Monaro Rock Quarry Project

I object to this development application SSD-27223807 for the Monaro Rocks Quarry.

I intend to return to my family property next year in Royalla. As it stands, I am within 5km of the project site in GIlmore and I drive the Monaro Highway everyday. Regardless of where I locate, I will be impacted.

This proposal will impact the lives of all residents not only within Royalla but across the NSW & ACT region.

THE QPLEP DOES NOT ALLOW THIS
I refer to the Environmental Impact Statement (‘EIS’) and the “Need for the Project”. The data suggests there will be a hard rock shortfall by 2030 if the project is not approved. This is an opinion put forward by the Proponent is that the need outweighs the environmental constraints and its values at the proposed development site. Extractive industries are a prohibited use within the RU2 Rural Landscape and C2 Environmental Conservation of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Environmental Plan 2022 (‘QPLEP’). The need for the project cannot outweigh the prohibition of extractive industries for this landuse under the QPLEP and utilise the loophole of Clause 2.9(3) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Resources and Energy) 2021 (‘the SEPP’) to justify its need described “by virtue” in the EIS.

The C2 Environmental Conservation zone under the QPLEP does not permit ‘agriculture’ or ‘industry’. Therefore Clause 2.9(3)(b) would prohibit the extractive industry occurring on this section of land under the C2 zoning.

The extractive industry goes against all objectives of both zones. I have further comments below on biodiversity.

The “Cumulative impacts” are assessed as 'acceptable.' This is wrong and will have detrimental impacts.

THE TRAFFIC STUDY IS FLAWED
The traffic report had traffic surveys undertaken on Thursday 27 May to Wednesday 9 June 2021 (inclusive) on the Monaro Highway north of Old Cooma Road was during the beginning of the Victorian lockdowns and 11 days before NSW went into lockdown where work from home was a necessity. This greatly distorts any type of traffic modelling done. The data would accurately reflect the Monaro Highway traffic during snow season. They removed the data of the ACT public holiday as they felt that inflated the traffic count. The report models a conservative traffic count showing a daily average of 4,400 vehicles in 2021 equating to an average weekly total of 30,800 vehicles (Table 2.1 (p. 8)). One look at the TfNSW Counter 6114 at Bredbo shows that peak demand during winter in 2024 (week of 15 July 2024) reaching up to 61,510 vehicles in both directions and 58,007 (week of 3 July 2023). I understand that the traffic report disputes the distance of the TfNSW Counter 6114 to the project site, the estates between the project site to the traffic counter would not generate the total difference of additional numbers of traffic given the lack of population density.

Limitations on Old Cooma Road is supported however it will be at the detrimental of commuters on the Monaro Highway. The residents of Royalla and those estates off Old Cooma Road who head to the Monaro Highway from both Old Cooma Road and Royalla Drive will be impacted and further up the road network that connects Tuggeranong residents onto the Monaro Highway. A laden and unladen truck will move inbound and outbound every minute from 5am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. This is simply not safe. This is not liveable.

Flaws in the report include lack of consideration of general maintenance undertaken by TfNSW during the snow season from June long weekend to the October long weekend where works cannot occur before 12pm on Mondays and after 12pm on Fridays on the Monaro Highway. Yet these trucks will be free to haul on the Monaro Highway in droves.

The traffic report does not consider the bottleneck experienced at the Johnson Drive and Monaro Highway roundabout. This is not appropriately assessed in the EIS cumulative impacts. More traffic is then experienced at the Rose Cottage roundabout and that is not considered.

The prohibition of use of any Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Roads is supported however the EIS (p. 2-31) states that extended operating hours could be considered if truck movements are directed to the Monaro Highway! The proposed condition consent will have adverse effects. This is the main reason why I am objecting to this development as there are no amenable alternatives to the traffic.

The traffic estimates a maximum of 710 trips per day including quarry product dispatch, VENM/EMN importation, concrete and asphalt transportation. This introduces inbound laden truck movements which will have an accumulative impact on the Monaro Highway and the amenity.

