Stone Ridge Quarry Project

It is really important for society, the local community and industry, and NSW that there are abundant and diversified supplies of construction materials available for personal, business and government building and landscaping projects. This Stone Ridge Quarry Project meets those objectives without an undue impost on the local community. I support that this project is approved and goes ahead.

Please see attached document in relation to my objection to the Stone Ridge Quarry Project.

I use Italia Road on a regular basis to attend Aged Care Facility in Tea Gardens
I am concerned in regard to the impact of trucks coming from Italia Road
Cumulative of the other quarries opposite being Boral and Eagleton
State Forest being used and the impact it will have to the environment and wildlife within the area

A state forest is not suitable for a quarry the size and scale of that proposed for Stone Ridge Quarry.
Proposing that native state forests become large-scale quarries instead of sustainably managed forests is not ecologically sustainable forest management. The proposal will destroy 79 hectares of native state forest held in trust for the public.
This threatens koalas and other threatened wildlife.
The quarry section of Wallaroo State Forest directly connects with Wallaroo National Park and is part of a regional fauna corridor with broader connection to the Karuah National Park, Medowie State Conservation Area, and Medowie Nature Reserve.
Please do not approve this quarry.

I fully support the application.
I currently work in the quarry/civil space and have first hand experience of why this development is essential.
Quarry supply is extremely limited, causing increased costs, delays and workload to both suppliers and end users.
Significant infrastructure projects have been awarded in the Hunter area, with no additional material supply approved. There have been official reports produced of the amount of supply currently available from the current sources, however what this report does not take into account is the specific types of materials required in the industry, the current output of the quarries (which is limited due to various factors including, labour shortages, limited stockpile room, consent conditions required prior to increased tonnes out the gate). There are 3 hard rock quarries in the lower hunter that will supply all concrete, asphalt, Heavily Bound, DGB/DGS, these quarries supposedly total an output of approximately 5,500,000t p.a., however the actual is approximately 2,450,000t p.a. less than half of the "report".
What happens to all the small businesses, local civil companies, councils who all rely on these materials for the better of our community, who will be forgotten in the hype of major projects?

I strongly object to the Australian Development Resource Group's proposed Stone Ridge Quarry that would destroy 140ha of occupied Koala, Squirrel Glider and Phascogale habitat in the Wallaroo State Forest.
There is no justification for the clearing that this project entails ,that would see the destruction of four Endangered Ecological Communities.
The Department of Climate Change and Water have also identified likely impacts on the vulnerable Grey-headed flying fox, the critically endangered Swift Parrot, the endangered Spotted -tail Quoll, the vulnerable Yellow-bellied Glider, the vulnerable New Holland mouse and the vulnerable South Eastern Glossy Black Cockatoo.
It is tragic to think that all this irreplaceable nature could be sacrificed for road base and cement.
Please do not allow this project to proceed.

I object to the destruction of animal habitat within a state forest and to this project in particular. Creating a quarry within a wildlife corridor cannot possibly be approved. Increase in the dust, noise and truck movement over the 30 years of the quarry’s life cannot be acceptable in our state forest or anywhere near a wildlife corridor. Koalas will suffer major impact, and even Grahamstown dam could be affected.
Please do not approve this proposal for Stone Ridge quarry. This quarry does not reflect sustainable forest management but rather permanent destruction of this section of the forest. I object.

I believe that this proposed quarry jeopardised fragile ecosystems for short sighted commercial gain and fails to recognise the value these places have to the community and the economy. There a better places for this quarry to go and its approval will leave those that did so on the wrong side of history.

Dr Michelle Wills
606 Italia Rd
East Seaham NSW 2324

14th July 2023

TO: The Director Resource Assessments, Jessie Evans

I object to the proposal for the Stone Ridge Quarry Project (SSD-10432) for the following reasons.

