Monaro Rock Quarry Project

I am concerned about the impact of this proposal on myself and my family. We live just over the hill from this development, in the closest Canberra Suburb. My son aged 11 has already been through cancer with long term throat complications and asthma like symptoms that are made worse on days of poor air quality. The report suggests that air quality may be impacted, impacting on people’s health. I see this as a direct health risk to my family.

We regularly enjoy the bush capital nature reserves in between Conder and this area for bush walking, which we will now need to reconsider. This is impacting on our ability to utilise, enjoy and feel safe in our local area.

There are several schools in our local area where children play outside for several hours a day. On high wind days monitoring of exposure by parents during the day will not be possible. We’re putting our children at risk associated with the poor air quality that will occur. This is made worse by the vicinity to local sporting grounds as well.

The particular area of the Monaro highway where the quarry will be accessed from is already a dangerous road, with excessive traffic in the snow season, daily native animal deaths and road users handling (poorly) increasing and decreasing speed limits in that area. The additional 150 trucks per day will increase risks of further crashes or animal injury.

With the growing ACT footprint, there would be opportunities for further development in this area such as the new residential areas that will now be subject to this noise, pollution and risk. Please utilise the land for something that will not jeopardise our health.

The Hon Paul Scully MP
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
NSW Government
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Dear Sir,
I ask that the proposal for the Monaro Rock quarry, including industrial site to mine and process rock, and manufacture concrete, hot asphalt and recycle concrete, be rejected outright at this time, thus avoiding further time and expense to the applicant.
There are enough quarries already
I question the need for and object to another quarry in this area, given there is an existing quarry in the Royalla area with associated issues already in operation. This quarry already impacts residents in the area with dust issues (wind knows no boundaries), noise and electricity brownouts. The existing quarry at the other end of the valley has sufficient supplies to extend for many decades. Is another one put into operation for private personal gain worth the risk to people living, eating, and enjoying life in the surrounding area?
Dangers to myself and our community
I question the need for and object to this quarry in this area, given it is within a few kilometres of multiple residences, including my residence purchased more than 20 years ago when there was no flagging of a quarry to be commenced in this location. Having a blasting hard rock quarry and associated concrete and asphalt industrial site so close to several rural-residential estates is irresponsible and negligent.
I continue my letter in the attached pdf document, as my submission is more than the 10000 character limit of this submission box. Please consider the attached pdf as my submission.

My granddaughters attend school in Tuggeranong area within close proximity to the proposed Monaro quarry and both suffer asthma and one has severe asthma attacks, the silica dust from the quarry will affect their health now and in the future.

Resident in close proximity to planned project subject to dangerous levels of Silica.

The Environmental Impact

Key concerns include:
- Increased truck traffic
- Dust impacts, including silica dust
- Ongoing noise from operations
- Impacts on local flora

Our family has lived in Royalla for 8 years. We moved here to give our two boys space to grow and roam freely. We moved for the fresh air to breathe, the clean rainwater to drink and the connection to nature. The proposed industrial site at the Monaro rock quarry is threatening to take this away. The silica dust generated by this project will be carried by the wind to taint the air we breathe, and land on our roof, contaminating the water we drink. The noise, vibrations and dust from blasting and the large number of heavy vehicles will be detrimental to the quiet nature of our rural lifestyle.
The intended heavy vehicle movements, up to 500 per day, will increase the traffic congestion on the Monaro Highway and Old Cooma Road; roads on which my family travel every day, and on which my son will soon be learning to drive. These trucks will make the local roads more dangerous and deteriorate the already damaged road surface.
This quarry will impact over 300 species of flora and fauna; part of the reason we moved out of town was to be among the nature and animals of this area. We want to live in Royalla for many more years, and continue to enjoy the lifestyle and community culture on which Royalla is built.
The proposed Monaro Rock Quarry should not go ahead, and I object to continued planning and development.

Please see attached submission below.

I object to the project for the impact it will have on the community, access through traffic, noise, pollution and environmental damage. Given its location to schools, playing fields, homes and aged care.

The expansion of the rock quarry in royalla will create sound pollution, dust and more heavy vehicles on our roads, and very little local benefits. Royalla is rapidly becoming a suburban area, and these industrial projects are not suitable for this area.

