Martins Creek Quarry Project

The Martins Creek Quarry expansion imposes an unacceptable burden on the road transport facilities over the routes proposed from the quarry to The New England Highway. The impact on other road users, the road surface and the homes and businesses along the routes is not justified by the potential benefits of the proposal. The solution may be found in increased use of rail for the transport of quarried materials to a location or locations closer to the ultimate users of that material. The level crossing at Paterson and the Village of Paterson will not survive the impact this application proposes. Any approval must limit extraction by road to the existing approved limit of 0.3MMtpa. Operating hours of the quarry should be limited to 5 day per week 7am to 5pm. Impact Assessments should consider and address the combined cumulative impact of both Martins Creek and Brandy Hill Quarries

Please find attached submission document

At 5:15 this morning a huge truck rumbled down the Main Street of Lorn. My house shook. My sleep broken.
The noise pollution immense
This is just one day of many since moving to Lorn.
I have seen days where truck after truck has passed through this little heritage village.
Lifestyle is interrupted. My house shakes. My furniture rattles.
The road is constantly being filled in or mended.
The footpaths buckled and uneven.
I whole heartedly object to more trucks more noise more dust more abuse of our local environment.
I fear for the heritage environment I bought into and the flora and fauna for future generations.

The proposed number of trucks on the road will contribute to noise pollution and make the roads less safe to the detriment of the surrounding communities.

I wish to lodge my formal objection to the Martins Creek Quarry Project.

I have lived in Paterson for 10 years. The quarry and trucks are a significant disruption to Paterson, Martins Creek, Duns Creek, Butterwick, Tocal, Bolwarra and surrounding areas. The noise from the blasting and trucks, the dust triggering resident’s allergies and causing health complaints, road damage, housing damage, vehicle damage, and costs to Council, residents and ratepayers cannot be denied.

My objections to the expansion Project include:
• The amount of debris that builds up on the local roads increases in proportion to the truck volume, road damage and repairs. Daracon may state loads are sufficiently covered however the amount of gravel debris along the haulage route contradicts their assertions. I’ve had numerous paint chips on my vehicles and windscreen replacements, which have resulted in increased vehicle maintenance and insurance costs. Some insurers even refuse cover.
• The above point ties in with the damage the trucks cause to our local roads. Heavily laden trucks cause significant damage to narrow roads not designed for this heavy haulage. This then impacts residents like myself who need to manoeuvre around the damaged road surface for extended periods of time until the road is patched, then the patches will kick up rocks at vehicles and then fail within weeks due to the continued heavy haulage (or faster if it rains). If drivers are unable to manoeuvre around and hit a pot hole directly at speed then we frequently suffer tyre, suspension, or other damage. Yet another hidden cost for us to bear on behalf of Daracon.
• Further to the above point, the impacted local roads cross three separate Council areas: Dungog Shire Council, Port Stephens Shire Council, and Maitland City Council. It was established at a public meeting that Daracon do not contribute any funds to Dungog Shire Council for road maintenance. Are the other Councils and ratepayers aware of the increased costs they will need to bear for the road maintenance to support a quarry operation that doesn’t benefit them? Daracon’s proposal makes no indication of their contribution for road repairs into the future. Essentially it appears that ratepayers and taxpayers are subsidising the cost of the quarry’s operations and that is unacceptable. The Dungog Shire Council could better use those funds to develop amenities for residents and visiting tourists.
• The noisy quarry trucks have a significant impact on the quiet amenity of our historic township. My partner is a shift-worker and the noise and vibration the passing trucks substantially contribute to his disturbed sleep and fatigue. Also, who wants to sit at a café in a lovely historic town and be unable to hold an uninterrupted conversation due to the noise of passing trucks? That is our current reality and an increase in truck volumes will only exacerbate the situation.
• There are no safe crossings for pedestrians in Paterson. Crossing the road anywhere along the main road in Paterson is difficult enough with current traffic volumes and many back-to-back trucks. The dog-leg intersection near the Post Office is already unsafe. With continued residential expansion and more businesses opening such as the chemist, medical practice and Courthouse Hotel, pedestrian traffic will increase and it will only become more unsafe with increased truck movements.
• I recently passed 16 trucks heading towards the quarry between 6.51am and 7.00am in the short distance between William Street, Paterson and the turn off to Mindaribba train station. 7 of those trucks were in the 5km stretch between William Street, Paterson and the Tocal College. Heavily laden trucks are unable to maintain their speed on our winding and undulating roads. Many local residents commute for work and drivers stuck following behind the slow trucks can become frustrated (especially during peak transit times). I’ve seen many risky overtaking manoeuvres as a result. This will only be exacerbated if these slow-moving vehicles change their route to be along Flat Road. I personally work in Newcastle and being stuck behind multiple heavily laden trucks adds significant travel time to my already long day. Also, turning onto Maitland/Tocal Road from residential streets is time-consuming and hazardous with current traffic volumes and limited visibility let alone with the proposed truck volumes. Are we not entitled to safely access and egress our driveways and residential streets? Or maintain speed limits on our roads?
• The removal of vegetation for a new access road and increased truck volumes will greatly affect the wildlife in the area. Clearing swathes of vegetation removes habitat for native wildlife and habitat destruction is a major contributing factor to species decline for koalas and many other native animals. A few of the objection submissions I read mention a vulnerable species that could be impacted. That seems to be a rather important detail that should be addressed. I would also be interested to hear of the impacts to the stock and companion animals owned by local residents. Personally, my dog is terrified of the noise from the quarry trucks so walking him around Paterson is stressful and I’ve resorted to driving to other areas to walk him.

