Sutton Forest Sand Quarry

We strongly object to this disgraceful application by Sutton Forest Quarry to mine our country.

I and my husband have lived on our property here in Hanging Rock Road Sutton Forest for 40 years. We chose here because it afforded a quiet and healthy rural life in a beautiful bush setting and a peaceful rural community. This Quarry will completely destroy the environment that we’ve worked so hard to develop over so many years. My husband has health concerns and we are being over-stressed by this proposal that would eventually force us to leave. Our whole community is feeling this stress.

This quarry will have a disastrous impact on us, our neighbouring community and the Southern Highlands. Many residential properties surrounding rely on the tourism for which the Southern Highlands is famous. Income from the tourism with short-term and longer rental accommodation is critical for many of us.

We are alongside the quarry and no amount of noise bunds or monitoring (what a joke from this company) will mitigate the 24 hour dust noise and light and pollution that this mining will generate for the rest of our lives. This is everything we came here to avoid.

We care for the land and over the years have engaged with community groups and council to plant appropriate trees improving the bushland for the wildlife and rebuild the wildlife corridor between the Blue Mountains and the South Coast forests.

This is our family home. Our children grandchildren friends and neighbours are regularly here to work or enjoy. We gather to enjoy our surrounds, celebrate or mourn just like everyone has a right to choose the direction of their life.

This Quarry threatens us, our home and our way of life.

I am concerned about:
Risk to Health: Dust air pollution
This is 95% silica sandstone and poses significant risk. My doctor advised that all dust id a danger but silica is worse than most dust and the real risks are other respiratory diseases as silicosis is uncommon and we are too old for long term exposure. Asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis and heart disease are more likely especially for my husband but for me and my family eventually.

Water:
Government Departments such as the OEH and Water NSW have highlighted major concerns for the impact this could have on hydrology systems lowering the water table, even the proponents have written, “Impact way of life” there is a medium risk to changes to the quality & quantity of water pg197-198.
This ecosystem is too fragile and important to allow a project like this. They document this will affect our bores and the watertable dropping it an unknown amount. Not good enough. The data in the submission is inconsistent and changes depending on location in reports and summaries. In any case, the DPE has not allowed us time to read it let alone think about it.
We all need reliable supply of water and are completely dependent on our bores and several neighbours who irrigate rely on water supply for there income.

Effects this will have on Long Swamp and its Ecology
This is classed as a Threatened Ecosystem by the OEH. Damage to Long swamp creek is a real risk with changes to the water flow underground by removing the sandstone that act as a massive filter. Damage from surface water, silt runoff into the swamp and smaller creeks feeding it. But the long term effect of the backfill products, breaking down and polluting the area with contaminants is huge risk. The only mitigating plan is they will monitor the fill coming in! Again, not good enough.

Traffic concerns
When reviewing the Traffic Appendix, I note it said smaller vehicles of the quarry can use Hanging rock Rd for doing U-tune ,they grossly understated the traffic on Hanging rock road, I know there are many more truck movements a cars on this road than what was states. This just leads me to question all the other data used to justify this project. Trying to completely mislead us. We know this area far to well.

Noise /Vibration and Light pollution. 24hrs day
Again the only mitigating plan is to monitor! But no mention of action. This will ruin the view of the night sky and disorientate the nocturnal animals. I will destroy the quiet tranquil environment we have. I hear the singing from the Monastery when they have their services which is lovely, I don’t want it over ridden by construction, ripping and bulldozer noise, which it will!

Damaging the peace and tranquillity of the area
Special note to Shine of our Lady of Mercy, they get a monitor to measure noise, a mitigation strategy but what action (if any) will they take if noise exceeds? I don’t trust they will even check those monitors. Just keep digging.

Environment damage to the Great Western Wildlife corridor 12 threatened or endangered species identified on this property alone, including the koala, Gang Gang, Glossy Black, Powerful Owl.
This location is at the most narrow part of the corridor. There are known Koala tracking’s to the North West of the pit. This is now a Threatened Species!! We should be protecting their habitat. As I mentioned prior, I helped plant trees for the “Land care Project” a Wingecarribbee Shire program to help strengthen the habitat for the Gang Gang and other animals using the corridor.

Indigenous Art in the rock shelf.
Our neighbouring rock cave and art which we are very proud of has been deemed Highly significant and culturally important by the Local Indigenous Community and the OEH. It is too close to this mine to risk damaging and in any case will be completely blocked off between the swamp and the mine.

