Seaham Quarry Project

Although we do not strictly object to the expansion of the existing Boral Seaham Quarry. In recent years Boral has increased its engagement with us and we appreciate this. We share concerns and/or objection to certain detail provided in Seaham Quarry Project (SSD-59254474) as detailed below:
• With the increased blasting frequency, we would request consent conditions driving Boral to continuously improve their blasting methodologies minimizing impacts to local residences. Currently residence experience blast noise and on occasions over pressure events, however this is contradicted in the EIS stating ‘Long standing compliance with blasting limits’. These over pressure events are not always picked up by the limited monitor locations and a review of blast monitor locations is requested. It must be acknowledged that Boral operations personnel are aware of this and are currently investigating.
• We currently experience operation noise early in the morning and into the evening. We object to increased quarry activities operating hours from current 6am to 10pm with proposed 6am to 12pm. It is also requested that Boral further consult with the local community to identify other locations for noise monitoring to build a better noise understanding of fugitive noise from the operation.
• With respect to ’Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment’, we welcome the existing and proposed measures. It also discusses noise attenuation for dump trucks and indicates it not to be ‘reasonable or feasible’. Recent low frequency fugitive noise concerns were raised with Boral operations personnel and noise attenuation was installed on the main truck. This realised a significant reduction in low frequency noise (we thank Boral for that) and demonstrates that all types of noise attenuation should be reconsidered. We would request industry leading noise consent conditions to again drive Boral to continuously reduce their noise footprint.
Again, we are not strictly opposed to the expansion but believe consent condition should be imposed to drive continuous improvement and minimize impact to the environment and communities it engages with.
We also take the opportunity to express our objection to the Eagleton Quarry Project (SSD-7332) and urge the department of planning to a holistic review and see the Eagleton Quarry Project is not appropriate for the sensitive area in which is proposed to be located. The Boral expansion will cover the additional tonnes proposed by the Eagleton Quarry Project with far reduced impact to environment (existing operation), residents, and local businesses.

I am writing to object to the expansion of the Boral Seaham Quarry. Boral Seaham Quarry was first approved in 1985 for 30 years operation. It has since been allowed to modify and been approved for longer. They are currently approved to be there until 2035 however are running out of rock and therefore wish to increase their footprint. By double the size.
This will lead to even further clearing of precious habitat for our local flora and fauna, several of which are endangered, including the koala.
I have been a resident of Italia road for 20 years and while the area is a beautiful place to live, it is fast becoming a haulage road for quarry trucks and extremely unpleasant to live on. I note that Boral Seaham states in its EIS that there is a perceived risk of safety on the road and that they are unable to mitigate this. Having driven this road extensively it is not a perceived danger, the safety issues are very concerning. There has been one fatality in the last five years, many accidents that don't seem to be recorded anywhere, and countless near misses. The road is only wide enough in many areas to fit two cars. Quarry trucks and other trucks are constantly driving over the middle line and there is simply no where to get off the road. I believe that fact there hasn't' been more fatalities is due to the fact that many of us know just how dangerous the road is and drive accordingly.
On top of that the intersection at the end of Italia road, at Pacific Highway, is completely unsuitable for the traffic that already uses it. Adding a 700 metre dedicated left turning lane, and allowing an additional 900 quarry trucks a day, is NOT a solution.
While Boral Seaham says they have a 24 hour camera installed at their gates to monitor traffic, they have only installed this quite recently, to coincide with this project. This appears disingenuos because many residents have been complaining for years about their operation and the ensuing traffice, yet apart from telling us that their trucks are supposed to turn onto pacific highway, they have done nothing, until now, to enforce it. We have been told over and over to get the licence plates of the vehicles which is virtually impossible unless you are sitting behind them. There has been no committment to the community to help manage the impact on our once quiet neighbourhood since I have lived here. I have little faith that their current transparency and willingness to worth with the local community will continue should they be approved.
The project will also create a visual impact to a neighbouring property that is a heritage listed house and been occupied by five generations. The house is already showing the signs of repeated blasts on its premises, and having these even closer, alongside the cumulative impact of more blasts if the other 2 quarries virtually next door to Boral is simply unacceptable. There are other residences within 2 km of the quarry and they too should not have to endure the noise and air pollution any longer either.
Subcontractors travelling to Boral, while apparently are only allowed to turn right onto Italia road, and then use the Pacific Highway, are still allowed to travel along Italia road in the mornings to arrive at Boral, and also to travel home. In these instances it is early and loud because they are empty. We moved here away from Sydney to live in the country, and enjoy nature around us, choosing to keep the majority of our property bushland for safe haven for wildlife, not to have the noise of quarries, Boral and other quarries to be extended past their original approval and clear the very habitat that we cherish and keep ourselves.
For those of us who live on Italia Road and in close proximity to the Seaham quarry their SIA is quite the insult. Saying their impact and inconvenience to the local community is "minor" is reprehensible. Many people have moved because of the onslaught of quarries in the area, and the trucks that go with them, and many more people will be driven out because it is not the area we used to enjoy. We will have to accept lower market values than properties not on Italia road due to the quarrying impact, and there is no compensation for us. While I don't wish anyone to lose their jobs, the quarry will not add any additional jobs for the local community either.
Boral Seaham uses quite general terms to justify the need for the quarry in the area. Given that there are 10 other rock quarries, either in operation or proposed, within a 15 km area, there should be a strategic decision by government how many and which of these quarries is the most suitable for the rock required for current building projects. Given the clearing of habitat that is crucial for our environment and ongoing societies and world, recycling and/or materials should be more rigourously invested in for the growth of human society. It should not come at the decimation of what we have left.
It is time for Boral Seaham quarry to give back the land they have already destroyed and rehabilitate it as much as possible, so that our wildlife corridors are not further impacted.
I understand there is a need for quarry material but approving Boral Seaham quarry, and other quarries in the area, ad hoc, without investigation of the cumulative impacts on not just Italia Road, but other roads in the area is irresponsible and not considerate of all the stakeholders, particularly the local residents and flora and fauna. This quarry, plus Stone Ridge and Eagleton quarry need to be put on hold while the State Government makes a decision of the actual rock needs and formulates a strategy for which would be the most suitable quarries given the very high impact they have on the immediate communities around them.

