Seaham Quarry Project

I object to the above project for the reasons below.

I am a retired engineer and tech expert and I have a strong belief that only new technology will drive the future of this State, this country and the world. I object to the Seaham Quarry Project proposal as it is yet another new or expanded quarry in Port Stephens and would be a conservative, if not backward thinking, move and not an approval I would expect from a progressive government.

There are alternatives to rock and sand - just like renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels - isn't it time the NSW government got with the times and moved to sustainable building materials such as Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP). This can be easily and cheaply added to road mixes, reducing emissions and material use, sometimes for no extra cost. We can make roads using recycled plastic waste and used printer cartridges, and it has great performance and durability (India has been doing this for years).

"Raw materials aren’t endless, and they need to come from somewhere. The more scarce, the more risk of delays, the more costly." Rob McCann, South Pacific Sustainability.

"A project may choose to hire a crusher and recycle bricks, concrete, rock or other materials on site so you can use it again and not buy more. You also save a motza by reducing haulage of materials to and from site, and you’re also not paying a disposal fee (which is usually a fee paid to a recycling company who will be paid to collect it, and will on sell it and get paid twice for that same material).

By lessening haulage, you are saving fuel and emissions, and the community doesn’t have to listen to trucks down gearing for days on end."

I personally object to the project for the following reasons:
- harm to the environment through extensive clearing of forestry causing loss of habitat for multiple threatened and endangered species, as well as increasing their stress levels through lighting, noise, dust and vibration and increased traffic;
- harm to the community who will also suffer through negative impacts on air and water quality, increased traffic, noise and vibration causing damage to homes including the historic Balickera House.
I also attach a written submission on behalf of Save Balickera Inc. (pdf and word versions) which I was unable to upload using the email for that organisation due to some malfunction with this website. I have also emailed it separately and I would appreciate it if this is counted separately from my own personal submission.

I object to the Seaham Quarry Project. The impact needs to be considered in a regional context.

The Scoping Report describes the impact on the biodiversity of the project area in Section 6.7.
I object to the extension of the Seaham Quarry because it is diminishing the conservation values of the Wallaroo State Forest.
I consider that the proposal to clear 28 hectares of an endangered ecological community should not be approved lightly. Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark has been extensively cleared since European occupation and the remnants continue to be under threat by housing development, logging mining. There is also increased risk of catastrophic fire from global heating impacts on the weather. An endangered ecological community is in danger of extinction, by definition. This risk of extinction of an ecological community requires consideration of perpetuation of populations.

Remnants of this ecological community over 10 hectares in extent are particularly important for providing habitat that can support flora and fauna populations that are integral to ecosystem functioning. The habitat values of Wallaroo State Forest support the environmental values of Wallaroo National Park. It is testamount to the habitat value of the project area on the south western edge of this large remnant of this endangered ecological community that a koala, a brushtailed phascogale and a squirrel glider were recorded on site. They are all protected under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act and the koala also is listed under the Federal EPBC Act.

Furthermore, 5. Threatened species recorded within this community [Lower Hunter Spotted Gum Ironbark] include Callistemon linearifolius, Grevillea parviflora subsp. parviflora, Persoonia pauciflora, Rutidosis heterogama, Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor (Saunders 2002), Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella, Glossy Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami, Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phygria, Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis gularis, Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus victoriae, Powerful Owl Ninox strenua, Koala Phascolarctos cinereus, Yellow-bellied Glider Petaurus australis, Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis (Smith and Murray 2003), Common Bentwing Bat Miniopterus schriebersii and Eastern Freetail Bat Mormopterus norfolkensis [from the Determination of this TEC under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act]

The Scoping Report notes:
A detailed assessment of the biodiversity values and the likely biodiversity impacts of the Project will be undertaken in accordance with the BC Act and the Biodiversity Assessment Method (BAM) (DPIE 2020a) and will be documented in a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR).
And …
Specific engagement in relation to biodiversity is proposed with the NSW DPE Biodiversity Conservation Division (BCD)

The BAM and BDAR assessment approach are site specific and end up with the concept that there can be such a thing as an offset of an endangered ecological community and the plants and animals that it supports in that catchment locality. This is a very difficult proposition to maintain and the likelihood is that the proponent will just pay money in to the Biodiversity Conservation Trust Fund.