Submission: Opposition to Proposed Royalla Mining Site
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to register my strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry site. I urge the Government to reject this development for the following reasons:
Noise Pollution and Mental Health Impacts
As a veteran living with PTSD 8km from the proposed site, I am deeply concerned about the noise from blasting and heavy machinery. I am already able to hear aircraft taking off from Canberra Airport, which is 19km away. Explosions and industrial noise would be extremely distressing and destabilising, and would significantly diminish my ability—and that of many others in the community—to live safely and peacefully in our homes.
Dust Pollution and Health Risks
Dust in the Canberra region is already a serious issue. I suffer from Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, which is highly sensitive to dust exposure and already difficult to manage. The additional dust generated by this mine would have serious health consequences for me and many others.
Furthermore, I do not receive any subsidy for cleaning my solar panels, which are vital for affordable, sustainable living. Will Monaro Rock take responsibility for regularly cleaning the solar panels of affected households? Without such assurances, local residents will be unfairly burdened with extra costs while their health is put at risk.
Waterway Contamination
Runoff into the Tuggeranong River presents an unacceptable risk to our waterways and nature reserves. These ecosystems are fragile, already under pressure, and must be protected. The quarry threatens to contaminate water supplies relied upon by both people and wildlife.
Environmental and Social Responsibility
This mine is not in the community’s interest. It is simply another capitalist venture that seeks to exploit the land for private gain. As custodians of this land, we have a responsibility to preserve it for future generations, not degrade it further.
For these reasons, I vehemently oppose the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal. I call on the NSW Government and ACT Government to act in the interests of the community, the environment, and public health by rejecting this development outright.
Sincerely,
Sarah Jane Macarthur-King
5 Cochrane Crescent, THEODORE ACT 2905

To Whom It May Concern,
We are writing to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project, which is to be located near our community along Old Cooma Road. As long-term residents who have lived in this area for over a decade, and with one of us being a local school teacher, we have deep concerns about the numerous negative impacts this project will have on our community, our environment, and, most worryingly, on the health and safety of our children.
1. Health Impacts – Dust and Silicosis
The proposed quarry will generate significant dust, including fine crystalline silica particles. Prolonged exposure to silica dust is known to cause silicosis, a serious, irreversible lung disease. As someone who works in a school within the affected area, we are deeply concerned for the health of all members of our school community—students, staff, and families alike. Children are particularly vulnerable to airborne pollutants, and regular exposure could have devastating long-term health consequences.
2. Environmental Damage and Threat to Endangered Species
The area surrounding the proposed quarry site is home to native vegetation and endangered plant species, which will be irreversibly damaged or destroyed. The loss of biodiversity and habitat will have cascading effects on local ecosystems and wildlife. Once such damage is done, it cannot be undone.
3. Road Safety and Increased Heavy Vehicle Traffic
The project will result in a significant increase in truck traffic along Old Cooma Road, posing a major safety risk to all road users, particularly children using local bus stops. Many students from our estate use these stops daily, and the presence of heavy vehicles dramatically increases the risk of serious accidents. Our local roads are not built to sustain the level of industrial traffic this project would generate.
4. Noise Pollution
The constant noise from quarry operations and truck movements will disrupt the peace and negatively affect the mental well-being of local residents. It will also disturb local fauna, impacting natural behaviour and potentially causing displacement of wildlife. This industrial noise will degrade the quality of life for people and animals in the area.
5. Decline in Property Values
Having invested in this community and made it our home for over ten years, we now face the prospect of significant property devaluation. The presence of a quarry in close proximity is a deterrent to potential buyers and will reduce the value of homes in the surrounding area, effectively punishing residents who have built their lives here.
6. Impact on Community and Liveability
The introduction of a quarry into this semi-rural and residential environment threatens the very essence of our community. The sense of safety, tranquillity, and health that has defined this area will be irrevocably altered. As a teacher and residents, we feel a responsibility to speak out on behalf of those—especially children—who may not have a voice in this process.
________________________________________
For all of the above reasons, we strongly oppose the Monaro Rock Quarry Project and urge the responsible authorities to reconsider and reject this proposal.
Sincerely,
Local School Teacher and Long-Term Residents

As a resident of the Tuggeranong region in the A.C.T. I am highly concerned about the negative impacts that this proposed development will have upon mine and my family’s health, safety and wellbeing. The increased traffic, noise, blasting, silica dust and pollution and the reduction in my property value are just some of the major factors as to why I object to this project. In our family we have people who have disabilities and asthma. I believe that this will have devastating effects upon our lives. Please, do not allow this project to proceed.

