Monaro Rock Quarry Project

Replacing withdrawn previous submission SUB-93638967.
I offer the following to support my objection.

Social Impact
My husband and I, living in Canberra at the time, began searching for rural property to purchase in 1997, we knew exactly what we wanted and were prepared to wait for however long it took to get ‘the one’. That wait took 5 years, we completed building and moved to Royalla in 2004.
We sought the rural amenity and lifestyle to provide the ideal rejuvenation from the pressures of our working situations. In the 21 years since, our idyllic surroundings have proven to hold the additional benefits of enjoying the native wildlife in abundance, outstanding neighbours, a clean, unpolluted and healthy atmosphere and a generally peaceful, quiet existence in a comfortable rural setting.
Those sources of unique pleasure have been severely threatened by this proposal to destroy prime land of the highest conservation value and transform it into a large heavy industrial estate, in far too close proximity to so many residential dwellings. The many serious issues accompanying this proposal will ensure that so much of our lifestyle will be seriously impacted by threats to our health, potable water contamination, noise, blasting shock, dust pollution, groundwater depletion, the irrefutable devaluation of our sole property asset and the unwarranted willful destruction of our peaceful and enviable surroundings generally.

Project Need
It is my understanding that the 4 quarries currently operating within relatively close proximity to the proposal who supply the same product to the Canberra regions consumers of aggregates are completely capable of operating at their present or increased capacity to meet the demands of their product over this proposals estimated 30-year lifespan. This proposal benefits no one other than the Applicant despite the glossy sales pitch claiming otherwise.
I make no apology for appearing ungrateful at the prospect of so many ‘benefits’ presenting themselves, trivialising the many valid concerns I have whilst facing the ominous prospect of spending our remaining days living next door to a large scale heavy industrial plant set squarely in otherwise peaceful, idyllic rural surroundings.

Air Quality
The project will produce an unacceptable risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica exposure which has been covered by my husband’s submission. I don’t wish to have to wear respiratory protection when venturing outdoors.
We will be subjected to air pollution not presently experienced. The proposed asphalting plant will produce and emit an obnoxious stench 24/7, impossible to contain. The proposed concrete batching plant can also produce hydrogen sulphide emissions as an unavoidable byproduct, again uncontainable.
This project will produce higher levels of dust pollution than those generated by the Williamsdale quarry due to being sited upwind of most Royalla residents who will be affected by the prevailing winds much of the time. We are aware of concerns regarding incessant dust exposure to residents in Southern Royalla. We do not wish to experience the issue which will prove worse than theirs.

Human Health
It is beyond doubt winds will carry Respirable Crystalline Silica far from the project site, contaminating many households. The person responsible for a decision on this project must consider the danger associated with this product of utmost importance. It is now seen as ‘the new Asbestos’ and must be regarded similarly.
The Bureau of Meteorology website reveals that wind data records NW winds as the most prevalent in the district.
Given our home is located a relatively short distance and directly Southeast of the proposed site, we will be impacted for much of the time by breathable contamination, also affecting our roof harvested potable water supply by additional dust contamination and potentially lethal pollution.

We, in common with every other homeowner in Royalla, do not have access to reticulated town water supply with no prospect of ever being connected. We depend solely on roof harvesting and tank collection to provide our potable water, whatever settles on our roof is consumed by us. This will also result in additional sludge levels in the water tank.

It is inexcusable subjecting so many people to the lethal threat of Silicosis following airborne Respirable Crystalline Silica exposure and the associated pollution severely affecting our sole potable water supply.

Noise
The noise generated by large capacity powerful crushing plant will not mimic that of an operating air conditioning compressor as has been suggested by Monaro Rock, nor will the heavy machinery and trucks required to transport the product on and out of the site blend unnoticed with the tranquillity and ambience of the surrounds that presently exist.
Due to our close proximity to the plant site, we will suffer the adverse effects of heavy and harsh noise pollution which have never existed where we have lived for 21 years.
The applicant has stated the plant will be operational for 6 days per week, Monday to Saturday, with the hours of operation being 0600 hrs – 1800 hrs, with transportation of product scheduled to commence at 0500 hrs on the days of operation. Clearly, the degree of harsh noise being generated for so much time is unacceptable.