I object to this Seaham Quarry Project expansion, I cannot see how it can be offset. It is of particular concern to me that the consideration of the impact on the biodiversity is only undertaken at a site specific scale. It realistically must be done on a regional scale and include cumulative impacts of both current and future proposed extractional industries in Wallaroo SF. The clearing and mining does not have the same impact as logging. It is clearly harder to consider this proposal from the point of view of ecologically sustainable development and the framework of the importance of the conservation value of a large contiguous area of forest.

This project will cause unnecessary environmental destruction to an area rich in biodiversity. The proposed location of the project is far too close to a number of houses occupied by families and long term owners.

I am a member of the EcoNetwork Port Stephens and I object to the Seaham Quarry Project.
The Seaham Quarry will impact on an area of known koala and other threatened species habitat. The 24 hour operations will intensify impacts on the Balickera community and the wildlife through airbourne pollution, increased frequency of blasting, vibrations and noise from haulage trucks.
It is not responsible to approve the Seaham Quarry as the risks it poses to the community are too high and unfairly placed not only on todays community but our future community

There will be way to much truck traffic noise and ongoing damage to Italia Rd and air pollution and will decrease property value

As a former wildlife projects manager, I have witnessed firsthand the decline in the number and diversity of Australia's animals and plants for the last few decades. It is bad, and sad, enough to see what has been done to this country since European settlement - yet much of that was largely through ignorance.
What pains me and so many others today, is that with all the data, technology and experience we have acquired, the destruction of wildlife and their habitat continues. In NSW this destruction to our lands appears to have accelerated as though they are an infinite resource. They are NOT an infinite resource. We are in the midst of a technological revolution and this includes the development of alternative materials for essentials such as roads, buildings and other infrastructure. These materials already exist or can be manufactured here - why is infrastructure so slow in progressing their uptake?

As a controlled action under the EPBC, there are numerous threatened species of fauna or flora that are likely to be affected to some degree. It is not just breeding habitat that is important. The koala was recorded in the disturbance footprint but there is also likelihood of impacts on the squirrel glider, brush-tailed phascogale, spotted tailed quoll, glossy black cockatoo, regent honeyeater, swift parrot, the migratory horsfields cuckoo, southern myotis bat, eastern cave bat and others.

Please consider the Seaham Quarry Project as yet another death by a thousand cuts to the animals and plants that are disappearing in our region. It is not sustainable - the NSW government will have to stop this unsustainable practice sometime soon - please make it NOW. I strongly object to this Seaham Quarry Project.

SEAHAM QUARRY PROJECT SSD-59254474
139 Italia Road, Balickera 2324
14 May 2024

I object to the Seaham Quarry Project
- Application Number-SSD-59254474
My objections are detailed here:
1.Social and Community amenity
Boral’s proposal involves costs to the community which are far reaching, permanent and have not been fully assessed. These impacts include loss of amenity, loss of real estate value, likelihood of leaving a contaminated and degraded landscape, environmental degradation and loss of threatened species, ongoing threats to the water catchment, considerable and unacceptable traffic and road network impacts that extend far beyond the Project’s operational footprint.
The proposed 24 hour operations and almost doubling of haulage vehicle movements will increase noise and vibration, traffic noise, change the visual landscape, destroy ecological values, potentially threaten mental health and wellbeing, increase airborne emissions, potentially structurally damage homes, impact groundwater flows, and impact Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.
The cumulative extent of the increase in air particulates both for those living close to the quarry and for road users following behind haulage vehicles will inevitably lead to increased health impacts from both diesel fumes and increased carbon emissions.