Visible modelling diagram
This hideous quarry will be a wasteland and highly visible from the highway and many surrounding properties, particularly to the north where new residences are being built on the land overlooking the quarry but have not been acknowledged by the mine developers. The visibility diagram understates the area affected but even the miner acknowledges it will remain very visible despite tree planting mitigation.

Effect on Tourism
This is the entrance to the Southern Highlands, one of NSW most tourist destinations and of vast economic importance. In our local region of the south end of The Highlands there are restaurants, wineries, and dozens of accommodation sites of different scale, health centres and churches. A special church is the famous Shine of Our Lady of Mercy on Hanging Rock Road on the southern border of the mine, which attracts thousands of visitors. Tourists come and spend in our this area because of its natural beauty. As mentioned above, many in our small local area rely on tourist accommodation for income and that eco-tourism is expanding. Tourism employment in Wingecarribee Shire is measured in thousands – this wine will employ 20 at most.

This mine will cause big damage to the beautiful Southern Highlands landscape and standing as a tourist destination especially long-term as the mine expands further into the landscape as is inevitable with these developments as the land has already been rendered useless. We note the developer claims there are more than 100 million tons available nearby and this application is for 26 million. Already, this company has purchased surrounding properties.

Issues of Trust in this Company
This company has a poor reputation in the industry and a shocking record with EPAs. Unfortunately we have weak enforcement where community would expect massive fines if not criminal prosecution yet paltry fines of thousands are laughed at by the developer who is dealing with millions. We don’t trust them as a community and nor should government departments with their level of disregard for regulations.

Amendments
These amendments proposed in this submission do nothing to reduce the damage and mitigate risks. They are meaningless words, such as “monitor,” designed to appease the DPE and hoodwink the community. The most glaring example is “Consultation with Community.” This is all falsehood. Other than at Our Lady of Mercy Church, who were offered meaningless mitigations, we have not heard from them apart from an invitation for us to contact them. DPE instructed them to consult community after their first submission. Obviously they didn’t look up the word in the dictionary. OED: Consult – “to seek information or advice from” not “tell what you plan to do to them.”.
We are not hillbillys here as these people clearly believe. We are educated professionals who have chosen a life here, care for our lands dearly and won’t be snowed or bullied by these people.

This area has many unique and beautiful qualities. That’s why we live here but we also work hard to create that environment. It is special but it needs protecting.

Please reject this proposal now and for all time. There are suitable unpopulated and environmentally safe places to obtain sand but clearly here is not one of them.

To whom it may concern,

I am a regular visitor to the Southern Highlands due to its wildlife, both flora and fauna and I object to the proposed Hi-Quality Quarry in the strongest possible terms! To bring a 249 hectare (ha) site into full production will cause highly significant environmental destruction to native bushland which in turn will have a hugely detrimental impact on endangered species including the Glossy Back Cockatoo; Rose Cheek Gang-Gang Cockatoo and the Koala to name but a few.

While we welcome the revised proposal that removes the need for blasting in the extraction process, mechanical extraction still has numerous environmental challenges that I believe have not been fully addressed. Ripping and pushing, using bulldozers, excavators and front-end loaders will create significant dust and air pollution which will lead to potential adverse health effects such as respiratory conditions like Asthma. Despite the steps proposed to reduce the amount of dust, as a mining professional I am fearful that the levels of dust will still create enormous problems for the local community, their residences and local wildlife.

The extraction of this stone will negatively impact the water hydrology of the entire area as well as as biological role in maintaining the Long swamp ecosystem which Hi-Quality admits themselves will be MEDIUM which is entirely unacceptable within a populated area such as Sutton Forest. The lowering of the water table will also affect local bores and water supplies which are already under strain due to current operations by Coca-Cola Amatil. Coca-Cola submitted to the NSW Department of Planning that this quarry would contaminate the source for its Mount Franklin brand.

Within the revised proposal there is also nothing to address the fact that there will be a 24-hour operation and the resulting noise light pollution and vibrations (despite the removal of blasting from the proposal). 344 truck journeys, 7 days a week for the next 30 years is completely unacceptable when there are dwellings within 100 metres. Residents of Hanging Rock Road have seen a significant increase in road kill since Coca-Cola has been sending water trucks through nine times per day, so there is a possibility there could be a 40-fold increase in the unnecessary deaths of the wildlife that makes this region so diverse.

To conclude, the project benefits outlined by Hi-Quality themselves are far outweighed by the negative impacts this quarry project will have to the Sutton Forest region, the wider Southern Highlands, residents as well as the natural flora and fauna.

