Brandy Hill Expansion Project

I am a resident of Woodville.
The existing operation of the Brandy Hill Quarry already causes major problems.
Trucks begin travelling on the main rd before sunup (Clarence Town Rd) and this combined with the state of the road causes an unimaginable amount of noise and affecting our quality of life.
Our bedroom window is approximately 50 metres from the road and the continuous feeble attempts at road maintenance DO NOT mitigate the existing road usage noise let alone the expansion applied for.
I have already begun replacing all the road facing windows with double glazed windows and it imposing a severe financial penalty because of a company already operating outside their approval conditions.
I strongly object to the expansion of the Brandy Hill Quarry

As a resident of Brandy Hill, I am concerned about the disparity between the objectives of Port Stephens Council's LEP and the planned expansion of the Hanson Quarry, notably "To minimise conflict between land uses within this zone and land uses within adjoining zones".
Current expansion plans impact on the amenity of my home and day-to-day living. Noise and blasting from the quarry make windows rattle. Dust from this affects air quality as does the exhaust from trucks transporting gravel. I am particularly concerned about the the traffic any increase in production will cause on local streets.The cumulative transport impacts associated with this proposal and other existing developments (i.e. Martins Creek Quarry) will compound the damage to road surfaces and the safety and quality of life for our rural residential community.
Lastly, and most importantly, the proposed expansion will destroy vital habitat for threatened species. Koalas live in this area.

I object to the BHQ EIS;

it is ridiculous that quarry trucks are proposed to travel along brandy hill drive 24/7

we live in a rural residential community where tranquility and nature are important features of our amenity. Trucks travelling at night will cause significant distrubance to amenity of residents living along Brandy Hill Dr.

the quarry should be restricted to operate like all other businesses i.e. day time business hours only to afford some level of relief and tranquility to the surrounding / impacted communities.

the level of trucks proposed is concerning having regard to school bus times, use of driveways entering and exiting the proposed haulage route

I object in the strongest terms to increased activity at Brandy Hill quarry. Whilst we were mindful of the existence of the quarry when we moved here, the impact on this rural environment was manageable. I feel that increased activity will impact heavily on the road network, as the current roads are in a constant state of disrepair with the current number of heavy vehicles from the quarry. Current noise and dust generated form the quarry are already having an adverse impact on the local rural/residential community.

OBJECTION 1:
Unacceptable proposed hours of operation 24/7.

Currently, Sundays and evenings are residents' only respite from the thundering noise, vibration and pollution caused by the constant stream of quarry trucks along Brandy Hill Drive. Brandy Hill is an otherwise quiet rural residential area. Already we are woken at 5am by the sound and vibration of the quarry trucks on Brandy Hill Drive.

Over the last year, I have had to restrict my walking along Brandy Hill Drive to Sundays only, because it is currently the only day of the week when it is safe to walk along Brandy Hill Drive in the absence of the quarry trucks. Allowing operations that put quarry trucks on Brandy Hill Drive on Sundays would mean Brandy Hill residents will never again be able to walk along Brandy Hill Drive, on any day of the week.

Sundays and evenings are currently our only respite; the idea that Dept of Planning would allow us to have to contend with the noise, vibration and pollution all day and all night, seven days a week, is unconscionable. Please do not allow this.

Recommendation 1:
That the proposed 24/7 operating hours is denied, and that the hours of operation are not to exceed the current approved hours of operation.

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OBJECTION 2:
Unacceptable proposed number of daily truck movements on Brandy Hill Drive.

Already, the number of quarry truck movements currently on Brandy Hill Drive is beyond what is reasonable and safe for an otherwise quiet rural residential area. There are already serious safety issues for Brandy Hill residents walking and driving on and generally accessing Brandy Hill Drive because of the already unacceptable numbers of quarry trucks.

Parents and children are currently unable to safely access school bus stops on Brandy Hill Drive because of the presence and current numbers of quarry trucks. Residents are currently unable to safely walk or cycle along Brandy Hill Drive because of the presence and current numbers of quarry trucks.

The idea that Dept of Planning would even consider approving such a proposed considerable increase to the quarry truck movements on Brandy Hill Drive is both negligent and beyond belief.

Furthermore, it is clear to anyone using Brandy Hill Drive that the quarry trucks (even at their current numbers) are continuously destroying the road surface, resulting in constant potholes and/or surface unevenness that does not appear to receive sufficient maintenance presently. Any increase to quarry truck movements along Brandy Hill Drive is going to completely destroy the road surface that can't even be maintained properly at the current throughput.

