Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

I wish to make a personal objection to the Sutton Forest Mine Project
Application: SSD 6334.

I feel the proposed mine is inappropriately located within the area of
the Great Western Wildlife Corridor. Any area within The Great Western
Wildlife Corridor is an inappropriate place for an open cut mine.
The Great Western Wildlife Corridor lies between Bullio and Bungonia
and is the vegetated habitat corridor between the Southern Blue
Mountains and Morton National Park.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Mine Proposal. This is an I'll
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 proposal to destroy 67.9 Hectares of native
bushland for a sand mine at Sutton Forrest. The potential for
irreversible environmental damage, water and air pollution, noise
pollution, health risks and traffic hazards is of great concern.'

II wish to make a personal objection to the Sutton Forest Mine Project
Application: SSD 6334

I feel the proposed mine is inappropriately located within the area of
the Great Western Wildlife Corridor; Any area within The Great Western
Wildlife Corridor is an inappropriate place for an open cut mine.
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. @ Sutton Forest, New South Wales.
I feel we need to leave something for the animals and our future.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal to destroy 67.9 Hectares of native
bushland for a sand mine at Sutton Forrest. The potential for
irreversible environmental damage, water and air pollution, noise
pollution, health risks and traffic hazards is of great concern

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal to destroy 67.9 Hectares of native
bushland for a sand mine at Sutton Forrest. The potential for
irreversible environmental damage, water and air pollution, noise
pollution, health risks and traffic hazards is of great concern.

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 have grave concerns about this type of mining, the impact it may have
on the water supply. Please refuse this development until it can be
proved to be sound
Many thanks for sensible government.

I wish to argue against the proposed Sutton Forest sand quarry. The
proposed quarry which is projected to last for up to 45 years, will
forever adversely change the lives of all who live in the
Wingecarribee Shire - people, fauna and flora.

The proposed quarry will have deleterious impacts on:
The water table and the quality of the water.

The sandstone layer within the proposed quarry area acts as a filter
for rainwater. Destruction of this layer will adversely affect the
bores on which the local people depend for agriculture. Dust from the
mine will pollute the nearby Long Swamp and its aquifer which
currently clean the water supply to Sydney's Nepean water catchment.

Health of those(human and animal) who live in the Wingecarribee Shire.
Airborne dust carried by the prevailing winds may cause or exacerbate
the existing conditions of asthma, silicosis, fibrosis and cancer.

Welfare of native flora and fauna. The proposed destruction of some
63.2 hectares of native vegetation lies within the Great Western Wild
life Corridor between the Morton National Park and the Blue Mountains.
The lives of endangered species - the koalas in Penrose State Forest
and the Black Cockatoos which feed on the she-oaks - together with the
native wild life which normally inhabits the area will be destroyed by
the clearance of land. The noise, blasting and light pollution from
the work carried on at night will adversely affect wild life for
kilometres around the mine site.

Welfare of those who live in the villages within the Wingecarribee
Shire. The noise, blasting and light pollution will adversely affect
those of us who live here and those who visit. There is a threat to
the beautiful "Penrose Park" which will adjoin the proposed quarry;
the Park currently attracts 10,000 national and international visitors
and pilgrims per year, who come for the peace and tranquility of a
place designed to help heal the soul and calm the spirit. The land
clearance will mean the destruction of the Remembrance Driveway
memorial to Bruce Kingsbury VC; this is a area well used by locals and
visitors and they drive along the highway. The highway is busy enough
as it is and does not need to be clogged with large numbers of sand
carrying trucks.

What benefits are there to the proposed quarry? It appears that the
only people to benefit will be the owners of the companies who have
proposed mining sand in this area. The provision of 20 full time
positions is paltry and will be outweighed by the possible loss of
jobs within the very healthy tourism industry. The Wingecarribee Shire
is noted for its beauty and supports increasingly busy wedding,
conference and holiday facilities, all to be threatened by noise, dust
and increased heavy traffic.