I dont wish the project to go ahead due to my health and wellbeing and that of my children and pets

As a Tuggeranong resident, I object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project due to its proximity to residential areas and the following concerns:
1. Noise pollution will disrupt daily life, learning or work environments.
2. An estimated 200 truck trips per day will increase congestion, heighten road safety risks, and strain local infrastructure.
3. Silica dust from quarry operations poses health risks to nearby homes, schools, and recreational areas.
4. Quarries have documented environmental impacts and locating one upstream from established communities presents substantial risks to the existing residents of Tuggeranong and the environment.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing in my capacity as a local member for Brindabella in the Australian Capital Territory on behalf of concerned constituents to provide comment on the proposal by Monaro Rock to build a quarry near Royalla, New South Wales.
I have received numerous representations from residents in South Tuggeranong and surrounding rural areas to the south of Canberra, who strongly oppose the establishment of a quarry as outlined in Monaro Rock’s Environmental Impact Statement.
While I have directed concerned constituents to make submissions through the NSW Government Planning Portal, the proximity of the proposed site, under three kilometres from residences in my electorate, and the likelihood that any access road would require use of ACT land, means the impact falls directly on Brindabella residents. I therefore wish to formally record the concerns my community has raised with me.

Air Quality
There is community concern about the long-term health impacts the quarry’s establishment could have on the residents of Tuggeranong, particularly around Theodore, Calwell, Isabella Plains, and the suburbs of the Lanyon Valley, primarily regarding the potential of human exposure to airborne silica dust, and the emission if benzene from the proposed asphalt plant on site. There is growing scientific evidence that the inhalation of silica dust can result in severe illnesses and disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, silicosis, kidney disease, and possibly auto-immune diseases. There is also evidence that benzene causes bone marrow failure and leukemia. Many of these diseases often can have a long latency, which means that symptoms and effects can take years to present.
These long-term effects are particularly concerning when considering the location of the proposed quarry. Any silica dust produced by the site could be compounded by the topography of the land between the proposed site and the residential areas of Tuggeranong. The mountain wind gap and Venturi effect because of the location Enchanted Hill, Tuggeranong Hill, and the Rob Roy Nature Reserve between the quarry and residents could cause exposure by silica dust to nearby residents.

Water Security
The proposed site as published in the EIS will discharge water into Tuggeranong Creek. Any heavy sediment from quarry operations that is discharged into the water would flow into Lake Tuggeranong, and eventually the Murrumbidgee River. When it rains, silica dust that has landed on the surrounding hills could turn into run off into Tuggeranong Creek and other water ways.
The Murrumbidgee River system already contends with declining rates of rainfall, lower moisture levels for local soil, and increased drought stress that has placed considerable pressure on the local environment. The Tuggeranong Creek has undergone re-naturalisation work in some sections over recent years in an effort to improve the water quality flowing into the Lake and River and increased sediment in the Creek will have an impact on the work that has already been done. These water ways are habitat for the Murray Cod, which is listed as vulnerable, the Trout Cod, which is listed as an endangered and totally protected species, and the Macquarie Perch, which is also an endangered and totally protected species.

Road Safety
Constituents have expressed worry to me about the significant safety risk the quarry could pose on ACT, and nearby NSW, motorists using the Monaro Highway corridor and surrounding roads. I understand that the current proposal will facilitate up to 200 additional truck journeys daily on the Monaro Highway, adding more congestion to an already busy arterial road.
This issue would be exacerbated by the extra stress placed on the Highway’s traffic during snow season, in which thousands of people travel south of Canberra on the Monaro Highway to the ski fields, which will take them past the proposed site and proposed intersection. The addition of high-volume quarry trucks has the potential to increase traffic incidents and pose further travel delays to residents who rely on the road daily as an arterial route.

Other concerns
In addition to the main concerns listed above, I have received further objections about the impact on local flora and fauna, bushfire risks to the project, the lack of true community benefit from the project, and any noise issues originating from the quarry’s proximity to residences and schools.