Recommendation 2:
That the proposed maximum number of allowable truck movements on Brandy Hill Drive is denied, and that approved maximum truck movements on Brandy Hill Drive shall not exceed the current numbers.

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CONTEXT:
Cumulative impact of Brandy Hill Quarry proposal combined with Martins Creek Quarry proposal.

It is imperative, and incumbent upon Dept of Planning, to consider the unacceptable cumulative impact on Brandy Hill residents of the Brandy Hill Quarry proposal in the context of the Martins Creek Quarry proposal. Neither one nor the other, in isolation, are acceptable. The cumulative impact of the two combined is totally unacceptable.

Recommendation 3:
That the impact and loss of amenity caused to Brandy Hill residents of the Brandy Hill Quarry proposal is properly considered in the context also of the impact and loss of amenity caused to Brandy Hill residents of the Martins Creek Quarry proposal, and vice versa.

I live on Brandy Hill Drive and gave great consideration to the environment that I was moving into. I knew about the quarry but never believed that it would be extended to this extent as outlined in the proposal.
It is my belief that this is not at all environmentally friendly in fact it is the opposite. At what stage will this stop. When will we give back? The council obviously wont if they give the go ahead to this and once it is gone it is gone !!!
The wildlife in this area is either being killed or forced to move away and the places to go are fewer with the quarry let alone the traffic that will take to the roads around the quarry.
I am fed up of seeing the dead bodies on the road and no thought given especially by the council - what do you intend to do for the wildlife.
The roads around this quarry to manage this amount of traffic will need to be upgraded, the speed limits drastically reduced and foot paths installed so we can still walk the road - yes some of us do like to leave our front gates not just by car and then of course this will also be made difficult. There will need to be trees at the cost of the quarry put along the road to reduce emissions that the trucks will create and making the air toxic especially to those with breathing problems. The pollution rate could increase to the level of an inner city because at least cities have a vast reduction if no traffic over night going through the areas people live - we wont have that luxury.
We pay our rates for our services but when prices drop in the value of our homes which is our retirement funds who will refund us then!!!

I have concerns that any extension to the quarry will impact directly on my and my family's quality of life. I submit that the extension applied for by the quarry be rejected by the relevant authorities due to the the increase in dust and noise that this extension would ultimately create.

I have concerns that any extension to the quarry will impact directly on my and my family's quality of life. I submit that the extension applied for by the quarry be rejected by the relevant authorities due to the the increase in dust and noise that this extension would ultimately create.

I have concerns that any extension to the quarry will impact directly on my and my family's quality of life. I submit that the extension applied for by the quarry be rejected by the relevant authorities due to the the increase in dust and noise that this extension would ultimately create.

I have concerns that any extension to the quarry will impact directly on my and my family's quality of life. I submit that the extension applied for by the quarry be rejected by the relevant authorities due to the the increase in dust and noise that this extension would ultimately create.

I have concerns that any extension to the quarry will impact directly on my and my family's quality of life. I submit that the extension applied for by the quarry be rejected by the relevant authorities due to the the increase in dust and noise that this extension would ultimately create.

As a resident of Brandy Hill Drive over 20 years I am strongly against any in crease in Truck traffic through Brandy Hiil Drive.
The road is in constant repair due to the volume of trucks
using the road now, let alone what it would be like if there is any increase. The trucks rumble through now around 6am daily,the noise from the trucks and the constant use of air brakes is a constant headache. Imagine the constant noise
if it allowed 24 hours a day.
What about the blasting in the quarry that occurs now, will that be allowed24 hours a day. If not why let trucks through
24 hours a day.

I believe you are embarking on something extremely dangerous that will adversely affect not only the physical but also the mental stress of the people in this area. I have 4 children and 6 grandchildren living here, they already suffer with noise and dust, and now that you have brought the intended expansion of the operations of the quarry to our attention, I believe that the people in this area have a good case to have you closed down completely and I will be advising them of this action, if you proceed with this plan. There are doctors and policeman living in this area who look after the wellbeing and health of society including the people who are proposing this venture and I'm sure they will continue to look after them. However, it appears to me that you do not have the reciprocal concern for these same people living in this area. We already hear the noise and detonation, and there are days where we see the dust move toward the residential properties in Giles Road, and beyond. People who came here have done so for the quietness and fresh toxic-free rural air which is now seriously in question with your proposal. Furthermore, should they decided to move to a more conducive location to avoid the dangers of your proposal, they would be affected by the devaluation of their land: that is a direct result of the quarry expansion proposal - if they indeed could sell. Who would want to buy in this area! I insist that you involve the Premier of NSW into this concern/dispute.

