Monaro Rock Quarry Project

The new quarry proposals in the Royalla area have been floated since I became a resident in 2004 (one of the early residents). Every proposal has been rejected by the community en masse.
This proposal does nothing to support the need for such a development and only continues to raise the ire, angst and anger of Royalla residents.
People choose to live in Royalla preciesly because it is a rural/residential environment where we can live and raise children in a clean, quiet natural setting free from noise pollution, dust pollution and industrial pollution.
As a long-term resident or Royalla I am totally opposed to this development for the following reasons:
- It is unnecessary. There are other existing quarries in the region that are not operating at full capacity.
- The predicted benefit of jobs/employment is disingenuous. Skilled employees will most likely be bought in from elsewhere.
- This proposal is rooted in the profiteering of individuals to the detriment of the cherished lifestyle of over 1,000 residents.
- There are no guarantees that residents will not be affected by noise and dust pollution. Mitigation has been shown in the past to be nothing more than lip service.
- The fact that the mitigation strategy for 'Impacts on surface and ground water' is nothing more than 'monitoring' is a farce. This is not a mitigation strategy! This is nothing more than an admission that it is likely the the surface and ground water WILL be affected. It says nothing about what they will do if contamination occurs. On those grounds alone the proposal should be rejected.
- My dwelling is well within the 5km zone of the proposal. That being the case then it is highly likely that my property value will be affected detrimentally and there is nothing in the mitigation strategy that addresses how this affect will be negated. It is simply assumed that I will have to cop it sweet.
- There has been communication with me as a resident about this proposal, either from the State, Local Council or the Developer. I only found out about this by word of mouth. As a Royalla resident, this is entirely unacceptable and I would have expected a letterbox drop at the very least. It would appear that this proposal is trying to sneak in under the radar as have similar proposals in the past affecting Royalla residents.

In conclusion, this proposal has no economic merit for the region, only the Developers. There are other existing quarries in the region that can fulfill current demand. The likelihood of significant environmental damage is high and the proposal in general represents a significant threat to the health and well-being of Royalla residents and the rural/residential lifestyle that we have chosen and enjoy with the added negative impact of reducing land and home values.

This submission sets out a detailed opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Royalla. The project presents serious risks to human health, the environment, community amenity, and regional sustainability, while delivering only narrow private benefits and questionable economic returns.

Key concerns include:
Public Health Risks: The quarry would emit respirable crystalline silica dust, a proven cause of silicosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. Tens of thousands of residents live within 10 km of the site, with some as close as 1.6 km, placing a large population at risk.
Environmental Damage: The quarry threatens to deplete groundwater, alter surface water runoff, pollute Tuggeranong Creek, and fragment habitats. These changes are largely irreversible and inconsistent with sustainable land management.
Social and Amenity Impacts: The proposal would generate up to 200 truck movements per day, significant noise from blasting and crushing, and dust deposition on nearby properties. These impacts will reduce quality of life, diminish property values, and erode the rural character of Royalla and surrounding areas.
Lack of Economic Necessity: Existing quarries in the region are under-utilised and already capable of meeting demand. The quarry provides minimal employment and economic benefit compared with the widespread costs imposed on local communities and infrastructure.
Planning and Legal Inconsistency: The project conflicts with ecologically sustainable development principles, the precautionary principle, and regional planning frameworks. The cumulative impact of another quarry in this area is unacceptable.

This submission argues that the Monaro Rock Quarry should not be approved. If, contrary to these arguments, approval is granted, it must be subject to stringent, enforceable conditions that protect health, environment, and community wellbeing.

1. Introduction and Context

1.1 Location and Setting
The Monaro Rock Quarry is proposed for a site in Royalla, located near the NSW/ACT border. The site lies close to the Monaro Highway and within commuting distance of Canberra. Surrounding land uses include rural-residential communities, small farms, and conservation areas.
Importantly:
* Royalla residents live as close as 1.6 km from the proposed site.
* Tuggeranong, a major ACT suburb, lies only 2.6 km away.
* There are approximately 31,000 residents within a 5 km radius and over 90,000 within a 10 km radius.
This is not an isolated industrial setting but a semi-rural landscape embedded within a growing metropolitan region. The quarry would therefore impose impacts on a substantial population.

1.2 Proposal Overview
The quarry proponents seek approval to extract up to one million tonnes of rock per year. Operations would include:
* Blasting, crushing, and screening of rock.
* Onsite stockpiling and loading.
* Up to 200 truck movements per day.
* Operation six days per week, up to 12 hours per day.

1.3 Planning Context
The proposal has been declared State Significant Development under NSW planning law. This status requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and allows the Department of Planning & Environment to determine the project. The assessment must be guided by the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) and the public interest.

2. Health Impacts

2.1 Silica Dust as a Hazard
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust is generated during quarrying, especially from blasting and crushing. According to Safe Work Australia, exposure to RCS can cause:
* Silicosis (an incurable and often fatal lung disease).
* Lung cancer.
* Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
* Kidney disease.
Silica dust particles are small enough (<10 microns) to penetrate deep into the lungs. Unlike larger dust particles, they are not effectively expelled by natural defence mechanisms.

