Monaro Rock Quarry Project

I have lived in Royalla for over 20 years. As I look out the kitchen window to the south east I have a clear view of the Williamsdale quarry. We have lived with blasting, noise, dust and smoke since we moved here. As I look to the north I have a clear view of Black Mountain tower in the ACT. In the middle distance is a hill called “Enchanted Hill”. I would like to think that it will there in twenty years and not another hole in the ground.
My first reason for objection is the damage to the environment, the quarry will clear 22.44 hectares of critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland and 77.83 hectares of vegetation overall. The proposed site is home to over 300 species of flora and fauna. On top of this included in the plan is the main access road, over 2.5 kms of sealed road taking up to 500 large trucks per day. This road on ‘crown land’ winds around Enchanted Hill at 860 meters, at times following the old railway, does a 180 degree “u” turn, (dropping 30 meters), follows the railway south east, a 90 degree turn over the railroad, by bridge, into the ACT, over Tuggeranong creek and a new “T” intersection on the Monaro Highway (in a 100KM zone and 150 meters below the crest of a ridge!!). There will be so many cuttings and embankments I gave up counting, the damage this road would do to the biodiversity will be horrendous. Might I suggest that the ACT Government approvals, cost, and environment impact of this road will mean it will never be built.
My second reason is Traffic. The project will generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, including haulage trucks and concrete dispatch vehicles on the Monaro Highway, rural roads and Old Cooma Road. The project acknowledges that to build the industrial estate will use existing local roads. This will result in the destruction of 3 roads, Mates Drive, Monaro Station and the Old Cooma Road.
My third reason is the misinformation or lack of information. When first proposed this was a simple blasting quarry. What is now proposed, upon release of the EIS, is twice the area where Monaro Rock hope to mine and process rock, manufacture concrete, hot asphalt and recycle concrete for the next 30-35 years. All this surrounded by residential areas in NSW, Royalla, Campbell Estate, Mount View, Little Burra, Fernleigh Estate, the new areas of Tralee and Environa, and Calwell and Theodore in the ACT. Many of these residents share a boundary with the proposed industrial area, as well the expanded area will impact the head waters of Tuggeranong Creek and Jerrabomberra Creek.

I strongly object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project at Royalla. This development poses an unacceptable risk to my family’s health, our drinking water, and our community. It must be refused.

Health risks from dust
The quarry will generate large amounts of dust (PM10 and PM2.5) every day through blasting, crushing, and truck haulage. NSW Health confirms these fine particles worsen existing conditions and can cause new chronic illnesses. They also trigger systemic inflammation when inhaled.

My family includes members with autoimmune vulnerability. For us, this risk is direct and serious. Even small increases in dust exposure could cause flare-ups and permanent harm. With the quarry proposing 30 years of operation, this is intolerable.

Contaminated drinking water
Our home relies entirely on rainwater tanks. Dust from the quarry will settle on our roof and wash into our tanks. NSW Health warns of this risk, and the NSW EPA has already investigated similar contamination at Cadia, where metals were detected in tank water and sediments. Families there had to pay for testing and filtration. The same will happen here. This project directly threatens our only drinking water source.

The wrong location
Quarries generate dust, noise, vibration, and traffic. They should not be sited in residential or rural-residential areas, and certainly not where households depend on rainwater tanks. Royalla is the wrong place for this scale of operation.

Controls cannot eliminate the risk
The proponent may claim dust suppression and monitoring will protect us. Experience shows otherwise. Dust controls fail in hot, dry, or windy weather. Monitoring only shows exposure after the damage is done. Tank filters and cleaning shift the cost and responsibility onto residents. Families and out livestock should not have to live under constant threat of poisoned water and unsafe air.

Other impacts
The quarry will add heavy truck traffic on local roads, creating diesel pollution and safety risks. Blasting will disturb sleep and reduce quality of life. The stress of living under these conditions is already affecting my health, including loss of sleep since this proposal was announced.

Legal and regulatory framework
The project is inconsistent with the National Environment Protection Measure for air quality, the NSW Clean Air Regulation 2022, and NSW Health’s guidance on rainwater safety. Allowing this quarry here would disregard established health protections.

Future legal action
I also put on record my intention to commence legal action if this quarry is approved and causes harm to my family’s health or drinking water. I will pursue the proponent, regulators, and any authority that fails in its duty of care.

Relief sought
The only safe and responsible outcome is refusal of SSD-27223807 in full. If approval is nevertheless considered, strict independent monitoring and make-good provisions for air and water must be imposed. But even with conditions, the risk remains unacceptable.

Closing statement
This project threatens our health, contaminates our water, and undermines our right to live safely in our own home. Families in Royalla should not be forced to carry the burden of a 30-year industrial quarry. The only responsible decision is to reject this project entirely.

As residents of Calwell we object to the proposed quarry being so close to Tuggeranong. We object to the main impacts of increased noise on the whole suburb, silica pollution with increased risk for health regardless of the levels of silica and other powders produced, and impact on traffic on the Monaro highway. There are other sites far from Canberra that are suitable for similar purposes, and we definitely do not want a monster project like this next to our doorstep, neither we are willing to being impacted by dangerous dusts, increased noise and traffic.

As residents of Calwell we object to the proposed quarry being so close to Tuggeranong. We object to the main impacts of increased noise on the whole suburb, silica pollution with increased risk for health regardless of the levels of silica and other powders produced, and impact on traffic on the Monaro highway. There are other sites far from Canberra that are suitable for similar purposes, and we definitely do not want a monster project like this next to our doorstep, neither we are willing to being impacted by dangerous dusts, increased noise and traffic.