I'm 18 years old and have lived in the Southern Highlands for most of my
life. This sand mine will cause major repercussions for the residents
who live here and will change the dynamic of our beautiful area. The
various forms of pollution alone will have drastic effects on the
Southern Highlands as well as the irreparable damage to the wildlife
directly surrounding the proposed mine. The effects of this sand mine
will alter my hometown and it will cease to be such a beautiful,
tranquil and tourist friendly place that I hope I'll be able to raise
my own family in one day.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal to destroy 67.9 Hectares of native
bushland for a sand mine at Sutton Forrest. The potential for
irreversible environmental damage, water and air pollution, noise
pollution, health risks and traffic hazards is of great concern.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal to destroy 67.9 Hectares of native
bushland for a sand mine at Sutton Forrest. The potential for
irreversible environmental damage, water and air pollution, noise
pollution, health risks and traffic hazards is of great concern

This quarry will destroy the homes of wildlife.
The traffic pollution and location is dangerous and will impact on
congestion and risk of accidents on the busy highway.

I am strongly opposed to the currently proposed Sutton Forest quarry!

As a member of an immigrant family whose extended family live in
extremely poor environment conditions I am opposed to a project that
will create more damage to a beautiful area so close to residential
properties, as well as impact the highly populated city of Sydney.

What is being proposed will directly damage Long Swamp Creek.
Polluting and damaging Long Swamp and its aquifer (by overflow and
leaching mud and finings from the pit) will affect not just the local
residents and the native flora and fauna but on a clean water supply
to Sydney as it is part of the Nepean water catchment area feeding
into Warragamba Dam. The sandstones play a critical biological role in
filtering the water. The removal of the standstones will have a
directly impact on the quality of water that flows into Sydney's water
system, impacting the 5.5 million residents.

Clean water in Australia is very precious and is something that
communities in many other countries (both developed and developing
countries) just do not have. It is not unreasonable that we ask for
clean water that is free of any contamination.

It clearly states in the Environmental Impact Statement that there is
a possible threat to the endangered ecological community from "land
clearing, pollution and eutrophication, erosion and sedimentation and
changes to water tables and surface flows caused by drainage works or
altered flows in the catchment". The Southern Highlands Shale Forest
and Woodland is already listed as a critically endangered ecological
community (more information here:
http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/202f5b13-9173-4fa0-b2cb-b95c82ee9a28/files/southern-highlands-shale-forest-guide.pdf)
. We do not need to add to that list!

The scale of this sandmine will create irreversible damage to the
local area. We cannot allow this to happen.

A Public Meeting was held at St Paul's Church Hall, Moss Vale. I object
to the SSD 6334 EIS which contains fundamental flaws and technical
issues; average values do not stack up. There is science behind my
objection. This is a very long term and large resource project; works
will go on for up to 7 days a week for many decades - 40 years leaving
a massive hole - a 47 hectare pit to a depth of 39 metres below the
current water table! I object to removal of the sandstone. It plays a
critical and fundamental biological role in filtering water. I object
to the planned or prospective dumping of 8 million cubic metres of
Sydney fill and rubbish to fill the pit. I object to the project's
polluting and damaging dust of Long Swamp and its aquifer which clean
and supplies Sydney's Nepean water catchment by overflow, and the
subsequent pollutants, leaching mud and finings from the pit. I object
the adverse health effect of airborne dust (asthma, silicosis,
fibrosis, cancer) that will be carried by prevailing winds across the
population centres of the Southern Highlands. I object to the air
pollution and dust impact, becoming the next medical `asbestos'; and I
object its debilitating effects and extreme stresses on flora and
fauna and entire ecosystems. I object to the lowering the water table
at Sutton Forest will adversely affect the bores on which so many
locals depend for agriculture and life. I object to the land clearing
of 63 hectares of native bush to critically narrow the most fragile
section of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, harming the native
flora and fauna, including endangered species. I object to the noise
pollution, blasting and light pollution 24/7 for 30 years destroying
this critical habitat. I object that to operational lighting for 24/7
operations and impact study not done. I object to the impacts on the
biodiversity corridor - noise, vibration, light & movement - too
narrow a land strip would remain for native animals in the Great
Western Wildlife Corridor I object to the disruption of the peace and
tranquillity at `The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy - Penrose Park',
which attracts 10,000 tourists per year; and the Victoria Cross War
memorial rest stop nearby will not be restful. I object to the entire
destruction of `Remembrance Driveway memorial to Bruce Kingsbury VC, a
much used area commemorating a great and heroic Australian. I object
to the dramatic increase in heavy trucking on the Hume Highway ( > 400
trucks per day) and the maintenance costs that will make their way to
taxpayers, the increased risks to the general public of driving on
truck laden highways, the noise and pollutions including dust!! I
object to the commitment that is needed made by the Wingecarribee
Council to maintain a new Hume Highway overpass and local access road
for a private venture. I object to the proposed rock crushing site
with residents living less than 100 metres away. I object to 6-12
blasts per year and high pitched water driven sandstone rock sawing.
Permeability of sandstone will be compromised resulting in
consolidation due to mining vibrations therefore restricting
groundwater filtration. Long Swamp Creek/sandstone filter (100 metres
away) is at great risk and will be contaminated and subsequently
impacts water quality in the region and for Sydney Water? Massive
water usage - 100 million litres short of water licence already
allocated. I object to the applications subsequently requiring more
water and having to obtain more water licences (from others). The
harvestable right of groundwater needs to be looked into thoroughly
and honour Governments requirement of worst case scenarios - the
applicant has presented only averages. The proposed mine sits in a
vital link. The Giant Dragonfly lives in this sandstone country above
600 metres. Surrounding property values will plummet. We do NOT want
to go the way of the Hunter Valley. This matter needs to be referred
to the Commonwealth Government re the water impact. There needs to be
consultation with the Australian Pipeline Authority. This proposal is
flawed in fundamental ways. I object. There is history and what should
be `lessons learned' from other dreadfully damaging major projects in
this and all states. I do not believe true regard to the risks and
outcomes of this proposed major planning project is given in the EIS.
Thank you for accepting my objection.