There is no consideration of the impact of the school bus run as it enters onto the Monaro Highway.

There are no considerations on wet weather contingencies that should form part of a Driver Code of Conduct.

THE NOISE REPORT IS 'CONSERVATIVE'
It is noted in relation to the above, the report by the Octave Acoustics models noise based on the traffic figures from 2021. Octave Acoustics utilizes the minimum daily volume, specifically the date of Wednesday 9 June 2021, stating it would provide a “conservative assessment from the perspective of relative change. The existing proportion of heavy vehicles used is also conservative, as heavy vehicles are likely to avoid peak hour delays where possible”.

This modelling is flawed. The haulage operations are to begin at 5:00am through to 6:00pm Mondays to Saturdays. The EIS does not accurately assess the reality of maximum daily vehicle numbers. The assumption in the noise report that the operator will not commence heavy vehicle inbound and outbound movements during peak hour is not reflected in the Traffic report thus their assumption the noise is not an issue - because it has not been appropriately modelled.

In other words, the reports within the EIS are not talking to each other.

WHERE IS THE VENM/ENM COMING FROM?
The quarry proposes to import VENM/ENM under NSW EPA approval processes. Claiming that 'where possible, material would be transported to the Project Site via trucks returning from the delivery of quarry products to customer’. However, the quarry's market is based in the ACT. This requires ACT EPA approval. Where will the VENM/ENM come from? Who will check on this process? The amount is enormous. How will the local Council's compliance officers monitor this situation? That those trucks are carrying VENM/ENM and not other hazardous waste. This is a burden to the rate payer to resource this function!

The location of the project is selected based on a profitability distance to the ACT to reduce haulage cost and the market demand in the ACT. Between the project site to the south, there is limited NSW development that would generate the volume of VENM/ENM that the project requires.

VENM/ENM from NSW would need to be obtained to the east meaning haulage along Old Cooma Road or through other parts of the Queanbeyan- Palerang local government area before entering the Monaro Highway if they are truly obtaining VENM/ENM from NSW. A little tricky when you as the road authority are not allowing access?

The Proponent needs to clarify where the VENM/ENM is coming from?

SAVE ENCHANTED HILL
In 2008, QPRC commissioned a report on Biodiversity in the local government area. This report celebrated the importance of Enchanted Hill, describing it as 'remnant and regrowth Dry Forest, Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands associated with the Enchanted Hill area in the south-west of the LGA.'

The EIS states that 55.39 hectares of Monaro-Queanbeyan Rolling Hills Grassy Forest and 22.84 hectare Southern Tableland Grassy Box Woodland will be cleared.

The ecosystems to be cleared, leads to detrimental impacts to our Pink-tailed Legless Lizard; Key's Matchstick Grasshopper; Pale Pamaderris; Small Purple-pea and Silky Swainson-pea.

Why does so much land need to be cleared? This is because the 2008 report clearly identifies that accessibility to Enchanted Hill was difficult. The mass destruction is because the site has challenging terrain. So for profit for a few, the flattening around Enchanted Hill before quarry materials are hauled is the reason. We are compromising biodiversity importance because the terrain is challenging. Enchanted Hill is a sacred hill. So are its surrounds.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INCONVENIENCE
Contributions for inconvenience will never make up for the excessive water usage, biodiversity destruction, dust, traffic accidents that may result in fatality and the detrimental impact this will have on all Royalla residents and those residents who travel along Old Cooma Road to enter onto the Monaro Highway. No amount of money will ever take away the fact that this development will destroy the Royalla estate and those who commute along Old Cooma Road or out from Royalla Drive and detriment to drivers from Tuggeranong.

