Formal Objection to Proposed Hardrock Quarry and industrial Site at Royalla NSW

Objection Lodged by: Mrs Sandra Bennett, 38 Redbox Place Royalla NSW 2620

To: NSW Environment and Planning Minister

I strongly object to this development of this project on the following grounds;

1. Destruction of Rural Ambience

I have lived in Royalla for 21 years and moved here to raise my family and enjoy the quiet and unspoilt rural farming community. I am shocked and disappointed to learn that this proposed development is even being considered. This will destroy the rural peacefulness and ambience of Royalla, and I do not wish to see this large scale industrial site approved in any capacity.

2. Zoning Conflict

I understand the current zoning for the site is RU2 and C2. The proposed industrial development is clearly prohibited under these zoning categories. These zoning categories are put in place to protect out native flora and fauna and should not be disregarded. As a former teacher, I know the significance of environmental conservation in the curriculum and to the next generation. We need to be good role models and act appropriately to protect our local native species of both plants and animals before it is ruined.

3. Environmental Impact

This development is nothing short of a complete environmental disaster and would destroy critically endangered Boxgum grassy woodland and directly negatively impact wildlife currently on the proposed site. On this basis alone the industrial development should not proceed.

Wider environmental impacts also include dangerous and unacceptable air pollution from silica dust, noise from blasting and equipment operations six days a week.

In addition, this will result in a massive increase in truck movements of over 500, plus per day, onto either the Monaro highway or Old Cooma Rd, both of which are unacceptable and unwarranted. This stretch of highway in front of Royalla has already seen multiple fatalities and dozens of serious car and truck accidents over the past 20 years alone. This development will only cause an increase in these accidents and place Royalla residents at direct risk of accidents when entering and exiting the Monaro Highway. Two of my grandchildren live on the property with us and I fear the increased traffic burden will increase their risk of injury or worse, twice daily as they are driven to and from school in Calwell. Not to mention the hazardous risk on the rest of our family every time we use the highway, which is daily.

I understand the traffic studies were deliberately conducted at times of low traffic flow, during covid lockdown and school holidays, rendering the traffic impact assessment studies misleading and inaccurate. You only need to travel at any time during snow season to see the high traffic use (kilometers of bumper to bumper traffic travelling north and south) on the highway which was not included in this traffic study.

4. Existing Quarry

Royalla residence already suffer from an existing Quarry at Williamsdale, impinging directly on our southern Boundary which is only 2.5 km from our home. We already experience blasting noise, dust, daily voltage dips causing breaker trips and unsightly dirt overburden dirt piles visible from our home. We don't want any more unsightly, noisy and dusty quarries near our home.

5. Direct Health impact

I already struggle with respiratory breathing problems due to the early onset of Parkinsons disease. This concern is high on my list as more dust will only cause me more difficulty with breathing. Toxins are well documented as causes and effects in Parkinsons disease. By living in this rural environment, I have done my best to eliminate as many toxins entering my body as possible. Our home is in a highly elevated part of Royall which experiences high winds from all directions every day. Silica dust particles will be carried in the air, settling on our roof and washing into our water tanks every time it rains. As part of my neurology physiotherapy, I walk four to five km each day around Royalla, and I am very concerned about the effects the silica dust in the air will have on my ability to breathe. I already use an asthma prevention inhaler, which is not always effective and can often cough to a point where I cannot breathe. I worry that the silica dust from the quarry will make the management of this even more difficult.

6. Increased Stress

Life is hard enough without facing the increased stress of this proposed development. Not only am I stressed about my own health, I worry that the constant exposure to silica dust to my grandchildren at home and school, will have an adverse effect on their health in the future.

7. Quarry Capacity Justification

Existing quarries at Williamsdale, Mugga Lane and Queanbeyan (Old Cooma Road) quarries are operating well below capacity. The area simply doesn’t need another Quarry. Any suggestion that this quarry is economically significant to NSW is ludicrous. The future health burden on doctors and hospitals alone would cancel out any possible economic gains.


Regards

Sandra Bennett

My home is heritage listed built about 1923, my house does not have guttering or tanks which cannot be installed because of the heritage listing. I will explain further how the major project will negatively impact my situation. I have lived here for 45 years; my sole source of drinking water has been the creek running through my land. I pump this water to an uphill tank and it is gravity fed to my house. My livestock - now horses, previously sheep - also rely on this water as does my garden.