2.2 Populations at Risk
The proximity of large residential populations greatly increases risk:
* Nearest homes are within 2 km.
* Schools, childcare centres, and aged care facilities exist within the 5–10 km zone.
* Prevailing winds can carry fine particles well beyond the immediate quarry boundary.
Children, the elderly, and those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses are particularly vulnerable.

2.3 Regulatory Standards and Compliance Challenges
NSW and WHO air quality standards set limits for PM2.5 and PM10 particulates. However, numerous studies show that even at levels below regulatory thresholds, long-term exposure increases health risks.
Dust suppression measures (water sprays, covers, vegetation) are not fail-safe. Equipment failures, drought, high winds, and human error all compromise performance.

2.4 Case Studies
Queensland quarries have faced enforcement actions after failing to control dust, with residents reporting health impacts and property damage.
Western Sydney silicosis cluster: Cases of accelerated silicosis among stonemasons highlight the dangers of silica dust even with modern controls.
The Monaro Rock Quarry risks exposing tens of thousands of residents to these hazards.

3. Environmental Impacts

3.1 Groundwater Depletion
Quarry operations require large volumes of water for dust suppression and processing. Extraction may lower the water table, affecting:
* Residential and farm bores.
* Springs and wetlands.
* Soil moisture and vegetation health.
Hydrogeological studies often underestimate cumulative impacts. Once groundwater systems are disrupted, recovery is slow or impossible.

3.2 Surface Water Runoff
Clearing, blasting, and stockpiling will alter drainage. Risks include:
* Increased erosion and sedimentation.
* Pollution of Tuggeranong Creek and connected waterways.
* Greater flood risk downstream due to changed hydrology.

3.3 Biodiversity Impacts
The quarry will clear habitat and create noise, dust, and light pollution that disrupt fauna. Impacts may include:
* Loss of native woodland and grassland.
* Fragmentation of wildlife corridors.
* Declines in threatened species populations.

3.4 Climate and Cumulative Stress
The project adds to cumulative environmental stress from existing quarries and urban expansion. It undermines climate resilience by destroying carbon-sequestering vegetation and increasing heavy vehicle emissions.

4. Amenity Impacts

4.1 Traffic
Up to 200 truck movements per day will:
* Increase accident risk on the Monaro Highway.
* Add congestion and noise.
* Deter cyclists and other road users.
* Accelerate road wear, imposing costs on government.

4.2 Noise and Vibration
Blasting, crushing, and truck movements will produce continuous noise and intermittent high-intensity vibration. Residents may experience:
* Sleep disturbance.
* Stress and anxiety.
* Structural damage to homes and water tanks.

4.3 Dust Deposition
Beyond health risks, dust will:
* Reduce visibility and outdoor amenity.
* Damage gardens, crops, and water tanks.
* Require ongoing cleaning and maintenance.

4.4 Visual Impact
The quarry will scar the landscape, replacing rolling hills with an industrial void. This is incompatible with the rural-residential character of Royalla and surrounding areas.

5. Social and Economic Considerations

5.1 Limited Employment Benefit
The quarry will employ relatively few staff compared to the number of people adversely affected.

5.2 Property Values
Noise, dust, and visual scarring typically reduce nearby property values by 10–30%. For hundreds of properties, this represents millions in lost equity.

5.3 Tourism and Lifestyle
Royalla and the broader region are valued for rural lifestyle and proximity to Canberra. The quarry threatens this appeal, undermining growth in tourism, recreation, and residential settlement.

5.4 Cost-Benefit Imbalance
Benefits: modest profits to a private company, limited jobs.
Costs: health burden, road upgrades, property value loss, environmental degradation.
The imbalance is stark and contrary to public interest.

6. Planning and Legal Considerations

6.1 Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
Under NSW law, decision-makers must apply ESD principles, including:
The precautionary principle: where threats of irreversible damage exist, lack of scientific certainty should not justify approval.
Intergenerational equity: ensuring today’s actions do not compromise future generations’ needs.
Conservation of biodiversity.
The quarry fails these tests.

6.2 Cumulative Impacts
Several quarries already operate in the region. Adding another intensifies dust, noise, and traffic beyond acceptable limits.

6.3 Strategic Land Use Conflicts
The project conflicts with regional planning goals for sustainable rural-residential growth and environmental protection.

7. Comparisons with Other Projects

Bass Point Quarry (NSW): Strict conditions imposed after community opposition, including buffer zones and truck limits.
Newcastle Sand Quarry refusal: Rejected due to dust and traffic impacts near residential areas.
These precedents show that projects with significant community and environmental impacts should not proceed.

8. Community Concerns and Consultation

The Royalla and Tuggeranong communities have expressed strong opposition. Social licence is absent. Without community consent, the project will remain a source of conflict and resentment.