Thank you for considering my submission. I hope I have highlighted at a minimum the flaws in the EIS that based on its merits, cannot be approved in its current format.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed quarry development in Royalla NSW, as outlined in the Monaro Rock Quarry project. As a concerned resident of the area, I believe that this development presents significant risks to both public safety and the local environment, and I urge the council to reconsider this proposal on the grounds of the following concerns:
1. Traffic Safety and Congestion
The development of a quarry in our suburb will significantly increase truck traffic, both on local roads and nearby highways. The heavy trucks transporting materials to and from the site will pose several risks, including:
Increased Traffic Congestion: Local roads are not designed to handle the volume of heavy truck traffic that will result from the quarry operation. These roads already experience high traffic, especially during peak holiday seasons both winter snow traffic and summer school holiday times, and the additional trucks would further congest the area, causing significant risks for residents and commuters.
Public Safety Risks: The combination of large, slow-moving trucks and the existing traffic patterns creates a dangerous environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users which could see an increased risk of accidents.
Wear and Tear on Infrastructure: Our current road infrastructure, is not equipped to support the extra weight and volume of traffic that would result from quarry operations. The long-term impact on road maintenance and safety could be detrimental to the community’s overall infrastructure.
2. Environmental Impact
In addition to the traffic concerns, the environmental implications of quarrying in our suburb are severe and warrant serious consideration:
Air and Dust Pollution: The extraction and transportation of quarry materials will likely release large amounts of dust and particulate matter into the surrounding environment. This can contribute to poor air quality, impacting the health of residents, particularly those with respiratory issues, and exacerbating the region's pollution problems.
Noise Pollution: The operation of heavy machinery, blasting, and transportation of materials would generate significant noise pollution, which could disrupt local wildlife and affect the peace and livability of residential areas. The noise would likely be constant throughout the day, disturbing both adults and children who live in the area.
Water and Soil Contamination: The risk of water and soil contamination due to quarrying activities is a serious concern. Potential runoff from the site could affect nearby waterways, compromising local ecosystems and potentially contaminating local water supplies. Reliance on the water tables for residents with bore operations for livestock will have a significant impact to properties who rely on the source daily.
Loss of Biodiversity: The land designated for the quarry is home to local flora and fauna, some of which are rare or threatened. Quarrying operations can lead to habitat destruction and the irreversible loss of biodiversity in the area, which is something that the community cannot afford to overlook.
3. Community and Property Value
A quarry in such close proximity to residential areas will likely lead to a decrease in property values. The combined effects of noise, dust, and traffic congestion will significantly detract from the overall quality of life in our suburb. The presence of a quarry would also make the area less attractive to potential buyers or renters, further impacting the local economy.

While I understand the economic benefits that may arise from quarrying operations, I believe that the risks associated with this development far outweigh any potential gains. Especially with other quarries operating in close proximity to this proposed site, that are not running at capacity or close to closing operations. The safety of residents, the environmental impact, and the long-term consequences for our community must take precedence.
Therefore, I respectfully request that the council reject the proposed quarry development in Royalla based on the concerns raised above. I am happy to discuss these objections further or to provide additional information if required.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
G

I have great concerns for the proposed quarry in Royalla. I object to this proposal for another new quarry.

I have children who are learning to drive or are newly independent drivers driving to and from home on the Monaro Highway. I do not want them to have to manage the extra truck traffic and the possible reckless driving that will come from other cars wanting to overtake the trucks entering and exiting the new quarry onto the Monaro Highway. I also don't want to have to contend with the additional truck traffic from the proposed quarry. I work in Tuggeranong and travel on the Monaro Highway to and from work every day. This additional truck traffic will increase my commute time and will also increase the risks for my family and I on an already high-risk road.

I love the lifestyle that Royalla offers us with the livestock we tend to, the vegetable gardens and orchards that I have established and harvest from. I am concerned for the health of my family and I with regards to the silica dust that will be airborne and ingested from our fruits and vegetables. I am concerned about my own health with regards to the silica dust when I am out in the garden tending to it. I am also concerned about our animals and the impact that the silica dust will have on their health.I am also very concerned about the water table and how it could be affected by the proposed quarry as we have a bore which I rely on in my gardens and for our animals.