The quarry proponents state in their information sheet that the Project Need (Aug 2025) would be 'designated and operated in a manner considerate of the impacts of local residents and that it is in the wider community interests" because it would supply aggregate for construction and infrastructure projects in the ACT and QBN-Palerang region. They claim the quarry could provide up to 1 million tonnes of material annually for 35 years, meeting around "30-35% of local demand." While I understand the argument for supply, these assertions do not address the risks to local residents like me, whose health and livelihood depend directly on clean water which will be compromised by silica deposits in the water supply. The quarry has indicated the water from the operations of the quarry will be released into Guises Creek which is my sole water source. This raises grave concerns about water quality and the impact to my health. For me, this is not a hypothetical risk - it directly threatens the safety of my drinking water, the wellbeing of my animals and the continued habitability of my heritage listed home.

The quarry documents also emphasise 'local benefits' and 'economic value' to the region, but it fails to recognise that such benefits cannot come at the cost of human health and wellbeing or the destruction of established rural properties. In my case there is no alternative water source available due to the heritage restrictions.

I strongly object to the Monaro Rock Quarry Project. I have many concerns with the proposed project, particularly the impact on the local wildlife, such as the pygmy possum, blue tongue lizard, legless lizard, grass parrot and other birdlife. I also have serious concerns about the grassland earless dragon (tympanocryptis pinsuicolla) as the area of the proposed quarry is their typical habitat. I don't believe a proper assessment or environmental study has been completed by the Monaro Rock Quarry Project to understand the impacts on the local wildlife, in particular, those wildlife I have listed above. I also am extremely concerned about the increase in traffic (by at least a 1000%) and the detrimental affect the heavy vehicles will have on the local roads, including Monaro Station Road, the Monaro Highway and Old Cooma Road - these roads have not been designed or built to handle the amount of heavy vehicles that will travel on these roads daily if the Project goes ahead. This has been evidenced recently when the new estate of 13 blocks (Royalla Estate) built at the end of the Monaro Station Road, when just a slight increase in traffic and heavy vehicles destroyed large parts of Monaro Station Road. When I purchased land on Monaro Station Road, it was to enjoy the rural lifestyle, including peace and quiet, no loud traffic or industrial noises. If the Project goes ahead there will be constant loud noise and traffic 6 days per week - from 5am to 6pm - this does not align with the intended purpose of the Royalla rural lifestyle. I am also concerned that if the Project goes ahead, it will have a significant negative impact on the housing market in the area, particularly reducing the value of my own home.
Christopher OToole, local resident

Please see attached

I object to this project. The ACT and surrounds already has multiple quarries servicing the region and we dont need another one. There are many logical reasons not to go ahead with this project.
1. Silica dust exposure - linked to lung cancer, kidney disease, silicosis which is irreversable/incurable. Silica dust is a very real risk to everyone living in the area of this proposed quarry and the ACT southern suburbs. Many whom already experience respiratory issues which would be exacerbated by the silica dust made by this quarry. This includes my 5 year old son, and I would never want him to experience any of the issues caused by silica dust.
2. Increased trucks on the highway, which would increase the risk of accidents on an already high accident area.
3. A nearby quarry can negatively effect the resale value of homes in the area because of air bourne particulates, additional traffic, dust, vibrations and noise.

To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing as a local resident of the Royalla area to express my strong opposition to the quarry development. I live near the site and am deeply concerned about how this project will affect the health, safety, and quality of life for my family and community.
My main concerns include:
• Dust and air pollution from blasting and truck movements, which pose a risk to respiratory health, particularly for children and older residents.
• Noise pollution from quarry operations, which will disrupt the peace and quiet that makes Royalla such a valued rural community.
• Traffic and road safety, as quarry trucks will significantly increase heavy vehicle movements on local roads, putting residents, cyclists, and school children at risk.
• Environmental impacts, including the destruction of native bushland and potential harm to local wildlife and water catchments.
This development would permanently change the rural character of Royalla. Many people moved here because of its peaceful environment, and the quarry would undermine the reasons many families choose to live in this community.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to reject the Royalla Quarry proposal. The long-term costs to residents, the environment, and community wellbeing far outweigh any potential short-term benefits.
Thank you for your time.

May cause pollution and dust.
More traffic and noise
Too close to homes