Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

See attached letter dated 3 December 2023

environmental destruction through water runoff and aquifer pollution,

-location at the most fragile point of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, a region targeted for biodiversity, and the unique Long Swamp ecosystem, which is listed as a threatened ecosystem.

-endangering threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds,
air and water pollution with serious health, farming and environmental consequences,
polluting the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment,

-long term health risks to neighbouring and Highlands residents from dust through mining and high-grade silica rock processing and transporting,

-disturbing on-site indigenous heritage rock-cave art, deemed highly significant by the OEH and local indigenous communities

-pollution damage to surrounding bushland, crops, gardens, solar panels and residences

-removal of sandstone with its critical role in the ground water hydrology of the wider area,

-lowering water table an undetermined and unpredictable amount affecting local water supplies,
noise, vibration and light pollution.

-24/7 disturbing the peace and tranquillity of local residents,
-wildlife and The Shine of Our Lady of Mercy, a large church and monastery on the mine boundary,

-traffic safety and danger with up to 344 trucks a day (250 average), 24/7 for the next 30 years leaving and entering the Hume Highway,

-the visual horror of a 110-hectare pit replacing native bushland and farmland,

-there is no need for this mine as nearby Green Valley sand mine extracts token amounts just to keep its licence active.

I believe the development will cause significant environmental damage: in particular the Long Swamp will be drained, it will impinge upon the Great Wetsern Wildlife Corridor and it will endanger threatened species of both wildlife and fauna. In addition there will be significant health impacts with air and water pollution, it may impact the Sydney water catchment and will almost certainly lower the level of the water table. Dust from mining and rock processing will pollute local bush and farmland. There will be a very significant increase in trucks on the Hume Highway.

I object to the project based on the significant environmental and social issues it will create. Just a FEW are :

location at the most fragile point of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, a region targeted for biodiversity, and the unique Long Swamp ecosystem, which is listed as a threatened ecosystem.
endangering threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds,
air and water pollution with serious health, farming and environmental consequences,
polluting the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment… and disrupt community and economic diversity of the area.

Environmental reasons

My main objections to this project are environmental. The location is quite unsuitable. It is in a sensitive area of bushland containing vulnerable species, at the head of the Long Swamp ecosystem and in the Great Western Wildlife Corridor. An excavation of that depth also risks damaging the hydrology of the area. The Southern Highlands presents a great opportunity for "clean and green" tourist and lifestyle development and projects such as this one which damage the natural environment also damage that potential future. The very poor record of the mining company with both the NSW and Victorian EPA can only add to concerns about this project.

The environmental impact this project will have will outweigh the benefits. Not to mention the negative health impacts that are occurring to those not only working with silica dust but civilians that live in the surrounding areas. It is known for the dust to be carried for 30kms. Can anyone guarantee that this dust will not enter the atmosphere that we inhabit?

As a concerned long time resident of the Southern Highlands I strongly object to this project on many grounds as follows
the pollution of Sydney water & irreversible damage to the health of millions of citizens through water contamination.
The health of local citizens & their environment from the processing of silica rock plus resulting dust ,noise and traffic from the transportation will devastate locals and make our roads congested with heavy polluting trucks.
Hi Quality group has a history of of multiple EPA penalties. Are they a fit & proper company?
next this area is part of the Great Western Wildlife corridor, vital for our threatened Flora & Fauna & the removal of sandstone risks aquifer pollution, water run off which will disrupt the Long Swamp Ecosystem.
lasting Indigenous heritage sites & rock cave art need to be protected.
The Southern Highlands needs protection from indiscriminate activities that will destroy its uniqueness , a uniqueness which is constantly under threat from companies that have no agenda but making money at the expense of local populations all too often with the support of Government. Please don't be a Government that ignores the health & environment of its people. Have courage to do the right thing for our future
Thank you

I object to this project on the grounds. That it has an adverse impact on wildlife corridors and its general environmental impact.

The project will pollute the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment and threaten flora and fauna species on the site.

I firmly oppose this quarry going ahead - please see my submission attached

DISGUSTING AND WE TOTALLY OBJECT
This greedy destructive plan to mine the country here is heart breaking for us and our neighbours. This has been our place since our parents came here in 1972 and built our farm. My father was a university professor who had grown up on a farm and wanted his family to have that life. We raised our children here. I am now here during the warm half of the year but have to go north when it gets cold.
When we came down, the large property next door that they now want to mine, Bridgewater, was in the pride of the area. We built our house on a site that had beautiful wide views of the valley that was this property. It was managed by Hunter Hagan, a New Zealander who eventually retired back to NZ. Bridgewater was split into three properties. Eric and Maureen Quirico and son Paul then looked after it and began to develop a vineyard and tourist site leaving the hill and bushland and swamp to the west with the its aboriginal caves as an area for nature walking. That’s the area they now want to mine. However, for family reasons, they had to move into town before completing their plans. Mal and Robyn then moved in and grazed cattle on the property but during the GFC had the idea of mining the hill to save their business. Eventually they sold to the partner who is now making this mining plan and they moved over the hill where they won’t be affected.
We now have mostly flower orchards on our farm with two thirds left as natural bushland. The dust that settles will weaken our plants and lower the quality of our harvests, especially in the dryer years.
Dust and stress will be damaging to our health. I am asthmatic and will suffer a lot with this and probably not be able to live here.