I have serious concerns with the project as currently scoped. The anticipated daily truck trips to and from the quarry will place a significant burden on already strained road infrastructure. Although the quarry developers plan to utilise the Monaro Highway as its primary transit route to Canberra, this is subject to separate development approval - and risks resulting in trucks utilising Old Cooma Road. This area is undergoing large-scale residential development, and the addition of these heavy vehicles would not only impact traffic, but also road condition and safety (as there are multiple points that are single-lane with restricted visibility). I also have significant concerns, given the residential developments around this location, as to the potential long-term health impacts on the local population.

I object to this project. There is currently too much local traffic and the Googong township is not even complete yet. Additionally there is the issue of air pollution of dust and noise. This could be harmful on people’s health especially asthma. Also the noise will be damaging to the local area and furthermore degrade the value of this township. If such a project was to be implemented, I would have wanted to be informed prior to purchasing my block and building a house. This would have allowed me to make a decision on whether or not to buy in the area.
Also as a rate payer with the amount way above what it should be, this project will damage the value of the land and therefore impact the rates in the area. Council will need to half the land value. People will loose money on their properties and therefore impact currently highly desired area will loose its good reputation.

I am writing as a concerned resident of Royalla to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry development in our region.
This proposal poses an unacceptable risk to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the local community and environment.
My conerns;
1. Unacceptable Traffic Increase
The proposal indicates that up to 500 truck per day will be added to local roads. Royalla is a rural area with roads not designed for such heavy industrial use. This level of traffic:
Raises serious road safety risks.
Increases noise pollution far beyond what is acceptable for a rural lifestyle;
Threatens the integrity of local infrastructure, leading to wear and degradation not budgeted for by local councils.
2. Hazardous Silica Dust
The dust generated by quarrying activities, particularly crystalline silica dust, is extremely dangerous. Long-term exposure has been directly linked to silicosis, lung disease, and other chronic health conditions.
The proposed mitigation strategy of using water to control dust is not only insufficient but potentially more damaging, as outlined below.
3. Unsustainable Use of Underground Water
The quarry’s dust suppression strategy relies on large volumes of underground water, which will inevitably draw down the water table in the area. This raises urgent concerns:
Local farmers and landholders rely on underground water for their livelihoods;
Reduced groundwater will affect crops, livestock, and food security;
There has been no adequate assessment of long-term impacts on the aquifer or neighboring water users.
Depleting this shared natural resource to suppress quarry dust that shouldn’t be there in the first place is unacceptable.
4. No Local Benefit – Only Local Cost
The project offers no tangible benefit to Royalla residents. Instead, the community is being asked to:
Accept a major industrial operation in a quiet, rural setting;
Face increased health risks;
Watch their property values decline;
And live next to a dangerous dust-producing, truck-heavy, environmentally-destructive site.
5. Environmental Destruction
The proposed quarry will lead to the destruction of native bushland that supports local biodiversity, including threatened flora and fauna. Once cleared and blasted, these ecosystems cannot be recovered. The loss of native habitat is permanent, and the cumulative environmental cost is high.
Conclusion
This proposal is incompatible with the values, health, and sustainability of the Royalla community. It threatens the water security, air quality, safety, and lifestyle of current residents, while offering no meaningful benefit in return.
I strongly urge the responsible authorities to reject the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry.

I believe the assessment does not properly represent the actual lifestyle impacts to the residents that live in the suburbs surrounding the proposed project site, and I sincerely believe there is no need for another quarry in this area. I offer the following to support my belief.

2.8 references 400 trucks and 100 concrete agitators. However, I did not spot movement numbers for onsite vehicles or maintenance vehicles. From what I gather, the operating hours are 7am to 6pm, six days a week with 24/7 maintenance. If the data does not include site and maintenance vehicles, I assume vehicles movements are likely to exceed 500 a day, equating to one vehicle every 3-4 minutes entering or departing the Monaro Highway. At 2.6.2 Project Traffic Surveys, I appears that 2021 traffic figures have been used, which seems an underestimation given 2.6.1 mentions that 2021 reveal a distinct decrease in traffic volumes compared to previous years, which is expected to have been related to travel restrictions. To say the Monaro Highway has moderate traffic is just not the case. I have witnessed a steady increase in traffic on the Monaro Highway over the past 20 years and it is more likely that it will continue to rise. I would estimate hundreds more vehicles use the Monaro Highway each month outside of the lockdown periods. Anyone travelling the Monaro Highway during snow season will have experienced large build-ups of traffic which back-up kilometres from the Calwell roundabout on the Cooma side. If this project is allowed to progress and increase traffic by 500+ vehicles per day, 6 days a week, I fear it could replicate the ‘snow season’ traffic issues across the entire year and significantly impact anyone relying on the Highway to travel to or from; work, supplies shops or schools, and it may increase the wait time for emergency service vehicles (fire, police, ambulance) for citizens who live along the Monaro Highway.