A Public Meeting was held at St Paul's Church Hall, Moss Vale. I object
to the SSD 6334 EIS which contains fundamental flaws and technical
issues; average values do not stack up. There is science behind my
objection. This is a very long term and large resource project; works
will go on for up to 7 days a week for many decades - 40 years leaving
a massive hole - a 47 hectare pit to a depth of 39 metres below the
current water table! I object to removal of the sandstone. It plays a
critical and fundamental biological role in filtering water. I object
to the planned or prospective dumping of 8 million cubic metres of
Sydney fill and rubbish to fill the pit. I object to the project's
polluting and damaging dust of Long Swamp and its aquifer which clean
and supplies Sydney's Nepean water catchment by overflow, and the
subsequent pollutants, leaching mud and finings from the pit. I object
the adverse health effect of airborne dust (asthma, silicosis,
fibrosis, cancer) that will be carried by prevailing winds across the
population centres of the Southern Highlands. I object to the air
pollution and dust impact, becoming the next medical `asbestos'; and I
object its debilitating effects and extreme stresses on flora and
fauna and entire ecosystems. I object to the lowering the water table
at Sutton Forest will adversely affect the bores on which so many
locals depend for agriculture and life. I object to the land clearing
of 63 hectares of native bush to critically narrow the most fragile
section of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, harming the native
flora and fauna, including endangered species. I object to the noise
pollution, blasting and light pollution 24/7 for 30 years destroying
this critical habitat. I object that to operational lighting for 24/7
operations and impact study not done. I object to the impacts on the
biodiversity corridor - noise, vibration, light & movement - too
narrow a land strip would remain for native animals in the Great
Western Wildlife Corridor I object to the disruption of the peace and
tranquillity at `The Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy - Penrose Park',
which attracts 10,000 tourists per year; and the Victoria Cross War
memorial rest stop nearby will not be restful. I object to the entire
destruction of `Remembrance Driveway memorial to Bruce Kingsbury VC, a
much used area commemorating a great and heroic Australian. I object
to the dramatic increase in heavy trucking on the Hume Highway ( > 400
trucks per day) and the maintenance costs that will make their way to
taxpayers, the increased risks to the general public of driving on
truck laden highways, the noise and pollutions including dust!! I
object to the commitment that is needed made by the Wingecarribee
Council to maintain a new Hume Highway overpass and local access road
for a private venture. I object to the proposed rock crushing site
with residents living less than 100 metres away. I object to 6-12
blasts per year and high pitched water driven sandstone rock sawing.
Permeability of sandstone will be compromised resulting in
consolidation due to mining vibrations therefore restricting
groundwater filtration. Long Swamp Creek/sandstone filter (100 metres
away) is at great risk and will be contaminated and subsequently
impacts water quality in the region and for Sydney Water? Massive
water usage - 100 million litres short of water licence already
allocated. I object to the applications subsequently requiring more
water and having to obtain more water licences (from others). The
harvestable right of groundwater needs to be looked into thoroughly
and honour Governments requirement of worst case scenarios - the
applicant has presented only averages. The proposed mine sits in a
vital link. The Giant Dragonfly lives in this sandstone country above
600 metres. Surrounding property values will plummet. We do NOT want
to go the way of the Hunter Valley. This matter needs to be referred
to the Commonwealth Government re the water impact. There needs to be
consultation with the Australian Pipeline Authority. This proposal is
flawed in fundamental ways. I object. There is history and what should
be `lessons learned' from other dreadfully damaging major projects in
this and all states. I do not believe true regard to the risks and
outcomes of this proposed major planning project is given in the EIS.
Thank you for accepting my objection.