We live here for the peace and quiet. The noise and light 24 hours a day year after year will be unbearable. I see the miners don’t live anywhere near the pollution they create.

Because most of the surrounding land has been cleared in the past, the natural bushland that remains on our properties and the mine property land is very important to wildlife and many species here are endangered. We used to have lots of koalas around and the mine property was noisy with their roars. Now we only see about one a year at most and have to take them back to the bush if they head to the highway. We now only have one regular pair of Gang Gangs but once used to have many. With our neighbours we have planted thousands of native trees trying to rebuild the bushland areas. This mine company should not be allowed to clear and make things worse.

The visual impact of this will be a disaster from our side as the beautiful valley is destroyed. A large hill is planned to be built in front of our place that will block the natural waterway heading to Long Swamp. The area will fill with exotic weeds and it will be a complete mess. These people know nothing about caring for country. They only know how to destroy.

In the new subdivision properties that border the mine property on the north now face the bushland hill and beyond. They will have their main view directly into the mine pit and surrounds and the will cop the worst of the dust because that is the prevailing wind direction and we will cop it in the hot dry weather with the northwesterly winds. We are convinced this mine is being pushed forward now before those new residents get a say in trying to prevent it.

We have the State’s best ground water here because of the Hawkesbury sandstone that filters the aquifer. We drink straight from the bore as it is much purer than the rainwater we collect. The big commercial water companies get their water from bores on the neighbouring properties on Hanging Rock Road. Now this company wants to mine the sandstone we below the water table and replace the pit with waste fill that will never have the same filtering properties, never be able to hold up the water table, and will forever pollute the aquifer and the waterways it supplies. Surface runoff into the swamp will detroy it. Hanging Rock swamp on the other side of the highway was ruined years back by sand spill. This mine company has quarries on the side of the Nepean River at Menangle. They have made a mess of the river beyond by years of silt deposit. If tis damage can be done to a robust river then it will destroy the swamp and river that flows from this mine site. This is a protected ecosystem so how can it be allowed?

There are many other problems with this proposed mine but nothing good can be said of it.
Please make sure it does not go ahead.

- Environmental destruction through water runoff and aquifer pollution,
- Location at the most fragile point of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, a region targeted for biodiversity, and the unique Long Swamp ecosystem, which is listed as a threatened ecosystem.
-Endangering threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds,
- Air and water pollution with serious health, farming and environmental consequences,
polluting the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment,
-Long term health risks to neighbouring and Highlands residents from dust through mining and high-grade silica rock processing and transporting,
- Pollution damage to surrounding bushland, crops, gardens, solar panels and residences
-Removal of sandstone with its critical role in the ground water hydrology of the wider area,
-Lowering water table an undetermined and unpredictable amount affecting local water supplies,
noise, vibration and light pollution.
-24/7 disturbing the peace and tranquillity of local residents,
-Wildlife and The Shine of Our Lady of Mercy, a large church and monastery on the mine boundary,
-Traffic safety and heavy vehicle inspections for local residents and also traffic interaction entering the main highway.

I am raising my firm objection to the renewed proposal to build the Sutton Forest Sand Quarry by the applicant Tranteret Pty Ltd.

After reading the amended proposal I can see that none of the core concerns will be addressed adequately. The proposal is a risk to the health and safety of local residents by (among other things) high risk of contamination to the water supply of the area. This area is primarily agricultural and any upset to the chain will have disastrous consequences on the ecosystem and the livelihoods of the community.

Personally I am affected as my extended family reside at the farm in Sutton Forest that borders directly with the proposed dredging location. This will have a material impact on the health (physical and mental) of my family, as well as have a downward impact on the value of the property. I was married in this location and its beautiful scenery made a special day even better. It has and will be used for such personal reasons again in the future, but not if the land in the area is destroyed for the purpose of someone else's financial gain.

There is absolutely no benefit to the local area to the creation of this mine. It will bring no local jobs and will not add anything positive to the community, it will only cause harm: through increased noise, added pollution and damage to the wildlife habitat and fragile ecosystems.