It has been made public that Daracon violated the operating conditions for Martins Creek Quarry over an extended period of time with complete disregard for the impacts to local communities. There should be serious repercussions for that instead of consideration for this proposed expansion. Daracon drastically overstates their contribution to the local community in their proposal. Any benefits flow mainly to the broader region and offer minimal (if any) benefit to the immediate local area or communities. The justifications in Daracon’s expansion proposal do not address the key complaints of the affected community stakeholders, merely state the benefits to the company itself. The local communities are already unhappy with the existing quarry operation and Daracon’s contemptuous attitude towards our concerns. This proposal offers nothing to mitigate any of it. Why should we continue to bear the cost to make the quarry profitable? The quality of life for our communities needs to be considered and not just the financial gain for a few.

The local residents choose to live in this area because of its rural beauty and the lifestyle. This is being eroded by noise pollution, air pollution, environmental concerns, traffic issues and safety concerns brought about the expansion of operations at Martins Creek by Daracon. The proposed further expansion will only exacerbate already existing issues that still have not been addressed. There should be NO increase in the hours of operation or truck volumes. Everyone in the community is entitled to quiet enjoyment of their residences and local amenities, this is difficult enough to come by now and the expansion will certainly not improve matters. The only way any increase in output should be approved is if it is solely transported by rail and does not impact passenger services.

I would also like to point out that I find it interesting that in reading the numerous submissions for and against the quarry expansion, the trend appears to be that the residents of the areas and communities impacted by the quarry operations oppose the proposal whereas people who live elsewhere but are employed by Daracon or otherwise benefit from their operations are in support. It makes you wonder if they would be happy to have the consequences of their support blasting nearby or thundering past their house from early in the morning to late at night, making them unable to leave their streets safely, unable to cross the road, unable to have uninterrupted conversations, lowering their housing values or consistently causing damage to their home or vehicles? I think not.

I reiterate my vehement objection to the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion Application.

I am writing to object to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion
I live in Vacy, approximately one kilometre from the current workings of Martins Creek Quarry.

In the past the quarry operated from 7am until 4 pm Monday to Friday and 70% of the gravel was being transported by rail. I have no objections to the quarry maintaining that regime.

Daracon wants to increase the extraction rate from 300,000 Tonne Per Annum (TPA) to a massive 1.1 Million TPA. This is totally unreasonable and unacceptable.
The Land & Environment Court Decision Handed Down on October 2018 stated that: “The decision handed down by his Honor has confirmed that the operations and current scale of Daracon’s Martins Creek Quarry is largely illegal. The decision supports what impacted community members have said for many years (since 2007 under Railcorp ownership and more recently since 2012 under Daracon operator-ship) that the operations have had far greater amenity and environmental impacts on residents surrounding the facility and the haul route than was ever envisaged to have been allowed to occur when State Rail Authority lodged and Dungog Shire Council approved a development application for a 300,000tpa railway ballast quarry at the site in 1991. “

If the Land and Environments Court has already stated “that the operations have had far greater amenity and environmental impacts on residents surrounding the facility and the haul route than was ever envisaged” when there was only 300,000 TPA then what will the impact of having 1.1 million tonne per annum of extraction do to the local community???? This proposal should NOT be allowed to go ahead and should be kept at the current level of 300,000TPA. Provisions should also be put in place to closely monitor Daracon so that their illegal activities of increasingly TPA limits are not recommenced.