Please see attached letter OBJECTING to proposed Seaham Quarry.

I object due to the increased traffic, noise and impact on water quality and habitats for endangered species this project is likely to generate.

I, Lucinda van Buuren OBJECT to the continuation and expansion of BORAL QUARRY PROJECT.

Living on Italia is no longer safe or good. Trucks start very early in the morning and waking up the household. The safety issues with trying to turn out of Italia road the number of trucks lined up at times turning right can be up to 5 trucks at a time trying to cross highway traffic so getting across the highway is hard and time consuming. At the same time you have to deal with the trucks turning onto Italia road from the highway which in the turning lane.completely blocks the view of a driver trying to turn right out of Italia road. Sadly just a matter of time before someone else dies. Trucks are constantly travelling up Italia road so it is obvious the quarry has no control over where the trucks go

We strongly oppose this project. Please refer attached file.

Hello,
Please register my strong objection to the planned extension of the Boral quarry located on Italia Road on behalf of the Kerr family, owners of the historic property ‘Balickera’ since the 1890s. ‘Balickera’ is a direct neighbour to the Boral quarry, and has historical significance as one of the original land grants in the district, featuring a sandstone homestead dating back to the 1820s.
Investigation of soil extracted during replacement of power poles on the ‘Balickera’ property demonstrated evidence of historical Aboriginal habitation.
The present quarry operations already create significant environmental damage, noise and vibration pollution and traffic congestion where Italia Road joins the highway.

The proposed extension of the quarry in terms of both pit area and hours of operation will exacerbate existing noise pollution and make sleep increasingly difficult. The traffic delays already caused by trucks entering the highway from Italia Road will be worsened in terms of both truck volume and hours during which the traffic delays occur. Vibration and dust pollution from blasting and quarry operation will increase. Adverse wildlife effects will be worsened. There may be adverse effects on groundwater and the water table.

Boral’s State Significant Development (SSD) proposal for this Seaham Quarry will greatly extend the quarry area (increase it from 26 hectares to 64 hectares). The scope of that proposal is relevant when considering the present lowering of the pit floor, as the SSD proposal would see the removal of the existing ridgeline which presently screens residents to the north of the existing quarry visually and in terms of noise and dust. If the pit floor is lowered, and then the quarry area is later increased to remove the existing ridgeline, then a deepened open-cut quarry will be exposed to everyone living in the area. When assessing the Seaham Quarry SSD proposal, I appeal to the Minister for Planning or the Independent Planning Commission to recognise that an increase in quarry operations will ultimately destroy the area for local residents, particularly immediate neighbours like us.
The implications of the SSD proposal are discussed below.