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.

To whom it may concern.

I hereby object to the Sutton Forest Sand Quarry for several reasons.
My husband and I frequent the area to visit our family's property, we take refuge in this area from city life and I fear that the quarry will have detrimental effects on the land, animals and quality of air surrounding the area. The noise and vibration of the 344 trucks moving throughout the quarry daily will confuse and scare the local wildlife, not the mention the 12 endangered species in this area that frequent our family property.
Our family property sits amongst 68 acres of native bushland, surrounded by Long Swamp waterways. Removal of the sandstones will affect the groundwater hydrology in the area which will critical impact on the biological ecosystem.
It will also impact the farm life on our property and affect our family bed and breakfast business, as people come to stay out here for the wildlife, farm experience and peace and tranquillity.

This is a grave mistake, there are several unused mines within the area and would make more sense to investigate that.

I vehemently object to this project because:
This mine will destroy an environment , which Koalas use as a corridor between their territories.
Will pollute the pure aquifer water
Will endanger the habitats of echidnas wombats platypus and destroy a viable echo system which has existed for hundreds of years.
Will endanger the health of nearby residents polluting the air with dangerous silica.
Will cause noise pollution with trucks running 24/7
And I add why would you even consider this company as trustworthy to follow the rules when they are facing a multitude of charges from EPA's in both Victoria and NSW.
THIS PROJECT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. IT MUST BE DISMISSED.
Will pollute the Sydney water catchment.
May cause solicosis

This project poses significant and unnecessary risks to the local ecosystem.

I object to the mine's proposal and attach my submission.

Long term health risks to neighbouring and highlands residents from dust through mining and high grade silica rock processing and transporting

The impact on the local environment will cause irreparable damage and cause long term issues for the delicate ecosystems that exist in the area.

I am in opposition to the proposed sand mine in Sutton Forest where my mum lives. This is our family farm, in the immediate vicinity. MOST SIGNIFICANTLY The proposed mine very clearly threatens the Great Western Wildlife Corridor, also Sydney's Water Catchment, endangered flora and fauna species and swamp ecosystems. There are also major risks including air and dust pollution, traffic hazards, noise, vibration, and light pollution and community mental health & Wellbeing. I am disappointed that in 2023, communities like ours still need to fight against proposals like this. Especially from corrupt companies such as the proposing mine company “Hi-Quality”
They have an appalling record of 24 EPA NSW penalties!! It & the company director, Patrick Hallinan, already face 33 new EPA charges !!

The proposed project raises a number of environmental and health concerns, including but not limited to, the impact of mining silica on surrounding neighbourhoods, the lost of important habitats for numerous endangered and threatened flora & fauna and potential pollution of air and waterways.

This will hugely impact the wildlife and flora and fauna of the great western wildlife corridor. Strongly object to this proposal.

I object to the project due to
1. Environmental concerns
2. Biodiversity threat
3. Pollution
4. Traffic

Environmental concerns and biodiversity threat.

I vehemently oppose the proposal to demolish 110 hectares (or any!) land for the purpose of a sand mine. The impact of this would be devastating on the native flora and wildlife particularly given it lies in the middle of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor. The impact to local land and water sources, and other environmental impacts including air quality and pollution, would have dire repercussions and this project should never have been a consideration.

I also oppose the project due to the impacts on local residents, land holders and businesses.

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Dear Sir/Madam,
I very strongly oppose the proposed sand Mine by Hi-quality in Sutton Forest.
It will have devastating effects on the region and demands urgent reconsideration by your department.
The health impact of this region is threatened by the following -
- dust particles become airborne and travel many kilometres.
- polution by silicone dust when mining and crushing is done at the site. The particles become airdborne and travel many kilometres to the population of elderly, children and babies 24 hours per day in many cases for the rest of their lives. This will be further problems of Health care for the government of all dust diseases from simple common infections through to the rarer silica lung diseases.
- water run off from the Mine into our waterways, bores and eventually in creeks to the Nepean River and hence to Warragamba Dam. Our farming, Vinyards and general population will be affected. The shameful track record of Hi-Quality Group raises serious doubts about its resposibility to the envoirment records. It has a history of multiple penalties. Can this company be trusted with a project this size in a populated area and sensitive ecosystem.
I implore the Deptartment to reconsider this proposal and protect the health of the people of the Southern Highlands and its precious environment.

See attached submission letter dated 2 December 2023