After being in the construction industry for over 20 years and learning about silica dust and its harm to people it’s a silly idea,
There already 2 quarries in approximately a 5 kilometre radius, to me it’s all about money at everyone else’s cost. The community should not be exposed to a third quarry and its environmental impacts within such a small area

I wish to Object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project application number SSD-27223807.
The objection is based on the following:
1. 150 laden trucks per day means 300 truck entry/exists per day for 30 years, given that trucks create most of the airborne dust this will be a health hazard especially on windy days it’s too close to the B23 Monaro highway.
2. Williamsdale quarry is only a few Kilometres from where I live and the dust level is greater than they estimated in their application this is demonstrated by the dust levels found on outdoor furniture etc. especially when it rains, with two sites this will increase and there are no checks, post approval to monitor.
3. Royalla Solar Farm is also too close to the quarry; the dust level will reduce the panels performance over the 30 years.
4. Stock piles of stone will be visible as they are at the Williamsdale quarry where quarried material has been deposited above the hillside and is increasing every year.
5. If successful it will be another eyesore spoiling another area of Fauna and Flora while a few reap the benefits the many lose out through health, house and land depreciation.
6. The operating hours 06.00 Hrs to 18.00 Hrs will increase the already high level of animal mortality let alone the increased noise and light pollution from headlamps during Winter.

Refer Attached

I have concern that there is inadequate data in informing two areas of the EIS submission.

1. Air Quality Monitoring.
This is the primary concern by residents by my reading, and upon reviewing the submission I note the lack of wind monitoring and modelling on the site itself. The close proximity of the site to receptors (housing) at less than 2km, along with proposed dust generating activities of blasting, crushing and handling of siliceous lithologies is, in my opinion, a high risk situation that should have monitoring and modelling at the point of the proposed dust generation. Monitoring is currently informed from stations several kms away, where topography is likely to have local impacts on wind dispersal.

2. Vibration and structural damage to housing.
I did not locate any studies on the potential vibration caused by drill and blast activities in the submission. The submission discussed flyrock only. Reviewing the geological map within the hydrogeological studies, it appears that the quarry is wholly contained within a hard rock volcanic unit that extends to the receptors (houses). In addition there are indications of east-west fault lines that could channel vibrations through hard rock caused by blasting towards these receptors. I recommend that the submission address this risk. Housing may not be designed to mitigate vibrations from blasting, leading to cracking in structures and potential damage to utilities such as gas lines, if the vibrations have not been assessed and may impact these areas.

I wish to lodge a formal objection to the proposed Monaro quarry development. After reviewing the available information, I believe the project presents unacceptable risks to public health, community safety, and local amenity.

The potential release of respirable silica dust and other fine particles is of particular concern. These contaminants could compromise water supplies and present serious health risks to residents through long-term exposure. The precautionary principle should apply when the potential for irreversible harm is clear.

The anticipated increase in heavy vehicle movements on Old Cooma Road is another significant issue. This road already operates under strain, and additional truck traffic will further increase the likelihood of accidents, accelerate road degradation, and generate noise and vibration impacts for residents.

The proposal also raises unresolved questions around liability and compensation for structural damage to homes resulting from blasting activity. In addition, evidence from similar projects suggests a likely reduction in local property values, affecting the financial security of families who have invested in this community.

Given the scale of the potential impacts, I respectfully request that a public hearing be convened before any determination is made. Such a process would allow residents to raise their concerns in detail and ensure that decision-making occurs transparently and with full regard to community input.

I am appalled this project has even reached this stage. The detriment to the surrounding communities is fully disregarded by people looking to cash in.

I have concerns about the pollution and silica dust due to my cystic fibrosis. My concern is I am in a close 3km radius and this would impact my respiratory issues. My kids also play outside a lot. This should not go ahead

I moved to Royalla to start a family in a clean environment surrounded by nature. We have endagered flora and fauna in the area that will affected. The silica dust is so incredibly dangerous to health. During online meetings of the proposal a geographical map was produced of proposed dust partical spread. It completely negated the fact Royalla, being a valley, is a wind tunnel; therefore, the dust reach is far beyond what is stated.

I am already afraid of trucks on the monaro highway there are already an excessive number of accidents on the turn offs. An additional truck every ~2½ minutes is adding to that risk. The highway is also often riddled with pot holes, the extra wear and tear would fall onto the ACT Government as it'son their land, have they been consulted?

People in the area have paid a lot of money to move to Royalla to live the lifestyle we do. Will we be compensated for the devaluation of our homes? Will Monaro Rock adequately compensate building damage from blasts? Will they pay for our rainwater filters that we will need to install and replace because of the silica dust?

The quarry is also incredibly close to Googong, yet many households are completely unaware of the proposal. How will this be rectified prior to any decision?

I don't want to leave Royalla - I have built a life and family here. This is the house I was planning on living in for decades. The danger to my families health may very well force us to leave. There are areas in NSW that aren't as populated residentially. Why plonk it in the middle of our town endanger lives?

In 2016 we moved from Sydney to Royalla so that we could enjoy a tranquil lifestyle in this beautiful rural area with great views and clean air. The proposal for this quarry presents several problems which will disrupt this way of life.

Access to the Monaro Highway from Royalla allows us an easy drive to the Calwell shopping centre and Club, Tuggeranong Town Centre, and a relatively quick drive to Canberra Hospital. As we are elderly, these are important considerations. The number of trucks proposed on the Monaro Highway will surely disrupt the smooth flow of traffic on this very busy road with a speed limit of 100.

The quarrying process will produce dust (possibly silica?), and as Royalla is a very high wind area, I am concerned that this dust will be spread far and wide, causing well documented health problems for the residents, especially for elderly and young ones. I am not satisfied that the company has provided a good enough explanation of how they will handle this dust. Watering down is the usual method I believe but what happens when the area has one of its frequent drought periods?

Finally, we are apprehensive that the building of this quarry will impact on the value of our property.