1. Effect on wildlife

(a) Reduction of safe areas for wildlife in Port Stephens

I was a volunteer wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator for our area for many years. During this time I have rescued koalas, wallabies, kangaroos, possums and flying foxes from sites immediately around the State Forest on Italia Rd. I have observed many reptiles and birds living in the quarry zone. At breeding times large numbers of echidna can be observed near the quarry site. Port Stephen’s Council has allowed to many of the wildlife areas in its jurisdiction to be decimated by mining. We cannot risk the devastating effect of such a vast quarry in the area depleting anymore of our wildlife habitats.

I do not belief there has been adequate investigation into the long-term effects of the mining in this region as far as the future rehabilitation of the site is concerned. Such a long term mining project will simply remove all koala’s from the area and other species of wildlife. Once gone they are gone.

(b) Effects of noise

There are major flying fox colonies at Clarence town and Raymond Terrace. At certain times of the year these fly over our area. The noise will affect their ability to adequately navigate the region. This will disrupt their access to food, but can also cause them to get stressed and use domestic pet facilities to seek water and protection. It is in situations like this that the risk of zoonosis occurs.

The noise will also disrupt migratory birds, and frighten wildlife. I will address this further under road issues.

(2) Issues related to the road

(a) Failure of Italia Rd to meet Australian Standards for Usage

Italia Rd is not up to the Australian Standard for current usage. I have previously written to Port Stephens Council (Enquiry Number 347145) on 11th May 2023 regarding the road. They have failed to reply. I believe this may be because there is insufficient scope for the road to be improved enough to meet the demands of its current usage, let alone any increased usage related to the quarry. Claims the increased traffic will only exist Italia Rd east bound onto the highway are ludicrous. Quarry tracks often travel westbound along Italia Rd, and we have collected video footage of this. The letter I wrote to council on the 11th of May 2023 was because on two occasions in the same week I was forced off the road by an oncoming quarry truck.

(b) Failure of road repairs to make permanent improvements to whole of Italia Rd

Current ‘repairs’ to Italia Rd are not long lasting. I have sought advice from a senior civil engineer who indicated that simply cleaning around the edges of the road would not make it safer. In fact, after the current work a car hit a tree when it went on to the soft edges of the road. Every rain event will simply wash away the edges causing the road to crumble. I understand every truck does the damage of 10000 cars on a road. The current road improvement on Italia Rd only relates to a very small section of the road.

The simple fact is, Italia Rd does not meet the Australian Standards for current usage, and the Council refuses to respond to what it plans to do about it. I also think the money paid by Boral to Port Stephens Council may not have been used appropriately or solely to improve the roads that the quarry trucks used. This in itself needs investigating.

(c) Increased animal traffic across Italia Rd

Sadly I remove many wildlife from Italia Rd on a weekly basis. Although some of the fatalities may be prevented by slower driving, it is a known fact most deaths are unpreventable. The quarry will increase movement of these animals across Italia Rd, and also maybe across the Pacific Highway. The animals will move away from the noises, pollution and diminishing habitat.

Many car accidents are caused by people trying to miss animals on the roads. It is my understanding it was the cause of the accident that killed 26 yo Ben Langdon on Italia a couple of years ago. I am terrified there will be more fatalities.

(3) Health Issues

(a) Silicosis and other respiratory illness

Understanding of what are adequate safety precautions to prevent Silicosis and other mining dust respiratory illnesses is still emerging. I don’t believe there has been any study on potential dust spread in the area from the mining. This will affect animal and human residents. It is inadequate to say ‘we will undertake air quality checking’. Approval to the quarry cannot be given without appropriate INDEPENDENT reviews of air currents in the area, and measurements of the extent of spread of dust. This is particularly important in our area when we are all using tank or ground water.

(b) Mental Health
Something that has been entirely overlooked is the impact on mental health of the residents. As a community we are all genuinely stressed about the increased traffic on Italia Rd. Many have children who catch the local school bus. The trucks are a major problem because of their width, and the speed some take corners resulting in crossing to the wrong side of the road. We cannot even safely walk along our Rd. Many residents cannot even pull out of their driveways without risk of being hit.

