I live in the Australian Capital Territory in a suburb in close proximity to the proposed development. I have survived radical cancer surgery and treatment for an asbestos related cancer. This was caused by the polluted environment that I either lived in, was educated in or worked in. Silica dust has been proven to cause disastrous health outcomes for the public. The health risks for people living near this development are too high to allow the development to go ahead. Silica dust which will be produced during the processes used in quarries has been proven to cause significant negative impacts on human health. Having my own personal experience of the ongoing health problems caused by environmental pollution is enough to make me feel strongly about reducing public health risks in the future. We should be learning lessons from the past. Please consider the significant negative outcomes for public health when making planning decisions for the quarry.

Hi.
I oppose the Monaro rock quarry as my understanding is this land was reserved as an environmental conservation protected area and both the natural flora and fauna should be left alone to thrive in their natural habitats, undisturbed or killed by a quarry digging it up. I moved to Royalla to enjoy the natural wildlife. The animals in particular wombats and echidnas which can be seen around this area. By destroying this conservation area you are showing that monetary gain is more important than safeguarding our natural treasures (in animals and plants). I find it very disturbing that a land can be deemed naturally important and in need of safeguarding and yet this decision can be overturned for monetary gain for a private company.

I also have concerns about safety on the Monaro Highway with the massive increase of trucks (200-500 per day) entering and exiting the highway every day. This is dangerous with the slowing down for trucks at an already dangerous intersection. I have lived in Royalla for a few years and have seen numerous accidents in this intersection already. Introducing hundreds of trucks a day will only cause more accidents and damage to the roads condition.
Thank you for reading my concerns.
Yours Sincerely,
Karina Luke

I object to the proposal of a new quarry in Royalla.

I am a resident of Royalla and I vehemently oppose the new quarry; it is contradictory to government policy and will have a critical impact on my life and that of my family.

In a time of climate change with the need for responsible environmental management, the development of a quarry adjacent to an urban area is non sensical and misaligned.

Having been a resident since 2016, we did so to be able to live in a country setting with clean air and away from the impacts of the city. This would also include a quarry that will impact the noise, traffic, water sources and air quality. If I knew a quarry would be considered for the area back when we were looking to buy out here I would never have decided to live in Royalla.

Almost every property in this region is built with energy conservation and water management in mind. Houses and sheds have solar panels and properties manage homes and live stock with water tanks, dams and bores as part of a semi rural living strategy. The area was designed without town water provision and as such relies totally on rainwater for survival. The volume of water proposed to be used by the quarry will definitely impact the local water quality and quantity. Whether it be groundwater or rainwater, the quarry will reduce the amount and quality of water available for local residents to use and live off.

In line with the Governments policy on renewable energy, almost every property has solar panels to maximise the energy from the sun and reduce the burden on the electrical system; not increase it like the quarry will do. The quarry will impact the efficiency of solar collection and the quality of water with the dust settling on solar panels, rooftops and getting into water tanks.

The impact on traffic is a key concern. I have witnessed several road accidents along the Monaro highway and have been affected by several accidents where lives have been lost. With the number of truck movements and the volume of trucks on the highway and crossing the highway, it is only a matter of time until more accidents occur. As the father of kids that are about to begin their driving life, I am scared by the fact that there will be so much more heavy vehicle traffic on roads that are already dangerous due to their poor state of repair and the number of vehicles that currently use them.

I completely understand the need for mining, but not near residential areas where the impacts are so great. If I purchased a house/property near a quarry, then I would be doing so with full awareness of the impacts. However, I purchased here in Royalla because there was no quarry, none planned and there should not be one in the vicinity of people and properties. The benefits (if any) to the community are far outweighed by the negatives. There is a lack of consideration for the cumulative effects on the community impacted by the quarry. Where issues are identified, it requires the developer to deliver a wide range of mitigations that are broad in scope with questionable achievability. What if it does not or cannot meet a mitigation requirement?? The community does not want the quarry in the proposed location - the region has other locations more suited without the impacts to community and the environment.