Noise causes daytime stress and nighttime sleep loss and its impacts are again cumulative. Vibration damages houses and structures in a cumulative manner.
These expected and perceived impacts will negatively affect local real estate values and the community’s social cohesion and amenity. The Balickera area is currently rich in natural capital. Port Stephens Council advised the Proponent to expect community interest and objection given prior consultation and media coverage . The Port Stephens Hinterland Plan notes Overdevelopment and clearing is a concern for residents, specifically the disposal of waste from housing fill, destruction of koala habitat, quarry activities, air quality and flooding.
The Hunter Regional Plan 2041 states that Development proposals for aggregate extraction will be promoted if they are in accordance with the district planning principles and local strategic planning. Further, development proposals should balance economic benefits with the protection of the environment and local communities.
We have to question the Proponent’s list of potential impacts deemed to have a rating of either “low or medium.”
2. Cumulative Impacts
The Proponent states it is unlikely that cumulative impacts from other developments with the Project will occur primarily due to distance, and that the greatest potential for cumulative impacts are with the proposed Eagleton and Stone Ridge Quarries.
This statement should be considered incorrect and misleading.
Even though no independent studies have been carried out to predict the likely, cumulative number of all the quarry haulage trucks that will use the Pacific Highway between Raymond Terrace and Karuah to access their southern markets, the community have raised their concerns as each new quarry application enters the planning pipeline to their Councils, and now with TfNSW and State Government Ministers.
The RTS originally objected to Eagleton Quarry (2016) on the grounds the proposal would have an adverse impact on the safety and efficiency of the nearby (state) road network, specifically the intersection of Pacific Highway and Italia Road. Stone Ridge Quarry was advised in 2020 by TfNSW to consider grade separation of right turns at Italia Road to mitigate the impact of the development.

In 2023 the Port Stephens Council Mayor, explicitly stated there was a need to see commitment for State Government investment in major infrastructure projects like the Bucketts Way and Medowie Road M1 intersections to increase road safety, improve freight networks and reduce travel times.

The cumulative effects of so many quarries in a relatively small rural area with increased pollution (including greenhouse gas emissions), noise, vibration, dust, spillage, and traffic impacts from haulage vehicles should be considered detrimental enough to stop this project.
3. Environmental & Ecological damage
The at-risk Koala population within Port Stephens Local Government Area is identified in the Hunter Regional Plan 2041. A key planning priority of that Plan is to support the NSW Koala Strategy to double the number of Koalas in the wild by 2050. Protection of Koala Habitat is a key community value identified in the Port Stephens 2022 Community Strategic Plan .

ES5 Threatened species
Three threatened species were recorded within the subject land:
• Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Significant impact assessments conclude that the Project has potential to cause significant impacts to Koala.
• Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa)
• Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis).
Presence in the subject land has been assumed for two threatened microbat species:
• Southern Myotis (Myotis macropus)
• Eastern Cave Bat (Vespadelus troughtoni).
South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami) and Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) were both recorded near the subject land during surveys, however targeted surveys confirmed these species are not breeding in the subject land.

Offsets proposed now and reparations in 30 years time will not compensate the negative impact that this development will have on the listed species. We know that Australia leads the world in species extinctions. Each time that the impact on wildlife is minimised with developments such as this is a step closer to habitat and species destruction.