Biodiversity
The detail of the most important aspect of this proposal.

I understand that the proposal is to be located on land with a zoning classification determined by the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022 as C2 and RU2.
Lands classified as C2 and RU2 are accompanied by a significant number of important objectives.

The objectives of C2 Zoning – Environmental Conservation are:
1. To protect, manage and restore areas of high ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values.
2. To prevent development that could destroy, damage or otherwise have an adverse effect on those values.
3. To protect threatened species and rivers, creeks and gully ecosystems within Queanbeyan.
4. To identify and protect escarpment areas that enhance the visual amenity of Queanbeyan and possess special aesthetic or conservational value.
5. To protect water quality by preventing inappropriate development within catchment areas.

The objectives of RU2 Zoning – Rural Landscape are:
1. To encourage sustainable primary industry production by maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base.
2. To maintain the rural landscape character of the land.
3. To provide for a range of compatible land uses, including extensive agriculture.

On 17 July 2024, the NSW Government released its Plan for Nature in response to the reviews conducted last year into the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) and the native vegetation land clearing provisions of the Local Land Services Act 2013.
To support ongoing improvements to native vegetation management on private land, the NSW Government says it will strengthen prescriptions in the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code and implement a new monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework.

In summary, the planned reforms will:
1. Introduce a nature positive approach that will set nature on a path to recovery.
2. Acknowledge the intrinsic relationship between biodiversity and Aboriginal culture.
3. Set out short, medium and long-term priority actions to improve biodiversity protections and land management practices.
4. Set the direction to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and support environmental repair and regeneration.
5.Introduce the NSW Nature Strategy to guide actions to protect, restore and enhance ecosystems and landscapes.

Very clearly, this proposal contravenes not only the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022, but the New South Wales Government’s recently released reforms as well as one of their more important election promises.

I understand that SSD status may overrule laws and the objectives of these documents if Monaro Rock's glossy spiel seems too great an opportunity to let pass, but these objectives are in place for very good reason and must not be dismissed to accommodate the personal objectives of a very few individuals. This proposal will destroy the habitat of an alarming amount of endemic fauna and flora by circumventing laws and NSW Government Local Environmental Plans created to prevent such willful destruction occurring. This simply cannot occur.

Transport
Initial Issued SEARs on 29 Sept. 2021 states no more than 150 trucks per day will be considered, raised to 200 trucks per day on 18 Aug. 2023 in their extension application, remaining at 200 per day on 13 Aug. 2025 in a further request of timeframe for SEARs.

Monaro Rock’s ‘EIS Community Summary’ again dated Aug. 2025, states ‘’The Project would generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, including haulage trucks and concrete dispatch vehicles.’’
Issued SEARs as recently as 13 August 2025, do not reference the practical figure of 500 heavy vehicle movements per day Monaro Rock are now telling the community. Either way, the adjudicator must determine whether 200 or 500 additional heavy vehicle movements will present as a serious danger to drivers using the Monaro Highway. I cannot stress strongly enough that I believe this proposal will result in an indeterminate, but alarming number of serious Motor Vehicle Accidents occurring, which will be directly attributable to this project. I base this on witnessing the unacceptable driving habits of far too many who currently use the highway without the additional hazards this proposal will bring.

Dear Planning Authority,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed quarry development due to its severe and unacceptable impacts on the environment, public health, and local community.

The project poses an immediate threat to the environment. It will destroy 22.44 hectares of critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland—a vital habitat for over 30 species of flora and fauna. The quarry would also extract up to 42.4 million litres of groundwater annually, reducing flows in local watercourses that lead to Tuggeranong and risking widespread pollution from equipment washing and concrete recycling. The groundwater in this region is already depleted with individual property based bores already limitied/not allowed so why is this type of water use even being considered.