At 2.10.2 the assessment talks about measures to control dust and includes a reference to the EPA NSW Upper Hunter Operations ‘Dust Stop’ program. The EPA NSW Upper Hunter Operations site also talks about the ‘Bust the Dust’ program and notes that mines are required to implement measures to tackle dust levels including avoiding dust generating activity and drilling operations during windy weather events. It also mentions that due to extremely dry and windy weather dust was observed blowing off exposed areas of the mine. At 4.2 of the assessment meteorology information is used for the Isabella Plains area. An area that is approximately 8km from the project site and some 300m lower and I believe it should not be used to represent the weather at the proposed project site. I believe the weather around the project site is anything but mild. A quick look at the NSW Hazards Near Me app will show that the project site surrounding area has had a number of severe weather warnings over the past several months including high wind gusts of up to 90km/hr. In fact, as I write my response, a new severe weather warning appeared for my area ‘DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 – 70km/h with peak gusts around 100km/h are possible’. Given there has been a series of high wind warnings over the last several months I would ask how anyone could assess the weather in this area as moderate or mild? This is important as it relates to the assessments finding that the exposure radius area for dust is small, or at least that is what I ascertained from the very technical jargon, and I assume it is based on the Isabella Plains weather data. I honestly believe that if you use NSW Hazards Near Me data that it would demonstrate a larger exposure radius than is suggested in the assessment and would show that the dust could potentially effect many thousands of people for a period of time. Also, taking the EPA observations of dust blowing off exposed areas of the mine during extremely dry and windy weather, I am concerned that dust could travel kilometres during the hotter November to February months of the year, given as suggested by the EPA that although adequate control measures were implemented in the Upper Hunter Operations they did not prevent this event from occurring.

3.4.2 & 3.4.3 appears to me to suggest less than 500 persons will be affected by odour and I assume this is also based on the Isabella Plains weather data. As mentioned above I do not believe the weather data is appropriate for the project site area. Also, my experience with living in the area for the past 20 years is that the winds are multi directional and the NSW Hazards Near Me severe wind warning today is blowing in a north southerly direction and we have experienced other weather wild events where the wind travelled in a north westerly and on other occasions an east westerly direction, so I believe the winds travel in from multiple directions around the proposed project site and are generally high km winds than that typically experienced by Isabella Plains. This leads me to believe the number of 500 persons is well under the actual affected persons given the multi direction of the wild wind gusts that this area is known for.

Based on my personal experience and the data provided by the NSW Hazards Near Me app, I feel the contaminant risk area from dust and odour could encompass a possible radius area much greater than is indicated in the assessment, including suburbs of the ACT (Condor, Banks, Theodore, Calwell and Gilmore) as well as areas of NSW (Mt Campbell, Little Burra and Royalla). A populated area that is many thousands greater than the estimated impacted persons in the assessment. Further, like I do, a lot of people use rainwater tanks for personal use, gardens, pets, cleaning and other domestic duties and may have swimming pools. It seems likely that if the dust were to travel even 1km, it will end up in peoples water reservoirs/storage and be consumed. This could have the potential to be a significant health concern for those impacted regardless.

Within Appendix B, the benefits of using chemical dust suppressants is described when water is not available. At Appendix K under Surface Water, a description of the proposed project site is provided noting that Rock Gully Creek is located approximately 150 at its closest point. The Surface Water assessment provided describes dirty water and the discharge or loss of water from the project site during rain and other events. As mentioned, the proposed project site is subjected to severe weather events. Since August 2025 two notices on the NSW Hazards Near Me app warned of heavy rain of up to 30mm for the area. In these events there would likely be runoff from the proposed site, and I assume could find its way into Rock Gully Creek. According to Google maps the creek flows into Tuggeranong Creek and both Isabelle Pond and Lake Tuggeranong and into the Murrumbidgee River. Any contaminants mentioned in the assessment including chemical suppressants, production materials, vehicle emissions and fluids that find their way into these water ways, potentially impacts thousands of Canberra residents who use the Lake and River for recreational fishing, swimming (river only) and other water sports.

Appendix D assessed the noise and vibration impact as minor, but I fail to see how any unnatural noise or vibration is minor. We have a young person living with us with quite severe sleeping difficulties requiring regular medication. Any noise or vibration will impact this young person’s life and I worry that it may impact their ability to focus at school and meet curriculum needs and subsequently impact their future work opportunities. I am sure there are other families within the impact radius that will be affected by noise and vibrations. One thing I have noticed since moving here is that you can hear noises from afar, for example, I can hear the heavy vehicle traffic travelling along the Monaro Highway some 1.2km away, and recently I could hear the guns used for the kangaroo cull. Also, I am very concerned of the effect of noise or vibration to wildlife, rural farm animals and pets. We are fortunate to share space with echidna’s, wombats, kangaroos, lizards, and a large variety of native birds, and own rural animals and domestic pets. There does not appear to be any proposed protections or control measures to minimise the noise or vibration impacts to people, structures or animals or plants for that matter. To me this section reads more like a statement that we are expected to live with rather than a sincere assessment of what this will mean to plants, animals and people living around the site.

The assessment includes site information for the other two operating quarries in the vicinity, and after skimming their annual reports it looks like neither operate at full capacity. Can those quarries increase capacity and include new commercial services to meet whatever demand is needed?

My family have lived in the area surrounding the proposed project site for the last 20 years and it is devastating to think the peaceful and visibly beautiful sites and sounds we enjoy on a daily basis, not to mention the colours and natural odours that flow down from that site will be disregarded in favour of a ugly and dusty quarry. I feel it is shameful that on one hand we as a nation talk about the importance of protecting our environment and wildlife for our young people and millions of future Australians and on the other hand be convinced that it is sound and right to disregard that belief if big business say there is a critical need and it comes with an economic benefit. I struggle to understand why so many people need to be unnecessarily impacted by traffic congestion, dust, odour, noise and vibration from a new quarry given there are quarries already existing in this area that are not operating at capacity?