I trust that this information will be of use to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in the coming review.

Kind regards,
Caitlin Tough MLA
24 September 2025

1. Central flaws in the Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA)

The HHRA is presented as the basis for concluding health risks are “low.” However, its methodology and scope are insufficient and biased towards minimising impacts:

Restricted receptor focus – The HHRA concentrates on a small number of nearby NSW receptor points. It asserts that more distant locations will experience “smaller/lower” pollutant concentrations but provides no detailed modelling outputs to support this. The ACT, which contains dense residential suburbs, schools, hospitals, and aged-care facilities, is excluded from meaningful assessment. This is not scientifically or ethically defensible.

Lack of cross-border modelling – Prevailing winds often blow towards the ACT. Failing to model ACT receptors ignores a large exposed population. This omission is especially concerning given the ACT’s role as a health, education, and administrative centre, where vulnerable groups are concentrated.

Insufficient transparency – The HHRA does not provide continuous contour maps, gridded receptor results, or raw model outputs. Without these, the public cannot validate the claim that ACT exposures are negligible.

Over-reliance on operational controls – The HHRA assumes perfect, continuous functioning of dust suppression and management systems over 30 years. No sensitivity or failure analysis is provided for drought, strong winds, system breakdowns, or bushfire interactions. Real-world experience shows such controls degrade, fail, or are poorly enforced.

Narrow pollutant scope – The HHRA focuses on respirable crystalline silica and coarse dust but does not adequately consider PM2.5, diesel particulate matter, NOx, or cumulative pollutant exposures. Long-term public health impacts from fine particulates and combined pollutants are excluded.

No independent review – The assessment is proponent-funded and has not undergone independent epidemiological peer review. For a project of this scale and duration, independent public health review is essential.

In short: the HHRA’s narrow scope, lack of cross-border modelling, and assumption of perfect controls render its conclusions unreliable.

2. Public health significance

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS): Silica is a known cause of silicosis and lung cancer. Even low-level, long-term exposures can cause population-level health impacts.

PM2.5 and PM10: Chronic exposure is strongly linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Children, elderly people, and those with asthma or COPD are most vulnerable.

Cumulative exposure: A 30-year project timeframe means decades of low-level exposure that compounds over time.

Sensitive receptors: Canberra’s hospitals, aged-care facilities, and schools must be explicitly assessed. Excluding them is a breach of the precautionary principle and of public health due diligence.

3. Traffic, safety and amenity

The proposal involves extracting up to 1,000,000 tonnes per year, implying significant heavy-vehicle traffic:

At 30 tonnes per load: ≈ 91 loaded trips per day, or ≈ 180–200 two-way movements.

At 25 tonnes per load: ≈ 110 loaded trips per day, or ≈ 220 two-way movements.

Consequences include increased crash risk, road degradation, noise, diesel emissions, and safety risks to local and cross-border communities. The EIS does not adequately address ACT road networks that will carry quarry traffic, nor does it commit to binding upgrades or safety measures. The costs of road damage will fall on the public unless enforceable contributions are imposed.

4. Groundwater and ecological impacts

The quarry has potential to alter groundwater recharge and drawdown aquifers. Once groundwater regimes are changed, restoration is uncertain or impossible. The EIS relies on consultant models but does not provide independent hydrological review, baseline biomonitoring, or precautionary worst-case analysis. This creates a risk of irreversible ecological damage.

5. Cultural heritage

The Monaro region holds Aboriginal cultural sites and intangible heritage. The EIS does not demonstrate robust, independent engagement with Traditional Owners or credible avoidance strategies. Legally binding protections and independent monitoring are essential.

6. Cumulative and failure-mode risks

The EIS treats issues separately, but the real risk is cumulative: dust + diesel particulates + traffic + groundwater impacts + heritage loss = compounded harm. Failure-mode scenarios (e.g., dust suppression breakdown, extended drought, bushfire ash interactions) are omitted. These scenarios are plausible and must be assessed before approval.

7. Governance and cross-border fairness

Because the quarry is in NSW but downwind communities are in the ACT, excluding ACT receptors from modelling and consultation creates an unfair governance gap. ACT Health and environment agencies must be formally engaged. Current consultation is inadequate and inequitable.