9. Conclusion and Recommendation

The Monaro Rock Quarry poses unacceptable risks:
To public health through silica dust.
To the environment through groundwater depletion and habitat loss.
To community amenity through traffic, noise, and visual scarring.
To regional sustainability by undermining planning goals and cumulative limits.
The limited private benefits do not outweigh these widespread costs.

I strongly urge that the Department of Planning & Environment refuse the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal. If, despite these objections, approval is granted, it must include stringent, enforceable conditions on dust, blasting, traffic, water use, and rehabilitation, with independent monitoring and community reporting.

I formally object to the Monaro Rock Quarry Project (SSD-27223807) on significant social grounds. While the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and its supporting documents present a series of technical assessments, they fail to adequately address the profound and irreversible social impacts that this project would have on the community of Royalla and surrounding areas.
The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) itself acknowledges that "social acceptability remains contested" and that "the burden lies with the Applicant to earn, and maintain, community trust over the life of the Project." This statement is a critical admission that, from a community perspective, the project's social risks have not been sufficiently mitigated.
My objection is centred on the following points, as highlighted in the EIS and informed by my personal experience as a resident:
1. Erosion of Community Identity and Sense of Place - The community of Royalla is defined by its rural, peaceful, and family-oriented character. As detailed in the SIA, residents deliberately chose to move here to escape the noise, pollution, and chaos of city living. They have a strong connection to the rural landscape and a deep sense of self-sufficiency and neighbourly trust. The introduction of an industrial quarry in a greenfield location, just 1.5km from the nearest residence, fundamentally changes this identity. The presence of heavy machinery, blasting, and truck movements—regardless of whether they technically meet regulatory thresholds—will permanently alter the rural character that is central to our well-being and sense of place.
2. Inadequate Mitigation of Amenity Impacts - While technical assessments claim that noise, dust, and visual impacts will be manageable, they cannot account for the lived experience of these changes.
• Noise and Blasting: The EIS states that noise and blasting will be within acceptable limits, but this does not mean they will be unheard or unfelt. Blasting, even at low levels, creates a constant state of anxiety and stress. Residents, particularly older individuals, will be continually reminded of the proximity of an industrial operation, disrupting the peace and quiet they cherish.
• Dust and Health Risks: The community has significant and enduring concerns about dust, specifically the risk of respirable crystalline silica (RCS). The HHRA found the risk to be "low and acceptable," but this conclusion is based on conservative assumptions and is not aligned with our direct experience of air quality in the region, which is often affected by bushfires and other pre-existing sources. The proposed mitigation measures, such as water carts and enclosures, rely heavily on human adherence and are not a guarantee against all impacts.
• Visual Impact: The proposed Visibility Barrier, while intended to screen the site, is itself a significant landform that will become a dominant feature of our landscape. We are concerned that its effectiveness is contingent on the successful establishment of vegetation, which is a long-term and uncertain process.
3. Heightened Stress and Anxiety - The SIA acknowledges that the project may compound existing stress from events like bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The community's opposition is rooted in a deep-seated fear that the project represents an unacceptable cumulative impact on our quality of life. The perceived lack of control over local change and a distrust of regulatory processes—which the SIA also identifies—has already caused significant anxiety. The constant presence of heavy vehicles on the Monaro Highway, even with a dedicated access road, raises genuine fears for road safety and our families' well-being.
4. Failure to Address Cumulative Impacts - The community’s experience with existing quarries in the region has left residents with a sense of "fatigue" and a heightened sensitivity to this new proposal. We are concerned that the cumulative effect of an additional quarry, with its associated traffic, noise, and environmental pressures, will push the social and environmental fabric of our community beyond a breaking point. The EIS does not adequately address how the social and emotional burden of this cumulative impact will be managed.
5. Flawed Justification of Need - The project's economic justification hinges on a forecast resource shortfall that the community believes is overstated. Even if a shortfall exists, the costs to our community's health, well-being, and lifestyle are not justifiable. We believe the local social and environmental costs far outweigh the regional economic benefits, which primarily serve large-scale infrastructure projects.
In conclusion, the Monaro Rock Quarry Project represents a fundamental betrayal of the social contract that underpins our community. We chose to live here for a specific way of life, and this project threatens to destroy it. I urge you, as the planning minister, to consider the overwhelming social costs of this project and to reject the proposal.

Submission of Objection – Proposed Quarry Development

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed quarry development near my home. The impact on myself, my family, and the broader community would be significant and overwhelmingly negative.

1. Traffic and Road Safety Concerns
The projected increase of up to 500 heavy vehicles per day on Old Cooma Road and the Monaro Highway poses a serious risk to road safety. My family and I travel these roads daily, and the additional heavy vehicle traffic will greatly increase the likelihood of accidents. Furthermore, such volumes will cause significant road damage, which in turn increases costs to the community.