The proposed quarry extension will remove the ridgeline which presently stands between the quarry and our home. That ridgeline acts as a visual and partial sound and dust buffer between the quarry and our property. Its removal would render Balickera homestead unliveable and the property unsaleable.
Removal of the ridgeline would remove a significant wildlife and flora habitat and completely destroy the bushland landscape of that end of the valley. Instead of the outlook over bush-covered hills which is presently enjoyed by those who live and drive along Italia Road, an enormous open-cut scar would dominate the vista. In addition to the visual catastrophe created by removal of the ridgeline, there would be nothing to buffer the noise and dust from the quarry workings for all those living between the Williams River and Italia Road. The noise from the quarry workings is already very audible, and particularly noticeable at night, for those living in the immediate vicinity. Removal of the ridgeline would exacerbate that to an intolerable extent, particularly as the Boral quarry extension proposal features 24-hour operation. Additionally, the ridgeline presently deflects highway noise that would otherwise carry straight into the valley.
The dams on our cattle property all rely on run-off from the northern face of the ridgeline that Boral plans to remove. Interfering with that source of run-off would make ‘Balickera’ unviable as a livestock property in dry times.
In short, the planned Boral quarry extension would destroy ‘Balickera’ as a home and operating livestock business.
The Balickera channel and Balickera pumping station occupy land resumed from the Kerr family property in 1960, and our location within the catchment area requires us not to undertake activities which might adversely affect water quality within the catchment. The effects of the proposed Boral Quarry extension on water quality (ground water and run-off) within this part of the catchment should be subject to the same stringent controls.
According to Boral’s own ‘Seaham Quarry Project Factsheet’, “SSD projects typically involve undertaking … assessments of”:
• Aboriginal heritage
• Historical heritage
• Noise and vibration
• Air quality and greenhouse gas
• Traffic
• Biodiversity
• Surface water
• Ground water
• Land and soils
• Social
• Visual amenity
In all those categories, the proposed quarry extension will have significant adverse effects.
Boral is proposing to destroy the local landscape, obliterate a wildlife and flora habitat, ruin our family home and property, and degrade the lifestyle and devalue the homes of many others living in the vicinity.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Kerr

Boral Oppose Letter

I strongly oppose your proposal to extend the life of the quarry and plans to further develop the site.

We have lived with the negative impact of this quarry on our lives for many years.  Your proposal to extend your operation is not in our interests at all as you well know.
I will list all the reason why we do not want it.

* Blasting: the reverberations affects all buildings on our property, everything shakes.

* Noise:  not only the above mentioned but the constant noise of the machinery crushing the rock is heard quite clearly inside the house not to mention outside and into the night.

* Stress:  noise affects our sleep thus increasing our stress levels.

* Dust: air quality from earth works and blasting dust in our homes and on our roofs which then ends up in our water tanks. Silicosis.

* Water quality: see above. The water table being effected by the blasts/excavating.

*Increased truck traffic, heavy vehicle traffic adding to congestion , noise and funnily enough poor air quality. Entry and existing the highway will be death defying.

* Hunter Water Catchment setting up Solar farm, concerns that dust will impact their solar production and secondly that the water supply will be compromised by dust.

* Environmental: the impact on the voiceless native animals and trees, well, it is priceless and in this day and age where we are trying to look after the planet they are discarded, easily dispensable. Shameful.

* Cattle/Livestock: our cattle are subjected to all of the above, excessive noise, earthing moving blasts, poor air quality.

* Significant Native trees and  indigenous sites are at danger.

I would like a receipt that this email has been read thankyou.

Boral Seaham and its procurement team greatly support many local suppliers such as ourselves. Our relationship with Boral Seaham has been ongoing for 20+ years and have continued to support our small business of 24 employees (current). Their mobile plant requires mobile tyre manipulators/crane tyre changing trucks which we have heavily invested in over the years to service their fleet. Along with investing in equipment, we have a specialised team of earthmoving tyre fitters which we have upskilled to work in this field. Their ongoing patronage supports our company as a whole, supporting Valley Tyres employees and their families who are all local to the area. The extension of Boral Seaham will have great boost for the region in times where the cost of living is so difficult. Valley Tyres greatly support the extension of the Boral Seaham Quarry.