The project will involve a large quarry and industrial site for the processing of rock, manufacturing concrete, producing asphalt and concrete recycling over the next 30-35 years.
It is located very close to many rural residential properties and to large and growing population centres. It will have a substantial and growing impact on land of high environmental and indigenous archeological value.
Key areas of concern with the project include:
Noise: Besides blasting and associated vibration shocks the project will operate 6 days a week from early morning and involve ongoing rock crushing and concrete and asphalt manufacturing involving the movement of up to 500 heavy vehicles per day to and from the site using local roads. This will be highly disruptive to the local community who currently live in a quiet rural environment. Decisions to live in the area have been heavily influenced by the peaceful location.
Dust and health impacts: There are health risks from silica dust which will be carried by the wind collecting on homes, solar panels and gardens with contamination of rain water tanks. We live less than 3 kilometres from the proposed quarry in an area that often experiences strong wind. Wind from the south West would directly impact us.
Road safety: the movement of heavy vehicles on to the Monaro Highway and use of local roads, notably Old Cooma Road, will pose serious collision risks. Old Cooma Road is not designed for this purpose and the volume and speed of traffic on the Monaro Highway, especially during peak hours and the Ski Season, makes the entering of large, laden heavy vehicles extremely hazardous. These roads have already experienced a number of fatal accidents.
Proximity to Residents: 49 000 people already live within 10 kilometres of the proposed site and this is expected to grow to 69000 in the next 10 years.
Water: Up to 42.4 million litres per year of extracted groundwater is proposed to be used for dust suppression and concrete and asphalt production. There will also be a reduction of water flow in to surrounding water courses that flow to Tuggeranong. During dry years, of which there are many, this large water usage will impact aquifers relied on by local farms for ground water.
Economics: the need for this quarry is highly questionable. There is existing capacity within the four quarries within 30 kilometres of the proposed quarry with capacity to last over 100 years.
Impact of house: Given the reasons people buy in the area, including a peaceful rural environment, a depreciation of house values could be expected. This is a major and concerning development for local residences who have bought in the area in good faith noting the current zoning category.
The project proponent has proposed measures to alleviate some of these concerns. We have little to no confidence that these measures will be effective. There is no question that local residents will be impacted, some to a large extent.
In conclusion, the quarry is in the wrong location given the existing and planned residential developments and the economic case for it is highly questionable.

I have concerns about the silica dust that will occur and affect the local Tuggeranong schools and the children health playing in the playground and also all the children attending sports activities at Calwell ovals . Also the health of the seniors living in the Tuggeranong area.
My grandchildren both have Asthma and I am concerned about their health and the possibility they may get cancer from the dust that will be created by the quary development .
Has The traffic congestion on Monaro highway been taken into account with the snow traffic and people travelling to Canberra for work each day. I am concerned about the amount of trucks each day and accidents that may occur and the congestion that’s is already occurring in Hume due to the overpass

My husband and I object to the quarry proposal for the following reasons.
We invested heavily in creating a beautiful home in a peaceful and pleasant environment to enjoy our retirement in Royalla. The proposed quarry will destroy a lot of the benefits that enticed us out here, and will also impact many other people in near-by Canberra and N.S.W suburbs.

The adverse impacts will include:
1) Noise and vibration from blasting, mining and heavy vehicle movement. This will not only impact the serenity for Royalla residents and surrounds, but constant blasting reduces home values due to the noise and possible structural damage from the regular vibrations.
2) Dust from the mining processes, the manufacture and recycling of concrete. The prevailing winds in the Royalla area are predominantly NW meaning that on many days, dust from these processes will blow over the Royalla community. On the other days it will blow into the Southern suburbs of Tuggeranong, Burra, Mount Campbell, Fernleigh estate and Googong. Not only is this unpleasant and messy to deal with it could have health implications as it settles on roofs which form an essential part of our water supply to rural residents on tank water. Silica dust is a known carcinogen - it is not something that should be happening in close proximity to people's homes. There are currently 49,000 people living within 10km of the proposed site and this is expected to increase to 69,000 within 10 years. This proposal is a health hazard for all of those residents.
3) The movement of large trucks, up to 500 per day from the site is problematic. We have witnessed a quick decline of the Old Cooma Road between Royalla and Googong as the Googong township evolved. Adding more heavy vehicles onto this road will add to the rapid deterioration of this road and increase potential for accidents. Old Cooma Road has become a major thoroughfare for Googong residents to head into Tuggeranong. This road is not going to cope with a significant increase in heavy traffic without an essential upgrade.
Coming out on to Monaro Highway also poses issues. This is a very busy road most of the time with particular peaks during ski season and Summer holidays. Stopping traffic on a major highway to allow trucks in is going to add to the congestion on this road and driver frustration. To me, it sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
4) Impact to the water table. Water is a precious resource for rural residents. Many blocks in Royalla were sold with a bore (or potential for one) if they didn't have a dam. Mining, concrete production and recycling are water intensive activities impacting the available water for local rural communities.
5) Pollution and impact to the biodiversity of the area. The washing of equipment and trucks will create contamination from concrete, impacting the biodiversity of the area. I understand that this is an area of critically endangered Box-gum grassy woodland and other vegetation that is home to over 300 species of fauna and flora. Polluting our environment is problematic not just for our generation but for those that come behind us. It doesn't just pollute the land but gets into the water table impacting the quality of water for those nearby.
6) Odour - the quarry project includes the production of hot mix asphalt that generates a strong and persistent odour. The impact of this is unacceptable to the many people who are located adjacent in rural communities and the nearby Tuggeranong suburbs.

