobs to the region.
4. It is close to major road transport routes (eg. Pacific Hwy).
5. It will help generate revenue for the NSW Government via royalties paid to the Forestry Commission.
6. It will have minimal environmental impact.
7. The region is fast growing and needs a reliable source of aggregates.
8. The quarry is in a good location to supply aggregates to projects in the region.

I object to the Stone Ridge Quarry Project.
My objection is based on the impact of the significant increase in heavy vehicles turning left onto the Pacific Highway from Italia Road, and heading north to the Tarean Road interchange.
While the EIS contains an assessment of the impact on the Italia Road intersection, it does not take into account the impact of the significant increase in heavy vehicles on the intersection of the Bucketts Way and the Pacific Hwy.
As a regular commuter on the Bucketts Way to travel to Medowie and Newcastle, I am greatly concerned about the impact on the Bucketts Way intersection.
The excessive amount of truck movements at the intersection will have unreasonable and unacceptable impacts for the many residents of Booral, Stroud, Gloucester and surrounds who use the intersection to attend their work places, medical appointments, shopping and social activities. The statement that there will be ‘only’ 30 trucks an hour in peak times is laughable – one truck every two minutes. That is hardly ‘only’.
The intersection of the Bucketts Way and the Pacific Highway cannot cope with the current volume of traffic during the 12 weeks of school holidays and every long weekend, with significant traffic queues for vehicles turning right onto the highway.
The Traffic impact assessment in the EIS only takes a snapshot of the traffic at a single moment in time. It does not take into account the huge increase in traffic on the highway in school holidays particularly on Saturdays, when the quarries will also be operating.
In addition there are two proposed quarries on the Bucketts Way, at Deep Creek and Maytom’s Lane. Deep Creek quarry is proposing 110 truck movements a day and Maytom’s Lane 350 truck movements a day. These trucks will also be using this intersection. What hope will regular commuters have at this intersection of a safe journey? As a minimum the quarry should not be allowed to operate on a Saturday, and that would at least give the neighbouring residents one extra day without the noise, blasting and pollution.

The increase in truck numbers will also significantly affect the Medowie Road/Pacific Hwy intersection which is also a busy and dangerous intersection.
A grade separated interchange at Italia Road is the only acceptable answer as Dr David Gillespie has advocated, and the previous government provided $9 million for this improvement.
I am also greatly concerned by the loss of koala habitat.

I strongly support the development of the Stony Ridge Quary. The NSW construction industry is facing many challenges in coming years. This includes pressures from a growing population, a huge number of major infrastructure projects (current and planned), labor shortages and the rising cost of materials. For our construction industry and State to remain competitive it is essential that we have access to a reliable supply of quary products such as concrete, asphalt and others. The project will also create and support local jobs and provide significant revenue to the NSW Government via royalties. Also advantageous is the efficiencies from close proximity to the pacific highway for trucks and the fact that it is being developed in an area where there vey few impacted properties.

I consider this a vital project for the Lower Hunter. The area is expanding greatly and a reliable supply of quarry projects into the future is badly needed. It would be a win for the state in providing much needed income from royalties, a win for the general population in the supply of much needed aggregates and a win for the economy with more jobs for local people.
I believe it is in a remote location well off the Pacific Highway so any environmental impact would be minimal.

Both the Hunter and Sydney regions are experiencing significant expansion in terms of infrastructure and housing. This rapid growth necessitates a steady supply of building materials sourced from various resources. The Stone Ridge Quarry presents a unique opportunity as a new supplier conveniently situated near the high-growth areas. Its proximity will significantly reduce the need for long-haul transportation on the road network, unlike many larger quarries located at greater distances. These distant quarries often suffer from limited availability and higher purchasing costs, thereby increasing overall expenses.

The establishment of the Stone Ridge Quarry promises direct and indirect benefits in terms of revenue, business opportunities, and employment for the local area. This development plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of the Hunter Region in the near future and for many years to come.

The proposed project will provide a strong economic benefit to the state and the local area, and will provide a significant quantity of high quality material required for construction projects. The likely benefits of the project outweigh the potential impacts and the project should be approved on its merits.

Please see letter attachment in support of the project

I fully support the Stone Ridge quarry project as there's a limited number of quarries currently available to provide the essential construction materials required for major infrastructure projects such as the M1 Motorway to Raymond Terrace, Hexham Straight Widening, Newcastle Inner City Bypass Rankin Park to Jesmond, Singleton Bypass and Muswellbrook Bypass. Additionally, the ongoing construction and maintenance of the regional traffic network, including local and residential roads are (and will be in the future) heavily dependent on quarries such as the Stone Ridge quarry project.
We also need to ensure future generations are assured the opportunity to flourish in well constructed and interconnected communities, the likes of which can only exist with the certainty provided by long term, well managed and ecologically sustainable quarrying operations, such as the Stone Ridge quarry project.

I object to the proposal for the Stone Ridge Quarry Project
Many wild animals such as deer and wallabies are already being struck by vehicles and suffering slow painful deaths on the road side. This will increase if their natural habitat is allowed to shrink.
The proximity of the existing Boral quarry from our residence is approximately 2km (line of site) . The proposed quarry will be a 700m from my front door step. This is way too close.
The proximity of Boral quarry and its activities already produce noise , vibration and dust which we tolerate . The proposed quarry without any doubt will add to the noise , vibration and dust , thus destroying our way of life.
Our air quality will be reduced bringing on associated health impacts. Additional noise will impact our mental health.
My family and I enjoy a quiet, peaceful and healthy lifestyle at our home on Italia Road and have done so for the past 27 years.
The proposed quarry will bring this lifestyle to an end and can only cause us future harm.

See attached