Martins Creek Quarry Project

Increased traffic at intersections particularly Melbourne street lights and there would be a decline of road surfaces due to the increased traffic. I travel for work during the day and increased traffic would impact travel times.

Running heavy vehicles through suburban areas carries too greater risk to the community. From children walking too and from school, children crossing Paterson Road, light vehicles attempting to enter Paterson Road from any one of the many side streets, and the addition noise pollution that these trucks will bring into what is currently a peaceful suburban area. This level of heavy vehicle exposure not only brings with it the noise pollution but exponentially increases the risk of vehicular and pedestrian interactions with trucks resulting in fatality. Suburban areas densely populated with residential families along 60kph roadways are not the right place for heavy laden vehicles to be using as a main thoroughfare. Please reject this expansion and ensure these heavy vehicles are never allowed to interact with local families at this proposed level.

I have grave concerns over the increased truck movements along Paterson Road and the risk this poses to the high volume of children in the area particularly when they are travelling to and from school along that road. Please stop this unnecessary risk to our children - refuse the expansion.

I object to this project.

The main roads and access roads entering main roads are not appropriate for the ongoing traffic of trucks required for this project.
The additional traffic will force further delays to already busy residential areas and disturb the rural beauty remaining in the area. Many residents are already struggling to make safe turns out of housing estates along the main thoroughfare these trucks will use, not to mention the additional traffic on rural localities like Martins Creek Rd.
The buildup of traffic at the lights on pitnicree an Melbourne st will be way more than was ever expected and the infrastructure hasn’t been updated to handle such vehicles in grater quantities. Turning right out of Hunterglen estate is fraught with danger and delays now, don’t add more heavy traffic pressure without looking at this.
Our native animals are being pushed further and further out onto main roads because of continued over building in the estates through this area. More traffic means more animal deaths and the possibility of serious incidents and injuries to drivers.

As a resident within approx 2.5klm of the proposed development I object to the proposal based on the adverse affect to the local residents and broader communities on both the road and rail networks, the negative impact on air quality and significant noise and the proposed clearing of approx 21 hectare of bushland that is Koala habitat.
NOISE
My property is located uphill from the proposed development and the noise for loading/crushing machinery is frequently heard from as early as 6.20am - despite current operating hours, in fact is is so noisy that it can sometimes wake us up. The loading and use of trains as a means of transport is significantly worse from a noise perspective for our property. The fact this could be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week would leave us no choice but to move away from the area which I believe is a completely unacceptable outcome - it would seem appropriate the applicant should be prepared to compensate any person impacted negatively through loss of amenity, property value etc. as a result of a potential approval to this profit orientated project.
AIR QUALITY
As a resident who drives past the quarry daily I can confirm when operating the dust is often not controlled, As reported by the Australian Cancer Council crystalline silica is 100 times smaller in particle size then sand, exposure to silica dust can lead to the development of lung cancer, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The extent of exposure required to cause such disease is still unknown - with my partner suffering from an unknown cause of pulmonary disease causing collapsed lungs my attention is drawn to the fact the operating quarry could be a cause - Is one human life worth sacrificing in order for a corporation to increase profit
TRANSPORT
The proposed traffic routes for truck transport are currently grid locked during peak periods, the addition of so many trucks will add to the the existing traffic issues, increase noise to properties residing along the traffic route and unfortunately increase the rise of catastrophic accidents along the route, particularly in the rural areas where children wait for buses on the side of the road and trucks overtake impatiently in risky areas - I can say this because I experienced many near misses driving along truck routes when the quarry was previously operating illegally.
TRAIN TRANSPORT
As detailed above the use of additional trains for transport has a detrimental impact on the living amenity at my property as well as decreased amenity for those living all along train routes both rural and in neighbouring suburbs. The use of trains over trucks only pushes the negative impacts of transport onto a different group of people.
LAND CLEARING/KOALA
The additional clearing of any amount of bushland should not be approved. I have personally sighted Koalas in nearby areas including crossing the road within 200m of the Vogeles Road Entrance to the quarry. On my own property 2.5km uphill I have many photos of Koalas and various wildlife. Offsetting the destruction of bushland will not help local species and ecological communities. Koala SEPP 21 states the NSW Koala Strategy’s objective of stabilising, then increasing the populations of koalas in the wild. Clearing of this vital land will not be stabilising an existing population it will most likely result in the reduction of numbers. The SEPP also notes Help its purpose to reverse the decline of koala populations by ensuring koala habitat is properly considered during the development assessment process. This proposed development has not property assessed existing Koala habitat, in fact the majority of consultant reports that are to technical for my understanding appear to have been prepared in 2016 - are they even relevant considering current changes to SEPPS and community needs
CONCLUSION
The proposed development provides no real value to this community as a whole, it perhaps provides a small amount of employment which I believe to be negligible in comparison to the loss of jobs and small business if it is to proceed, for example both my partner and I run small businesses from Martins Creek, add this to the primary production enterprise we have been working toward and that is 3 jobs/business that will have to relocate due to the adverse affects of this development - how is this logical when the only benefit is for one company to make more profit. The impact of trucks, noise, trains, air pollution and unacceptable loss of habit is unthinkable to a community who stands proud as rural hub with pristine natural beauty, a quality of life that is often sought after but rarely found all to be destroyed due to one devastating development. It should also be noted the applicant has a known history of non compliance of development regulations, why should they be given additional opportunities over the people who live and love this area. Additionally I would like to point out the despite my proximity to the quarry I have not been contacted by the applicant or any consultants (other then my initiated contact) to attend any local meetings regarding this proposed development. The application also appears to hold many ambiguous statements that does not appear to oblige the applicant to carry out proposed offerings.

