I am a local residency of Conder in the very close proximity of your proposed plan. I am also a joiner/ cabinet maker where they mandated the banning of silica products which I support. I already have been subject to the possible health implications. How can you propose a quarry so close to residential zone which will create hazards to the environment and people. Whilst I don’t have a problem with a quarry as such more so the location, my health as I am an asthmatics, my kids are asthmatics and I worry that the impact of such quarry will further impact my health. I’m just one person however many more people that this will affect. What guarantee will be in place ? Can you give us the facts!

I object to the proposed Monaro Rock Industries on the following grounds.

Existing quarries
There are several existing operating quarries within close proximity of the proposed quarry that already have established their capacity and long-term supply chains well into the future. There is also a notable expansion expected for the Williamsdale Road Quarry that already adjoins Royalla. The number and capacity of existing quarries in the region does not support an additional requirement for new quarry. Examples of existing quarries include but are not limited to:
• Heidelberg Materials – Canberra Quarry, Williamsdale Road, approx. 7 kms from proposed site
• Mugga Quarry, Mugga Lane approx.. 14kms away from proposed site
• Boral Quarries
Ground water aquifers – water quantity and quality, bushfires
Royalla and immediate surrounds are an arid region of NSW suffering terribly in drought and is immediately adjacent Mt Tennant that has already caught fire twice within 20 years. We like many land owners in the area rely heavily on the bores and the aquifers that support them to provide water for stock, crops and water for fighting bushfires and maintaining gardens and in some instances commercial enterprises like the primary production e.g. cherry farm.

These bores have been established at personal cost and with continuing dry spells and impost of the exiting quarry, falter during dry spells. Williamsdale Quarry already draws significant water for its operations and together with an expansion of operations already anticipated and the proposed new quarry will leave landowners with little prospect of a reliable ground water source, if any.
Based on long term weather forecasts, the area is expected to get drier placing more reliance on groundwater that simply won’t be there with the pressure of two quarries at each end of Royalla depleting it of precious ground water.
Further local council environmental laws prevent Royalla landowners from creating additional water catchment (e.g. dams) if they have an existing bore.
Land aesthetics, indigenous heritage, wildlife, noise pollution/vibration and blasting effects – Extra trucks, blasting and vibration will all be heard across the region as noise travels great distances when there is nothing to absorb it.
This region is special to the Ngunnawal people and the people who have chosen a new and more peaceful way of life away from the hustle and bustle of cities. There is established prolific plant, animal species and the proposed quarry is in close proximity to a native quoll population which is uncommon for these parts. A quarry will scar the landscape and reduce the plant and animal populations of the area.
Traffic and Roads
Monaro highway between Michelago and Johnson Drive, Tuggeranong is currently full of potholes from the recent rain and existing traffic and trucks ranging from delivery trucks (fuel, foodstuffs) to logging trucks, cattle trucks, trucks from the Williamsdale quarry and more. Additional ski traffic and traffic generally makes it a treacherous strip already and rain (when we get it) washes the road out under the extra weight and use of heavy vehicles.
There are daily near misses where traffic in both directions overtake on double lines and more importantly race to overtake one another southbound before the two lanes merge into one which is where the proposed location of the quarry entrance has been proposed. This a is a traffic blackspot waiting to happen.
Extra road usage by proposed mining trucks will leave the road in further disrepair at the cost of ACT rate payers to fix as the road at that point is owned and maintained by ACT.
Air Quality Silica Dust/Pollution
I am concerned by the effects of dust and silica dust. The prevailing north westerly winds which at times peak at over 100kms will spread silica and dust for kilometers over roofs, properties, and water catchment. Together with the dust effects of the existing Williamsdale Quarry, this will place residents at greater risk of harm. Water dampening and other mitigation strategies do little to quell the spread of these small particles.
I’m not against in principle, the need for quarries but object to this one being placed where there is already existing quarry capacity within a built-up area. This proposal is better suited to a more remotely populated area with less environmental impacts on established land use.