8. Minimum requirements before any approval

If the project is not refused outright, the following are non-negotiable minimums:

Comprehensive cross-border HHRA – Include ACT receptors with detailed concentration contours and raw model outputs.

Independent peer review – Air quality modelling and health risk assessment reviewed by independent experts nominated by government.

Failure-mode analysis – Explicit scenarios for equipment failure, extended drought/wind events, and bushfire conditions.

Independent Health Impact Assessment – Conducted by public health specialists and reviewed by ACT and NSW health authorities.

Groundwater audit – Independent review plus long-term biomonitoring.

Binding monitoring and enforcement – Real-time, public air-quality data, enforceable suspension triggers, and financial bonds for remediation.

Traffic safety conditions – Daily truck limits, defined haul routes, full proponent funding for upgrades, and fatigue/safety measures.

Cultural heritage protections – Legally binding avoidance zones with Traditional Owner oversight.

Conclusion

The Monaro Rock Quarry project, as currently assessed, cannot be considered safe, fair, or scientifically robust. The HHRA’s exclusion of ACT communities, lack of transparency, and assumption of flawless controls fatally undermine its credibility. Given the scale (1,000,000 tonnes per annum for 30 years), the project represents a long-term public health, environmental, and cross-border governance risk.

I therefore request that the consent authority refuse the project. At minimum, determination should be deferred until an independent, comprehensive, cross-border HHRA and peer-reviewed Health Impact Assessment are completed and enforceable protections are in place.

Traffic on the Monaro hwy and in particular truck traffic, is already at dangerous levels due to design, construction and width and road surface

This road has seen multitude of deaths, serious accidents and we as locals live with an un- policed raceway on the Monaro hwy during winter that clogs the hwy with ski traffic and is dangerous to be on from 2 pm Friday until 8 pm Sunday the entire ski season
Adding more truck and construction traffic to this mix will result in death

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed concrete quarry near local schools, particularly given its proximity to my workplace, a public school. The location of the quarry presents significant health risks, especially for individuals like myself who are severely asthmatic.

As an asthmatic, I am deeply concerned about the dust pollution that would be generated by the quarry. My school does not have air conditioning, which means windows must remain open during warmer months to provide airflow and cool the classrooms. This unfortunately, makes us highly vulnerable to airborne pollutants, including dust from the quarry.

Concrete quarries release harmful dust, particularly silica dust, which poses serious health risks. For individuals with asthma, exposure to dust can trigger severe respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and nasal irritation. Inhaling these fine particles can cause airway inflammation and exacerbate chronic conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In addition, the presence of other toxic substances, such as lead and zinc, in quarry dust further heightens the risk to respiratory and overall health. Given the close proximity of the quarry to schools, the potential for widespread exposure is deeply troubling. Residents and students living and studying in this area would be at significant risk, particularly during periods of high dust activity, which could have long-term effects on their health and well-being.

I urge you to consider the impact that this quarry could have on vulnerable populations, including children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The health and safety of the community must be prioritized over industrial development, particularly when the risks are so clear and the consequences potentially life-threatening.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock quarry in Royalla. I have recently learned that, contrary to initial advice, it is not solely a blasting quarry but rather an industrial-scale operation which includes rock crushing, concrete recycling, and asphalt manufacturing.

The increase in traffic, particularly heavy trucks, will significantly affect residents of Royalla, Mount Pleasant, Fernleigh Park, Googong, and surrounding areas. Currently, navigating these roads for school and work involves considerable risk, and an escalation in traffic volume will only heighten these safety concerns. There are limited alternative routes available to bypass truck traffic. The infrastructure of rural residential roads near the proposed quarry site is not designed to accommodate large vehicles and is already in a state of disrepair; this already results to damage to vehicles, especially those with specialised wheels. Furthermore, increased truck presence on the major highway will add pressure to a route that already experiences a high incidence of accidents and fatalities due to challenging road conditions, adverse weather, limited visibility, and driver error. This will make the highway less accessible to local residents.

There is also an environmental impact associated with establishing a quarry in a residential area. The proposed development plans involve the removal of hectares of native vegetation, including Box Gum Grassy Woodland, which is classified as endangered, as well as habitat for hundreds of animal species. This will result in these animals moving into other built up residential areas and onto roads, increasing their exposure to vehicular traffic and loss of life.

