Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

I wish to submit my OPPOSITION to the proposed sand mine at Sutton
Forest. This quiet rural area is not the place for a sand mine of the
proposed size. There are far too many impacts environmentally and
socially to accept this proposal.

Sand mining operations are out of place in this native bush/ rural/
residential area. The deforestation, habitat destruction and
biodiversity erosion due to a sand mine in this area can not be
considered.

I am concerned that the proposed sand mine at Sutton Forest Quarry
will adversely affect the air and water quality in The Southern
Highlands region. Additionally, noise pollution will infiltrate quiet
residential farms and a significant place of worship. The native flora
and flora will be severely affected . Increased traffic on the Hume
Highway will increase to a dangerous level.

I object to the proposed Sand Mine at Sutton Forest.

I have many concerns about this proposed development but my main
reason to objecting are the substantial lowering of the water table
which will have a long term negative effect on the bores on which many
locals depend for agriculture and life.

Noise from blasting and machinery, light pollution from the 24/7
operation of the quarry, this to continue for its 30 year life. This
will have an extreme impact on critical native flora and fauna and the
sanity of the locals. The peace and tranquility of the Shrine of our
Lady of Mercy will be destroyed. The amount of land clearing will
narrow critically the already fragile section of the Great Western
Wildlife Corridor . The damage this will cause the native flora and
fauna, including endangered species such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo
cannot be overstated. Removal of the sandstone and it critical
biological role in filtering water and then the dumping of millions of
tonnes of fill into the pit will surely have a pollution effect. As
well, Long Swamp and its aquifer will be polluted by overflow, mud and
finings from the quarry.

Im also concerned about the adverse health effects of airborne dust.
The dramatic increase in heavy trucking on the Hume Highway. The
removal of the Remembrance Driveway Memorial to Bruce Kingsbury VC.

This destructive development will have no benefit to the Southern
Highlands community. Continuing robotic mechanisation of quarrying
operations casts much doubt on the number of people potentially
employed at the site.

Agritourism Events Australia make this submission to the planning &
environment department to oppose the Sutton Forest Quarry Project
Application: SSD 6334 for the following reasons:

*Any area within The Great Western Wildlife Corridor is an
inappropriate place for an open cut mine- NO Environment Minister
could consciously allow devastation of such significance; The Great
Western Wildlife Corridor lies between Bullio and Bungonia and is the
only vegetated habitat corridor between the Southern Blue Mountains
and Morton National Park.

*This mine will not enhance agritourism opportunities for the Southern
Highlands region or value for local producers.

*This mine is likely to have adverse effects on wildlife, the local
environment (specifically Long Swamp and its aquifier) and the
people/residents of Sutton Forest.
*There are agritourism businesses in this Region that will be impacted
by the approval of this mine.

I believe that the Sutton Forest sand quarry would have little benefit to
the Southern Highlands:
*The large area of land to be cleared for the quarry and it's supposed
rehabilitation will have a negative impact on native fauna and flora -
the expected life of the project of 30+ years would certainly prevent
present species from continuing to exist in the area;
*The increased volume of truck movements will make more congestion for
local road users. The turning of trucks across the Hume Highway is not
conducive to road safety;
*Removing sandstone which filters water and using Sydney fill to
replace it means the quality of groundwater cannot be guaranteed. Any
contamination of, and/or reduction in flow of, groundwater will have a
detrimental impact on a large area. Water quality is of utmost
importance to people;
*Lowering the water table at Sutton Forest will have and adverse
effect for farmers in the area who depend on bores for their water;
*Air quality and carbon emissions will be adversely effected;
*The cost of maintaining a new Hume Highway overpass, to benefit a
private venture, will fall to Wingecarribbee Shire Council;
*There has been insufficient opportunity for public discussion of this
issue. Many people are not aware of the proposal.

We are losing our native wildlife through loss of habitat.
Why would you give permission for a sand mine in a forest? I know the
area well and am horrified that you could even consder this
environmental vandalism. Shame on you

Any area within The Great Western Wildlife Corridor is an inappropriate
place for an open cut mine- NO Environment Minister could consciously
allow devastation of such significance; The Great Western Wildlife
Corridor lies between Bullio and Bungonia and is the only vegetated
habitat corridor between the Southern Blue Mountains and Morton
National Park.

*This mine will not enhance agritourism opportunities or value for the
Southern Highlands region or its producers.