I am opposed to any quarry expansion for the following reasons:
Martins Creek quarry has no State Significance as a resource. Hard Rock can be sourced from other locations where there are no adverse impacts to the local community.

Infrastructure
Roads and infrastructure such as the Gostwyk Bridge, which is always being repaired, will not stand up to the proposed 280 truck movements per day. They are barely standing up to the current levels of trucks traveling on them.

Truck Movements
The proposal will see upwards of 280 truck movements per day in and out of the quarry. This has a massive safety implication.
I have personally been caught between trucks driving to/from my home to work and have been placed in several dangerous situations. Once I was actually forced off the road on Douglass Street in Martins Creek by an oncoming truck coming out from the quarry. It moved into my lane due to its size on the narrow road.

On my way to work in the mornings in the dark I have been sandwiched in between truck convoys so many times I cannot count them. This is a very frightening and disturbing situation to be placed in. At times I have counted up to 14 trucks in convoy. They leave little to no room between each truck and make it impossible to pass them.

I have had several stone chips to my windscreen from these same trucks. This is a cost to repair/replace windscreens which I should not have to incur. This is also a safety hazard issue.

These traffic situations above were PRE any expansion to the quarry. The expansion will see many more trucks on the roads and many more dangerous incidences will result. The safety of the general public traveling on these country roads MUST be taken into account.

Noise and the damage to properties.
From my house I can hear the constant noise of the crusher and pugmill and it is disturbing and never ending. I moved to Vacy for a quiet rural lifestyle. This is NOT in keeping with the rural aspect of our community.

Then there is the blasting. At times I can actually feel the blast as it explodes and I can feel the ground vibrating beneath my feet. If I can feel the blast within myself then how long until this continual blasting will start affecting my house structure? So far no one has been able to say there will be no long term damage to our houses. I know within my yard there are rocks that have moved upwards to the surface from way under the ground. If these blasts are enough to make rocks move to the surface from deep within the ground then it is logical to assume there is ongoing damage being done to my house structure. This is a totally unacceptable situation.

There is also the issue of increased levels of pollution and dust that will come with expanding this quarry. Dust from the crusher, from the trucks, from the blasting – it will all increase. This poses a significant health risk to anyone living within the region of the quarry. It is not acceptable to put the health of the local community at risk.

Increase to Quarry Hours
This proposal seeks to increase quarry hours to 7am – 6pm Monday to Saturday. I am already forced to listen to the noise from the crusher and the blasting at the current levels of business operations. Now I am expected to be happy listening to this noise until 6pm 6 days a week for the next 25 years. I live in a RURAL community - I do not live in a heavy industrial estate and nor do I want to. The quarry operating hours should not be able to exceed operating hours of 7am until 5pm Monday to Friday. That is more than adequate.

Effect to Paterson community
It has been proposed that the intersection at the Paterson Post Office is widened and footpaths removed to allow the trucks to move through Paterson. This will create a situation where it is unsafe to transverse to/from the post office. A post office is a highly valuable and important business for a small rural community and to have access to it compromised in safety is totally unacceptable. What about the daily dog walkers, the elderly, the children, how are they going to be kept safe under these circumstance?

What about the businesses in Paterson? Tourism is a huge part of income generation for the Paterson business community and I believe these proposed changes will chase away tourists and cause economic hardship for local business. The proposed massive increase of truck movements around this intersection is totally unacceptable and losing footpaths and access is a safety hazzard.

Paterson is a rural country township. It is steeped in history and it is a beautiful place to be. With increased trucks to the levels proposed; who wants to sit at a café or visit a business with hundreds of truck movements going on every day around you whilst you are inhaling fumes and being disturbed by the constant noise? The local businesses will suffer significantly.

I am completely opposed to the Martins Creek Quarry expansion.

For all of the reasons listed above I respectfully request that the department refuses this application. The negative impact to the community, the roads and infrastructure, the local businesses in Paterson and the quality of life for people living within the quarry area is simply way too high. Martins Creek quarry is not a State significant resource. I see no reasonable or logical reason to grant this proposal and ask again that this proposal be rejected.

I thank you for taking the time to read my submission.

Letter attached

I believe that the interests of all parties would best be served by limiting the extraction rate at the Martins Creek Quarry to that which could be transported by rail.
This would address the potential damage to our roads caused by the 200 to 280 heavy truck movements per day on roads not built for this purpose.
I believe that the planned transport of crushed rock by trucks would have a devastating impact on the lifestyle, safety and health of the residents of this beautiful region.
Truck operators have a right to make a living, but this should be where there is no alternative method of transport - as there is in this case. The rail connection is already there.