4. Increased truck traffic movements and the adverse impact on rural community, including safety concerns regarding intersection of Italia Road and Pacific Highway.
Boral’s acknowledges in its proposal that there is a need for a redesign of the intersection of Italia Road with the Pacific Highway where laden trucks at present are required to turn left to Karua before eventually heading south to Sydney.
“Boral, together with the proponents of nearby planned quarries including Eagleton Rock Syndicate and the Australian Resource Development Group, is presently progressing a development application for the upgrade of the M1 Pacific Highway and Italia Road intersection in order to accommodate existing and future quarry traffic associated with the Project and other proposed quarries in the locality. The preliminary design for the intersection facilitates prohibition of the southbound right turn movement from Italia Road for heavy vehicles for improved safety outcomes. Both applications are currently in preparation and will be submitted to Port Stephens Council for determination.”
Quarry haulage trucks not included for consideration in the current proposal include those from the existing Karuah East Quarry and the proposed Karuah South Quarry. These will enter the traffic stream at the Tarean Road Interchange along with the recently approved Deep Creek Quarry plus the proposed Hillview Quarry that will cross northbound haulage vehicles at Bucketts Way and join the fleet of quarry vehicles heading south at Twelve Mile. All of this combined quarry haulage traffic will cross the Medowie Road intersection to the Highway.
We submit that the Development should not go ahead unless this Pacific Highway upgrade at Italia Road is approved and road works have started. Any road movements from new developments should be on this new and relatively safer road.
I have made no reportable political donations in the last two years.
I acknowledge the Department’s disclaimer and declaration.
Kathy Brown
104 Foreshore Drive
Salamander Bay NSW 2317

Please see attached.

SEAHAM QUARRY PROJECT SSD-59254474
139 Italia Road, Balickera 2324
14 May 2024

The Mambo-Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group, MWWCG, was formed in 2017 when a DA was lodged to build on a 5.6h section of Mambo Wetlands in Salamander Bay, that had been sold to a developer in 2016 by the NSW Education Department. It contained rare flora and fauna species including the koala. Through our advocacy to have this land returned to public ownership, we have realized just how fragile our local environment is and we are determined to support the protection and maintenance of habitat in Port Stephens.
The Mambo Wanda Wetlands Conservation Group object to the Seaham Quarry Project
- Application Number-SSD-59254474
Our objections are detailed here:
1.Social and Community amenity
Boral’s proposal involves costs to the community which are far reaching, permanent and have not been fully assessed. These impacts include loss of amenity, loss of real estate value, likelihood of leaving a contaminated and degraded landscape, environmental degradation and loss of threatened species, ongoing threats to the water catchment, considerable and unacceptable traffic and road network impacts that extend far beyond the Project’s operational footprint.
The proposed 24 hour operations and almost doubling of haulage vehicle movements will increase noise and vibration, traffic noise, change the visual landscape, destroy ecological values, potentially threaten mental health and wellbeing, increase airborne emissions, potentially structurally damage homes, impact groundwater flows, and impact Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.
The cumulative extent of the increase in air particulates both for those living close to the quarry and for road users following behind haulage vehicles will inevitably lead to increased health impacts from both diesel fumes and increased carbon emissions.

Noise causes daytime stress and nighttime sleep loss and its impacts are again cumulative. Vibration damages houses and structures in a cumulative manner.
These expected and perceived impacts will negatively affect local real estate values and the community’s social cohesion and amenity. The Balickera area is currently rich in natural capital. Port Stephens Council advised the Proponent to expect community interest and objection given prior consultation and media coverage . The Port Stephens Hinterland Plan notes Overdevelopment and clearing is a concern for residents, specifically the disposal of waste from housing fill, destruction of koala habitat, quarry activities, air quality and flooding.
The Hunter Regional Plan 2041 states that Development proposals for aggregate extraction will be promoted if they are in accordance with the district planning principles and local strategic planning. Further, development proposals should balance economic benefits with the protection of the environment and local communities.
We have to question the Proponent’s list of potential impacts deemed to have a rating of either “low or medium.”
2. Cumulative Impacts
The Proponent states it is unlikely that cumulative impacts from other developments with the Project will occur primarily due to distance, and that the greatest potential for cumulative impacts are with the proposed Eagleton and Stone Ridge Quarries.
This statement should be considered incorrect and misleading.
Even though no independent studies have been carried out to predict the likely, cumulative number of all the quarry haulage trucks that will use the Pacific Highway between Raymond Terrace and Karuah to access their southern markets, the community have raised their concerns as each new quarry application enters the planning pipeline to their Councils, and now with TfNSW and State Government Ministers.
The RTS originally objected to Eagleton Quarry (2016) on the grounds the proposal would have an adverse impact on the safety and efficiency of the nearby (state) road network, specifically the intersection of Pacific Highway and Italia Road. Stone Ridge Quarry was advised in 2020 by TfNSW to consider grade separation of right turns at Italia Road to mitigate the impact of the development.