2. Impact on Protected Land and the Environment
The proposed site is classified as protected land. Developing a quarry here would destroy important woodlands and habitats, putting native flora and fauna at risk. This is an unacceptable environmental cost.

3. Dust, Silica, and Health Risks
Dust emissions, including crystalline silica, are a major concern. Silica exposure is known to cause cancer, and airborne particles will inevitably settle into rainwater tanks used by local residents, including my family. This poses a direct health hazard and contaminates our household water supply.

4. Pollution of Drinking Water and Waterways
Quarry runoff and dust will not only impact tanks but will also enter local waterways and ultimately flow into Lake Tuggeranong. This contamination risks polluting our drinking water sources, damaging aquatic ecosystems, and creating long-term health risks for people, animals, and the broader community.

5. Blasting, Noise, and Proximity to Homes
Blasting activities and the resulting dust clouds will have a significant and ongoing negative impact on the wellbeing of local residents. The proposed quarry is far too close to houses, which will amplify the effects of dust, noise, and vibration on families. There are many other locations available where a quarry could be built away from built-up residential areas. My understanding is that this site has been selected purely to reduce transport costs for the business and therefore maximise profits. I urge the government not to put money ahead of the welfare of residents and the protection of our environment.

6. Existing Quarries Operating Below Capacity
There are already several quarries in the region that are only operating at approximately 40% capacity. Given this under-utilisation, the development of yet another quarry in such close proximity to residential areas is unnecessary and unjustified.

Conclusion
The proposed quarry is unnecessary, unsafe, and harmful to both the community and the environment. The risks to traffic safety, drinking water, public health, protected lands, waterways, local ecosystems, and nearby households far outweigh any potential benefits.

For these reasons, I strongly oppose this quarry development and urge the responsible authorities to reject the proposal.

Sincerely,
Donna

My concerns relate to the increased traffic on Monaro Highway, Old Cooma Road and inevitably through parts of Royalla and Burra Road, which are the detour routes in case of accident/emergency.
These roads are significantly more busy than in the past. Unfortunately they have not been maintained to the same standard. There are minimal overtaking lanes, crumbling shoulders, blind corners and large potholes. Additional heavy vehicle traffic will make this much worse, and I have no reason to believe that the maintenance standards will improve to compensate for this.
Tipper and dogs have accounted for several fatal accidents on the Monaro highway in recent years. These are the same trucks that will be servicing the quarry, in an area of increased civilian traffic, at challenging intersections. How will the safety risk be managed?

Below is a summary of my submission. Further details have been provided in the attachment.
As a resident in Googong, I strongly object to the approval of the Monaro Rock (Royalla) quarry in its current form. I purchased land in Googong in 2023 and only very recently became aware of the EIS and its scale, which shows a lack of community consultation in areas affected by the proposed quarry. This oversight or neglect is a theme apparent in the project’s submission documents.
For a project that proposes a staged production of up to 1,000,000 tpa, involving asphalt, concrete batching, and heavy haulage, earlier and proportionate consultation should have occurred; the delayed notification has denied materially affected residents procedural fairness and meaningful participation. The EIS appendices prepared by the proponent (Northstar AQIA and enRiskS HHRA) contain material assumptions and gaps that undermine confidence in the proponent’s conclusion that health risks and amenity impacts will be “low and acceptable”, particularly regarding air quality, respirable crystalline silica (RCS), episodic PM2.5 events, and the use of distant background monitoring and uncertain emission factors. Additionally, the proponent has failed to consider the contextual situation in which it is seeking to create a quarry. This area is deemed a high-growth Local Government Area (LGA), with around ~9 per cent annualised growth (between February 2024 and March 2025). Given the strong and growing epidemiological evidence that even small increases in PM2.5 cause measurable population health harms, the Department should refuse the current application.

Reasons for Objection

1. Biodiversity and Environmental Impact
• The quarry will clear 22.44 hectares of critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland and a total of 77.83 hectares of vegetation.
• This habitat supports over 300 species of flora and fauna, many of which are already threatened or endangered.
• The destruction of this ecosystem is irreversible and directly contradicts government commitments to protect endangered communities.

2. Traffic and Safety
• The project is forecast to generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, including haulage trucks and concrete dispatch vehicles.
• This will dramatically increase traffic volumes on the Monaro Highway, rural roads, and Old Cooma Road, creating serious risks for residents and commuters.
• Increased heavy vehicle use near residential areas will heighten road safety hazards, noise, and disruption.

3. Noise, Dust and Air Quality
• Blasting, crushing, and asphalt production will produce ongoing noise, dust, and vibration.
• Dust will settle on homes, solar panels, and rainwater tanks, directly affecting residents’ health, quality of life, and access to clean water.
• Asphalt production will release persistent odours and harmful emissions.

4. Water Security
• The project proposes extracting up to 42.4 million litres of groundwater per year. This will reduce water availability for local residents and downstream ecosystems such as Tuggeranong Creek.
• Reduced groundwater levels will have long-term impacts on farms, households, and native habitats.