Blasting Concerns
I have lived at 52 Horns Crossing Road Vacy since April 2004. Attached is Figure 6.16 Blast Sensitive Locations 52 with my house marked. It should be noted that my house is not a Blast Sensitive Location even though on all occasions when the house has shook during previous blasting operations, a telephone call to Daracon has confirmed that a blast has occurred. During this time I have noticed cracks in brickwork and internal cornices.
Appendix B, Amended Geological Assessment March 2021, Figure ELEVEN-A, shows Martins Creek Quarry above volcanics which continue at least 8 kilometres in both North-West and South-East directions from the quarry. I have asked both Daracon and Umwelt if it would be possible that the blast could be carried via this strata.
Appendix G, Blasting Impact Assessment 7 May 2021, Blast Emission Criteria, states the following:
Ground Vibration, 1.1.2, Under no circumstances shall any blast be greater than 10 mm/PPV.
Air Overpressure, 1.1.3, No blasts shall exceed 120 dBL.
My question is "What happens if either of these excesses occurs?"
Traffic Concerns
As stated above, I have lived in this area for just over 17 years and have witnessed the large volumes of truck movements on my travels from my home to Maitland via Paterson. I have also witnessed the damage caused to the roads in the area. The proposed increase in road traffic has been widely publicised. In my opinion this can only have a detrimental affect on road safety and quality of life.

I am writing to oppose the Martins Creek quarry expansion. Please find my letter attached

I live on Paterson Road.
Every day the traffic is congested and it is always difficult and sometimes dangerous to get out of my driveway onto Paterson Road. If there were 40 trucks running each hour there would be so much more congestion, noise and risk to lives. There are new housing estates in the area currently being built which (when finished) will also cause more congestion. In peak hour the traffic is at a standstill. Surely the council would not want it to be any more dangerous for their residents?

I object

Hi, I am against the quarry expansion because the roads in my local area are already horrible to the extent where we have potholes that if you hit there is almost a 100% chance that you will have a serious accident.

We will have early morning impact due to sleep disturbance from truck noise
We will also have loss of residential and large lot scenic amenities (the pleasantness of living in a residential area)
There will be impacts to historical buildings (houses cracking up due to the vibration of trucks)
There will also be impacts to pedestrian and cyclist road safety

The truck movements associated with the Martins Creek Quarry Project will be detrimental to the quiet enjoyment of the rural community.

I do not support the Martins Creek Quarry expansion.

The expansion will destroy the current historical and rural village atmosphere of Paterson.

The damage sustained to the physical environment and wildlife would be catastrophic. Our roads will become busier, noisier, further degraded and more dangerous to the local community.

The social aspects will have on-going ramifications and cause conflict & stress in a previously serene environment.