In 2023 the Port Stephens Council Mayor, explicitly stated there was a need to see commitment for State Government investment in major infrastructure projects like the Bucketts Way and Medowie Road M1 intersections to increase road safety, improve freight networks and reduce travel times.

The cumulative effects of so many quarries in a relatively small rural area with increased pollution (including greenhouse gas emissions), noise, vibration, dust, spillage, and traffic impacts from haulage vehicles should be considered detrimental enough to stop this project.
3. Environmental & Ecological damage
The at-risk Koala population within Port Stephens Local Government Area is identified in the Hunter Regional Plan 2041. A key planning priority of that Plan is to support the NSW Koala Strategy to double the number of Koalas in the wild by 2050. Protection of Koala Habitat is a key community value identified in the Port Stephens 2022 Community Strategic Plan .

ES5 Threatened species
Three threatened species were recorded within the subject land:
• Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Significant impact assessments conclude that the Project has potential to cause significant impacts to Koala.
• Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa)
• Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis).
Presence in the subject land has been assumed for two threatened microbat species:
• Southern Myotis (Myotis macropus)
• Eastern Cave Bat (Vespadelus troughtoni).
South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami) and Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) were both recorded near the subject land during surveys, however targeted surveys confirmed these species are not breeding in the subject land.

Offsets proposed now and reparations in 30 years time will not compensate the negative impact that this development will have on the listed species. We know that Australia leads the world in species extinctions. Each time that the impact on wildlife is minimised with developments such as this is a step closer to habitat and species destruction.

4. Increased truck traffic movements and the adverse impact on rural community, including safety concerns regarding intersection of Italia Road and Pacific Highway.
Boral’s acknowledges in its proposal that there is a need for a redesign of the intersection of Italia Road with the Pacific Highway where laden trucks at present are required to turn left to Karua before eventually heading south to Sydney.
“Boral, together with the proponents of nearby planned quarries including Eagleton Rock Syndicate and the Australian Resource Development Group, is presently progressing a development application for the upgrade of the M1 Pacific Highway and Italia Road intersection in order to accommodate existing and future quarry traffic associated with the Project and other proposed quarries in the locality. The preliminary design for the intersection facilitates prohibition of the southbound right turn movement from Italia Road for heavy vehicles for improved safety outcomes. Both applications are currently in preparation and will be submitted to Port Stephens Council for determination.”
Quarry haulage trucks not included for consideration in the current proposal include those from the existing Karuah East Quarry and the proposed Karuah South Quarry. These will enter the traffic stream at the Tarean Road Interchange along with the recently approved Deep Creek Quarry plus the proposed Hillview Quarry that will cross northbound haulage vehicles at Bucketts Way and join the fleet of quarry vehicles heading south at Twelve Mile. All of this combined quarry haulage traffic will cross the Medowie Road intersection to the Highway.
We submit that the Development should not go ahead unless this Pacific Highway upgrade at Italia Road is approved and road works have started. Any road movements from new developments should be on this new and relatively safer road.
I have made no reportable political donations in the last two years.
I acknowledge the Department’s disclaimer and declaration.