The quarry will significantly harm our community, especially through increased traffic and congestion. The project is projected to generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, creating a major safety hazard on the Monaro Highway and other local roads. This influx of heavy vehicles will cause significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak season like the winter ski season, when traffic volumes on the Monaro Highway are already at their highest.

The community also risks suffering from respirable silica dust, which poses known and serious health risks, not to mention the persistent odours from hot mix asphalt production. Blasting will cause noise and vibrations, and the project's high energy demands could lead to brownouts damaging household appliances. This industrial operation is completely inappropriate for a residential area with 49,000 people living within 10 km, a population projected to grow to 69,000.

Finally, the project is economically and culturally unjustified. On-site surveys have found culturally significant Indigenous artifacts, including ring and scar trees, which would be destroyed by the development. Furthermore, there is no economic need for a new quarry, as four existing quarries within 30 km have the capacity to meet demand for over 100 years. Why is another one even being considered?

In conclusion, this proposal is a direct threat to our environment, health, and cultural heritage, with no clear economic justification. I urge you to reject this development.

The submission mentions criteria that would make the project unacceptable and the proposed Monaro Highway access is not identified as a project cancelling criteria. I strongly believe that this project should not proceed if the Monaro Highway access is not granted as the fall back access using the Old Cooma Road would cause unacceptable disruption to the community. I believe there is no case for “ light vehicle “ access via Old Cooma Road and in their first public meeting the project believed that this access would be an alternative truck access. The issues surrounding Silicosis and near proximity of two existing quarries means the potential for silica exposure is high . I would like to see a truly independent assessment of the need for this project to be undertaken by appropriate researchers who are not contracted by the project developers. With 2 hard rock quarries so close to the proposed project all potential expansion of existing sources should be explored by someone other than the project developers.

See attachment

I write to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Royalla on the basis of significant and unacceptable environmental, social, and health impacts. While I recognise the need for construction materials, this project poses long-term risks that outweigh any short-term economic benefit.

1. Increased Truck Traffic

The quarry will substantially increase heavy vehicle movements along local roads that are not designed for sustained high-volume quarry traffic. This will:
• Create road safety risks for residents, school buses, cyclists, and general traffic.
• Accelerate road surface damage and require ongoing taxpayer-funded maintenance.
• Increase greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from diesel exhaust.

The Royalla and surrounding region already experiences congestion and rural road stress. Adding quarry trucks—potentially hundreds per day—will only amplify the risk of accidents and reduce community safety.

2. Dust Impacts (Including Silica Dust)

Quarrying generates fine particulate matter, including crystalline silica dust, which is a known carcinogen. Even at low concentrations, long-term exposure poses serious health risks including silicosis, chronic lung disease, and cancer. Residents in the immediate and downwind areas will be subjected to continuous dust fallout, which no mitigation system can fully eliminate.

The region’s winds will carry dust over residential areas, small farms, and natural habitats. This represents an unacceptable health hazard, particularly for children, elderly residents, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

3. Noise Impacts

The ongoing operation of blasting, crushing, loading, and truck movements will generate a persistent noise burden for local communities. Unlike temporary construction works, this project would impose industrial-level noise over decades.

Noise pollution degrades quality of life, disrupts sleep, and has documented links to increased stress, cardiovascular issues, and mental health impacts. The tranquil rural character of Royalla will be irreversibly altered.

4. Impacts on Flora and Fauna

The project footprint will clear and disturb habitat used by native species, some of which may be threatened or vulnerable. Quarrying fragments ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and contributes to cumulative environmental degradation in the region.

The disturbance from blasting, vehicle activity, and light pollution will displace local wildlife. Once habitats are destroyed, they cannot be easily restored.

5. Long-Term, Irreversible Change

Unlike other developments, quarry operations scar the land permanently. Even after rehabilitation, the altered landscape rarely supports the same ecological or social values. Residents have chosen Royalla for its rural amenity, and this project threatens to replace that with industrial-scale extraction and disruption.