I and my family have been residents of Bolwarra Heights since 2008 and are living on Paterson Road.
We have experienced the years of illegal operating of Martin's Creek Quarry by Daracon and have lived with the consequences for years. I would like to outline these and the objections we have to approving the current proposal by Daracon.
The proposed changes to the operating conditions for Martin's Creek Quarry would lead to an enormous increase in heavy haulage trucks (both empty and loaded) through Paterson, Bolwarra Heights, Lorn and subsequently through East Maitland and beyond. The number of trucks proposed per hour would lead (as it has in the years of illegal operating) to enormous increase in noise, particulate pollution and vibrations in the house and outside. My husband is a cancer survivor and we are very worried about health implications for him and our family. The noise pollution experienced and expected will have a highly detrimental effect on health and mental wellbeing.
Crossing the road will be nearly impossible and leaving our driveway will be increasingly dangerous. Trucks have and will not abide by the speed limit - they often do not in the moment and can approach at dangerously high speeds. The entrance to the Hunterglennn Estate is just down the road from us. Cars already have to wait a long time to exit, with heavily increased traffic this will get worse and lead to cars taking greater risks when leaving. School children are walking along the road to school and have to cross the road - it is only a matter of time until a major accident happens.
Since the last proposal by Daracon the traffic situation has gotten worse just by increase in resident numbers - adding the enormous number of additional truck movements will cause intolerable congestion in Largs, East Maitland and Maitland, with all the consequences for residents in those suburbs.
The value of houses and residences along the haulage route will decrease and impact on the health and wellbeing of every person living along the route from Paterson to Maitland.
Martin's Creek Quarry was never intended to serve as a major quarry - it was operated as a small locally owned quarry and the roads and village of Paterson have been growing with it. Furthermore, the quarry has the facilities to load and transport gravel by train - a perfectly viable solution for residents. If the quarry needs to mine and transport more product, they should do so by train. If the coal industry could switch to train transport, this should be very possible for Daracon as well - especially since the product mined is largely used for rail construction anyway.
The argument that this would impact on profits (as mentioned by the current owners of the mine at a meeting years ago) just furthers my point - is the greed of one person or family more important than the health, wellbeing and prosperity of many, many families and voters of Paterson and the Hunter?
I object to the project and ask for rejection of the proposal.
Claudia Stockenhuber

The AWU supports the Martins Creek Quarry Project and believes the approval of the project will have positive and lasting employment and economic effects on the surrounding area. The approval of the Project is essential to provide job security to AWU members and improved career progression opportunities within the local area.

Dear Sirs,
I feel that there is very little to add or comment on that hasn’t been said before. I still cannot understand how a company who deliberately flouts the law over a substantial 10 years gets rewarded with a massive 25 year grant, an individual would be severely dealt with. The wheels of bureaucracy and democracy in action I suppose.
I have witnessed this in the past where large influential companies use their power over small inexperienced councils and with the overwhelming support of state government. These procedures and relationships have not changed for decades.
I understand that the formalities have to be gone through but by this time in proceedings decisions have already been made and the relevant palms greased.
The people who decide on the permanent destruction and demolition of our beautiful countryside probably don’t actually live in the area and have to experience the disruption, instead they simply sign off with government approval and move on to the next carbuncle.
I know that these wonderful decision makers can live with their consciences as the personal and individual rewards outway such environmental catastrophes by far.
Well I have enjoyed writing this long winded statement, I also know that it has fallen on deaf ears and will be ignored, consciences will not be pricked. Look forward to the noise and queues on our local roads that just can’t cope.

I am expressing my concerns and opposition to the Martins Creek Quarry Expansion proposal. Already our family has experienced the increased noise level of the truck movements along Paterson road, which our home is located adjacent during the period of 2012 til present.
During this time both my husband and myself, being shift workers, have had difficulties with gaining adequate sleep/rest periods during the day with rumbling noise of the truck and dog trailers rattling past our bedroom or awoken in the dawn hours with the burst of noise of the trucks travelling to the quarry for the commencement of their working day anywhere from 0530 -0600hrs .
During construction of our home we had already planned for the location of being on a main road (Paterson Rd) with installing sound proof insulation, but has little effect against the noise of the truck & trailers!
With the proposed road truck movements to increase from 24 to 280 per day I am forced to object to this proposal with what we experience now to what we will experience in the future if this proposal is given the green light to go ahead.
I can only imagine the impact on our roads, already cut up with increase usage, and the increased delays in commuting to local facilitates as this is the major road to both Maitland and East Maitland CBDs.
This expansion will have a negative impact on our daily living experience, an experience which is already impacted but tolerated.
The proposal for the next 25years will be intolerable and during a period which I intend to be around.
Proposed alternatives /solutions is not in my area of expertise, however are there alternative roadways which will not impact so heavily densely populated areas, can there be more utilisation of the railway transport system or, more simply, do not approve the expansion.
The well being of the the population and living surrounds impacted so heavily by the Martins Creek Quarry expansion is more important than the proposal being approved.