Although they are claiming that dust levels will be maintained within "acceptable" limits, there remain concerns regarding the potential long-term health impacts, such as silicosis resulting from prolonged exposure. The possibility of dust contamination in water tanks and on properties raises important questions about responsibility for future medical expenses related to these health issues.

In light of these concerns, I urge the NSW Department of Planning to reject the Monaro Rock quarry proposal. The long-term costs to public health, environmental integrity, and community wellbeing far outweigh any short-term economic gains.

The Project would provide a reliable, long-term supply of high-quality construction materials to support infrastructure and housing development in the Queanbeyan-Palerang and ACT regions.

To whom it may concern
I, and my family, are members of the Royalla community and have lived there for over 25 years. During that time we have establish a home, grown a family and contributed to both Australia through service and to our local community. We oppose the proposed hard rock quarry at Enchanted Hill near Royalla. In addressing this need for this quarry let us make this quite clear; this is about making money! Not an altruistic venture to save NSW by providing hard rock products into NSW for expanding developments. For the few individuals whom speculated, brought protected land and proposed quarry, it means wealth; for the communities that live in the surrounding areas it means increased ecological damage, long term health issues, noise complaints and reduced resale house prices.
This submission outline our opposition to the proposed development of the following basis:
Environmental Issues and Protection Measures
Noise/blast impact at nearby residences (both in ACT and in NSW).
Visual impacts from external viewpoints.
Impact of the quarry's operation on local ground water supplies.
Erosion and sedimentation impacts on Dunns / Tuggeranong Creek during flow periods.
Air quality impacts to surrounding residents.
Impacts on flora and fauna habitats.
Impacts on archaeology and heritage.
Impact of heavy vehicle traffic.
Socio-economic impacts.
None of the environmental protection measures proposed into the future quarry development plans or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) meet, or exceed, community expectations or really legislative requirements, and often override pre existing Federal and State legislative mandates applied to the land in question. I note that while the initial 2023 submission only covered a quarry, the latest submission discusses concrete batching plant and asphalt manufacturing plant, these additions greatly increase the scope, complexity and likelihood of issues with the surrounding community.
Our opposition to this quarry is based on issues that will affect our family; these are discussed in detail below.
Noise and Blasting
Noise from loaded truck movements along the Quarry entry road onto the Monaro Highway will be considerable noting the frequency detailed in the submitted EIS . This document notes that movements will be, on average 8 truck movements per day (4 return truck movements) initially; however other areas of the Development Application indicate the intent to raise this to over 500 movement per week with an average of 93 truckloads per day ( or on load every 4 minutes approx). This level of traffic will introduce high levels of noise into the local environment.
The location of the quarry site in relation to the nearest residences, (1.2 km from the quarry), and frequent blasting as identified within the proposal EIS (min twice weekly initially (Humphreys, 2025) see table 1), did not provide for either a noise assessment from this blasting nor a vibration (via underground rock formations) impact to nearby residents. Our experience with the Williamsdale Quarry is the hills surrounding Royalla are interconnected and thus noise and vibrations are clearly transmitted this rock layer. Every blast will be experienced by residences in and around the Quarry.
Traffic
As identified in the noise section, truck movements between the quarry site and the Monaro Highway are planned to commence at 8 per day increasing to 500 per week once the quarry is fully established. This figure however was only for the hard rock quarry, not for the expanded concrete and asphalt batching plants that have now crept into proposal. Additionally the proposed road junction is nearing the peak of a hill that has seen more than its fair share of traffic accidents. With truck accidents in high fog conditions occurring at least 5 times since 2018 with nine fatalities in the local area during high traffic periods. The downhill section of this road is considered a Black Spot by Transport NSW.
The Monaro Highway is used by local, commercial and holiday traffic in high numbers, especially during the ski season. The addition of slow moving, heavily loaded vehicles, in a known accident zone defies belief. This will greatly increase the possibility of accidents while trucks are leaving the site and entering the highway. The ingress and egress of heavy vehicles in the proposed volumes will place additional risk to myself and my family every time we use that stretch of road.
Visual