I oppose the mine quarry

For the following reasons:
Lowering the water table will adversely affect the bores that
residents rely on.
Sandstone has a critical biological role in filtering the water and
consequent drainage to the Nepean River
Dust pollution to the long swamp and overflow pollution will adversely
affect water catchment and the Nepean. Also causing adverse health
issues both respitory and auto immunity.
Damage to flora and fauna in an already fragile great western
corridor.
Destroying a memorial and peace and tranquillity at a popular park
Increased heavy traffic that the current Infrastucture is not designed
to cope.
Overall profit over farming appears to be the driving force for this
development.

I am very concerned by and oppose this proposed sand mine and backfill
tip.

My husband is the grandson of the original owners of the neighbouring
property `Danellen' , (Eugene and Maureen Fitzpatrick) and spent all
his childhood on that property. We now have four young sons and
regularly visit to get away from Sydney. The proposed sand mine will
end this. The proposal will mean Danellen will become uninhabitable,
with noise, dust, severe access issues etc, let alone the damage to
the gardens, orchards and widespread environmental damage that will
result.

Taking a broader perspective, this is one of the largest sand mines in
Australia. A 47 hectare pit and is going to have an irreversible
effect on the bores on which so many locals depend for agriculture and
life. And it is only going to increase in size as neighbouring
properties `give up' in the face of the destruction.

I am very concerned that:

1. Removing the sandstone and its critical biological role in
filtering water, and then dumping 8 million cubic metres of Sydney
fill into the pit will cause irreversible damage. VENM will not filter
the water the way the sandstone currently does and will itself
significantly increase the sediment levels into Sydney's water supply.
And it is, in reality, unlikely to be VENM. It will be landfill.

2. The mining will pollute and damage with dust Long Swamp and its
aquifer which clean and supply Sydney's Nepean water catchment by
overflow and leaching mud and finings from the pit.

3. There will be adverse health effects of airborn dust (asthma,
silicosis, fibrosis, cancer) carried by prevailing winds across the
population centres of the Highlands.
4. Land clearing 63 hectares of native bush to narrow the most fragile
section of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor will seriously harm the
native flora and fauna, including endangered species.
5. The wider effects of noise, blasting and light pollution 24/7 for
30 years will destroy this critical habitat.
6. There will be a significant increase in heavy trucking on the Hume
Highway (300 - 400 trucks a day).
I am also concerned by the apparent lack of consultation with effected
residents and by the refusal to grant any extension of time for
further submissions.

Please reject this proposal! There are doubtless viable alternatives
that will have much less impact.

I wish to make a personal objection to the Sutton Forest Mine Project
Application: SSD 6334

I feel any area within The Great Western Wildlife Corridor is an
inappropriate place for an open cut mine. The Great Western Wildlife
Corridor lies between Bbullio and Bungonia and is the only vegetated
habitat corridor between the Southern Blue Mountains and Morton
National Park. @ Sutton Forest, New South Wales.

The risks to Sydney's water catchment are also unfathomable.

I STRONGLY OPPOSE the proposal to destroy 67.9 Hectares of native
bushland for a sand mine at Sutton Forrest. The potential for
irreversible environmental damage, water and air pollution, noise
pollution, health risks and traffic hazards is of great concern.