(4) Use of the Forestry Act to get preliminary approval for mining


The Mining Act comes under Federal Jurisdiction. Preliminary approval has been given for the Stone Ridge Quarry through the NSW Forestry Act. One must question whether this back door entry for mining companies to rape our forests should be reviewed. I find it somewhat contradictory that the Port Stephen’s Council has zoned the properties on Italia Rd as Rural Landscape, yet at our back doors a quarry is permitted. I wonder how much money the Port Stephens Council and NSW Forestry will receive for agreeing to the proposed quarry? I feel it is reasonable to request that this is disclosed.

As a resident I feel sold out. As an Australian citizen I feel our legislation needs to be reviewed. As an individual I believe we, and our local wildlife, are simply seen as collateral damage. At an absolute minimum and independent enquiry is needed for this proposed quarry.

I have not made any reportable political donation in the last two years. I acknowledge and accept the Departments Disclaimer and Declaration.

I would appreciate if you could please acknowledge receipt of this submission

Regards

Michelle Catherine Wills

I object to this project for many reasons.
1- The environmental impact to our fauna and flora. We have known endangered species in the proposed site and nothing has been done to protect them. The response we have received is “too bad”.
2- Increased road traffic - our road is not up to code to have such traffic. I would also like to point out our road is not safe enough as it for school kids to get on buses or resident road users as it is. I know this, I experienced my brother in law killed on our road two years ago.
3- Health from fumes and dust. I have 2 young children and due to impeding heath concerns, my partner and I have serious thoughts about relocating ( I should not be forced out of my home due to my own and families safety).
These are 3 genuine concerns objecting. If it were to go ahead it would be a detriment to the community and wildlife.

I object to the proposed Stone Ridge Quarry Project.
Over the past 7 years since I have lived here, this area of Port Stephens has been subjected to proposal after proposal.

The Stone Ridge Project is proposed to be located on one of the most dangerous roads in Port Stephens and using a dangerous entry onto the Pacific Highway regardless on the merge entry that is proposed. Not to mention clearing 80HA of prime Koala habitat. Koala's were put on the endangered species list and it is a well known fact that the greatest threat to Koala's is habitat loss. Well here were are again fighting for our national icon. Its a disgrace that a company can think clearing Koala habitat for rocks is a well thought out plan for the future.

The residents on Italia Rd are already subjected to a road in terrible condition and trucks from the Boral Quarry.

The Ports Stephens Koala population is already in a dangerous decline, clearing more koala habitat in this area is not in the interest of the area, the state or the country.

The Wallaroo "State Forest" belongs to the people of NSW. The NSW Labour government will have Koala blood on its hands if this is approved. When NSW Labour was in opposition it fought against the "Koala Killer" Gladys to save 52Ha of Koala Habitat at the Brandy Hill Quarry again in the 2324 postcode. This fight brought a lot of national media attention. I'm Sure the current NSW Labour Government wants to be on right side of history.

Its time Sydney get their own quarry and leave the 2324 post code alone.

I object to the Stone Ridge Quarry Project because it will have major effects on the environment and impact on my Grandmother's farm at Balickera where I like to spend time every school holiday. I am worried how it will effect the cows that live on the farm and all the wildlife living in the forestry.

See attached PDF letter

This proposed project is unnecessary in an area already invested with stone quarrying.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

OBJECTION TO BORAL SEAHAM QUARRY AND PROPOSED STONE RIDGE QUARRY ESTABLISHMENT

I wish to object to both Boral's Seaham Quarry expansion and the proposed Stone Ridge Quarry Establishment on Italia Road Seaham.

Being the partner of one of the family of the long term owners of Balickera (Balickera House Property), I believe that this proposal will cause unnecessary grief for all local residents with the impact of what the expansion/quarry will bring to this area. Not only will it create noise pollution, air pollution, vibrations from blasting, but also will have an adverse affect on all wildlife in the area causing stress, damage and possibly death. I also believe that this proposal if it goes ahead will cause health issues for the elderly, immune compromised and people in general who reside around the Italia Road area.

