Martins Creek Quarry Project

Martins Creek Quarries application for expansion is some what expected given the high level of infrastructure happening in Newcastle and Sydney.Along with the acquisition of the quarry by development company Daracon. I don't think anybody would have expected or desired the quarry to close and most would have expected some level of expansion.
So I believe the big question is so how big an expansion does Daracon need and what level of growth will allow them to co-exist with the immediate and surrounding communities.
Any level of growth will be hampered by three major issues and I believe these are:
(a) The number of trucks per hour released onto the roads.
(b)The ability of the historic township of Paterson to cope with an increase in truck traffic
(c)The impact of blasting on the immediate community and THEIR major investments.
Yes there are other issues that will need to be monitored and improved on such as air quality,run-off water quality and noise pollution,but these should be already under control,or you would hope so through the Government Department of the E.P.A.
The 80 trucks an hour is hardly acceptable or possible given the anti convoy laws for trucking and the massive risk of mixing this amount of truck traffic with community,school and tourist traffic these roads currently cater for.
The ideal outcome would be for these trucks to by-pass our historic township of Paterson and I must say I was disappointed to learn of our councils haste in refusing an alternative proposal that would have these trucks totally by-pass Paterson.Maybe some community consultation and feedback would have been beneficial and a decision not made on emotion,more positive.
Blasting needs to be addressed,Daracon have agreed to do some supplementary testing on the impact of blastingand investigate the benefits of the newer and less invasive suppression blasting.
Unfortunately for me and my neighbours the new exit from the quarry is closer than expected.Although I feel a great deal of relief for the people of Station Street and their children,their exposure to dust and diesel fumes questions the authority of some of our government bodies.
Finally to the relevant government body vested to make this decision.Your decision must be one that allows Daracon and the community to co-exist.Nobody has the right to totally dominate the Paterson Valley.A mistake on your behalf could be catastrophic,to our historic Paterson,our most precious school childrens safety and the mental and physical health of a community.A mistake now could have the same impact on this community as Williamtown.

uploead

we have lived on Paterson Road in Duns Creek since for almost 15 years. This is an ideal rural environment that has seen an increasing number of families moving in to the area. Our road is used daily by bike riders travelling between the small villages and school buses picking kids up from the front of properties.

As the road does not have any shoulder area or curbs, drivers must always be careful when going around the bends and crests of hills to ensure safety to all travelling on our road. this week, just after exiting our driveway we passed four Daracon trucks, travelling one after the other towards the Quarry. With the drastic increase in the number of trucks we would expect if the expansion of the quarry does go ahead, it could only be a matter of time before the trucks do not see or do not stop in time for any of the school children, bike riders or locals slowing down to enter their driveways.

it is also important to note the damage that has been caused to the road in recent years with the increase in trucks heading to and from the quarry that we have already observed. Time after time Council has returned to repair pot holes that have been made increasingly worse by the heavy vehicles heading towards the quarry.

For the safety of all locals and visitors to the area it is essential that the quarry does not expand as proposed by Daracon.

To Whom It May Concern I object to the extent of the expansion and the expected truck traffic. I have children who walk and ride to friends places and this will impact on their ability to move safely along the road. Their are no footpaths or verges to the majority of the road systems that the trucks will travel along and as such the school buses have to stop on the road and with greater truck movement there will be increased danger to my and all children using the bus services to and from school. The expansion will increase the difficulty in entering and exiting our driveway and cause greater risk of an accident as cars attempt to overtake the laden trucks up the hill leading to a crest. Also the amount of noise as empty trucks rattle and bang on the uneven pavement as they travel past our house. As the roads are already permanently potholed and repaired the roads don't seem to be designed to cope with such a large amount of truck traffic and it can be difficult enough trying to get a park and cross the road in Paterson without the possibility of loosing parking spaces and dealing with the increased flow of trucks. Also with the train crossing this will build up a convoy of trucks as they all come to a standstill waiting for the gates. Yours Sincerely Concerned Resident