Conclusion

The Monaro Rock Quarry represents a significant and avoidable risk to public health, community amenity, road safety, and the natural environment. The proposal fails to demonstrate that the benefits justify the cumulative and long-lasting impacts on local residents and ecosystems.

For these reasons, I strongly object to the project and urge the Department of Planning to refuse approval.

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 traffic will be horrendous with to many trucks. There are all ready multiple quarry’s in the area.
The dust and silica issue is of great concern. I’m a tradie and know first hand how many lives are affected by silica dust in the trade industry. I also know that they have said that they can contain silica with water. Which leads to next problem if drought or Bore water is to be use so the. locals will be short on water under ground tables.
It also only takes one truck driver to forget to do the water truck or not Secure a load properly. Ie human error which could have catastrophic effect on the locals in the area.
We moved to the country for Clean country living for our kids to grow and experience country life. The rules of our houses will be covered in dust, which then we will be drinking

Formal Objection to Proposed Hardrock Quarry and industrial Site at Royalla NSW

Objection Lodged by: Mrs Sandra Bennett, 38 Redbox Place Royalla NSW 2620

To: NSW Environment and Planning Minister

I strongly object to this development of this project on the following grounds;

1. Destruction of Rural Ambience

I have lived in Royalla for 21 years and moved here to raise my family and enjoy the quiet and unspoilt rural farming community. I am shocked and disappointed to learn that this proposed development is even being considered. This will destroy the rural peacefulness and ambience of Royalla, and I do not wish to see this large scale industrial site approved in any capacity.

2. Zoning Conflict

I understand the current zoning for the site is RU2 and C2. The proposed industrial development is clearly prohibited under these zoning categories. These zoning categories are put in place to protect out native flora and fauna and should not be disregarded. As a former teacher, I know the significance of environmental conservation in the curriculum and to the next generation. We need to be good role models and act appropriately to protect our local native species of both plants and animals before it is ruined.

3. Environmental Impact

This development is nothing short of a complete environmental disaster and would destroy critically endangered Boxgum grassy woodland and directly negatively impact wildlife currently on the proposed site. On this basis alone the industrial development should not proceed.

Wider environmental impacts also include dangerous and unacceptable air pollution from silica dust, noise from blasting and equipment operations six days a week.

In addition, this will result in a massive increase in truck movements of over 500, plus per day, onto either the Monaro highway or Old Cooma Rd, both of which are unacceptable and unwarranted. This stretch of highway in front of Royalla has already seen multiple fatalities and dozens of serious car and truck accidents over the past 20 years alone. This development will only cause an increase in these accidents and place Royalla residents at direct risk of accidents when entering and exiting the Monaro Highway. Two of my grandchildren live on the property with us and I fear the increased traffic burden will increase their risk of injury or worse, twice daily as they are driven to and from school in Calwell. Not to mention the hazardous risk on the rest of our family every time we use the highway, which is daily.

I understand the traffic studies were deliberately conducted at times of low traffic flow, during covid lockdown and school holidays, rendering the traffic impact assessment studies misleading and inaccurate. You only need to travel at any time during snow season to see the high traffic use (kilometers of bumper to bumper traffic travelling north and south) on the highway which was not included in this traffic study.

4. Existing Quarry

Royalla residence already suffer from an existing Quarry at Williamsdale, impinging directly on our southern Boundary which is only 2.5 km from our home. We already experience blasting noise, dust, daily voltage dips causing breaker trips and unsightly dirt overburden dirt piles visible from our home. We don't want any more unsightly, noisy and dusty quarries near our home.

5. Direct Health impact

I already struggle with respiratory breathing problems due to the early onset of Parkinsons disease. This concern is high on my list as more dust will only cause me more difficulty with breathing. Toxins are well documented as causes and effects in Parkinsons disease. By living in this rural environment, I have done my best to eliminate as many toxins entering my body as possible. Our home is in a highly elevated part of Royall which experiences high winds from all directions every day. Silica dust particles will be carried in the air, settling on our roof and washing into our water tanks every time it rains. As part of my neurology physiotherapy, I walk four to five km each day around Royalla, and I am very concerned about the effects the silica dust in the air will have on my ability to breathe. I already use an asthma prevention inhaler, which is not always effective and can often cough to a point where I cannot breathe. I worry that the silica dust from the quarry will make the management of this even more difficult.