5. Indigenous Heritage
• The Environmental Impact Statement identifies culturally modified trees (ring trees, scar trees) and other significant artefacts. These sites should be protected and respected, not destroyed by industrial activity.

6. Proximity to Residents
• The site is within 10km of over 49,000 residents, with the population projected to grow to 69,000 in the next decade.
• It is unacceptable to approve such a large-scale industrial development so close to a growing residential community.

7. Economic Need
• There is no demonstrated need for this quarry. The Environmental Impact Statement itself notes that four existing quarries within 30km of the site already have sufficient capacity to meet demand.
• Approving a fifth quarry is unnecessary and will only impose costs on the local community through health, safety, and environmental degradation.

⸻

Conclusion

For the above reasons, I strongly object to the Monaro Rock Quarry Project. The risks to biodiversity, community health, road safety, water security, and Indigenous heritage far outweigh any potential economic benefit.

I urge NSW Planning to reject this application in order to protect the unique environment of Enchanted Hill and the wellbeing of the Royalla and surrounding communities.

My name is Blake and I am a resident of Calwell. I am writing to formally object to the proposed quarry, asphalt plant, and concrete recycling facility in Royalla.

This development poses serious risks to the health, safety, and environment of residents across Tuggeranong and surrounding regions. The public submission period is unreasonably short, and there has been little opportunity for genuine community input.

MY OBJECTIONS:

AIR QUALITY & HEALTH RISKS
This project will release ultrafine dust, silica particles, and other known carcinogens. Tuggeranong already faces elevated asthma and respiratory illness rates from winter woodfire smoke and bushfire seasons. Adding quarry emissions will worsen community health, especially for children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups.

WATER SECURITY & GROUNDWATER
Runoff and groundwater disruption from the quarry risk long-term contamination of Canberra’s drinking water catchment. With declining rainfall, lower soil moisture, and increased drought stress, we cannot afford this additional pressure on water security.

TRAFFIC & ROAD SAFETY
The Monaro Highway is already unsafe and congested. Adding high-volume quarry trucks will increase accidents, road wear, and travel delays for residents who rely on this arterial route daily.

ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE & BUSHFIRE RISKS
Clearing bushland and operating heavy industrial machinery will threaten wildlife habitats and increase ignition risks in an already fire-prone area. The ecosystem disruption will be long-lasting and irreversible.

LIMITED COMMUNITY BENEFIT
The proposed 30 jobs and access to additional rock do not justify the massive health, safety, and environmental costs. The primary financial benefit goes to the quarry operators, not to our community.

PROXIMITY TO HOMES & SCHOOLS
The site is less than 6km from Conder, Banks, and Gordon, and under 3km from Theodore. This project directly threatens families, schools, and aged care facilities in the region.

HOUSE VALUES
Tuggeranong is often left forgotten when it comes to funding and this project will leave residents further behind as the health risks will mean a reduction in house value as no sound minded person would want to live here and put their families at risk.


This project will affect the health, safety, and environment of our community for decades to come. For this project to go ahead it is an ultimate failure on our children and any future generations who will feel the most impacts from this. There are 18 schools in the affected area and each one of those hold countless young people who count on us to make the right decision and to keep them safe. It is our duty of care not to fail them, I certainly don't want to be remembered as someone who failed my children and caused irreversible damage to their health, do you?

I urge you to reconsider the quarry and the ongoing, long lasting impacts it will have on our health, the health of our children, the animals and the flora of our homes.

Kind regards,
Blake Greenhalgh
Calwell

I object this project as I live within the one of the affected areas. The impact of dust (including ultrafine particles), noise and blasting impacts will directly affect my everyday home life. Up to 500 truck movement a day, risks to Tuggeranong waterways and potential impacts to property values will directly impact the surrounding Tuggeranong community. The environmental impact to protected habitat will also be devastating to see. I strongly object this project

I object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project on the following planning grounds:
1. Environmental Impacts
Dust, noise, and vibration from blasting, crushing, and truck movements will directly affect nearby residents, farming land, and wildlife habitats. This will reduce air quality and create an ongoing nuisance that is inconsistent with the rural and residential amenity of the district.
The project will result in the removal of native vegetation, which is likely to disrupt biodiversity corridors and threaten species that rely on the surrounding bushland.
Quarrying activities pose risks to groundwater and surface water quality, especially given the reliance of local households and properties on rainwater and tank storage.
2. Traffic and Road Safety
The proposal significantly increases heavy vehicle traffic on rural roads not designed for high-volume quarry trucks. This raises risks for school buses, local commuters, cyclists, and agricultural machinery that share these roads.
Increased truck movements will accelerate road degradation, leading to higher maintenance costs borne by the community and Council.
3. Amenity and Lifestyle
The quarry will fundamentally alter the character of the area, which is currently valued for its peace, rural landscapes, and suitability for farming and equestrian activities.
Ongoing quarry operations will negatively impact property values, discouraging investment and reducing confidence in the local housing market.
4. Health and Wellbeing
Dust and particulate emissions pose health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions.
Prolonged exposure to quarry noise and vibration is likely to have adverse mental health impacts on local residents due to stress, sleep disruption, and loss of quiet enjoyment of their homes.
5. Planning and Sustainability Concerns
The project is inconsistent with long-term planning objectives for sustainable rural residential and agricultural land use in the region.
Alternative quarry sites already exist in the broader Monaro and ACT region. Approving a new quarry so close to rural residential communities is unnecessary and unsustainable.