REF: SSD 14_6612 Martins Creek Quarry Expansion
Dear Sir/Madam;
I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion.
My family and I have recently moved to Tocal Road Bolwarra Heights. The exciting move to a larger piece of land for peace and quiet was soon punctured by excessive truck noise and disturbed sleep from the thud of dog trailers hitting bumps in the road outside our property. And then there's the frequent horns honking as trucks thunder down the road amidst confused motorists at a busy road juncture.
The proposal outlines loading and dispatch from 5:30 am, but this does not account for trucks arriving at the quarry for loading. As it is, the dog trailers wake us up early in the morning. I shudder to think how early and what volume will wake us when the trucks come through earlier in preparation for dispatch. The acoustic report including the response to the Department of Planning's concerns outlines that the mine will apply engineering noise treatments to the existing quarry plant. But what about the trucks? In addition to opposing the expansion, I also advocate that all the trucks that are associated with transport to and from the quarry currently, have their dog trailers put over the pits and examined and assessed for defaults and acoustic pollution.
And on the topic of waking through the night - 1-2 awakenings are deemed to be ''healthy", but if this is already happening due to truck noise, I can't imagine what double the truck volume will induce. I pity the poor residents closer to the quarry itself.
The previously mentioned report also outlines that Tocal Road is already above the recommended noise level. How is it then okay to double the amount of truck traffic with a quarry expansion? I feel this issue has been inadequately addressed and needs further investigation. The proposal in the report that the quarry will construct noise barriers along haul roads is farcical. I'm sure this will not extend to Tocal Road where they have recorded the highest noise levels and if so, this barrier would devalue the properties in the area.
The safety of mine and all the children in this area is paramount. Doubling or even merely increasing truck movements on Tocal Road and all others along the quarry's route endangers their lives as well as further deteriorates our roads. Will Daracon be footing the bill for the damage its trucks inflict on our roads?
In summary, I oppose the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion due to truck noise, traffic congestion, safety concerns, road deterioration, property devaluation and quality of life -for both us as residents and the wildlife that will be destroyed.
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As a resident of Bolwarra, living on Paterson Rd with a young family I am very concerned about any proposal that would increase the numbers and frequency of heavy vehicle passing my house each day.

I am concerned about safety of myself and my family pulling out of our drive onto Paterson Road close to teh junction with Flat Rd just beyond a blind corner with an increased number of heavy vehicles. There is already a problem with speeding vehicles on this corner. With the cafe their and cars frequently making u turns to park it is a matter o time before there is a serious accident.

There is also the impact of even more noisy polluting truck movements past my house, effecting the amenity and health of my family. Early morning truck movements may suite the needs of the construction industry, but they will have a huge impact on the quality of rest my family can expect in our home.

My son and I are both asthmatic and increased heavy vehicle movements will increase teh problems they already experience with exhaust emissions causing poor air quality.

And finally increased heavy vehicle movements will increase vibration effects on my heritage home and will impact the value of my property.

I feel that the quarry operations should be restricted to limit early and late deliveries and maximise rail transport. Delivery trucks are already a problem on Paterson Rd, expansion of quarry operations will make this worse

My objection to Martins Creek Quarry Project As i live in this lovely little village it would be a great shame to have it destroyed by heavy trucks going through for such long hours the street I live in is a nice quite street but when the trucks go through its very noisy more trucks more noise our roads are shocking from all the heavy loads going through more truck movements will make them so ruff and our street will much harder to get out of I strongly object to this new project there is a rail line that pass through they could us it to stop the noise and road damage

1/ The T Junction of Sloane Street and Maitland Rd is an accident waiting to happen. Reason congestion a blind spot at service station on corner of above name streets and road , 2/Sloane St is a school public bus route .Also the only detour when Maitland Road is floods at Tucker Park.
3/Feb 14 2014 delays at above T Junction.Waiting for 15 truck convoy before I could turn into Maitland Road. How many other people have had this experience along the whole route to and from Martins Creek??? The above is the senero for every body only much worse If Daracon wins 30 % to 50% increase relating in bigger convoys.
4/ School Buses use services station area for pick up and drop off each way this area will become dangerous for school children ,and create traffic jams with 30 to 50% increase of trucks. this area needs to be inspected by authority because of the foreseeable dangers.
5/Disaster For our tourism Unique Village lifestyle roads and noise and general pollution.
6/ Daracon has a obligation to pay tax for tonnage they haul to maintain our roads they use and also the rail to move gravel .

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