The proposed quarry is to be situated approx. 2.2 km from Theodore (ACT) and 1.2km from properties in Royalla (NSW) in hilly undulating terrain with intervening grasslands and vegetation patches. While the quarry itself may be obscured (yet to be advised or determined), the quarry access road will be visible from the highway itself for some length. The submitted EIS indicates that the access road will be gravel and sided by colour bond fencing. The proposed level of vehicle movements cannot but generate large volumes dust, and the provision of fencing will not limit visual impacts of both the fencing and dust saturation to the surrounding vegetation.
Extensive dust mitigation to occur to prevent large dust plumes, especially during summer. The nearest residents will be subject to dust plumes and dust blowing into their environment during dry periods from the proposed traffic movements. Dust movement calculations are estimated at 17.5km, this means all communities will be drastically effected by this issue.
Water Management and Erosion Control
The area of the proposed quarry is hilly and feeds into Rocky Creek and Tuggeranong Creek. Measures to reduce the potential for soil erosion include minimising the area to be disturbed at any one time and maintaining an effective water management system and sediment control dams are critical to stop pollution along Rocky Creek and into the ACT. While rainfall charts of the area show relatively low water volumes this is not necessarily the case, with infrequent water flows of up to 60mm over short periods of time. Due to the hilly nature of the proposed location, it is likley that these events that will overcome proposed mitigations and cause major issues downstream for the ACT.
The proposed ground water usage will also have a major impact of surrounding properties due to the commercial usage of below ground water. Local resident are capped at 750K litres of water usage per annum, the Quarry proposes water usage of approx. 24M litres. This level of usage will lower the water table on surrounding properties and may impact the entire Royalla valley. I also note that during the 2017 – 2020 drought that many bores and dams dried up completely with server impact on local fauna and flora and land owners.
Flora, Fauna and Archaeology
Royalla and its surrounds contains Endangered Ecological Communities (Bushfire & Environmental Services, 2008) which are covered by protected listings at the State and Federal levels. This proposal included over riding these protections and further degrades and fragments these communities. This is intolerable in this day and age and we should protect our biodiversity when possible; this is one of times.
Air Quality
Dust and fumes will be generated by the proposed activities on the Quarry site from quarrying activities such as blasting, processing and transport activities. These dust plumes, micro solids and fumes can and will travel large distances despite the proposed mitigations. The recent banning of engineered solid and composite rock table tops, and identified link to Silica exposure issues cannot be disputed. The long term risk of exposure to these products must be considered and given the possible number of people that could be exposed (up to 49,000 ACT & NSW) the liability in the event of this occurring must also be considered. For myself and my family I consider this risk too great and the only sensible option is to deny approval in this location and shift it to one out of the densely populated area, not slab bang in the middle of one.
Project Justification
While perhaps not a key point the justification to allow this to be on economic, social and environmental grounds I question the need for this to be a State Significant Development (and thus bypass local Council controls and regulations). From a socio-economic perspective the operation will not be a new, rather it will be supplemented through the displacement of the current team in Canberra with the extant workforce already existing, this is applicable for both on site staff and transportation drivers.
The argument that insufficient resources exist locally also needs to be questioned. The figures used to determine the need for a new quarry were based on the exit year of Covid lockdown (i.e. not a normal period) and subject to an artificial usage rate. A review of two of the local quarries annual reports shows that one was running at 40% of capacity and the other below this figure. Both reported in excess of 15 years of operation left at higher levels of operation. These reports inform that there is no lack of capacity in the current approved quarries.
Lastly, the perceived benefits to NSW are also in question; while there may well be some jobs created in NSW this is at a loss in ACT. As there is no large scale, construction projects planned for the Queanbeyan Palerang Council area one can only surmise that the rock, concrete and asphalt product produced by this quarry would be used in the ACT minimising any benefit to NSW.
From any environmental perspective, the operation could well destroy critical flora and in the event of issues at the site invite ecological issues into ACT via Tuggeranong Creek with flow-on into the Murrumbidgee River and possibly the Burrinjuck Dam.
Conclusion. I strongly oppose this development.
References:
1. (Bushfire & Environmental Services, 2008)
2. Humphreys, M. (2025). Fromble Corp Pty Ltd. Flyrock Assessment, Bardon Qld.