6. Increased Stress

Life is hard enough without facing the increased stress of this proposed development. Not only am I stressed about my own health, I worry that the constant exposure to silica dust to my grandchildren at home and school, will have an adverse effect on their health in the future.

7. Quarry Capacity Justification

Existing quarries at Williamsdale, Mugga Lane and Queanbeyan (Old Cooma Road) quarries are operating well below capacity. The area simply doesn’t need another Quarry. Any suggestion that this quarry is economically significant to NSW is ludicrous. The future health burden on doctors and hospitals alone would cancel out any possible economic gains.


Regards

Sandra Bennett

Please find attached a submission outlining my strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Enchanted Hill.

This project poses significant risks to our community — including heavy truck traffic, dust and silica exposure, destruction of critically endangered habitat, and long-term impacts on water resources and amenity. It will affect not just Royalla, but the broader region and, for ACT recipients, commuters and residents across Canberra.

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.

Please see attached

I am writing to you today to voice my strong objections to the proposed quarry. I am writing as a mother, wife and member of a community I have been part of for over 20 years.
I realise quarries have and will continue to have a part in our daily lives, however it would be negligent of me not to stand up and fight knowing what I now know about the affects of mining on our fragile planet.
I have always doubted my one voice would make a difference, but I sincerely hope that as a collective, myself, my community, and you, our elected officials, can and will make a difference by saying NO to Monaro Rock and their proposed quarry.