I own a rural property within 3kms of the proposed site. This submission is in opposition to the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal due to my concerns with health risks, noise, environmental impacts and traffic concerns.

Health risks from respirable silica dust:
It is unrealistic to expect there would be only small amounts of respiratory dust and other mineral dust emissions generated from mining the site. Silica dust can reach up to 700 metres high and stay in the air for days. Silica dust particles can be extremely small and invisible to the naked eye. Our property, as is most of Royalla, is subjected to regular high winds. The respiratory dust risks associated with the Monaro Rock Quarry can not be fully eliminated, even when a hierarchy of controls are implemented (Airborne dust exposure in mines and quarries | Resources Safety & Health Queensland). The last bastion of defence for workers as outlined in the booklet are PPE specifically fitted to each worker, this equipment is not available to the surrounding community nor would it mitigate contamination of water tanks, dams, and edible produce grown on the many rural properties within 5 km of the site.

Noise and vibration from blasting:
Noise and vibration from blasting operations will be heard and felt five days a week from 9am to 5pm. We are recently retired and spend a lot of time outdoors around the property. It is unacceptable to permit a quarry so close to a rural/residential neighbourhood and to subject inhabitants to this amount of noise and discomfort. This is apart from the risk to our infrastructure such as cracks to water tanks, structures and foundations.

The environment:
The quarry will damage and/or clear close to 80 hectares of vegetation. A quarter of this land contains critically endangered fauna with 300 species of flora and fauna calling this land home.
The quarry intends to use groundwater which presents unacceptable risks to my property and livestock. My dam is spring fed and contains turtles, yabbies, and perch. It is also the main source of water for my livestock and garden. My surrounding neighbours have bores. Permission is required to create a dam or install a bore to help sustainably manage groundwater sources, protecting their quality and the ecosystems that depend on them (Drilling a bore domestic and stock rights FAQs). These safeguards have not been successful for mining operations in the past and have had a devastating impact on groundwater including flow paths and contamination.

Traffic:
The quarry will generate up to 500 heavy vehicles a day on the Monaro highway which equates to one truck every 10 minutes. This highway is the main road we travel on to get to town and is largely single lane. It already supports a steady flow of traffic during peak times particularly in the mornings, evenings and during the snow season. Accidents are common and the road is in constant disrepair. The quarry would increase our travel time and add to an already stressed infrastructure without regard to additional maintenance requirements.

To Whom It May Concern
I am writing to express my disgust and strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project in Royalla, NSW 2620. As a rate paying family in this once safe and family friendly community, I am not only deeply concerned about the irreversible environmental, health, and social impacts this development would impose on our region, but my life long investment and substantial contribution to this amazing and growing community’s future.
500 plus trucks per day to an area where I moved my entire family to, to escape the hustle and bustle, knowing it already came at an additional cost as we pay extremely high electricity bills, mandated ludicrous land rates for the privilege of living rurally and still don’t have the same tax payer funded social services our suburban neighbours do. The roads which I campaigned to make safe not that long ago for the school buses to get my children home safe from school where Deans Buses were dropping them off on a road that runs at 100km an hour. This reeks of back pocket handshakes and personal profits.
In years to come you will all be retired with your golden handshakes patting each other on the back, when our children are suffering the after effects of silica dust and the repercussions of this indulgent money grab. Mr Fluffy, Asbestos poisoning and Robodebt!! just to name a few of the governments previously ill advised decisions.
Families bought properties in Royalla due to the quiet rural lifestyle, an industrial quarry like this, in the centre of Royalla and impacting Theodore, Calwell, Richardson and Chisholm where my grandchildren will be schooled, will not only destroy this community but have health impacts you cannot underestimate, not to mention the investments in our retirement we all made to better ourselves and the future of our children.
Spend a day in Royalla, windy alley as it is commonly known, and tell me that an alarm will notify plant managers of unacceptable silica risks.
“Enough is Enough” we already have two quarries near Royalla with the Williamsdale Road and Old Cooma Road quarries. Both existing quarries apparently have years of capacity left, that will see all of us out. We don’t need another one and this new proposal is just a profiteering exercise by Monaro Rock.
Despite claims of community engagement, the overwhelming sentiment among residents is opposition. No amount of mitigation or compromise can make this project acceptable.
Conclusion
The Monaro Rock Quarry Project is incompatible with the values, health, and future of Royalla and its surrounding communities. It puts the lives of residents at serious risk and I urge decision-makers to reject this proposal and prioritise the wellbeing of residents and our neighbouring suburbs with in the ACT where we all have many family and friends, over industrial expansion.
Sincerely,
Charlene Cooper
Resident
Royalla, NSW