We believe the Seaham extension is critical for the region given the significant population growth projected from now to 2041 for the greater Hunter Newcastle area. 170k additional people. " https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/populations" This combined with the major infrastructure projects highlights a strong demand for Aggregates and road base to support the growth. Boral is the leading player in the Quarrying market and holds it sites to the highest standards in both safety and environmental management. Therefore the project should be supported to benefit the stakeholders and the broader Hunter.

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed changes outlined in the scoping report for Seaham Quarry Project - SSD-59254474. As a resident of the local community, I am deeply invested in ensuring that any developments take into account the well-being and quality of life of all stakeholders involved.

Firstly, I acknowledge the crucial role that quarry products play in sustaining the construction industry, especially given the increasing demand for infrastructure and development projects. It's imperative that we strike a balance between meeting this demand and preserving the environmental and social fabric of our communities.

However, I must voice my strong opposition to the proposed changes to operating hours, particularly the suggestion of 24/7 operations. While I understand the need for efficiency and productivity in industrial operations, such extensive hours are excessive and unnecessary.

The implementation of round-the-clock operations would have a detrimental impact on the night-time tranquility and the overall enjoyment of local properties. The constant noise, light pollution, and increased traffic associated with continuous operation would significantly disrupt the peace and quiet that residents rely on for rest and relaxation.

Moreover, extended operating hours pose potential health risks, including sleep disturbances and stress, which can have long-term effects on the well-being of individuals living in close proximity to the quarry site.

I urge the planning authority to reconsider the proposed changes and instead explore alternative solutions that balance the needs of the construction industry with the preservation of community well-being. This could include more reasonable operating hours that respect the rural/residential nature of the area and mitigate the negative impacts on local residents.

In conclusion, I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the discussion surrounding the Seaham Quarry Project (SSD-59254474). I trust that my concerns will be carefully considered in the decision-making process, and I remain hopeful for an outcome that prioritizes the interests of both industry and community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Ryan Denton

I have lived in the region for 44 years and my family own a considerable area of farmland neighbour the Seaham Quarry Project area. The grounds for my objection are outlined as follows:
• The proposal is to operate 24 hours, 7 days per week, far more than the existing approved hours of operation.
• Dust is already a hazard that we have to deal with in regards to our tank water supply for human consumption and the water catchment for livestock consumption. It is important to note that there is no town water supply available at our address, therefore we are solely reliant on the rain that falls and is collected in our rainwater tanks and dams.
• Quarry trucks are already an issue on our substandard roads. An expansion to Seaham Quarry, and the possibility of an additional two quarries that propose to use Italia Road is a disturbing thought.
• There have been a number of protected/endangered species of flora and fauna identified within the expansion area. Cleaning of this area will lead to removal of shelter and food sources for some of these species.
• Property value continues to increase and with this so do our council rates. We already have very limited services in return for these council rates. Increase of quarries within our local area will likely lead to devaluation of property with no compensation to land holders.
• Seaham Quarry publicly spruiked in a April 2018 newsletter that was distributed around the local area and uploaded to the internet, that “the quarry’s unique location offers some advantages not available at other sites. For example, the undulating surrounds and heavy vegetation almost entirely screen the quarry from surrounding viewpoints. The hilly landscape also assists the minimising of noise from daily operations, which also benefit from on-site mitigation such as the enclosure of the main plants. The terrain allows water to be easily harvested after rainfall. As with most of our quarries, Seaham uses water it collects for things like dust suppression in both the stockpiling areas and on internal roads. Apart from local residents, the bushland surround the quarry is also home to a variety of flora and fauna, the protection of which we also consider as part of our daily operations. Within our site, we’ve set aside a specific area containing Melaleuca Styphelioides trees, know to be a favourite of the squirrel glider. This habitat area has been sectioned off, but not with traditional fencing – flag bunting and non-metal pickets are use to avoid exposing the gliders’ ‘wrist-wings’ to injury”. So why is the Seaham Quarry now proposing to take the top of the hill off reducing the natural screen, opening up for further noise pollution, decreasing natural rainfall catchment areas and removing precious bushland???

I am objecting to the proposed expansion of the Seaham Quarry Project.