Kathy Brown
Sec, MWWCG
104 Foreshore Drive
Salamander Bay NSW 2317

14 May 2024

I live on Italia Road with my young family. I am writing to object to the expansion project of the Boral Seaham Quarry.
Our road is already over run with quarry trucks that make it dangerous in many parts because they degrade the road causing a lot of potholes and also it is too narrow in many parts and they to on the other side of the road.
My children need to catch the bus to go to school but I am worried about their safety because it was only a few months ago that a truck and dog caused an accident with a school bus that was just about to turn onto Italia Road. Luckily no- one was severely hurt although one teenager had to go to the doctors with significant bruising and pain. The truck and dog was empty, and the dog overturned. Had it been full of rock and/or going at a greater speed then the accident would have been much worse, probably causing a fatality or severe injuries such as was seen with a quarry truck and a school bus in Victoria last year.
We also use the intersection going onto Pacific Highway to get to activities and other parts of the region. This is already very dangerous and we avoid using it when we can. To add more Boral quarry trucks, and perhaps the other two quarries as well, will make the intersection almost unusable for local people. Especially in future years when the overall traffic increases.
We moved here for a country lifestyle for our family which is fast becoming destroyed by all the quarries and other development applications going in should they be approved. Please do not approve another 30 years of Boral Seaham Quarry

I am a member of National Parks Association Port Stephens group and object to the Seaham Quarry Project.

There are numerous social and environmental issues unresolved and this is just one of MANY quarries in this area also with unresolved severe cumulative impacts.

The successive number of quarry development proposals pose an unfair burden on the community and Council - with little or no effective public consultation or examination of alternatives.

Around the clock operations will intensify impacts on the Balickera community and the wildlife through airborne pollution, increased frequency of blasting, artificial lighting, vibrations and noise from haulage vehicles.

Our bushland and arable lands are fast disappearing. The Seaham Quarry Project will impact an area of known koala and other threatened species habitat and threaten the efforts of Hunter Water to protect the two threatened microbat species Southern Myotis and Eastern Cave Bat.

Doubt remains about changed groundwater flows and surface water interaction resulting from the Project which is not acceptable. Watercourses in the Grahamstown catchment must remain unpolluted.

Traffic impacts will be felt far and wide and the Italia Road Upgrade proposal will only exacerbate the unsafe traffic conditions at the Bucketts Way and Medowie Road intersections to the Pacific Highway.

Greenhouse gas emissions will not be reduced, when haulage vehicles are directed to take a longer route to reach their market. Those trucks will inevitably endanger the wider public who use the Pacific Highway.

It is not responsible to approve the Seaham Quarry as the risks it poses to the community are too high and unfairly placed not only on today's community, but our future community.

I object to the Seaham Quarry being extended because the amount of quarries in this area and the quarry trucks clogging the roads is unacceptable. We cannot go about our daily lives, without being held up by the traffic caused by these trucks, or even worse, having a dangerous encounter with one of them. On top of this quarry there are many others being proposed and many others also operating. I know we need quarries to build houses and infrastructure but there must be a better way than just approving them all in our area so we have to contend with the problems they all cause us. Especially on the roads. The intersection of pacific highway, and Italia road is already bad enough. It is very dangerous. And so is driving Italia road to get to it. We don't need more quarry trucks making it worse

The area will impact Koala and threatened species habitat, currently, Hunter Water has projects on microbats within the proposed area that will be affected. Many quarries are being proposed at the same time in the larger Hunter area, there is a need for quarry rock but there has been no consultation to look at the cumulative impacts that all quarries will have at once. Council and State Government must have a proper analysis for a regional plan of developing quarries so our local fauna and flora do not get impacted altogether, that there are proper corridors in place

As a member of a number of environmental groups I have heard about the proposed Boral Seaham Quarry extension, along with many other proposed quarries within close proximity to it. Two of those are neighbours to it. I object to the project of the Boral Seaham Project because of the impact it will have on the habitat of many wildlife, especially those of several endangered species one of which is the Koala. One of our greatest national treasures who is at great risk.
Not only will the project impact quite negatively in its own right, it will add to the cumulative impact of all the quarries within such close proximity to each other and interrupt important wildlife corridors.
Please consider these quarry proposals in total rather than considering them as individual projects because the amount of quarries, and size of them, should all the proposed quarries within a 20 km area be approved and the ones there continue to operate, will have a huge negative consequence to the flora and fauna but also the mental and physical health of the local communities.