To Whom It May Concern
I am writing to express my disgust and strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project in Royalla, NSW 2620. As a rate paying family in this once safe and family friendly community, I am not only deeply concerned about the irreversible environmental, health, and social impacts this development would impose on our region, but my life long investment and substantial contribution to this amazing and growing community’s future.
500 plus trucks per day to an area where I moved my entire family to, to escape the hustle and bustle, knowing it already came at an additional cost as we pay extremely high electricity bills, mandated ludicrous land rates for the privilege of living rurally and still don’t have the same tax payer funded social services our suburban neighbours do. The roads which I campaigned to make safe not that long ago for the school buses to get my children home safe from school where Deans Buses were dropping them off on a road that runs at 100km an hour. This reeks of back pocket handshakes and personal profits.
In years to come you will all be retired with your golden handshakes patting each other on the back, when our children are suffering the after effects of silica dust and the repercussions of this indulgent money grab. Mr Fluffy, Asbestos poisoning and Robodebt!! just to name a few of the governments previously ill advised decisions.
Families bought properties in Royalla due to the quiet rural lifestyle, an industrial quarry like this, in the centre of Royalla and impacting Theodore, Calwell, Richardson and Chisholm where my grandchildren will be schooled, will not only destroy this community but have health impacts you cannot underestimate, not to mention the investments in our retirement we all made to better ourselves and the future of our children.
Spend a day in Royalla, windy alley as it is commonly known, and tell me that an alarm will notify plant managers of unacceptable silica risks.
“Enough is Enough” we already have two quarries near Royalla with the Williamsdale Road and Old Cooma Road quarries. Both existing quarries apparently have years of capacity left, that will see all of us out. We don’t need another one and this new proposal is just a profiteering exercise by Monaro Rock.
Despite claims of community engagement, the overwhelming sentiment among residents is opposition. No amount of mitigation or compromise can make this project acceptable.
Conclusion
The Monaro Rock Quarry Project is incompatible with the values, health, and future of Royalla and its surrounding communities. It puts the lives of residents at serious risk and I urge decision-makers to reject this proposal and prioritise the wellbeing of residents and our neighbouring suburbs with in the ACT where we all have many family and friends, over industrial expansion.
Sincerely,
Michael Cooper
Royalla Resident

I object to the proposed Monaro Rock Industries on the following grounds.

Existing quarries
There are several existing operating quarries within close proximity of the proposed quarry that already have established their capacity and long-term supply chains well into the future. There is also a notable expansion expected for the Williamsdale Road Quarry that already adjoins Royalla. The number and capacity of existing quarries in the region does not support an additional requirement for new quarry. Examples of existing quarries include but are not limited to:
• Heidelberg Materials – Canberra Quarry, Williamsdale Road, approx. 7 kms from proposed site
• Mugga Quarry, Mugga Lane approx.. 14kms away from proposed site
• Boral Quarries
Ground water aquifers – water quantity and quality, bushfires
Royalla and immediate surrounds are an arid region of NSW suffering terribly in drought and is immediately adjacent Mt Tennant that has already caught fire twice within 20 years. We like many land owners in the area rely heavily on the bores and the aquifers that support them to provide water for stock, crops and water for fighting bushfires and maintaining gardens and in some instances commercial enterprises like the primary production e.g. cherry farm.