I am concerned about the cumulative impacts of the proposed quarry. The scoping report highlights cumulative impacts of other quarries but is silent on cumulative community impacts. What is the cost to the local community in property values? Water quality? Noise pollution? Air quality? Road crashes? Hours of operation and testing (which can be done outside of operation)? The lack of focus on the community demonstrates a clear lack of consideration for anything except money. There is a complete lack of corporate social responsibility in the submission for the quarry and it should not be considered further. The fact that, in my view, issues are raised and cannot or will not be properly mitigated and managed clearly demonstrates that those proposing a quarry do not care for the impacts on the community and that a quarry should not be developed in the proposed location.

I love where I live and I would not live here if I knew a quarry was to be built nearby. There are other areas, with less impacts to a community that could be used. The misalignment of the proposal and government environmental, climate and energy policies is stark. Please do not approve the proposed quarry in Royalla.

I live in Royalla Country estate.
My objections to the proposed new Monaro Rock Quarry is as follows
1 -Transportation, The movement of up to 500 Heavy truck movement per day, six days per week on a country road.(Old Cooma road)
This road is used every day by motor cars and a lot of heavy vehicles, adding more movements of heavy vehicles weighing up to 50.5 tonnes and 20 meters in length. I can see a recipe for accidents to happen. Putting trucks with these lengths and weights on a road never designed for this type of truck movements
Old Cooma road is a narrow road and has tight turns, Crossing over a unused railway line before entering a very busy Monaro highway .(A lot of passenger vehicles use this Highway every day} This intersection has been known to have accidents and a lot of close calls.
Also as a rate payer in the Queanbeyan Palerang council area will I be required through rate increases to pay for the extra damage done to Old Cooma road.
2- Environment
Where I live in Royalla, my houses is also already covered in dust from an operating Quarry in Willimsdale. I can hear the rock crushing plant operating and the blasting of rock. So approving another Rock quarry so close to one already operating will put my property in the middle of extra exposure to more dust and noise
I'm also concerned about the destruction of the hill known as Enchanted hill, this hill to covered in Flora and fauna that is unique to this area.
A another concern is the amount of electricity and water to operate such a large Quarry, Groundwater will not be sufficient to even to try to keep dust down. This will also affect the water table in the area.
3- Economics
This quarry will only benefit two wealthy family's with minimal economic benefit to Queanbeyan community.
We already have Four Quarries in a 30km radius of this proposed quarry, That have a life span of at least 100years.
4- Social
This proposed quarry will affect up to 49,000 people and more in the future.
So I believe the monetary benefit of the few, should not outweigh the benefit of the majority.
Finally I moved to a country estate for my mental and physical wellbeing.
I already suffer though the dust and noise and extra traffic from one operating quarry near me . I don't support approval for another one so close to an operating quarry in a region that is already well serviced by quarries.

The proposed Monaro Rock quarry near Royalla concerns me greatly.
As a recent resident of this area, I moved here for the rural and peaceful lifestyle.

My main concern with the new quarry is that an area listed as Ru2 or C2 Protected land could be utilised for a rock quarry, concrete and asphalt production. I am disappointed that even preliminary assessments and drilling has occurred on protected land within the Queanbeyan-Palerang Council. As a teacher of environmental sciences for many years, I am aware of the damaging and negative impacts that will result from this quarry.

My second concern is the long-term health impacts from silica dust landing on the rooftops of residences. Given the rural nature of Royalla, our primary source of water is collected from our rooftops. Other health concerns include a documented increase in a number of cancers in areas close by quarries in Australia.

My third concern is the effect on traffic on the Monaro Highway and the associated increased risks of accidents.
I am also concerned that this projected has been deemed a State Significant Project, which means that consideration has been taken out of the hands of our local council. It seems that the financial gain from this project will go to two companies, and not necessarily be significantly beneficial to NSW at all. I imagine most of the rock extracted from the quarry will be used in places like the Molonglo Valley. This rock could be sourced from existing quarries in NSW with additional transport costs associated. This seems a better idea than a new build quarry in the middle of tens of thousands of residents.