I am also shocked that the mining company Hi-Quality has an appalling record of presently 24 EPA NSW penalties, with a further 33 new EPA charges faced for the company and its Director, Patrick Hallinan. This alone should be a more than satisfactory reason to prohibit Hi-Quality in going ahead with their very Low-Quality plans.

Please refer to attachements for my strong objection to this project

I am a local resident and I strongly object to this project, as would countless others if they were aware of it.

These are the reasons for my objection:
1. The long term damage: to the country - natural environment, agricultural & grazing, to the water supply, the air quality, wildlife and not least ,the living conditions for surrounding communities - far out weighs any financial benefit or benefit to the construction industry.

2. The daily activities of this mine will be noisy, dusty, spread light pollution and diesel-emissions which will permeate the agricultural land and the fragile wildlife corridors adjacent and across the highway.

3. Living conditions for local communities will damaged in Canyonleigh, Sutton Forest, Exter, Bundanoon, Penrose, Wingello and in the The Southern Highlands broadly.

4. The local Gundungurra people have only just begun to enjoy the benefits of recognition and have a property at Canyonleigh where they are restoring the natural vegetation and have space to re-introduce Gundungurra descendants to culture and country and to introduce and share with the rest of the community. It would be wrong to place a sandstone mine so close by.

5. The local tourism, vineyards, nurseries, farms and horse-owning communities will suffer.

6. The local landscape will take centuries to recover and the damage to the water supply may never recover.

7. We as a generation should be phasing out projects that are so large, and so destructive - to enable us to pass on country, in a healthy resilient state, to future generations.

Kate Lewin
Bundanoon Resident of 24 years, Mittagong, Canonleigh and Joadja Resident previously.

OBJECT .............because of health risks associated with silicia dust blowing, covering our house which collects our only source of drinking water. Exeter is one of the highest elevations in the Highlands, so we would certainly be impacted to a higher degree.
Our water collection tanks will be contaminated. Our paddocks with grazing cattle would also be compromised.
We operate a successful farm stay Bed & B'fast which is advertised as being very natural, very organic and also very respectful of our environment, of our native animals and of local flora. We advertise there are over 45 species of bird in our vicinity, as we maintain over 60 acres of natural old forest bush.
There would be an exorbitant amount of heavy truck movements along local roads, we the local tax payers, will end up repairing via increased council rates and taxes.
I also object to the continuous blasting of rocks and earth. Our area is peaceful. This will definitely disrupt and disturb the native biodiversity, threatened species, the fragile ecology of our swamps (PENROSE, STINGRAY, LONG) which will also ruin our aquifer and water table.
The known and published amenity of the Southern Highlands is of a pristine, peaceful and prime area of environmental sensitivity; ideal for tourists as an area where people can come to wind down, smell fresh air within the native bush and national parks. We are also mainly a tranquil and rural location for the grazing of animals, meant to supply supermarkets and support the supply of meat.
Our water system feeds into the catchment areas of greater Sydney, therefore we shall produce contaminated beef, meat, and vegetables and crops to the Sydney basin.
The planned project is disruptive, destruction and totally unnecessary in this sensitive rural setting.
DEFINITELY OBJECT.
Helene Jessep

We are extremely concerned about this short-sighted proposed development, and entirely object for vast number of reasons:

- inevitable & greedy environmental destruction through water runoff and aquifer pollution

-location at the most fragile point of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, endangering threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds.

-air and water pollution with serious health, farming and environmental consequences, polluting the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment!

-long term health risks to neighbouring and Highlands residents from dust through mining and high-grade silica rock processing and transporting,

-disturbing on-site indigenous heritage rock-cave art, deemed highly significant by the OEH and local indigenous communities

-removal of sandstone, disturbing its critical role in the ground water hydrology of the wider area,

-traffic safety and danger with proposed average number of daily trucks coming through, 24/7, leaving and entering the Hume Highway,

-the visual horror of a 110-hectare pit replacing native bushland and farmland,

-there is no need for this mine as nearby Green Valley sand mine extracts token amounts just to keep its licence active.

This is the WRONG location to be mining and in consideration of the above significant factors this proposal needs to be abandoned.

The SFQ mining and industrial proposal is in a NSW Conservation C3 – Environmental Management Zone.
This C3 Zone exists to:
• protect, manage and restore areas with special ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values
• provide for a limited range of development that does not have an adverse effect on those values.
• encourage the retention of the remaining evidence of significant historic and social values expressed in existing landscape and land use patterns.
• minimise the proliferation of buildings and other structures in these sensitive landscape areas.
• provide for a restricted range of development and land use activities that provide for rural settlement, sustainable agriculture, other types of economic and employment development, recreation and community amenity in identified drinking water catchment areas.
• protect significant agricultural resources (soil, water and vegetation) in recognition of their value to Wingecarribee's longer term economic sustainability.