My family chose to move to Royalla because of its fantastic location, 12 minutes from Calwell ACT, yet completely surrounded by hills and valleys with a great view of the Brindabella mountains.
The commute into town was also a big consideration and it remains so today. We need to travel in at least twice a day for school pickup/drop off, and more frequently for other errands.
When we first moved here, the Monaro Highway was an easy run into Calwell and the Old Cooma Road, heading to Queanbeyan, was hardly used. That is no longer true, but it is still manageable. I fear the extra proposed traffic will make it not only unmanageable, but also dangerous.
The Monaro Highway is becoming a heavily travelled road, with more and more people choosing to live rurally. It also has its share of trucks using this road for transport. In winter it is particularly hazardous, with the addition of thousands of cars coming from and going to the snow. On any given Sunday between June and October the snow traffic heading back toward Canberra can have me stuck at the T-intersection on the Monaro Highway for 10 minutes or more. Then, once on, I get about three kilometres and the traffic starts slowing due to congestion at the roundabout at Calwell, nine kilometres away. This road would become truly dangerous with the addition of 500 quarry trucks trying to turn onto it, even outside of snow season. Even with the addition of an acceleration lane there is no way a fully laden quarry truck can get up to 100km/ph in the gaps provided by traffic. I believe it will become dangerous, if not deadly, 500 slow moving vehicles per day will cause havoc on that highway.
The portion of the Monaro highway between Old Cooma Road and the Calwell roundabout is, for the most part, hilly and windy, and the number of absolutely stupid acts of overtaking on blind corners, completely ignoring the unbroken lines that I have seen drivers do over the past few years is mind boggling. These quarry trucks are going to exacerbate this stupidity due to their slowness and frequency, and I do not want to be travelling a road that puts my life and that of my family at risk for the sake of a quarry. Another thing to consider is the rapid deterioration of the road with the addition of these trucks. The Monaro sustains severe damage, in the form of potholes, with the current amount of heavy vehicles traversing it. I cannot imagine the damage the additional trucks will cause, and I cannot see the quarry compensating me for damages sustained to my car when there are too many holes to avoid.
Having said all that, the Old Cooma Road has me more concerned. It is a single lane, narrow, windy road with a 100km speed limit. Once a quiet road, it has become busy due to the opening of suburbs like Little Burra, Mount Campbell, Burabella and a huge community at Googong. Not to mention all the people who reside directly off Old Cooma Road.
Even if the ACT grant permission for Monaro Rock to pop a road directly onto the Monaro highway, this will take years to complete, and for that time they will need to use Old Cooma Road for access. This road was not built for the kind of heavy traffic/vehicles proposed by the quarry. Given Monaro Rock is seeking a 30 year licence, I can’t see Old Cooma Road being maintained to an acceptable standard or in an acceptable timeframe. In fact I fear it will be under constant maintenance with decreased speed limits due to never ending roadworks, which will also cause annoyance and impatience. I can only imagine the additional time it would take me to get into Calwell or Queanbeyan with this added congestion, however I can safely say it will be much greater than the current 15 minutes.
Anyone who has lived out here for any period of time and travelled these roads daily, will tell you this will become dangerous very quickly, due to speed and impatience, leading to silly mistakes with deadly consequences.
Also of concern is the narrowing of the road, over time, due to slippage of the edge, caused by trucks having to move over to accommodate each other on the narrow road. Another issue is drivers slowing down considerably as they are not comfortable with trucks coming the other way, especially if they need to move over for them. All of this increases the risk of potentially serious accidents.
Another major concern is the noise from the blasting. Our home is 4.5 kms from the proposed sight.
We did not move out of the suburbs to rural acreage to hear rock blasting from a quarry, or 500 trucks per day using their compression breaks while traveling along Old Cooma Road.
We moved here for the ability to decompress, and to leave the chaos and noise of town behind. Surely if I have to seek my neighbours permission to erect a dwelling, Monaro Rock would need to seek ours (as a community), for what they propose to do?
In addition to noise pollution, clearing a site for a quarry is an uncontionable act against the environment.
If allowed, the quarry will destroy over 100 hectares of land within a few kilometres of thousands of NSW and ACT residents. This land is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, some of which are endangered. Not to mention what an awful scab on the hillside a blasting quarry would be. If I wanted to see that, I would have moved to Broken Hill or Coober Pedy. It seems the options are endless in Australia if i wanted to live near a mining facility! Therefore I am asking, when is enough, enough?
Aren’t the two quarries already operating within 10kms of Royalla - Holcim and Heidelberg - sufficient? How many quarries are needed in one area? Just because we are not as heavily populated as a city, and our voices are fewer, we all moved out here to enjoy a certain lifestyle. This lifestyle is being continually threatened by allowing a few people to dictate what happens in the lives of thousands.
I would also like to understand how the dust and other toxins generated by the quarry are going to affect the people living in the area. The environmental reports say the dust will not effect homes outside a one kilometre radius, but having lived here for 20 years, I can say without a doubt that the wind speeds out here are much higher than indicated in the report and blow from non-conventional directions. Using a weather station 8kms away, located in a suburb stuck in a valley in Tuggeranong ACT, is not an indicator of wind speeds and directions on a hillside in Royalla. There is no way we will avoid the very dangerous silica dust at a distance of 4.5kms.
As a breast cancer survivor I do not want anything to potentially threaten my remission, and given the proven toxicity of silica dust, and its link to various cancers, I am outraged at the thought of some corporation being allowed to build a facility that will release toxins into the air in a residential setting. Frankly I am angry that I have to put my health in the hands of a report that says the dust will not reach me. Who will be telling the dust about the invisible 1km barrier that it is not allowed to breach?
Also of concern is the water Monaro Rock is proposing to use annually to help combat the dust issue - Up to 42.4 million litres of extracted groundwater. I cannot fathom this amount of water being wasted on dust suppression. Water is a finite resource and nobody can say when it will run out. However the affects of its slowing can already be seen in downstream towns, where traditional high water consumption crops have been replaced by other, more drought tolerant crops, due to the drastic drop in the water availability. So let me ask you, how can anyone justify using so much water on dust - not drinking, not watering stock, not showering, not keeping crops alive, but dust suppression. I can assure you, no one in this area who has had to buy water due to lack of rain, or watched their garden die because our dams are empty, will be able to reconcile it being poured onto the ground at a quarry we did not ask for and do not want.
I am certain the submission provided by Monaro Rock talks extensively about the importance of this quarry going forward and what benefits it will provide. It may even explain why we need a 5th quarry within a radius of 30 kms, but I am not sure if it talks about the first resident, who backs up to the quarry boundary on Mates Road, or the 49,000 other residents who reside within 10 kms of its door. What I can say with absolute certainty is that Monaro Rock does not talk about me, my husband, my three children or my six grandchildren, who love coming out to “the farm” to swim and ride bikes and enjoy the fresh air. It does not mention how our lives will be effected each and every day by their quarry.
If this quarry goes ahead, every pro-planet decision I have made in the last 20 years - solar panels, solar hot water, electric cars, water saving shower heads, drought tolerant plants, minimal watering - will be negated a hundred-fold instantly.
Please don’t allow that to occur. Please make a decision I can be proud of to share with my children and grandchildren - a decision that proves that one voice does, actually, matter.