My family and I are very concerned about the expansion of the quarry. Even now the noise and truck traffic is more than we like.
Even now the council are not able to adequately maintain the roads (I have had wheel damage myself from potholes that took too long to repair).
We fear that not only would the noise and traffic increase, but we will also then be exposed over longer periods of time.
We do not support the expansion of the quarry.

I object to the expansion of the Brandy Hill quarries on the following grounds:
* Increased noise pollution due to 24/7 use of the quarry in all areas
* Increase of potentially toxic dust to my home and surrounds
* Increased use of roads by heavy vehicles day and night especially when the roads were not engineered to take this
* Increased danger for school children at Bus stops in the area
* Devaluation of my property
* Destruction of natural habitat for the local wildlife including the endangered Phascogale and local Koalas

I have concerns with the environment and health associated with the toxic dust produced for this quarry. I am concerned about the noise and vibration in the night from the quarry. Would not like to see the 24/7 operation go-ahead.

I oppose the expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry. I believe it will impact on the rural lifestyle we have chosen by moving to this location. 78 truck movements per night will have a huge impact on the quality of the sleep of the majority of people who live in our house. Our house has been nominated as the closest property to the road and will be severely impacted by the radical increase of truck movements.

I find it hard to believe the statements in the EIS noise report, relating to sleep disturbance in Tabel 24 & 25 that by keeping our windows shut, that will reduce the dB by 20. Why should we have to keep our windows shut?

Appendix A, Noise logging results - I do not believe a noise monitoring apparatus having any resemblance to those in the report has been anywhere near 25 Brandy Hill Drive at any time. This report is greatly exaggerating their collection of data from our residence.

I do not believe Port Stephens council could maintain Brandy Hill drive if there is a massive increase in truck movements, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. They struggle to maintain the road as it is. It takes well over a month to fix large potholes and the road is bulging with subsidence.

I believe our safety would be compromised as our driveway, which we share with our neighbours, only has a limited view of approx 50 metres of traffic approaching from the quarry. It is very hard to pull out onto the road when there is traffic regularly exceeding the speed limit.

I oppose this expansion.

I oppose the Brandy Hill quarry expansion and strongly object to the personal, environmental, social and community invasions this proposal would bring. As a mother, I chose this location almost 20 years ago as a safe and healthy environment for my children to develop and grow into positive community supporters and members of society. Over the years, I have noticed the increase in noise and dust the quarry has already produced (and I do know the difference between RAAF planes & quarry noise) and am concerned that this is already having a negative impact on the residence as well as the flora and fauna of the area. Should the proposed expansion become a reality it would surely have a disastrous effect on both the health and stability of the residence and the environment.
* I positively object to the increase of (potentially, eventually & actually) toxic dust.
* I positively object to the noise pollution day and night (especially at night when in the stillness, the noise will travel and there would be no respite from it - ever!)
* I positively object to the destruction of natural habitat for all our local flora and fauna, especially the endangered phascogale that thrive here, other threatened and vulnerable species such as the local quoll, and our community of koala's (of which we have enjoyed on our own property as well).
* I positively object to the danger the massive increase of trucks on our local roads will bring - children use these roads!
* I also object to the destruction the trucks will create of the roads themselves making a dangerous surface to drive on. The local council seem to have difficulty enough to keep up with the patchwork fixes from the sometimes-massive holes produced from the trucks already using the roads.
* I positively object to the devaluation of land this expansion makes of our properties. Not only would we have our properties devalued by the expansion, but we would also have great difficulty selling in the first place. Surely no one would choose to buy rural property next to the proposed expansion.
There are many serious issues, with disastrous effects, that have not been given time enough to discuss or research for either the appropriate Government departments or the local residence. I implore you not to bring this adversity to the local community and environment affected by the proposed expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry.
Actually, I have been waiting for the day the quarry was due to (proposed to) close so that we could enjoy the natural surrounds of our beautiful environment. Consider the effect!

I object to the Brandy Hill quarry expansion in the following areas:
* Dangerous roads - I and many others cycle these roads. At this point we choose "safe times" to ride, the proposed expansion will take away all "safe times".
* The substantial increase of trucks will create dangerous intersections to our local roads.
* Habitat destruction for our precious and already threatened species.
* Noise, vibration and air pollution 24/7.

I wish to submit my objection to the proposed expansion of the Brandy Hill quarry. I am concerned for the:
* Safety of children on all concerned roads
* Increased time and stress with commuting due to the increase of trucks
* Damaged road surfaces
* Ill effect to health from air pollution (dust and fumes from vehicles and explosives), light pollution, and noise pollution causing disastrous effects to the local residents' sleeping health
* Damage to the local environment and habitats with its negative effects