The expansion will benefit very few, but be detrimental to many.

I object to the project.
The significant increase in truck movements along Tocal Rd in Bolwarra Heights dramatically reduces the safety for pedestrians. There are schools and daycare facilities on or adjacent to this road. There is already a lack of footpaths and no dedicated pedestrian crossing in this area. Crossing the road with my 14 month old daughter is already dangerous without the proposed increase in truck movements. This item of pedestrian safety has not been adequately addressed. How is Daracon actively ensuring the safety of the community?
In the Greenhouse Gas and Energy Assessment section 4.1 and 4.2 the argument that the project will have a minimal contribution to greenhouse gases is a poor argument; this argument is in line with the Tragedy of the Commons. There are hundreds of thousands of projects which all contribute and summed together create a large impact.
Regarding future proofing, how has the project considered its impact on water resources including surface water and groundwater in light of a changing climate? Have hydrological and hydrogeological modelling considered only historical data or have trends and predictions been considered to account for the changing climate?

List of objections:
The clearing of 36.8 hectares of vegetation and the inevitable loss of already close to endangered species.
The loss of dry and wet Sclerophyll forest in the designated area.
As a result of the proposed clearing of land this will increase the amount of water run-off. This will then increase the potential of Zinc, Nickle and other mineral elements generated from mining practices to contaminate both groundwater and natural waterways.
Of additional concern is the lack of clarity around the use and source of water supply.
The proposed expansion of the quarry will increase road traffic by trucks, the likelihood for accidents, pollution including toxic diesel exhaust, silica dust, noise pollution, damaged to roads and other nearby infrastructure.
Given that the company has previously acted unlawfully in its operations, I have no confidence of the company doing so in the future.

I object due to the increase of traffic along Butterwick Road, this road is already heavily vehicled by trucks and speed limits not obided by. Many dangerous spots along this road for residents living in the area.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
re: Martin’s Creek Quarry Expansion

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to lodge my submission objecting to the proposed expansion of the Martin’s Creek Quarry.

My husband and I made the decision to leave the city of Newcastle where we had lived for 30 years and move to a small acreage at Vacy in the year 2008. As you can imagine it was a big upheaval to move after having lived in one place for so long. We did so because we were both due to retire and wanted a peaceful lifestyle in the country.

We were aware that there was a quarry at Martin’s Creek when we decided to purchase our property at Vacy, but, the quarry at that time was a low key, low impact quarry that didn’t impact on us at all. Worryingly this changed dramatically as Daracon increased their operations. Suddenly we were subjected to increased and regular blasting, the constant sound of the crusher which during operation cuts through the peace and quiet we had enjoyed and then of course the trucks. The endless trucks and the rudeness and disrespect of some of the drivers. Due to the drivers being on a tight time frame they would tail gate us, trying to park in Paterson safely whilst a fully loaded truck was right on our bumper bar, was very intimidating and dangerous. Trying to cross the road in Paterson at times was scary as truck after truck rattled past.

Our Dungog Shire roads are in a dreadful condition at the best of times, add the truck load and these roads become death traps especially to elderly drivers who haven’t got the quick reflex actions of younger drivers. There’s a lot of elderly people who reside in Paterson & Vacy area and surely they and us have the right to feel safe where we live and shop.

For my husband and myself, the biggest concern regarding this expansion is the damage to our home. Due to us living quite near the quarry, our house shakes each time a blast is conducted. Glassware rattles and moves forward in our cupboards and three times we have had to pay a gyprock tradesman to repair deep cracks in our walls and ceilings. We exist on an Aged Pension. We never thought we would have to factor in getting damage to our home repaired due to a quarry being worked so close to us.

Another major concern for myself is the blasting and the emotional impact each blast has on me. I experienced a terrible emotional trauma from the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake and the constant blasting is unnerving and distressing for me.

As a result of the above concerns we implore you to not allow the proposed expansion to occur. Please allow our communities to return to our peaceful way of life.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully
Denis and Bronwyn Cocks

I strongly object to this project!!!

This project will significantly impact our residential roads. These roads are simply not equipped to cope with the volume of industrial traffic proposed. This project presents major physical health and safety risks to the local community. The existing rail corridor is under-utilised and is the most sensible alternative for this project.