See attached submission

I object to the project because ;
1. The requested extraction amount and the movement by road will severely and detrimentally impact on all the surrounding areas and particularly the village of Paterson.
2.The roads and crossings in the area are country minor roads and are not designed for such heavy truck movements .
3.The movement by road will require more maintenance to the local roads and increase the risk of accident and injury to other road users.
4.Paterson is the hub for the district for shopping , post office and banking ,medical ,fuel supplies and other services, religion and socialisation and a general meeting place.
It is frequented by many senior citizens who need to be able to park close to facilities and may be a little slow crossing the road.
Having many truck movements per hour travelling through the village for many hours of the day will make it difficult and dangerous for all residents and visitors plus there will be the increased noise factor.
5.The T intersection in the centre of Paterson [ i.e of King Street and Duke Street / Maitland Road ] is a very tight corner and is not an easy turn for large trucks and has already been the scene of several accidents.
6.There is railway transport readily available to the Quarry and this should be used as it has in the past rather then road haulage.
7.The prospect of properties in the vicinity being devalued because of the additional activities.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS ONGOING PROJECT WITH NEW PROPOSALS

Paterson is a town of very high historical significance and this small picturesque town should not be destroyed with massive truck increases when there is already an operating rail line through the town . The gravel from this quarry should travel by rail, NOT 40 TRUCKS AN HOUR , 6 days a week. It’s unbelievable this has been proposed!. Even 20 trucks an hour is way too many.

The extremely negative impact on residents, elderly and young, and on residences and buildings and businesses is extremely detrimental. Buildings have already suffered with movement and cracks - this will worsen. Is there no regard for any of this? Obviously not!

Safety issues are high - road crossing will be severely dangerous. There will be no safe place to cross the road leading to the post office, garages and cafés and shops. Elderly especially will be at greater risk of an accident waiting to happen.

The detrimental impact on parking will be a major issue - many elderly long term residents will will be severely affected, losing their freedom to walk safely around the town and will feel threatened by the impact of these trucks.

I am a regular cyclist and with our group of sometimes up to 8 cyclists, cycling from Woodville to Paterson and back to Woodville two to three times a week, this will become extremely hazardous - and we should not have to stop our recreational exercise because of dangerous , frequent trucks. An accident or death will be waiting to happen. And I must point out we are responsible cyclists riding single file.

Turning into the garage next to the café will become almost impossible all throughout the day 6 days a week. This is a busy service station. The negative impact on all Paterson businesses will be negatively impacted.

School buses run through town with after school hours a particularly busy time of day for parents and children.

There is a rail line as a good alternative and should be used for quarry purposes.

There is talk of cutting off the corner in front of the historic post office giving better truck access around this corner right opposite the busy service station and café and hairdresser. This is absolutely ludicrous and unbelievable and shows a total disregard for this town and its residents

The damage to roads and infrastructure will be enormous as will the constant noise from 40 trucks an hour

I VERY STRONGLY OPPOSE the Martins Creek Quarry Project’s use of trucks and SUPPORT THE USE OF RAIL for this ongoing project

I have lived here for 40 years - Paterson is a beautiful little town with a very strong and closeknit community - to be able to ruin this town when there is a rail line running through it , is unbelievable and should not and must not be allowed to happen.
This project using trucks as the major means of transport again shows a total disregard for this town and its inhabitants. Real estate values will plummet and mental health issues will surely occur.

Why should any of the points I’ve made happen when there is a perfectly good and operating alternative. RAIL!