Conclusion
For these reasons, I strongly object to the Monaro Rock Quarry Project. The cumulative impacts on environment, traffic safety, community amenity, and health outweigh any economic or supply benefits. I urge the Department of Planning to refuse approval of this development.

I am against the Monaro Rock Quarry for the following reasons:
From a biodiversity aspect, Enchanted Hill will have over 22 hectares of Box Gum grassy woodland cleared, with a total of over 77 hectares. This is equal to about 8.29 million square feet. There will be nothing Enchanted about the this area if the quarry goes ahead. Over 300 species of flora and fauna will be also be removed and it will become essentially an environmental wasteland.
The Monaro Highway from Williamsdale to the Calwell roundabout is a particularly dangerous section of the highway. There have been multiple incidents with fatalities and serious injuries. A number of theses accidents involved heavy vehicles, to increase the amount of these heavy vehicles by up to another 500 a day, is an accident waiting to happen. The traffic currently on the highway has increased dramatically over the past 15 years and of course, in the snow season even more so. The traffic tails back from Calwell to past the Royalla solar farm. This itself exacerbates the driver fatigue and dangerous manoeuvres by traffic on this stretch of the highway. The road itself, is in an unacceptable and unsafe state for motorists, especially motorcyclists. I have not seen the plans yet for the new intersection, but be prepared to place black spot signs, as that is what it will become if the quarry goes ahead.
The Royalla area already receives its fair share of dust from a neighbouring quarry. This proposal will only increase the dust and the odour from the proposed hot mix asphalt. Also, the inevitable blasting which will happen, causing potential damage to homes in the area.
The probability that there will be more brownouts due to the heavy plant used in the quarry.
The irreparable damage to Indigenous artifacts in the area, which were uncovered in the survey.
While currently we are all being educated on water conservation, this does not apply to the quarry. Which will use up to approximately 42.4 million litres of extracted groundwater. This will have a serious impact on the watercourses which then flow to Tuggeranong and potentially affect the rural bores on many properties in the area. The runoff from the use of all this water being used for dust suppression, washing of equipment and contamination from concrete recycling on the site.
There is a large population of people within 10km of the proposed site, not just the rural area of Royalla but Googong and Tuggeranong also.
This proposal is a long term disaster to the area, hopefully it will never go ahead.

I am immunocompromised and I am deeply concerned about the impact on my health caused by the silica dust from this quarry. As Tuggeranong is a valley, the dust will settle and it will be difficult to remove safely.
I am also concerned that the blasts and shockwaves will reach deep into Tuggeranong. I recently purchased a house with my fiancée in Theodore because it was peaceful and I enjoy watching the wildlife. Our cat is deeply anxious and her anxiety is presented through aggression. We moved from the town centre to a much quieter area to help her settle and address her aggressive behaviour. Since moving to Theodore, Chai (the cat) has been cuddlier and isn’t as violent as she doesn’t have loud sounds echoing around her like she did in the apartment. She can watch the birds in peace and quiet as an inside cat. Shockwaves and blasts caused by the quarry will ruin this for both the two humans living in the house and the cat. Chai has been doing so well, and took the move from the apartment poorly. I worry that she will not cope with another move should the quarry go ahead and with the noises and shockwaves she can not stay here. It would not be fair for her. As the quarry is proposed in or near a nature reserve, the quarry will negatively impact our native wildlife.
I am also concerned for the residents in Royalla, who will be impacted the most with the quarry essentially on their doorstep.
On the topic of blasting, I am concerned that the shockwaves will dislodge boulders in the Rob Roy nature reserve and on Tuggeranong Hill. As the boulders roll downhill they will hit homes and cause huge amounts of damage. I am also concerned about the stability of housing foundations, will the blasts and shockwaves impact the earth enough that it will impact house foundations? No insurance company will cover that, leaving people out of pocket in a worst case scenario.
I have concerns about the use of water to cut the rocks mined in the quarry. Going in to bushfire season, especially with how dry the weather has been, I am worried that should we have another bushfire like the Orroral Valley Fire we will not be able to combat it so efficiently leading to Royalla and the Tuggeranong Valley in danger of being burned. The Canberra Bushfires happened in my formative years and family very almost lost their home in those fires. Subsequently I have a deep, deep fear of bushfires and the lack of water to fight a fire with terrifies me.

I do not think the quarry should be in an area that will impact residents and native flora and fauna so severely. The noise levels, health impacts due to silica dust and shockwaves are troubling to name a few issues.