I would like to express my deep concern at the proposal for the Monaro Rock Quarry in my local suburb of Royalla. My concerns relate to the process that has been followed which provides little confidence that all appropriate factors have been or will be considered. In addition, the potential health implications facing the 49,000 households and 17 schools located within the likely area of hazard from the quarry should in itself preclude any further consideration of the proposal. Traffic implications on the Monaro Highway leading into Canberra are also of major concerns. This stretch of road is already considered to pose heightened safety concerns. To add the volume of heavy vehicle traffic generated by the quarry will exacerbate what is already recognised as a dangerous section of roadway. I am hopeful that proper consideration of these concerns along with those being voiced by so many residents who stand to be adversely impacted will result in cancelation of the quarry proposal. Should the proposal be progressed further be assured I will be submitting a comprehensive expression of concerns at whatever level of authority is deemed appropriate to ensure that the quarry proposal is appropriately refused.
R.F. Luke AM
Air Commodore RAAF (Retired)

I'm writing to highly object to the proposal of the Monaro Rock Quarry. I have grown up here in Royalla, this is my home. The peace, quiet and enjoyment of living in the country as a young adult will be removed if we let this quarry go ahead. I am highly concerned about the heavy vehicles and increased traffic that will occur and I feel this is a huge safety concern not to mention the impact it will have on our environment, water quality and health. I live close to the proposed site and I really feel the impact on our lifestyle, health and environment really needs to be considered. This quarry should NOT be allowed to go ahead here in Royalla. There will be so many communities affected by this, it is pure greed and should not be considered at all! I drive on Old Cooma Rd and Monaro Hwy on a daily bases, we deal with holiday traffic regularly, not to mention the snow traffic. Adding an extra 500 trucks a day will be catastrophic! Please take all our concerns into consideration, this quarry is not even needed!!

I object based on the following:
The negative air quality, noise, odour effect on the current 49,000 population (expected to grow to 69000 over the next 10 years) in the close proximity to the proposed facility.

The high concern around safety for local residents with the rapid increase of truck volume into and out of the facility and onto the local roads that are already breaking down and under maintaned.

The existing flow of local traffic already see signifcant bottlenecks regularly occuring due to snow traffic. The proposed significant traffic increase is expected to create gridlock at certain times.

The massive financial cost increase in road upgrades and maintenance over the life of this facility will impose an unreasonable financial burden on local ratepayer with little or no benefit to them.

Dear Planning Authority,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed quarry development due to its severe and unacceptable impacts on the environment, public health, and local community.

The project poses an immediate threat to the environment. It will destroy 22.44 hectares of critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland—a vital habitat for over 30 species of flora and fauna. The quarry would also extract up to 42.4 million litres of groundwater annually, reducing flows in local watercourses that lead to Tuggeranong and risking widespread pollution from equipment washing and concrete recycling. The groundwater in this region is already depleted with individual property based bores already limitied/not allowed so why is this type of water use even being considered.

The quarry will significantly harm our community, especially through increased traffic and congestion. The project is projected to generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, creating a major safety hazard on the Monaro Highway and other local roads. This influx of heavy vehicles will cause significant traffic congestion, particularly during peak season like the winter ski season, when traffic volumes on the Monaro Highway are already at their highest.

The community also risks suffering from respirable silica dust, which poses known and serious health risks, not to mention the persistent odours from hot mix asphalt production. Blasting will cause noise and vibrations, and the project's high energy demands could lead to brownouts damaging household appliances. This industrial operation is completely inappropriate for a residential area with 49,000 people living within 10 km, a population projected to grow to 69,000.

Finally, the project is economically and culturally unjustified. On-site surveys have found culturally significant Indigenous artifacts, including ring and scar trees, which would be destroyed by the development. Furthermore, there is no economic need for a new quarry, as four existing quarries within 30 km have the capacity to meet demand for over 100 years. Why is another one even being considered?