In summary, we believe that this proposal will have significant negative impact on our quality of life and ruin our peaceful ambience. We have invested our life savings to create this peaceful life in Royalla and feel quite cheated by this quarry proposal in close proximity to our home. We urge the decision makers to take note of our concerns and value the health and wellbeing of the local community over business profits.

My family and I live in Lever Place, Royalla, and I strongly oppose the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal.

While I am not against quarries or development to improve our standard of living, the project’s sheer scale, location next to existing residential area, and planned activities with a projected 30-year life poses significant risks to health, safety, and the environment.

When I also consider the opposite side of the argument, I find myself asking the question "What is the benefit of the quarry in its proposed location"? The only answer I can think of is that there is only one party that benefits from the proposal; Monaro Rock. While they will be making more money, it comes at a significant detriment to existing residents, the community, and the environment.

Approving a new quarry will not create more demand for the product or reduce prices as the existing quarries already provide adequate supply and indeed well into the future. It will not restrict or deter development or economic activity. A new quarry placed in the middle of existing residential houses simply does not benefit residents or the community.

My key concerns are:
- Quarry is extremely close to residential homes, including my property, exposing residents to dust, noise, vibration, and safety risks.
- Two existing quarries already provide sufficient supply, making this project unnecessary.
- Dust, including PM10/PM2.5, will affect homes, gardens, and rainwater tanks, posing serious health risks.
- Dust suppression measures proposed in the EIS are unlikely to be fully effective, as nearby quarries demonstrate visible dust escaping boundaries.
- Up to 150 heavy truck movements per day on the Monaro Highway will increase road safety risks, noise, and traffic congestion, impacting daily life.
- Destruction and fragmentation of habitat and wildlife corridors will occur, threatening biodiversity.
- Aboriginal cultural heritage, including significant trees and landscape features, is at risk of permanent damage.
- Property values will fall, and the rural lifestyle residents sought will be permanently degraded.
- Cumulative impacts with existing quarries amplify dust, noise, traffic, and environmental effects, which have not been fully accounted for.
- The single lane Monaro Highway is already an accident hot spot and will only get worse with additional hundreds of heavy trucks accessing it daily.

On reflection at a more personal level, I would like to think that people come into decision making positions to effect positive change for the community and its people as a whole. The Monaro Rock Quarry project benefits few at the detriment of many. I sincerely hope that this proposal does not get approval as it will impact thousands of people living in the vicinity.

Given these factors, I strongly urge the Department to refuse this proposal as the location makes the quarry fundamentally unsuitable.

I object to this project as it would be detrimental to the environment, road safety, pollution and the health and welfare of residents surrounding the area that is earmarked for the quarry.

In March 2023 I purchased land in Royalla Reserve. I did my due dilligence and was told that it was unlikely that the proposed quarry would proceed. I was re-entering the property market after losing everything due to a failed marriage and had worked hard to be able to afford to build our dream home on peaceful and tranquil land in Royalla. We have now built a home that is off grid, reliable on our own power, sewerage and water. I have since found out that the Monaro Rock Quarry Project is not only still pushing ahead but they have extended their scope to include more than just being a quarry. The have snuck in all these extra operations.

The impact on my family will be immense as we are one of the closest properties to the proposed quarry. We rely on rain water from our roof and I know our roof will be polluted. I have a hobby farm and the animals will feel the blasts and the vibrations and their drinking water will be contaminated. Our new home will feel the impact also from vibrations and blasts.
The area will be impacted on a biodiversity level with 22.44 hectares of critically endangered box-gum grassy woodland and 77.83 hectares of vegetation overall being cleared. Enchanted Hill will be destroyed along with Indigenous artifacts such as the culturally modified trees and a range of indigenous objects.

I am deeply concerned about the amount of trucks that will go past the back of my property onto the Monaro Highway. It is very hard for us to enter the Monaro Highway from Old Cooma road currently due to the traffic, I cannot imagine how hard it would be to push up to 500 trucks onto the highway each day at the rate that the EIS is suggesting. There will be many accidents and unfortunately fatalities. The highway is not capable of coping with the current traffic so adding in additional trucks would be absolute stupidty. Taking the trucks down Mates Road would also cause immense damage and impact more on the Royalla community. These trucks cannot be dispersed into the area or onto the Monaro Highway, this cannot happen.

The dust will be carried by the wind and this will collect on homes, cars and property. The health risks will be far reaching and while silica is being banned in construction, they are happy to spread the silica from their quarry into our community. This is unacceptable.

The mix of hot mix ashpalt will generate a strong odour that I will have inflicted on us 6 days a week. The quarry is indicating they will operate 6 days a week and this amount of activity, damage, odours, dust etc will impact on myself and my family and animals.

They will be tapping into the ground water and have indicated that they will take 42.4 million litres a year for dust suppresion and production. This will impact not only Royalla but Tuggeranong also. That is a lot of water that could benefit the community.

What will happen during bushfire season? Will we be at more risk due to the potential shortage of water? What will happen to the telecommunications tower that is very close to the site? Will it be another Optus where people are unable to call emergency and potentially pass without help?

They have indicated that they will wash their trucks and equipment onsite and this will cause a pollution risk.