This expansion of the Seaham Quarry would effect our property in many ways
More dust which will make our drinking water undrinkable (we are in tank water) also to our livestock drinking water with run off from the quarry expansion site
It’ll also change the view of the land scape which could also change the weather patterns with a fair chuck of the mountain range to disappear
The expansion will also create more problems with our house and sheds as more explosions and with the hill decreasing
Also the wild life that live and or boundary the expansion site will be effected
More truck movements will also create more issues with noise and pollution in our local area

I am objecting to this project. I am a part owner of a property on Italia road and stay there a few times a year. I am objecting because the quarry will devalue my property's worth and also add to the increasing traffic on Italia road and the immediate road network which is already is critical need of upgrading. Their proposed DA for the intersection will not alleviate any of the these problems, but add to them when so many quarry trucks will be added to the fray.
I want to enjoy my stays at my property, not be overcome by more quarries being extended and approved which are ruining the country atmosphere and decimating our wilfdlife

The Sydney Basin Koala Network strongly objects to the Project. The expansion of Seaham Quarry poses a significant threat to the environment, biodiversity, and the well-being of the local community. Our attached submission details our concerns. Thank you for taking the time to consider our submission.

I am a member of Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens and a resident of Port Stephens and object to the Seaham Quarry Project.
No extension of quarrying approvals should be given to Boral, until appropriate and thorough strategic planning considering the cumulative and combined effects of quarries in Port Stephens is undertaken by Council, or more appropriately by NSW State Department for Planning and Environment as State Significant Developments (SSD). Please consider the contents of the Lower Hunter Hard Rock Quarries Strategic and Conservation Planning issues document.

The successive number of quarry development proposals pose an unfair burden on the environment, community and Council - with little or no effective public consultation or examination of alternatives.

The Seaham Quarry Project will impact an area of known koala and other threatened species habitat and threaten the efforts of Hunter Water to protect the two threatened microbat species Southern Myotis and Eastern Cave Bat. 24 hour operations will intensify impacts on the Balickera community and the wildlife through airborne pollution, increased frequency of blasting, artificial lighting, vibrations and noise from haulage vehicles.

The 1985 approval for the Boral Seaham quarry was made at a time when little consideration was given to the health impacts of quarrying, crushing, and loading surely smaller trucks, on much less busy roads, in a less populous area, when koalas and other flora and fauna were not known to be endangered, or even threatened. Times have changed, and thankfully so have development
assessment processes, which should come to the conclusion that the quarry is now in an area that is intended for more housing, not more quarries.

By extending the quarry, the fauna corridor logically reduces in extent and viability to permit breeding and dispersal of young to find their own home territory. Koalas and many other endangered and vulnerable species are known to populate Kings Hill, Balickera, Wallaroo State Forest and beyond into the Barrington to Hawkesbury Climate Corridors, hopefully providing a link to cooler altitudes in future. Wildlife corridors between developments must be maintained and traffic mitigation efforts
employed, such as fauna fencing and culverts, to reduce fatal impacts with motor vehicles and without
cutting off healthy genetic connections.

We are now in a time when Climate Change action should be paramount in planning considerations. I am opposed to approving or expanding greenfield quarry sites, asking that NSW Planning should undertake the following prior to approving any further quarries or extension in Port Stepehens:
• Develop a Lower Hunter Quarry Cumulative Impacts Mitigation Action Plan to introduce standardised, scalable cumulative impact assessment and monitoring of social and environmental impacts including traffic, dust, noise, water discharges and vegetation loss with a view to reducing impacts on the community and environment.
• Quantify contemporary data on supply and demand for quarry products to guide ecologically sustainable, efficient and cost-effective provision of materials, and assess alternative sources of recycled housing and infrastructure materials, including gravel and aggregates from recycled coal-ash waste.