In stark contrast, this proposal:
• will severely damage a unique area of special and sensitive ecology, cultural or and an area of recognisable and sought-after aesthetic value.
• is an extreme development clearly inconsistent with ecological, cultural and aesthetic values that will be adversely affected.
• result in the loss of historic and social values of a landscape of specialist agriculture, agri-and eco- tourism, and a rural-residential community on a backdrop of a biodiverse ecology (albeit threatened but rejuvenating).
• create numerous industrial buildings and other structures in this area of sensitive landscape.
• is a development clearly outside the range of land use activities intended.
• destroy the agricultural value of this and surrounding properties and the land marked for biodiversity (soil, water and vegetation) and damage Wingecarribee's longer term economic sustainability as it provides no significant employment or wealth for the Southern Highlands when weighed up against the destruction to community, environment and landscape values.

The farcical story of how the proponents happened upon this particular site for such an insensitive development in a populated area of significant environmental importance demands telling and an investigation into the processes by which the State’s valuable resources are identified, allocated and utilised.

Specific issues are as follows.
• environmental destruction through water runoff and aquifer pollution.
• wiping out the already weakest link in the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, a region tagged for biodiversity and already threatened more by the two major quaryy licences just south of this site.
• destroying the unique Long Swamp ecosystem, which is listed as a threatened, with endangered and threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds.
• air and water pollution with serious health, farming and environmental consequences.
• polluting the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment.
• major damage to the Southern Highlands reputation as a sought after tourist destination for its unique amenities and landscape.
• short, recurrent and long-term health risks to neighbouring and Highlands residents from dust through mining and high-grade silica rock processing and transporting,
• disturbing on-site indigenous heritage rock-cave art, deemed highly significant by the OEH and local indigenous communities
• pollution damage to surrounding bushland, crops, gardens, solar panels and residences,
• removal of sandstone with its critical role in the ground water hydrology of the wider area and replacing it with waste fell will have unpredictable and potentially dire and extremely long-term consequences.
• the unacceptable risk of lowering the water table an undetermined and unpredictable amount and affecting local water supplies.
• noise, vibration and light pollution 24/7 for 30 years disturbing the peace and tranquillity of local residents and wildlife and The Shine of Our Lady of Mercy, a large church and monastery on the mine boundary of international significance for many.
• traffic safety and danger with up to 344 trucks a day (250 average), 24/7 for the next 30 years leaving and entering the Hume Highway with little distance separating the access to the major Sallys Corner centre.
• the ridiculous proposal that trucks from Sydney will drive and extra 55 km and go through the checking station is ridiculous and the proponents must know that will never happen. Turns will be made at the site, at Hanging Rock Road, or at the bottom of Hanging Rock Road and drive back through this narrow road. Their claim of the trivial amount of traffic using the road at present is knowingly false.
• the visual blight from much surrounding area – understated in the submission - of a 110-hectare wasteland replacing native bushland and farmland.
• there is no need for this mine as nearby mines located in suitable locations still extract little of none and have scope to increase output.
• Hi-Quality and the company director, Patrick Hallinan, have an appalling record with EPA NSW and now face 33 new EPA charges in Victoria.
• There are no amendments of any significance in this resubmission. Generally, they rely on self-monitoring the damage which is typical of applications prepared by EMM Consulting. Self-monitoring is not mitigation and must be ignored by all assessing regulatory bodies. Hi-Quality in particular is not a fit and proper operator to be trusted to self-monitor.

The issues are:

- environmental destruction through water runoff and aquifer pollution,

-location at the most fragile point of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, a region targeted for biodiversity, and the unique Long Swamp ecosystem, which is listed as a threatened ecosystem.

-endangering threatened fauna and flora species identified on site and surrounds,
air and water pollution with serious health, farming and environmental consequences,
polluting the headwaters of the Sydney water catchment,

-long term health risks to neighbouring and Highlands residents from dust through mining and high-grade silica rock processing and transporting,

-disturbing on-site indigenous heritage rock-cave art, deemed highly significant by the OEH and local indigenous communities

-pollution damage to surrounding bushland, crops, gardens, solar panels and residences

-removal of sandstone with its critical role in the ground water hydrology of the wider area,

-lowering water table an undetermined and unpredictable amount affecting local water supplies,
noise, vibration and light pollution.

-24/7 disturbing the peace and tranquillity of local residents,
-wildlife and The Shine of Our Lady of Mercy, a large church and monastery on the mine boundary,

-traffic safety and danger with up to 344 trucks a day (250 average), 24/7 for the next 30 years leaving and entering the Hume Highway,

-the visual horror of a 110-hectare pit replacing native bushland and farmland,

-there is no need for this mine as nearby Green Valley sand mine extracts token amounts just to keep its licence active.