These bores have been established at personal cost and with continuing dry spells and impost of the exiting quarry, falter during dry spells. Williamsdale Quarry already draws significant water for its operations and together with an expansion of operations already anticipated and the proposed new quarry will leave landowners with little prospect of a reliable ground water source, if any.
Based on long term weather forecasts, the area is expected to get drier placing more reliance on groundwater that simply won’t be there with the pressure of two quarries at each end of Royalla depleting it of precious ground water.
Further local council environmental laws prevent Royalla landowners from creating additional water catchment (e.g. dams) if they have an existing bore.
Land aesthetics, indigenous heritage, wildlife, noise pollution/vibration and blasting effects – Extra trucks, blasting and vibration will all be heard across the region as noise travels great distances when there is nothing to absorb it.
This region is special to the Ngunnawal people and the people who have chosen a new and more peaceful way of life away from the hustle and bustle of cities. There is established prolific plant, animal species and the proposed quarry is in close proximity to a native quoll population which is uncommon for these parts. A quarry will scar the landscape and reduce the plant and animal populations of the area.
Traffic and Roads
Monaro highway between Michelago and Johnson Drive, Tuggeranong is currently full of potholes from the recent rain and existing traffic and trucks ranging from delivery trucks (fuel, foodstuffs) to logging trucks, cattle trucks, trucks from the Williamsdale quarry and more. Additional ski traffic and traffic generally makes it a treacherous strip already and rain (when we get it) washes the road out under the extra weight and use of heavy vehicles.
There are daily near misses where traffic in both directions overtake on double lines and more importantly race to overtake one another southbound before the two lanes merge into one which is where the proposed location of the quarry entrance has been proposed. This a is a traffic blackspot waiting to happen.
Extra road usage by proposed mining trucks will leave the road in further disrepair at the cost of ACT rate payers to fix as the road at that point is owned and maintained by ACT.
Air Quality Silica Dust/Pollution
I am concerned by the effects of dust and silica dust. The prevailing north westerly winds which at times peak at over 100kms will spread silica and dust for kilometers over roofs, properties, and water catchment. Together with the dust effects of the existing Williamsdale Quarry, this will place residents at greater risk of harm. Water dampening and other mitigation strategies do little to quell the spread of these small particles.
I’m not against in principle, the need for quarries but object to this one being placed where there is already existing quarry capacity within a built-up area. This proposal is better suited to a more remotely populated area with less environmental impacts on established land use.

I am a local residency of Conder in the very close proximity of your proposed plan. I am also a joiner/ cabinet maker where they mandated the banning of silica products which I support. I already have been subject to the possible health implications. How can you propose a quarry so close to residential zone which will create hazards to the environment and people. Whilst I don’t have a problem with a quarry as such more so the location, my health as I am an asthmatics, my kids are asthmatics and I worry that the impact of such quarry will further impact my health. I’m just one person however many more people that this will affect. What guarantee will be in place ? Can you give us the facts!

I write to formally object to SUB - 94655466 – the Monaro Rock Quarry State Significant Development Application.

This proposal is fundamentally incompatible with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Environmental Plan 2022, which prohibits extractive industry in the designated area. Proceeding with this development would undermine the integrity of the region’s planning framework and set a concerning precedent.

The quarry poses serious risks to public health and livability, particularly for residents of Royalla and surrounding communities. Increased heavy vehicle traffic along Old Cooma Road and the Monaro Highway would endanger road users, contribute to congestion, and accelerate road degradation. These routes are vital for families, commuters, and local businesses, and their safety must be prioritised.