NO ROADS IN AND AROUND PATERSON/MARTINS CREEK SHOULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THIS PROPOSAL.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RAILWAY LINE USED FOR THIS ONGOING PROJECT

Sincerely
Margie Baillie

The proposed parameters of the quarry which would entail 40 trucks per hour is absolutely ridiculous, not only is this dangerous to road users but the noise aspect from the trucks which would go past my house and turn into the quarry on the hill would be unbearable. Since the trucks have been reduced our life has been back to pre quarry days of hundreds of trucks going past. The noise was very disturbing and unpleasant to hear everyday. Our mental state of mind has improved and i can only imagine how it will be once the trucks start running again. My grandchildren often get off their school bus at our house and i have witnessed trucks roaring down the road and almost running into the back of the bus. There is no provision for buses to pull off to the side to allow the trucks to overtake. I strongly object to the project going ahead in any form let alone under the proposed latest proposal. Perhaps those people who make the decisions should spend a day sitting by the road and watching and listening to the noise and disruption that these trucks make. The damage to the environment and roads will be impacted if the proposal goes ahead. My mental health will be impacted if the proposal goes ahead.

24 June 2021


Director, Resource Assessments
Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
 
Submitted via online portal
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
Re: Martins Creek Quarry Project (State Significant Development)
Application No: SSD-6612

The Newcastle Trades Hall Council, now known as Hunter Workers is a registered industrial organisation of employees in NSW under chapter 5, Part 3 of the NSW industrial Relations Act 1996.

We represent 67,000 Union members and have coverage for all working people across our region. On the 18th November 2016 Hunter Workers submitted our support for the Martins Creek Project after consideration given by our Executive and Delegates held on the 17th November 2016. A unanimous position was declared and Hunter Workers support for the project continues, noting amendments to address community concerns including; Times of operation, Movement of, and loading of Haul Trucks, Increased usage of rail infrastructure for transport of material. For over 20 years, the Daracon Group's integrated civil engineering and construction materials business has provided direct and indirect employment opportunities in the Hunter Region to thousands of men and women. The material extracted at the Martins Creek Quarry will be used by Daracon and other firms to help build infrastructure projects in the Hunter Region, including roads, rail, water infrastructure, community space and new release land for residential housing. These projects will both support local jobs in construction projects and, in the longer term, support ongoing economic growth within surrounding communities and across the Hunter Region through improved amenities and built environment. Hunter Workers supports the Martins Creek Quarry Project with the amended application and believes the approval of the project will have positive and lasting employment and economic benefits on the surrounding area and the broader region.
In Unity
Leigh Shears
Secretary
Hunter Workers
[email protected]
M: 0401 798 002 / T: 02 4929 1162

Our young family moved to this lovely property in May 2018. The real estate agent assured us the quarry was no issue and would not encroach on our land or enjoyment at all. We soon noticed the blast noise (much to our animals dismay) and the large amounts of dust that would settle on our back porch and the roof of our house which is also our catchment area for our tank water supply for the house (we had to get our tanks cleaned out due to the large amount of dirt settled in the bottom). The truck movements along Dungog rd, Gresford rd and through the township of Paterson were non-stop during the day causing lots of damage to the local roads and dare I say traffic!
Since the quarry shut down the local council was able to repair all roads and we went back to being a nice quiet little community. When the court decision was passed that Daracon could start operating the quarry again, we could hear the blasting again (not as frequently as it had been in the past thankfully) and so came the return of the quarry trucks through town. To be honest, I had no issue with the quarry operating at the court ordered amounts, we knew it was there when we purchased the property. I do NOT however agree to the expansion proposed by Daracon. Our family is about to start the process of major renovations to our house and we do not want to spend that kind of money building our dream home if our nice quiet valley is going to be on the doorstep of a mine!
The amount of blasts, trucks, dust and clearing of vegetation will definitely have an impact on our property as we are located just behind the quarry (over the ridge).

This project will be very beneficial to a lot of local business and have significant economic benefits to the region.

The impact of the proposal is going to have a paramount effect on the local communities. The amount of truck and dog vehicles on the road is dangerous - all roads are single lane and the majority of trucks travel through residential areas. I am a shift worker and have travelled at the same time as the quarry trucks are moving through these towns and it is not pleasant being sandwiched between trucks going 100kms/hr. I have also witnessed an increase in the number of people/commuters on the road in the last few years therefore traffic has significantly increased. How is this going to be affected with this new proposal - accidents..... Proposals are to change the towns, or parking in them to allow 'safe' access for the trucks - how does this help help? It destroys yet more beautiful and prosperous/thriving towns and communities, for the name of big business and government progress. The solutions by the company that have been made are selfish. The company needs to change, not the towns and environment. The roads have been significantly better since the quarry has not been as active. The wear and tear is less noticeable. The wooden bridges that the trucks travel over +++ are not even covered by the state government for support in their maintenance in the Dungog shire. I oppose the project.