Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

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.

Please refer to attachment

Please see attached submission

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


Dear Anthony Roberts, MP

Please accept this as my interim submission to oppose the Sutton
Forest Sand `Quarry' (MINE) Project (SSD 6334).

My family has owned a property that will be significantly affected by
the proposed Sand Mine for more than 40 years. I spent my childhood
growing up on this property and continue to spend my time with my
family and friends here. We have held weddings, funerals, birthdays
and holidays at this property. A property that continues to contribute
to the local community and has contributed produce to the wider Sydney
market.

The EIS has only been on exhibition for one month, providing little to
no time to prepare a fully informed submission, notify members of the
community who will be directly affected and also notify the wider
Sydney community. I would also like to raise serious concern regarding
the lack of consultation with those directly affected. The documents
provided are incredibly detailed and will require more time to study
the proposal. Therefore, I formally request this be considered as my
interim submission only.

This interim submission raises serious concern and opposition due to
the following factors, primarily the first two items:
* Public health concerns;
* Significant impact on the surrounding properties;
* Threats to water quality and the broader impact of this threat to
Sydney's water supply; and
* Environmental impact.

I note that the EIS has identified the SEPP 33 Hazardous and Offensive
Development Application Guidelines to be a requisite for
consideration. I also note that the EIS fails to acknowledge the
serious public health issues surrounding DUST, NOISE and LIGHT. There
is only mention of the effect of chemical hazards. This is an enormous
oversight.

DUST
It is well known that silica dust poses a significant health risk to
those frequently exposed. This has been identified in similar
scenarios to the development of this mine through the blasting and
grinding of sandstone. This will create a large amount of silica dust,
which is known to cause cancer, among other significant health issues.
I would like it acknowledged that sandstone grinding is the primary
activity being undertaken at this proposed sand mine.
Neighbouring properties and farmland will be directly affected by
this, impacting the health of the community, as well as employees of
the sand mine. Silica dust will also travel by wind to the wider
community. I note that the Green Valley Sand Quarry will increase this
risk due to how geographically close these two sites will be. Cancer
Council Australia has also highlighted the significant risk silica
dust poses -
https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/workplace-cancer/silica-dust.html.
SafeWork NSW also highlights this risk -
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/media/publications/health-and-safety/hazardous-chemicals/crystalline-silica-technical-fact-sheet.
Please take the time to carefully consider the health risk you are
posing on our community and your own population.

NOISE
A reminder of that noise pollution is a public health issue. Sandstone
crushing and rock blasting will occur day and night, disturbing
neighbouring properties. Trucking will also increase disturbance in
the area, not only affecting the neighbouring properties, but also
wildlife. A reminder by Work Cover Queensland's statement regarding
the effects of excessive noise -
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-exposures/noise/effects-of-excessive-noise.

Excessive noise stress causes: raised blood pressure, accelerate heart
rates, stress, hypertension (leading to strokes and heart attacks),
reduced white blood cell counts (increasing infections) and gastric
ulcers.

Neighbouring residents will be in position to move as a result,
reducing the community's productivity and active farm-land. Farming is
an essential industry in NSW and Australia. These properties have been
established for decades, and recently purchased and built, without
knowledge that this would ever be considered in this area. THIS CAUSES
SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF STRESS.

LIGHT
Did you know light is a pollutant? Neighbouring properties will be
significantly affected by night lighting during the ongoing sand
blasting. There is no respite offered to these properties and its
residents - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2627884/

AUSTRALIA'S GOVERNMENT BODIES AND NON-PROFITS SUPPORTED BY STATE AND
FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS HIGHLIGHT THESE PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS.

With respect to the limited time you have provided to prepare a
submission, limited consultation with the community and wider Sydney
population, and the failure to grant an extension, please accept this
as my interim submission. I intend to address these concerns in
greater detail.

Regards,

Maev Kerri Fitzpatrick, BSc, BA, MPH
Personal Submission

Senior Advocacy & Policy Officer, Royal Australasian College of
Physicians
Ambassador, Surfrider Foundation
Fundraising Ambassador, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without
Borders)

Please see up-loaded letter

See attached.

See attached submission

Attached is my interim submission and due to the limited time allowed for
my response I reserve the rights to add to the submission at
information arises.

Rod Blay

Please see attached submission

Please find attached PDF.

