see attached

I object to the project on road safety, air quality and Environmental issues

On behalf of Bobs Farm Public School P&C, we wish to raise serious concerns regarding the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry and the potential impacts on the safety, wellbeing, health and educational environment of our students, staff and broader school community. Please see attached letter.

As one of the direct neighbours to this proposed mine, we object to the project. While we recognise that Newcastle Sand has done all that they can to address the community concerns and we are confident that they want to minimise the impact to the community; there is only so much that can be done with regards to running a mine within a rural residential area.

Our main concerns are:
1. Noise; as per the Noise and Vibration Assessment there is expected to be noticeable noise impacts for a portion of the construction and minining activites. In addition to this, we disagree with the statement that the additional trucks on the road will make a negligable difference to existing road traffic. Trucks are significantly loader than cars and as they slow from 100 km/h to 80 km/h and then to the turning lane, they will be heard; particularly with engine braking. Noise has the potentail to cause nuisance as our kids are currently home schooled and our eldest is particularly sensitive to noise.
2. Groundwater contamination. While every effort has been made to prevent contamination of the groundwater, having heavy machinery regularly operating over the land significantly increases the risk of groundwater contaminaiton which we rely on for irrigation since we have no townswater connection. In addition to this, as the primary source of water for this operation will come from bore water, this will put an added strain on the groundwater capacity and potentially result in a lowering of the groundwater level to a point where we cannot access it; particurlarly in extended dry periods.

The approval of the submission will dramatically increase truck traffic along Medowie Road through the township of Medowie. Current heavy haulage trucks pass through the township creating noise pollution and increasing potentail traffic accidents from 4 am in the morning until 9 pm in the evening. This is made worse by the need to transition roundabouts when the trucks use engine braking making a lot of noise effecting residents well being. The current poor condition of Medowie Road will only get worse with increased heavy truck traffic. A recent additional high school is being built in Medowie and this will also significantly increase traffic congestion. Where Medowie Road transitions the village there are no pedestrian crossings or lights for pedestrians making it very dangerous to cross the road.The development of over 50's living communities together with the increase in school aged children will only increase these risks. The current traffic load causes distress to residents without increasing it further.

I am objecting to the mining of sand from Bobs Farm due to the noise that the amount of extra trucks using Medowie Road. I live in the Tallowood Lifestyle Village which is an incredibly noisy place due to the amount of trucks using this road. They start from 5am in the morning and can still be heard at 10pm. My husband and I moved here from Newcastle for a quieter area. This has not been the case due to the traffic noise on Medowie road which has an unrealistic speed limit for the condition of the road along with the proximity to homes. As there is no police station in Medowie the vehicles using the road are free to exceed the speed limits anyway. I also object to the environmental impact of removing so much sand from the area.

I am highly opposed to the project
The project will clear extensive vegetation and cause habitat loss in an area of high biodiversity and affecting the vegation corridor, that the Tomaree Peninsula wildlife depends on
It will negatively affect our groundwater, which we rely on heavily in an area where we have to be self sufficient with no town supplied water. The risk of problems is high due to the acid sulphate soils in the area.
Nelson Bay rd, has seen a massive increase in traffic, especially in holiday periods, it can not cope with the number of added trucks the project requires daily
The area proposed is a high tourism growth area and not suited to the project
It has no benefit to the surrounding community

Please see attached my submission against the propsed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry.

I object to the sand quarry at Bob’s farm /Worimi Country, which plans to remove 530,000 tonnes of sand over the next 10 years.

Worimi Country is more than just sand to be dug up. It’s home to native wildlife, important ecosystems and places of cultural significance. Removing this much sand will destroy habitat, disturb animals and permanently change the landscape. Once it’s damaged, it can’t be put back the way it was.

This project will also bring more dust, noise, heavy vehicles/ traffic and long-term impacts on the environment and the local community. We should be protecting Worimi Country and the animals that depend on it, not destroying it.
I ask that this proposal be refused and that Worimi Country is preserved for future generations.

I object to the Bobs Farm Sand Mine for the following reasons:
* It is a large scale quarry processing activity which is against the amenity and rural character of the Port Stephens area and such industrial activity is a risk to the economic survival of an area reliant on tourism.
* There are already many heavy vehicle movements in the area which is the main entry to Port Stephens and to add so many more not only creates a safety issue on the road and the roundabout at Port Stephens Drive but, if an accident were to occur, would close the access and egress to the area.
* The Sand Mine would destroy native vegetation and the habitat of koalas, powerful owls, flying foxes and other animals and also impact the sensitive groundwater system.