In conclusion, this proposal is a direct threat to our environment, health, and cultural heritage, with no clear economic justification. I urge you to reject this development.

Submission to Oppose the Proposed Monaro Rock Quarry
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to formally oppose the development of the Monaro Rock Quarry for the following key reasons:
1. Environmental Impact
The proposed quarry site is located in an ecologically sensitive area that could suffer irreversible environmental damage. This region is home to diverse flora and fauna, some of which are at risk of being endangered. The operation of the quarry would significantly degrade the quality of surrounding ecosystems.

Air and Water Pollution: Dust generated by quarrying operations, along with chemicals and runoff from the site, could contaminate both the air and water sources in the area. This would impact the health of the community, and the quality of life for those living nearby. The use of up to 42.4 million litres bore water, which is required for dust suppression and concrete and asphalt production, by the quarry will also deplete the underground water supply to all living in the area.

Habitat Destruction: The clearing of land to establish the quarry could displace species that rely on the area for food, shelter, and migration paths. This could lead to a loss in biodiversity, disrupting the balance of the local ecosystem.


2. Impact on Local Communities
The development of the quarry threatens to alter the character of the surrounding communities. The increased industrial activity, noise pollution, and traffic congestion will harm the quality of life for residents.
Noise and Vibration: The blasting, machinery, and other operations associated with the quarry would generate noise and vibrations, which would affect both human health and the well-being of all animals. These disturbances could lead to long-term stress on individuals, particularly for families with young children, the elderly, and people with existing health conditions.


Traffic and Safety Concerns: The influx of heavy trucks and machinery, up to 500 trucks per day, required to transport materials from the quarry would significantly increase road traffic, posing safety risks and disrupting daily life for local residents. This increased traffic flow could also result in more frequent accidents and an overall deterioration in road conditions. The Monaro Highway is already a high risk road, especially during the snow season.


Property Values: The presence of a quarry will decrease property values in the surrounding areas, affecting homeowners. This loss in value will make it difficult for local families to maintain their homes and sell their property.



3. Health Risks for Immunocompromised and Vulnerable Individuals
The proposed Monaro Rock Quarry poses a serious public health risk, particularly to immunocompromised individuals and others with pre-existing medical conditions. These members of our community are especially vulnerable to environmental pollutants, and the introduction of large-scale quarry operations could significantly compromise their health and safety.
Airborne Particulates: Quarry operations produce fine particulate matter from blasting, crushing, and transportation of rock. These particles can be inhaled into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering severe respiratory issues. For immunocompromised people — including those undergoing cancer treatment, living with autoimmune diseases, organ transplant recipients, and others — this exposure can lead to chronic inflammation, infections, or hospitalization.


Increased Respiratory and Cardiovascular Risk: Quarry-related air pollution has been linked to exacerbated asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular issues — all of which pose a heightened danger to vulnerable individuals. The stress of chronic exposure to airborne pollutants can lower immune system effectiveness, leading to more frequent and severe illnesses.


Lack of Escape: Unlike healthy people who may tolerate or adapt to increased dust and pollution, immunocompromised people often do not have the option to safely remain in affected areas. This could force them to relocate, resulting in economic and emotional hardship.
Including vulnerable populations in planning and risk assessments is a legal and moral obligation. Proceeding with this quarry without adequately protecting the health of immunocompromised individuals would be a violation of public health responsibilities.

4. Community Opinion
With approximately 49000 people living within 10klm of the proposed site, and with the projected number around 69000 in the next 10 years, it is essential to recognise the voices of the community who have expressed opposition to this proposal. Local residents, businesses, and environmental advocates have raised significant concerns about the quarry’s potential effects. Ignoring the concerns of the people who live and work in the region would harm our community.

Conclusion
Given the significant environmental risks, adverse impacts on local communities, and the potential for long-term economic harm, I urge the relevant authorities to reject the proposal for the Monaro Rock Quarry. The preservation of our environment and community well-being, must take precedence over short-term industrial interests.
Thank you for considering this submission.