I have presented my opinion in the attached letter

i wish to submit the following attachment in support of my objection
against the proposed scale of development of sandstone Quarry at
Sutton Forest.

See attached PDF document.

See attached document

See attached

Interim submission by Save Our Sands Alliance Inc. (SOSA)
OPPOSING
Proposed Sutton Forest Sand Quarry 13300 Hume Highway, Sutton Forest NSW 2577. SSD Application No – 6334

We submit a strong opposition to the State Significant Development application by Tranteret Pty Ltd 13300 Hume Highway, Sutton Forest NSW.
We are a community group representing citizens of the Southern Highlands who will be negatively impacted by this proposed sand mine.
Given the unrealistic time limit imposed on the community to read, assess, communicate and submit, this is and INTERIM submission and a more detailed submission will follow.
Grounds for objection listed here have come from consultation with community.
1. No consultation with community as instructed by the commissioner.
2. Inconsistent with Wingecarribee Local Environmental Plan 2010 (WLEP).
3. Inconsistent with NSW Conservation C3 – Environmental Management Zone.
4. Local Long Swamp ecosystem damage through water runoff and aquifer pollution.
5. Damaging the habitat of local endangered and threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds.
6. Damaging a significant area marked for biodiversity through breaking the Great Western Wildlife Corridor.
7. Creating a public health hazard by air pollution with toxic silica dust that has no safe level of exposure.
8. Creating a public health hazard by subjecting undue stress on local citizens that will create mental health disorders of depression and anxiety.
9. Air pollution with adverse farming and environmental consequences.
10. Polluting the water flowing into Long Swamp and the Nepean Headwaters.
11. Polluting the deep groundwater by extracting pristine virgin stone and replacing it with waste material.
12. Increasing the risk of premature death to local residents.
13. The unacceptable risk of lowering the water table an unpredictable amount and threatening local water supplies.
14. Damaging the Southern Highlands landscape and reputation as a sought after tourist destination for its unique amenities.
15. Endangering traffic on the Hume Highway.
16. A truck and traffic management plan that will never be adhered to or policed.
17. Noise and vibration pollution 24/7 for 30 years.
18. Light pollution every night for 30 years.
19. Damage to the visual aesthetic of the Southern Highlands with 110-hectare wasteland replacing native bushland and farmland.
20. Disturbing on-site indigenous heritage rock-cave art, deemed highly significant by the OEH and local indigenous communities.
21. Pollution damage to surrounding bushland, crops, gardens, solar panels and residences.
22. Removal of sandstone with its critical role in the ground water hydrology of the wider area.
23. Disturbing the peace and tranquillity at the Shine of Our Lady of Mercy – Penrose Park, a large multicultural church and monastery of international repute.
24. Damaging the amenity provided by the popular Kingsbury VC memorial park.
25. The cumulative effects of all these damages should the Green Valley and Penrose quarries be operating simultaneously.
26. Failure to demonstrate the need for this sand product from this site.
27. Failure to demonstrate the need to dump waste material on this site.
28. The absence of significant amendments or mitigations of expected harm in this resubmission other than self-monitoring.
29. The unfitness of the proponent demonstrated by the extensive list of EPA penalties and current charges.

OUR COMMUNITY STRONGLY OPPOSES THIS MINE. PLEASE REJECT IT.

We go camping in that area. Its a known Wildlife Corridor for threatened species, I've even spotted Koalas there. This is a rural residential location, not suitable for a mining sized quarry. There is no proven need that the sand is required so desperately that we are destroying fragile eco systems for it. We DONT need it that badly.
Tourism will be affected , we have also stayed at an air B&B on a property that backs onto this quarry , the the birds everywhere and the bush were lovely, That would be ruined
I object.

I am supporting a friend, her family, their community & a place that is their home & is dear to them.
This is alarming that is happening for so many reasons, the very important ecosystem that is home to vital flora & fauna & survival of some species. The great risk of contamination of Sydney’s water. The heavy vechicles & health risks to this peaceful abundant community. This is not the place for this mine at all. I object to this project & pray it doesn’t go ahead.

I oppose this project
1. It causes illness to people living and visiting the area
2. It will destroy wildlife including endangered and threatened species in the area
3. The underground water aquifers will be contaminated affecting cattle and crops and residents of the area
4. The noise pollution will have an impact on Sunday Mass at Penrose Park
5. The dust will impact residents and visitors to the area