There are four quarries within 30 km of the proposed quarry that have capacity to last over 100 years. Royalla is already impacted by the Williamsdale quarry, why are they building this quarry so close to Royalla, Tuggeranong suburbs and Tralee. It is absolutely ridiculous that they are able to potentially do this considering the risks to health both mentally and physically of so many people that are living in the area that is being flagged for this project. Why on earth would any agree to a Quarry being approved so close to other residences. Why can't this Quarry be built away from residences in an isolated area?

49,000 people live within 10 km of the proposed site which could raise to 69,000 in the next 10 years. Will the State Government or the project insure residents against health risks such as cancer or property damage to the homes in the area. In my estate there will be 14 brand new homes within 2 km of the site. Who will pay for any damage that could occur? Who will pay for mental health from the ongoing trucks and blasts? Who will pay when people get sick due to the quarry operations?

I believe this project is just to benefit a handful of people that don't want to pay the prices the other quarries are proposing. There is no economic benefit to our area. The Williamsdale quarry has already been taken over by a mutli -national company, this project will be in the same position. It has been noted that only around 14 jobs will be provided through the project and this is not a reason to make the quarry a reality.
I have made my dream home in Royalla that has now become evident that it is super close to the proposed quarry. I have 40 animals on my land that will be impacted along with my children. Please do not ruin Enchanted Hill and our lovely peaceful position in the world. It is so unnecessary and so harmful on the residents, wildlife, fauna and Flora. Please do the right thing and not go ahead with this project.

As a local resident, new to Googong, a neighbouring area to Royalla, I’m deeply opposed and concerned about the impact of this quarry for a variety of very valid reasons.
My major concerns that will directly impact Googong and my family are as follows:

1.) The fact that the quarry will produce an excessive output over many years, it is a given that such a hard rock quarry will create silica dust. More and more evidence is coming to light of the long term health impacts of exposure to silica dust. This will become airborne and carried to Googong which is known to be a windy area. What will be the impact on our health and our children’s health? How will this be measured and mitigated? Googong amenities have been specifically designed to attract families and this quarry is far too close to guarantee the safety of our health.

2.) Long hours of crushing noises could travel to residents and the blasting from the quarry will be felt in homes kilometres away. This will be insufferable. Again how will these vibrations affect our health and wellbeing and what is understood about potential damage such as cracks in walls and windows?

3.) Up to two hundred fully laden trucks per day will be entering onto the Monaro Highway or Old Cooma Road. This is absolutely unacceptable due to the road surface and condition not only being unsuitable, but Old Cooma Rd also being the only exit out of Googong to major towns and Canberra.
There is already enough risk on these roads without more heavy trucks trying to merge onto highways and roads. This large number of trucks will be sure to damage the road and increase our commute times.

4.) House values will decrease if the above outcomes are certain.

5.) Social impacts. We have just moved from Bowral where there is also an SSD in Moss Vale that has caused significant stress over the last few years and is still continuing. The community has been left to defend this project primarily by themselves as council wants to minimise their financial risk. This quarry is also significantly unsuitable for the proposed area in Royalla due to the serious impact on nearby residents.
It is simply NOT THE RIGHT SITE.
This type of social impact cannot be underestimated and will have a sustained negative effect on the region and the tourism sector.

Other concerns that definitely need consideration:
1.) The site is zoned C2 (Environmental Conservation) and RU2 (Rural Landscape). Both prohibit this development, which goes directly against the objectives of the zone.

2.) The quarry will clear 22 hectares of critically endangered box-gum grassy woodland and 78 hectares of vegetation overall. The proposed site is home to over 300 species of flora and fauna.

3.) Quarries require lots of electricity, but no increase in supply is planned. Residents in Royalla already suffer large voltage swings and damage to sensitive pumps and other equipment.

4.) The quarry plans to use groundwater. Residents are concerned that this will impact the water table levels and may cause some bores to run dry.

5.) Waste water from the quarry will discharge into Tuggeranong Creek and then flow though Tuggeranong suburbs to Lake Tuggeranong.

As residents of Royalla, we object to the quarry. We are deeply concerned about the silica dust and the known health impacts of this. In addition, we object to increased trucks on a road that already has significant traffic including accidents. As parents of four - our eldest has only recently got her P’s, and three more to come - we hold huge concern for the safety of new drivers on the roads navigating high numbers of trucks. We urge the government to cease this project.

I offer my object to this project for the following reasons:
* I'm concerned about my health from dust which contains silica that will drift over the local area.
* Increased traffic on Old Cooma road. Extra trucks and cars will be traveling down old cooma road and frankly it can barely support the traffic that travels down it now let alone the volume of trucks and cars linked to the quarry. It is already a high accident area and the increased traffic will only add to the incidents of accidents. More heavy vehicles will add to the degradation of the road surface. Eventually the quarry plan to enter directly to the Monaro highway. This also has its own challenges. In winter it is a high fog area with limited visibility.
Please don't approve this project. The site proposed for quarry negatively affects the whole community of Royalla and beyond.

Submission: Objection to the Proposed Monaro Rock Quarry in Royalla

To Whom It May Concern,
I’m writing as a local resident of Royalla to strongly oppose the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry. I’ve lived here for just shy of a decade, and like many others, I chose this area for its peacefulness, safety, and sense of community. The idea of allowing a massive quarry to be built right next to our properties, which are zoned environmental living, is most distressing.

Too Close to Homes
The proposed site is within 10km of 49,000 people’s homes. It will affect Royalla residents and is also in very close proximity to Canberra and our children’s schools. That’s not just inconvenient, it’s dangerous. Quarries are noisy, dusty, and disruptive. They don’t belong in residential areas where they can significantly impact our wellbeing.