The environmental impact is equally alarming. The proposed site includes Enchanted Hill, an area of significant biodiversity value. Approving this development would result in irreversible ecological damage and loss of habitat.

Residents trust decision-makers to act in their best interests. Objecting to this project would demonstrate leadership, accountability, and a commitment to protecting both the community and the environment.

I urge all relevant authorities to reject SUB - 94655466 and uphold the principles of sustainable development, public safety, and ecological preservation.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry development for the following reasons:
1. Road Safety and Increased Traffic Risk
The proposed development would lead to a significant increase in heavy vehicle traffic on the surrounding roads including trucks transporting rock and related equipment. This is particularly concerning given the existing challenges faced on these roads due to large traffic from the snow and costal traffic, which is already recognised by local residents as dangerous. Regularly seeing near misses and accidents due to the traffic and impatient drivers. Having more trucks and slow traffic will increase this risk and potentially cause more incidents.
The increased traffic will pose serious safety risks to other road users, including local residents.
Noise, vibration, and traffic congestion associated with quarry vehicles will deteriorate the quality of these roads which are already prone to potholes and deteriorating.
I believe the existing infrastructure cannot safely support the scale of traffic the proposed quarry would generate.
2. Health Impacts from Silica Dust
Mining and processing are known to generate respirable silica dust, which poses serious health hazards.
Prolonged exposure to silica dust is a well-documented cause of silicosis, a debilitating and irreversible lung disease.
It is also classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), associated with increased risk of lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.
Windborne dust can travel well beyond the boundaries of the quarry site, impacting nearby homes, schools, farms, and recreational areas.
Vulnerable populations—including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues—are especially at risk.
Conclusion
Given the serious concerns outlined above regarding road safety and public health, I strongly urge the planning authority to reject this application.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

This project is extremely close to my home and to both of the schools that my kids go to. Less than 5km. Having knowledge and training and working in an environment where Silica and dust in general is a factor, considering the scale of this project, our whole suburb, schools, daycare centres and shopping centres will be exposed to this. I can only foresee major health problems for the southern parts of Canberra inhabitants for the near and further future. Considering that these suburbs are also home to majority families with small and young children. Besides for the dust and particle exposure l, there’s also the noise from blasting and heavy vehicles. The traffic increase impacting people going to and from work. I am confident that those in charge do this project would not want to live in their conditions that they are about to create for the thousands of people living in this area. I am calling on your humanity to do the right thing here.

This project is totally inappropriate in this planning zone. We live in an area zoned "environmental Living" and have a number of restrictions on what we can do here, including clear native vegetation, interfere with aboriginal relics, kill native animals or build large structures for industrial purposes. I'm outraged that this large, unnecessary industrial operation could be set up so close to our settlements of Royalla, Burra and Canberra suburbs and do so many negative activities that an individual owner is prohibited from. Why should a large company that will profit a few rich individuals be allowed to wreck the environment and shove the negative consequences on the surrounding population.
In particular, the dust will be a problem for our immediate neighbourhood. The fine silica dust will certainly reach us on the prevailing west & northwest winds. If any of the activities eg hot asphalt causes a fire it will be carried over fire-prone land in the same direction. The Burra RFS already has to respond to false callouts when the existing Williamsdale quarry causes large amounts of dust by blasting, that looks like smoke. The last thing we want is another quarry in the vicinity causing more of the same. It's too much for a volunteer organisation.
The amount of water extracted to run the Quarry is outrageous in an area experiencing droughts, as South-east Australia is slowly drying out due to climate change. It will certainly affect the water table, damaging neighbours and the environment. This will be unsustainable in the life-time of the quarry and have disastrous long-term impact on the surrounding district.
There are a number of other disadvantages with this proposal in terms of traffic, tree clearing and aboriginal heritage. I would also bet that the company will have zero interest in controlling feral animals, invasive weeds and erosion on the area known as Enchanted Hill, leaving these problems to spill over to adjoining land and undermining pest control that landholders have to carry out.
If this Quarry and the associated industries go ahead we will have to rename the area Disenchanted Hill, as I'm totally pissed off with the way it's the small people who get to carry the can.
Clare Martin