The excess traffic is already and will become much worse entering/exiting Italia Road and the Pacific Highway. The roads are being damaged by constant Quarry trucks travelling on it and will get worse and no doubt cause more damage to the resident's vehicles. Italia Road is not made to accommodate constant heavy haulage without definite impacts to the local residents.

Our children are descendants of the owners of Balickera and I would like them to be able to enjoy the idyllic and settled lifestyle this place has to offer at present, not be stuck in an area where industrial development ruins the sedate countryside.

Cattle farming/farming is a part of some of the resident's livelihoods, particularly the Kerr family in that area and they have lived in the area for generations, no one wants the disturbance of huge changes from development.

The Kerr family have run cattle on this property (Balickera) for many years, if this proposal goes ahead and the ridge is removed, I believe it will create a lot of unnecessary stress and possible respiratory issues for the cattle and that in turn will prevent income being generated to keep the farm producing due to excess dust, noise, vibration and any other environment impacts caused from the proposed and extended quarries.

Balickera House is heritage listed and when the quarry is blasting it causes the house to shake and vibrate which in turn will cause fatigue to the structure resulting in cracks which are possibly already occurring and this is only one property I can refer to, not to mention all the other residents and their properties.

This situation is a typical David and Goliath scenario, big companys don't seem to care about the little man that struggles to make a living. Maybe the developers need to actually see how the rural areas operate and the community spirit that is involved with the residents in these areas. Maybe you could put yourself in their shoes, if it was your family in this situation, then you could actually have some empathy for the people that this disastrous proposal is going to create for the residents of Balickera and surrounds.

The impact to both flora and fauna will be irreparable to this district if this proposal goes ahead.

Regards

We live in Port Stephens and are writing to object to the Stone Ridge Quarry Project SSD. The reasons for our objection are outlined in the attachment.

Stone Ridge Quarry Submission

To Whom It May Concern

I am involved with the Community Consultive Committee for this proposed quarry and I’m confident that any concerns raised by the community regarding fauna, flora, noise, dust, blasting and traffic will be addressed by the process of approval.

However, I would like to also point out the concerns that I have that the CCC have neglected to consider and that is the impacts caused with the delay in approving this proposed quarry.

The construction industry is desperate for these high-quality quarry materials. The state of NSW is trying to; rebuild roads after flooding and generate real economic positive value after unprecedented covid lockdowns and payments.

My project is ~1.5 km from the proposed quarry however because of a shortage of suitable materials, the closest source that had capacity was Karuah East Quarries ~22 km away. This added to the transport costs as well as the relatively higher prices due to the shortage of these high-quality materials. This higher than usual pricing will be passed on to my customers adding to inflationary pressures, etc. Now I understand that there are people in the community that don’t care about motorsport enthusiasts or those of us who want to enjoy their motor vehicles in a safe environment, but what about the environmental cost, this impacts everyone?

I have imported more than 66,000 tonnes of material from Karuah, and I still need at least a further 3,000 tonnes. Using the 30 tonnes per truck load as per the proponents’ estimates, totalling 2,200 truck loads which is 4,400 truck movements. So that is 96,800 km of trucks on the road. If you compare that to if I was able to source this material from the proposed quarry, it’s only 6,600 km. I’m sure someone will be able to calculate the environmental impact, but simply it’s more than 14 times what it should/could have been.

Please, hurry up and approve this proposed quarry, our state needs it and so does our environment.

Thank you

Please find the NCEC Submission attached.

Respectfully yours,

Jimmy Malecki
Honorary Secretary for the NCEC
(02) 66619156

I stand with the koalas who were found in the survey of 76ha of pristine koala habitat proposed to be clear-felled in the Wallaroo State Forest for a noisy, dusty, and explosive quarry. My family and I stand with the Hunter Community Environment Centre & KKEPS: Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens in our strong objection to this.