I would like to object to the Monaro quarry project on a number of grounds.
Firstly I am deeply concerned about the dust carried from the quarry many miles around the local area. This dust will contaminate local water supplies and as a family living with severe respiratory illnesses we do not want additional pollutants in our air. The quarry will cause additional pollution from machinery clean downs and concrete being recycled on site.
Secondly, the locality of the quarry to residential areas. Nearly 50,000 people, including children and babies, live within 10km of the site, all who will deeply affected by the noise, extra traffic and polluted air.
Lastly, on the grounds of biodiversity, the area proposed to be cleared covers nearly 78 square hectares of wood and grasslands which are homes to many species of flora and fauna.
The development of this site would have a massive negative impact on local lives and health.

I have attached a statement objecting to the Monaro rock quarry project on a number of grounds.

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.

As discussed with Carl Dumpleton on 15 Sept 25 I would like this submission to replace submission number SSD-27223807. I mistakenly wrote my address, Gmail and phone number in the original submission. I do not want this information provided to the applicant or public forum. I'm happy to have my name and suburb released. I have attached my submission as a pdf to ensure formatting is maintained.
Additionally some more information is provided in this attachment so please disregard the original submission. Sorry for the additional work this has created.

I write to register my strong objection to the proposed Monaro Quarry at Enchanted Hill. After reviewing the project details and environmental assessments, I believe the development would have significant and unacceptable impacts on our community, environment, and cultural heritage. My key concerns are outlined below.
1. Biodiversity Loss
The project will clear approximately 22.4 hectares of critically endangered Box–Gum woodland and a total of 77.83 hectares of native vegetation, destroying habitat for more than 300 species of native flora and fauna.
Such destruction directly conflicts with state and federal biodiversity conservation objectives.
2. Traffic and Safety
The quarry is expected to generate around 300 vehicle movements per day, including numerous heavy dispatch trucks on the Monaro–Cooma Road.
This will increase noise, road wear, and the risk of accidents on a route already used by local commuters and school buses.
3. Dust and Air Quality
Operations will release fine particulates, including respirable silica dust, posing serious health risks such as respiratory illness for nearby residents.
Dust will also settle on homes, gardens, rainwater tanks, and solar panels, creating ongoing maintenance and contamination issues.
4. Odour and Blasting
Proposed hot-mix asphalt production will create persistent industrial odours.
Regular blasting will generate noise, vibration, and additional dust, disrupting the amenity and wellbeing of nearby households.
5. Electricity Reliability
Heavy industrial activity can cause brownouts or surges, risking damage to household appliances and electrical equipment in surrounding suburbs.
6. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Surveys have already identified culturally modified ring and scar trees, as well as other Indigenous artefacts and archaeological deposits.
Proceeding would risk irreversible damage to these irreplaceable cultural sites.
7. Water Use and Pollution Risk
The quarry would extract up to 42.4 million litres of groundwater annually for dust suppression and asphalt/concrete production.
This threatens flows in neighbouring watercourses that feed into the Tuggeranong catchment.
On-site concrete recycling and equipment washing create a serious risk of chemical contamination.
8. Economic and Community Considerations
Four existing quarries within 30 km already have capacity to meet regional demand for more than 100 years.
The proposed site lies within 10 km of around 49,000 residents, a number projected to grow—placing thousands of families in the immediate impact zone for little demonstrated economic benefit.