*This mine is likely to have adverse effects on wildlife, the local
environment (specifically Long Swamp and its aquifier) and the
people/residents of Sutton Forest.
*There are agritourism businesses in this Region that will be impacted
by the approval of this mine.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Mine Proposal. This is an ill
conceived plan that is environmentally, socially and morally
irresponsible. This is not the place for a sand mine of this size and
every step should be made to protect this pristine native area.
Australia is a big, arid country. There is a lot of sand in remote
regions that will not be as environmentally fragile as this. Our water
supply, a precious commodity in our dry land, must remain clean. Our
flora and fauna must be protected. Destruction now is irreversible.

I strongly oppose the development of a proposed sand mine at Sutton
Forest Quarry for a number of reasons.

1. It will adversely affect the native flora and fauna in this area.
2. Habitats will be destroyed due to noise pollution, which will
impact greatly on this quiet residential area because of increased
traffic on the Hume Highway.
3. This increased heavy traffic will also impose a threat to local
residents.
4. Air and water quality will also be affected in The Southern
Highlands region.

In short, the Southern Highlands is a beautiful, peaceful,
environmentally outstanding and historically aesthetic area.

My wider family have lived in the Southern Highlands for over 45 years
and I would hate to see it destroyed by the proposed sand mine.

I strongly oppose the proposed Sutton Forest mine project: SSD 6334 for
the following reasons:

* The mine is located less than 1km from my family farm and will most
likely disrupt the tranquil environment with dust, ground vibrations
and noise pollution. This is all in strict contrast to our intentions
before buying the property three years ago.

* Our family is deeply distressed by reasonable concern for the
ensuing silica exposure that occurs in mining regions.

* Our family feels this mining project has been ill planned with an
inappropriate position within the Great Western Wildlife Corridor
region. It is an unconscionable place for an open cut mine. No
environment minister could consciously allow unnecessary devastation
of such wildlife significance. The GWWC lies between Bullio and
Bungonia and is the only vegetated habitat corridor between the
Southern Blue Mountains and Morton National Park.

I have been involved with organising and creating the Berry Bush Links
Wildlife Corridor for nearly 8 years. This project is funded by a
grant from the NSW Environment Trust, as are many other such Wildlife
Corridor projects in NSW. The Great Western Wildlife Corridor is a
vital link on the Great Eastern Ranges Corridor which runs from the
Atherton Tablelands down to the Victorian Alps. I am acutely aware how
much effort is required to revegetate even a minor Corridor such as
ours, and to lose a significant part of the Great Western Wildlife
Corridor to a sand mine, without appropriate offsets to ensure the
full width of the Corridor is retained would be extremely
undesireable.

I strongly OPPOSE the proposed sand mine at Sutton Forest. This area is
comprised of peoples homes and farm land as well as state forests
which need to be preserved and protected rather than destroyed by the
mining industry.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We have been living here in the Southern Highlands of NSW for well
over 50 years. Over that time we have witnessed the slow but steady
deterioration in the authenticity and integrity of the rural
landscape. Just like the casual attitude to the world's inevitable
climate change - it is being allowed to happen!
Please don't add to it by giving permission to the Sutton Forrest Sand
Mine.

As a local farmer investing in the development of stud cattle bringing
people as well as potential profit to the Southern highlands, I am
immensely concerned about the proposed Sutton Forest Quarry Project.

A review of the material so far published indicates little or no
concern for the Southern Highlands' environment, its communities, or
its commerce.

While the proposed quarrying may advance the fortunes of a few, it can
only serve to disadvantage many and damage the interests of the
majority of those choosing to reside and/or do business in the
Southern Highlands.

Although apparent haste in government consideration of the proposal
has denied full and proper review of its environmental impact on
behalf of those it threatens to disadvantage the most, even a
preliminary reading indicates it to fall well short of current
community standards recognised in legislation and regulation.

To allow such a project in direct contravention of its own established
rules, any government must expect to pay a substantial penalty by way
of offended political and financial support.

On this basis alone it is to be hoped that further damage to public
opinion of political interests will be avoided by rejection of the
proposal as presented, together with any future crude attempts at
exploitation of resources being held in trust by governments on behalf
of their communities.

Certainly, notwithstanding the State's requirement for reliable sand
and sandstone supplies to meet building industry demands, this
proposal's necessary requirement for circumvention of standing
legislation and regulation can only signal short-term political
interests being allowed to override longer-term faith in our
democratic processes.

Honesty and decency, rather than political expediency, surely demand
governmental rejection of the Sutton Forest Quarry Proposal.
Collin Segelov
Exeter.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal of The Sutton Forest Quarry. I am
concerned that the proposed sand mine will adversely affect the air
and water quality in The Southern Highlands region. Additionally,
noise pollution will infiltrate quiet residential farms and a
significant place of worship. The native flora and flora will be
severely affected. Conservation of our unique species should be
paramount. Remedial measures to combat any land and habitat
destruction as stated in the EIS are not feasible. Nature does not
work like that !