I am a near neighbour to this proposed quarry, I have concerns regarding the proposed quarry being located this area.
Firstly, it is being located in an area of both productive farmland and a pristine piece of critically endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodland. This woodland is home to a wide and varied community of both flora and fauna, including but in no way limited to the following:
Endangered Flora: Small Purple Pea(Swainsona Recta), Hoary Sunray(Leucochrysum albicans subsp.)
Endangered Fauna: Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby(Petrogale penicillata), Eastern Quoll(Dasyurus viverrinus)
Secondly, it is being proposed to route the heavy vehicle movement through one of the ACT's nature reserves, the Melrose Nature Reserve. This will result in damage to the reserve itself an more significantly will result in a very large increase of heavy vehicle traffic onto one of the ACT's most congested roads, the Monaro Highway. The proposed site already has simple and cleared access to the NSW transport infrastructure via Monaro Station Road and Old Cooma Road. Utilising this access would preserve significant reaches of existing biodiversity and allow simpler access to northern NSW utilisers of the quarries proposed product.
Thirdly, this is a needless quarry, our region is already serviced by four quarries within 30Km of this site. These quarries have published resource mapping continuing for in excess of 100 years.
And finally, this quarry is paying no attention to the significant indigenous heritage known to exist within the proposed site. Both a known ring tree, used as a guidance device, and a scar tree, utilised for both product and potential spiritual significance to the local indigenous peoples, providing direct links to their ancestors and beliefs.

Living so close to the proposed site i cant believe that it has gone this far through the planning process. I work in the construction industry and NEED 3 things just to get on a construction site. White card, asbestos awareness and as of recently silica awareness. An unseen killer that our construction companies must take VERY seriously on every jobsite. And righly so. How can we mine aggregate so close to where kids are still playing outside and families enjoy hiking through nature knowing how dangerous silica dust is? We learnt from asbestos mining too late for too many families. What will be the impact on the monaro highway? Too many fatalities as is let alone with alot of extra trucks getting already impatient drivers even angrier. The main thoroughfare to the ski fields which is a lovely drive will become like driving in peak hour in Sydney. I have done the lap of Australia and seen the impact of mining on many small towns. No need to ruin our paradise for a bit of rock that only benefits a couple people filling their pockets. Thankyou

I am based in Royalla, and I am a highly competitive horseback eventer, both my high level athlete horse and my old retiree would suffer from the issues with this Quarry, I also spend a large amount of my time outside, meaning things like mass amounts of silica dust would greatly affect my horses and my performance and health and wellbeing. The blasting and crushing would massively impact our beautiful wildlife paradise we have here in Royalla, disturbing our peaceful life, wildlife and our livestock.
I already travel 45 minutes to work on the Monaro Highway, adding up to 500 trucks a day would increase my commute time and mean i get to spend less time with my horses who need me, and more time using expensive fuel in my car.

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

I am concerned about the possible health ramifications from dust from the quarry.

I'm concerned about the decrease in property prices in Theodore.

The noise from blasting is concerning. The blast vibrations from the quarry may cause damage to my property.

Please do not go ahead with the quarry.

Thankyou

Road traffic during the snow season cannot support this the queues into town can already be KMs long even on a week day. The road is already falling apart from the level of truck traffic with constant patch fixed every time it rains. The impact on the animal habitat pushing them further to the road where it already has consistent accidents due to animal impact. The dust from the current quarry is enough surely another quarry with further impact air quality.

Tuggeranong already had degraded air quality issues from the mugga lane tip surely adding the quarry to this will put this further at risk.

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.

May cause pollution and dust.
More traffic and noise
Too close to homes