Health Concerns
I’m especially worried about the dust — particularly silica dust. Members of my family already suffer from Asthma and other allergies, before you introduce poisonous dust from the quarry. Even if the levels are technically “within limits,” we all know how unpredictable wind and weather can be. Once that dust is in the air, it’s in our lungs, our gardens, and our kids’ playgrounds. The long-term health risks are real, and I don’t think they’ve been taken seriously enough.

Traffic and Safety
The plan includes up to 200 truck movements a day. That’s a huge increase in heavy vehicle traffic on roads that weren’t built for it. It’s not just about congestion — it’s about safety. More trucks mean more risk, especially for families, our young learner drivers and school buses using the same roads. This affects a vast number of people who use the Monaro highway every day, all the way down to Cooma residents and beyond. The road is already dangerous enough, exacerbated further during ski season and on long weekends, without introducing such a huge number of trucks.

Environmental Impact
Royalla is a peaceful part of the world and we are lucky to be surrounded by bushland including critically endangered Box-Gum Woodland. Turning this land into an industrial site will destroy habitats, change the landscape, and affect local flora and fauna. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. No amount of “rehabilitation” can undo that kind of damage.

We Already Have Quarries Nearby
It’s also worth pointing out that there are already four quarries operating in the surrounding region. These quarries have existing capacity to last over 100 years. We do not need another one on our doorstep.

Community and Property Values
This proposal is already causing stress and anxiety in the community. People are worried about their health, their homes, and their future. Property values will drop, and the appeal of Royalla will diminish, affecting the lovely nature of this community.

To sum up: this quarry is not appropriate. It’s too close, too risky, and too disruptive. The proposal must be rejected to maintain our community and protect our families.

The decision to allow a quarry and industrial estate on RU2 and C2 zoned land. As I understand this proposal contravenes the allowances under these zoning categories. Simply allowing this quarry to be established creates a mockery of the zoning process, and the public’s trust in the process.
The proposed quarry would extract up to 1 million tonnes of hard rock annually for 30 years, with the site close to homes in NSW and the ACT and trucks using community roads 13 hours per day, six days per week. This raises serious concerns, and I urge the NSW Planning department oppose this development, which impacts the communities in Royalla, Googong, Jerrabomberra and Burra, and those suburbs in South Canberra.
Traffic
Appendix I Road Transport Assessment of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) contradicts itself in respect to the number of heavy vehicles moving in and out of the proposed quarry.
In Section 3.6 Transport Limits (P27) it states that the ‘following limits on operational transport activities are proposed: no more than 200 laden trucks would travel to or from the Project Site on any one day’. In Table 4.2: Heavy Vehicle Trip Generation by Activity Type at Maximum Quarry Production (P33), states there will be 200 loads of Quarry product despatch with 400 trips. This is double to what was quoted above and with the additional 310 movements listed in the table – this equates to a maximum of 710 heavy vehicle trips per day, with 355 (half) being fully laden.
These heavy vehicle movements would be added to the Monaro Highway, which currently carries an average volume of 10,000 vehicles per day near Royalla, 20% of which are already heavy vehicles. An additional 710 trucks entering and leaving the Monaro Highway poses a significant risk to commuter safety and will impact travel times. Already there have been a number of fatal accidents in the area that the quarry will impact.
There is simply no safe way to move the material from this site. The science used by the proposer for heavy vehicles to enter onto the Monaro Hwy is dangerously flawed. The study (Appendix A) used to create the statistics used to make the assessments were conducted during the period just before and while Victoria was in Covid-19 lockdown for the 14-day period from Friday 28th May 2021 to Thursday 10th June 2021. This was anything but a normal period of time to be ‘driving on our roads’. The impact of an additional 710 heavy vehicles in ‘today’s’ traffic is a completely different story. My observation of regularly travelling along the Monaro Highway – in particular between the intersection of Royalla Drive and the roundabout on Johnson Drive, is that the traffic load has significantly increased over the past 5 years.
Everyone in our household, including our children, use this stretch of road, our friends and neighbours use this road, children commuting on the school buses use this road. Increasing the risk of accidents including fatal accidents by allowing this volume of heavy vehicles onto this road is highly inappropriate and irresponsible.
Dust
By their own admission, the quarry will extract and crush exactly the kind of hard rock that produces silica dust, described as the ‘asbestos of the 2020s’. There is growing scientific evidence and community concern that this dust has long term health impacts for people and animals. silicosis.org.au, lists quarry and mining workers as being at risk due to the crushing and processing stone in quarries and mines. Monaro Rock plans to control dust using water trucks, but this approach is impractical due to strong regional winds, especially in spring. Dust will likely travel long distances, risking health and contaminating local drinking water tanks.
A lesser issue is the impact of the settling dust in the tanks which use pumps to provide water to the homes in the area. The dust will lessen the life of the water pumps and increase the cost of living in the area.
Ecological and Environmental Concerns
The quarry site is on land zoned as C2 (“Environmental conservation”) and RU2 (“Rural Landscape”). The quarry’s impacts are in direct opposition to the legislated objectives of these zones and are by default prohibited.
The property encompasses 218 hectares of Critically Endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodland, a vital ecological community supporting over 320 native species of flora and fauna. This unique habitat is increasingly rare and plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. These woodlands are easy to ‘gloss over’ but with simple research it is easy to identify them as ancient systems shaped over tens of thousands of years by evolving Australian landscapes and the human cultures that have interacted with them. Their existence pre-dates written history, with European settlement since about 1750 significantly reducing their extent and modifying their structure through clearing and grazing, leading to their current critically endangered status. They are part of the Australian landscape that we are hanging onto with our fingertips. Missing out on having these landscapes for our children’s children make me ache with regret – let us not concrete the future – or is Toni Mitchell right that we don't know what we’ve got till it's gone, and we’ll pave paradise and put up a parking lot.
In addition, this property provides a valuable corridor between a number of reserves next door and close by. Including Tuggeranong TSR, Melrose Reserve, Mt Rob Roy Reserve, Royalla Swainsona Reserve, Royalla TSR, Wandiyali and Havelock. The proposal actually suggests (Appendix F - Visual Impact Assessment) that will install a 3m high solid fence. The fence will be a barrier to the fauna moving from environment to environment – blocking the natural ‘roaming’ of our wildlife and to an extent the dispersal of natural flora. This is inconsistent with the environmental values and planning principles that underpin the Queanbeyan-Palerang region.
Economics
There is little economic benefit for the community or Council. As the three other quarries nearby are under-producing, any productivity gain for Monaro Rock would be a similar loss for the existing quarries, resulting in approximately a zero-sum economic benefit.
Other concerns
As a local resident, I want to raise several serious concerns about the Monaro Rocks quarry proposal that I hope the NSW Department of Planning and Environment will take into account:
Water Usage: The quarry plans to extract up to 42.4 million litres of groundwater each year. That’s a huge amount, and I’m deeply worried about the impact this will have on our local water table. It could affect the availability of water for residents like me and damage the surrounding environment.
Water Runoff: There’s a real risk that polluted water from the site could end up in Tuggeranong Creek and eventually flow into Lake Tuggeranong. This isn’t just a local issue - it affects downstream communities and ecosystems too.
Electricity Supply: I’ve lived through the problems caused by the Williamsdale Quarry, where residents experienced brownouts and damage to appliances every time the plant started up in the morning. I’m concerned we’ll face similar issues again, with impacts on our homes and daily lives.
Local Character: Royalla is a peaceful, rural-residential area. A quarry of this scale simply doesn’t belong here. These kinds of operations are usually located in remote areas - not next to family homes and quiet communities.
Alternative Locations: The same hard rock is available elsewhere, from Canberra to Cooma. The only reason to put the quarry here seems to be financial gain for the company, while the rest of us bear the cost - through noise, dust, traffic, and disruption to our way of life.