While I appreciate the need for construction materials, the environmental, cultural, health, and social costs of this proposal far outweigh any potential benefits. Sustainable alternatives exist through current quarry capacity without sacrificing endangered ecosystems or the wellbeing of our community.
Having to face such a proposal in 2025 is an absolute disgrace. I therefore respectfully request that the Monaro Quarry proposal be refused.

I wish to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry development.

As someone who has a deep personal connection to the Monaro region, I am gravely concerned about the long-term environmental, social, and community impacts of this project. The Monaro is not just a landscape — it is a way of life. It is a place where silence still has value, where native grasslands stretch across rolling hills, and where communities are built on trust, connection, and respect for the land. This quarry threatens to tear into that, quite literally.

The Monaro is home to delicate ecosystems and endangered native species. Blasting and excavation will permanently scar this unique landscape. Dust, noise, and vibration will disrupt local fauna, and could have significant negative impacts on water tables and creeks that sustain both wildlife and agriculture. This project risks irreversible environmental degradation for what is ultimately a short-term commercial gain.

The Monaro is one of the last truly quiet, untouched rural communities in New South Wales. The introduction of heavy truck traffic, industrial noise, and dust will destroy the tranquility that residents — many of whom have lived here for generations — have fought to preserve. Families did not choose to live here expecting an industrial site next door. The quarry will irreparably change the character of this community.

Dust from quarry operations has well-documented impacts on human health, particularly for children and the elderly. The increased truck movements pose real risks to road safety on rural roads not designed for heavy freight. Our emergency services are already stretched — this development would only place further strain on a fragile system.

The visual intrusion of a large quarry will damage the heritage value of the region. The Monaro is renowned for its open, unspoiled views and cultural history. This quarry would be a scar on a landscape that holds significance not only for locals but for all Australians who understand the value of our rural heartlands.

I urge the Department of Planning to listen to the community. This is not just about one project — it is about setting a precedent for how we value rural Australia, its people, and its land.

Please reject the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal. It does not align with the principles of sustainable development or community-led planning.

Sincerely,
Isabelle O’Toole

I am writing this submission against the proposed quarry to be situated near my home in Royalla.
I am extremely concerned about the impact such a quarry will have on the natural environment which is home to many species of birds that are both endangered and important to the biodiversity in the area. I am an avid bird watcher and gardener and enjoy the many species of birds such as scarlet robins, flame robins and the regent honeyeaters that visit my garden and whose breeding areas are within the proposed quarry site.
My mental health and wellbeing since being retired has always been positively influenced to time in my garden watching birds and spending many hours outside. I am extremely worried and stressed about the quarry and how it will impact my garden and the birds that visit it. I don't want to be breathing in the dust that will be created by such a quarry and hearing and feeling the blasts that will be occurring on a daily basis. My anxiety levels have increased since learning about the proposed quarry and reading about the flora and fauna that will be affected by the devastating destruction of the environment of the Enchanted hill.
I cannot understand why such an important environmental area is even being considered for the site of the quarry.
I have been a resident of Royalla for twenty years and have put years of work into my property to support the natural environment which is endemic to this area. Another quarry is the last thing we need and its impact will not only be devastating to the environment but the health and well being of myself and my family.
Wendy Noad.

Like many Royalla residents (many of whom have joined together), I am in opposition to the proposed quarry. The reason are the same as the materials that have been published by advocacy groups - unreasonable traffic impact on the Monaro Highway, silica dust pollution as a health risk to residents - especially the elderly adults in my household as well as my 4yo daughter, the fact that this would mostly benefit ACT (not NSW) residents, reduction in property values and overall nuisance. I implore you to respond to massive community opposition (we've not heard of one person in favour) and cancel this project as soon as possible.