Surely there are other places to mine where it doesn’t involve damaging habitat, wildlife and upsetting large communities. My family and I strongly disagree with this proposal.

Linda Gill
155 Squires Road
Wootton
NSW 2423

To Director of Resource Assessment, Jessie Evans.
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Sydney NSW 2001

REF: APPLICATION NO: SSD-10432
PROPOSAL: Stone Ridge Quarry Project.

SUBMISSION OF OBJECTION STONE RIDGE QUARRY
Enough!
I strongly object to this obscenely large quarry proposed for the Stone Ridge Quarry Project (SSD-10432) for the obvious reasons.
We are living in the Anthropocene age, where global, national and state governments know, and yet are failing to act on climate change and extinctions that are occurring daily.

My reasons for objecting :
Our regional economies depend on, and value, our natural environment. The Wallaroo State Forest is public land that should not be quarried, but managed as a State Forest for everyone’s benefit, moreover the economic and environmental values of the Wallaroo State Forest to the region have been ignored in the report.

We face a biodiversity crisis and this proposal breeches an unacceptable level of risk that threatened species habitat, corridor and forage sites will be destroyed, including Koala, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Squirrel Glider, Tiger Quoll, Grey-headed Flying Fox and Powerful, Barking and Masked Owl were either observed or heard on the proposed Stone Ridge site or in the adjacent Wallaroo National Park.

The report for the quarry acknowledges the integrity of the site and it ecological values indicates that the forest on the proposed quarry site is in moderate to good condition (either intact or
2

regenerating), with limited invasive weeds and confirmed presence of three threatened ecological communities, a threatened orchid species, and several species of threatened fauna.

I object to the assumption by the proponent that these values can be re-established, this is a fallacy. Once these ecological values are destroyed, it will take 40 (last logging records of site) to hundreds of years to re-establish the complex assemblage of flora and fauna habitat, particularly hollow bearing trees for hollow dependent species like bats, owls, gliders and large numbers of bird species.

The department should not be approving developments that remove large swaths of complex biodiversity for such proposal. We should be at a point where quarries and large developments should be sourced from already cleared land.
The reality is that habitat is disappearing daily and clearing, logging and climate change is accelerating habitat loss.
The use of offsets to accommodate State Significant developments is obscene and should be discontinued. The State, by using offsets is aiding and abetting the destruction of these disappearing habitats that act as refugia for wildlife, carbon capture and sinks, and importantly these areas are vital for water catchments.
Once cleared these areas act as accelerants to extinction, climate impacts and water catchment loss.

The proposal that the Wallaroo state forests become a large-scale quarry instead of sustainable managed forests is out of balance with the Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM) principles that underpin the NSW Forest Management Framework, including the objective to ‘maintain or increase the full suite of forest values for present and future generations across the NSW native forest estate.

Moreover the Natural Resources Commission noted in 2022 “that NSW forests – whether they be in national parks, state forests, Aboriginal land, private land or Crown land – are under sustained threats, placing many of the services and values they provide at risk”

There is no doubt that areas of cultural importance to the Worimi people will be destroyed.

There was inadequate consultation regarding traffic impacts as the cumulative impacts from 3 quarry developments at Balickera will produce over 1,000 truck movements passing both the Buckets Way intersection with the Pacific Highway and Medowie Road intersection with the Pacific Highway. This is dangerous.
Cumulative impacts from the two proposed quarries at the southern end of Bucketts way, will likely generate 300+ heavy truck movements per day and should be factored into the impacts of the Stone Ridge Quarry proposal.
A proper cost benefit analysis should be produced that shows the contractual demands for Stone Ridge quarry materials that cannot be met by other operational quarries in our region

The impacts from noise and vibration (including trucks), blasting, air quality, surface water runoff, the groundwater table, will extend outside the development into other areas of Wallaroo State Forest which is completely unacceptable and completely understated in the their reports.

Thank you for considering these matters of great importance.

Linda Gill