I am writing to strongly object to this proposal due to the following
reasons:
- Impact on the local groundwater system and the many micro organisms
and organisms that depend on it
-Potential for ongoing leaching of contaminants from the site as
observed at other mines
- Clearing of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor and impacts on flora
and fauna
- Noise, dust and heavy vehicle movements and associated impacts on
the local area.
Please consider the above and take steps to stop this destructive
proposal.

Any area within The Great Western Wildlife Corridor is an inappropriate
place for an open cut mine- NO Environment Minister could consciously
allow devastation of such significance; The Great Western Wildlife
Corridor lies between Bullio and Bungonia and is the only vegetated
habitat corridor between the Southern Blue Mountains and Morton
National Park.

*This mine will not enhance agritourism opportunities or value for the
Southern Highlands region or its producers.

*This mine is likely to have adverse effects on wildlife, the local
environment (specifically Long Swamp and its aquifier) and the
people/residents of Sutton Forest.
*There are agritourism businesses in this Region that will be impacted
by the approval of this mine.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Mine Proposal. This is an ill
conceived plan that is environmentally, socially and morally
irresponsible. This is not the place for a sand mine of this size and
every action should be taken to protect this pristine native area.
Australia is a big, arid country. There is a lot of sand in remote
regions that will not be as environmentally fragile as this. Our water
supply, a precious commodity in our dry land, must remain clean. Our
flora and fauna must be protected. Destruction now is irreversible.

I object to the quarry proposal for the following reasons:
The wildlife corridor which currently exists in this area must be
maintained intact, not broken into by destroying 63 hectares of
habitat.
The excavation proposal will go below the existing water table and
threaten water supply in a catchment area. Water that flows into the
pit will have to be pumped out, causing further environmental damage.
The noise and disturbance will threaten local wildlife;local flora
will be destroyed.
The proposal comes within a local E3 Zone and is incompatible with
local government planning.
The consequence of using chemical inputs on the proposed site is
unknown and unquantifiable, a dangerous precedent.
The sandstone that is present in this area cleans and filters the
water in the existing aquifer, contributing to the health of the
Nepean water catchment.
Our government should conserve, not destroy, our fragile environment.
The proposal is yet another assault on our environment, which is
fragile, and should be supported by everyone and not yield to
industrial threats centred on moneymaking.
The proposal is a threat to the local and wider environment and should
not be accepted.

June 20, 2018

Planning Services
Department of Planning and Environment GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Attention: Director - Resource Assessments

RE: In OPPOSITION to Sutton Forest Sand Quarry Project (SSD 6334)

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing this email in OPPOSITION to the Sutton Forest Mining
Project. I am a U.S. citizen who has spent a lot of time with my
cousins in the immediate area at my Uncle's lovely farm.

This farm is not only a sacred site because of it's beauty, but the
area is part of a larger area that provides a wildlife corridor in and
around the Blue Mountains. The endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo relies
on the vegetation of this area for food and nesting. As an
environmentalist by training who has reviewed much of the information
about this project, I am amazed anyone could think that this project
could move forward without significant damage to wildlife and flora in
the area.

It is also environmentally significant that water could be severely
contaminated by this mining project damaging agriculture endeavors and
destroy flora and fauna in the area as this water eventually makes its
way to the Great Swamp and the local creek. Can anyone ensure these
residents that they will have clean drinking water or water to nourish
their crops if this project moves forward?

Air particulates and subsequent air pollution generated by mining
activities cannot help but be detrimental to this entire area to both
residents, tourists, and wildlife. I am thinking of my "holy" visit to
the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy. This is an important sacred site that
many believers visit each year to seek healing through worship and
prayer. As the wife of a minister, I am greatly saddened when sacred
sites are sacrificed to corporate greed.

My OPPOSITION to the proposed large sand quarry at Sutton Forest is
based on many social, environmental and conservation and ethical
factors. The native flora and flora will be severely affected.
Conservation of our unique species should be paramount Our world is
constantly under threat due to excessive resource consumption. There
are limited natural resources and once we, as inhabitants, exceed the
threshold level of the earth system, irreversible consequences will
follow.

Irene Fitzpatrick Friedrichs
U.S. Cousin (to Richard Fitzpatrick, owner of the Fitzpatrick family
farm abutting the Sutton Forest Mining Project)

I strongly OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Quarry proposal. This is a quiet
rural residential area where the proposed extraction and processing of
sand will lead to widespread environmental damage, impacting on the
flora and fauna of the area and the lives of not only the local
residents but those in the greater region.