NSW Major Projects
My submission is provided as a highly concerned resident, loyal community member, a mother and wife that has sought a place to raise a young family and as an advocate for what is not in keeping with any of the above should this quarry be approved in the future.
I have listened, spoken and read much of the documentation and discussion of both sides for both the for and against and I am failing to see why this quarry is in the best interests of any one beyond Monaro Rock.
I do appreciate how they have attempted to engage and aid understanding of such a project however the limitations they have also placed on such a project, namely the considerations for locals in both the short and long term I feel are sadly dismissed only to advance their own affairs.
In an early online engagement where they looked to provide information and reassurance to the project, the members they had presenting quickly came undone even over the simple question of the tree screening associated with the project. To know that mere saplings will “screen” the site is shortsighted for those that will be horribly impacted with these works on what is a largely untouched area of the QPRC district. It is why we love Royalla.
The highly potential affect to our drinking water seems to have been, excuse the pun, largely washed over. Many of the residents rely on tank water. To then have this affected by the known dust stirred through quarry activity will not be mitigated by the quarry developers. Many of us, including myself, have young children with no access to town water supply. Are we for thirty years to install and maintain additional filtration in order to mitigate this increased risk of silica dust in our tanks.
This was countered by the developers in their aim to use the existing water from deep underground. However, again, a finite resource that many of us also rely on to ensure that we can maintain our own properties and mitigate the affects of the warming climate and associated erosion and tree loss. Is this quarry actually believing they are doing more good than harm?
Further, irrespective of those activities that occur on the quarry site, there are the inherent other activities that will occur external to the site, namely the movement of large trucks and other vehicles that the infrastructure in this area is grossly insufficient to support.
The increasing use of the Monaro Highway as other township populations expand and therefore a greater number of transiting workers to the Canberra area is already impacting numbers of vehicles on the Monaro. This is plain to see even in the peak holiday times of the snow and summer. The road at this time is but a patchwork of fixes that come undone in short time due to the large number of vehicle movements.
In addition, one only need to transit the first one kilometre if the south end of Old Cooma Road to see the number of wildlife deaths due to the vehicle movements - and this is but a smaller road. The wildlife hit, injured and killed along the Monaro between the proposed new entrance and to the Lanyon Drive roundabout is also concerning. Adding the potential of 500 more truck movements to this will not only create many more further hazards to road users associated with killed and injured wildlife, it will likely impact the movement of these animals to other areas, creating issues in those areas.
We moved here a number of years ago for the tree change and to raise a young family. This was a wonderful area that had a rich history in the foothill of Mt Rob Roy from where Royalla gets its name. Now, yes, the very sheep station that our community was founded from, we are playing for sheep stations to keep Royalla preserved and protected from quarry activities that are not required, significantly impacting community, and grossly impacting our environment.
I am imploring those that have a say in this, that you do not allow this to occur. Use your funding and research capabilities to support other quarry activities, and importantly, the communities impacted by them, but ask you do not impact us.

I am a resident of Banks, ACT and I 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.

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.

This decision will affect the health, safety, and environment of our community for decades to come.