The suburbs around this areas already have on mining site currently being used.
Adding another would cause significant impact to the environment, it’s close to our main water site, communities that were developed to support country family friendly environments.
This goes against everything communities were sold when developments were built.
Not to mention that the Monaro is already a high accident zone, the level of traffic this would bring to already struggling infrastructure would cause more lives to be lost in road incidents.

I write to strongly oppose the proposed Monaro rock quarry development near Theodore, ACT—approximately 3km from my home, where I’ve lived for over 20 years.

This project poses serious risks to the health, wellbeing, and lifestyle of local residents. My family, including members with asthma, already contend with compromised air quality due to woodfire smoke. Introducing quarry dust into this environment would significantly worsen conditions, with potential long-term health consequences like exposure to silica which is linked to cancer.

The proximity of the quarry to community spaces, including sporting ovals regularly used by children and regional events raises further concerns. The impact of airborne particulates on young lungs and active individuals cannot be ignored. Beyond health, the noise pollution from heavy machinery and increased truck traffic will disrupt daily life. I already hear vehicles from the Monaro Highway; the addition of hundreds of quarry trucks will be relentless and invasive.

There is also a financial impact. Property values in the area are likely to decline, unfairly penalising long-term residents who have invested in and contributed to this community. We should not bear the cost of diminished asset value for a project that offers no direct benefit to us.

The environmental consequences are equally troubling. The irreversible damage to local ecosystems, combined with the lack of meaningful consultation and public awareness, reflects a disregard for the community’s voice.

Traffic congestion on the Monaro Highway (already a busy route) will worsen, affecting both local and interstate commuters. Longer travel times mean less time with family and more stress for working residents.

I urge decision-makers to reconsider this proposal. The community deserves to be heard. We chose to live in Theodore for its natural beauty and peaceful environment, not to have it disrupted for commercial gain. This quarry is not a necessity. Protecting the health, homes, and quality of life of long-standing residents is.

Governments are entrusted to act in the public interest. Projects that threaten communities must be scrutinised, and the voices of those affected must be prioritised.

Our homes are not collateral damage. The risks are too high. This quarry must not proceed in its proposed location.

I have lived in Theodore, A.C.T for over 19 years. I have concerns about the Quarry being built and run in the location that has been selected due to the silica dust that will reach Theodore, and the large amount of additional trucks that will be used along the Monaro Hwy daily, crashes are already a problem on the Monaro Hwy and I'm concerned that the increase in Trucks will further exacerbate the problem. I also have concerns about material from the Quarry running in to the Tuggeranong Creek, which then eventually leads to Tuggeranong Lake which already has problems with Algae and other things. Thankyou for your time.

The proposed quarry is less than 5kms from my home. The sound of any blasting and dust will potentially reach my home and affect my family and many of my neighbours. The quarry will also increase the heavy vehicle traffic along the Monaro highway. I have witnessed several serious accidents caused by heavy vehicles along this road. Myself and other residents will be put at risk due to these heavy vehicles on our daily commute. The sound from the heavy vehicles will also affect our suburb. Theodore is in a small valley that traps a lot of sound from the Monaro highway this will add a lot of new sound pollution. In my opinion there are already several other quarry’s in the area. It seems excessive to add another while the others are operational. I’ve seen several of Monaro mix trucks on my commute already and witnessed several near miss accidents with these truck and dogs over the years.

The proposed quarry is less than 5kms from my home. The sound of any blasting and dust will potentially reach my home and affect my family and many of my neighbours. The quarry will also increase the heavy vehicle traffic along the Monaro highway. I have witnessed several serious accidents caused by heavy vehicles along this road. Myself and other residents will be put at risk due to these heavy vehicles on our daily commute. The sound from the heavy vehicles will also affect our suburb. Theodore is in a small valley that traps a lot of sound from the Monaro highway this will add a lot of new sound pollution. In my opinion there are already several other quarry’s in the area. It seems excessive to add another while the others are operational. Australia is a plentiful vast country, why would it even be a consideration to place a quarry near residential areas.

I object to the Quarry being built in Royalla. I fear for the health of myself and my Family, as we moved here 15 years ago to have a healthier lifestyle to be able to breath in fresh air and have peace and quiet knowing that our water was also safe to drink. I fear for the large trucks that will be travelling on our highway which is not built for the amount of traffic that is currently on our roads let alone 500 more trucks a day. Our wildlife should not be disturbed full stop, but this will also impact motor vehicle accidents on our roads and i fear for the safety of my children travelling on the roads. For the health and safety of the all the communities and suburbs around the areas affected by the quarry. Please stop the quarry.

There are many reasons to object to this development, environmental damage, health concerns, other activities on the site, excess traffic, electricity surges, water table drops. These are just a few.
Environmental damage - the area of Enchanted Hill has been an area of environmental significance because of the box-gum grassy woodland. Councill has the area zoned as a protected environmental zone due to the woodlands being home to endangered plant species. To my knowledge it is also federally protected. this operation will also displace many native animals especially birds who nest in the trees. Once this is lost there will be no recovery to this beautiful area. We know that quarries do not adhere to their boundaries and do care about accidental damage done to areas they are not supposed to be blasting in. There are also Indigenous artefacts in the area which were found during the site survey. If these are found on our property, we are not to disturb them, so using this site as a quarry will disturb what has been found.
Health concerns - no amount of dust control will keep the dust down. As a resident of Royalla, we know about dust due to the other quarries in the area. The biggest concern is the silica dust and the possibility of contracting silicosis. More is being learnt about this life-threatening cancer and how far the dust can travel. I am asthmatic, I moved to the area for the cleaner air, if this goes through this will affect my health. Who will pay for my medical treatments? Notwithstanding the health implications, the dust will settle on our roofs, it will contaminate our water tanks that we use for everyday drinking, washing etc. Many in the area have solar panels, including us. The dust will also settle on these and reduce the amount of electricity we produce and a need to clean the panels more often. So, we also will have extra costs to clean our water tanks, water filters and solar panels. We also have livestock; this will affect their drinking water and the extra dust in the paddocks.
Other operations on the site - This was put forward as a quarry, it is now turning into a major industrial operation. Along with the quarry, they are now proposing to recycle and crush cement (more dust) and asphalt production (this will smell). The residents in Tralee complain about the smell from the production of asphalt in Hume in the ACT. They are now proposing to operate 6 days a week.
Blasting - Blasting causes shock waves, residents on the southside of Royalla have noticed damage to their houses from the quarry blasting in Williamsdale (we can hear this on occasion). The blasting will frighten the animals and could cause serious injury if spooked and run into fences.
Excess traffic - Now they are looking at expanding their operation, up to 500 heavy vehicles will be driving down rural roads and the Monaro Hwy (dropping dust as they go). This will make getting in and out of driveways and onto the highway more difficult. Add the extra traffic during ski season and we will never be able to get out onto the hwy. I have looked at the proposed entry onto the Hwy. This is at the crest of the hill; this is a recipe for disaster. There will be many accidents at this intersection especially over winter when the fog sets in. This area is the first area to have the fog settle and the last to dissipate. The Monaro Hwy road surface is a disgrace, there are pot holes everywhere and they never seem to be fixed. There are quite a few from the solar farm and going down the hill that keep getting filled but not fixed, within a couple of weeks the pothole is back, it takes another month before it gets filled again. The Hwy will become more of a goat track than it already is with around 500 extra trucks using it.
Electricity surges and brown outs - these damage electrical equipment. We have 3 phase equipment along with our other appliances. These can be damaged when there are surges in the supply. If you have to claim on insurance, our policy amount will increase especially if there are many claims going through in the area.
Water table - many in the area have bores, we also have one. During the drought most bores dried up as the water table dropped. With the site estimated to use 42.4 million litres of water annually, this will dry up our bores (which we use to water our life stock and water our gardens) even faster when the next drought comes. This will mean that we will have to bring in water for the life stock etc. More costs.
Economic loss - I have already named a few things that will economically disadvantage the residents. Cleaning water tanks and solar panels regularly, insurance increases due to building movements and electrical appliance damage, water having to be bought in due to water tables dropping. Another one will be windscreen damages, lets face it, the truck drivers do not cover their loads properly and drop dirt as they drive because they don't cover the trailer when it is empty. The leftover dust and small rocks swirl around and out of the trailer, hitting car bonnets and windscreens of those driving behind them causing damage to the car. Dirt also drops out of the bottom and sides of the tailgates of the trailers. Now the big one, house prices. We all have poured our hearts and soles into our homes; we have designed and built our own home. Our home is our retirement fund. When we do sell our home will be worth a lot less than it is now due to the quarry. The prospect of the quarry has already affected house prices and the number of people who want to move to the area. I know of people who are waiting on the outcome of the planning development before buying in the area. They will not buy if the quarry goes ahead, they will look elsewhere. That is our financial loss. Who will compensate us for the loss of property value?
Do we need this development - this development is not of state significance. This company went straight to the state government for approval as they knew that council would quash it for the environmental protection that the property has. There are 3 quarries in the area, to our knowledge, these quarries are only operating at round 40%, so there is no need for a 4th. This is purely a money-making venture for the owners of Monaro Rock to feed their current concrete business. They have said that it will reduce their costs, this may be true, however they will not pass on these savings to their customers. Why would they, people are paying the price they are already, why would you reduce them?
This industrial operation has the potential to affect over 49,000 residents who live within 10km of the site with the dust that will be carried away from the site as well as what comes off the trucks when they travel. The suburb of Googong keeps growing, so there are going to be a lot more people potentially affected by this development.
If the NSW state government cares abouts its constituent’s health, and the environment, there is only one option, and that is to reject this development proposal.
Please don't let us down.