To Whom It May Concern
I am writing to express my disgust and strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project in Royalla, NSW 2620. As a rate paying family in this once safe and family friendly community, I am not only deeply concerned about the irreversible environmental, health, and social impacts this development would impose on our region, but my life long investment and substantial contribution to this amazing and growing community’s future.
500 plus trucks per day to an area where I moved my entire family to, to escape the hustle and bustle, knowing it already came at an additional cost as we pay extremely high electricity bills, mandated ludicrous land rates for the privilege of living rurally and still don’t have the same tax payer funded social services our suburban neighbours do. The roads which I campaigned to make safe not that long ago for the school buses to get my children home safe from school where Deans Buses were dropping them off on a road that runs at 100km an hour. This reeks of back pocket handshakes and personal profits.
In years to come you will all be retired with your golden handshakes patting each other on the back, when our children are suffering the after effects of silica dust and the repercussions of this indulgent money grab. Mr Fluffy, Asbestos poisoning and Robodebt!! just to name a few of the governments previously ill advised decisions.
Families bought properties in Royalla due to the quiet rural lifestyle, an industrial quarry like this, in the centre of Royalla and impacting Theodore, Calwell, Richardson and Chisholm where my grandchildren will be schooled, will not only destroy this community but have health impacts you cannot underestimate, not to mention the investments in our retirement we all made to better ourselves and the future of our children.
Spend a day in Royalla, windy alley as it is commonly known, and tell me that an alarm will notify plant managers of unacceptable silica risks.
“Enough is Enough” we already have two quarries near Royalla with the Williamsdale Road and Old Cooma Road quarries. Both existing quarries apparently have years of capacity left, that will see all of us out. We don’t need another one and this new proposal is just a profiteering exercise by Monaro Rock.
Despite claims of community engagement, the overwhelming sentiment among residents is opposition. No amount of mitigation or compromise can make this project acceptable.
Conclusion
The Monaro Rock Quarry Project is incompatible with the values, health, and future of Royalla and its surrounding communities. It puts the lives of residents at serious risk and I urge decision-makers to reject this proposal and prioritise the wellbeing of residents and our neighbouring suburbs with in the ACT where we all have many family and friends, over industrial expansion.
Sincerely,
Michael Cooper
Royalla Resident

To Whom It May Concern
I am writing to express my disgust and strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project in Royalla, NSW 2620. As a rate paying family in this once safe and family friendly community, I am not only deeply concerned about the irreversible environmental, health, and social impacts this development would impose on our region, but my life long investment and substantial contribution to this amazing and growing community’s future.
500 plus trucks per day to an area where I moved my entire family to, to escape the hustle and bustle, knowing it already came at an additional cost as we pay extremely high electricity bills, mandated ludicrous land rates for the privilege of living rurally and still don’t have the same tax payer funded social services our suburban neighbours do. The roads which I campaigned to make safe not that long ago for the school buses to get my children home safe from school where Deans Buses were dropping them off on a road that runs at 100km an hour. This reeks of back pocket handshakes and personal profits.
In years to come you will all be retired with your golden handshakes patting each other on the back, when our children are suffering the after effects of silica dust and the repercussions of this indulgent money grab. Mr Fluffy, Asbestos poisoning and Robodebt!! just to name a few of the governments previously ill advised decisions.
Families bought properties in Royalla due to the quiet rural lifestyle, an industrial quarry like this, in the centre of Royalla and impacting Theodore, Calwell, Richardson and Chisholm where my grandchildren will be schooled, will not only destroy this community but have health impacts you cannot underestimate, not to mention the investments in our retirement we all made to better ourselves and the future of our children.
Spend a day in Royalla, windy alley as it is commonly known, and tell me that an alarm will notify plant managers of unacceptable silica risks.
“Enough is Enough” we already have two quarries near Royalla with the Williamsdale Road and Old Cooma Road quarries. Both existing quarries apparently have years of capacity left, that will see all of us out. We don’t need another one and this new proposal is just a profiteering exercise by Monaro Rock.
Despite claims of community engagement, the overwhelming sentiment among residents is opposition. No amount of mitigation or compromise can make this project acceptable.
Conclusion
The Monaro Rock Quarry Project is incompatible with the values, health, and future of Royalla and its surrounding communities. It puts the lives of residents at serious risk and I urge decision-makers to reject this proposal and prioritise the wellbeing of residents and our neighbouring suburbs with in the ACT where we all have many family and friends, over industrial expansion.
Sincerely,
Charlene Cooper
Resident
Royalla, NSW

I own a rural property within 3kms of the proposed site. This submission is in opposition to the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal due to my concerns with health risks, noise, environmental impacts and traffic concerns.

Health risks from respirable silica dust:
It is unrealistic to expect there would be only small amounts of respiratory dust and other mineral dust emissions generated from mining the site. Silica dust can reach up to 700 metres high and stay in the air for days. Silica dust particles can be extremely small and invisible to the naked eye. Our property, as is most of Royalla, is subjected to regular high winds. The respiratory dust risks associated with the Monaro Rock Quarry can not be fully eliminated, even when a hierarchy of controls are implemented (Airborne dust exposure in mines and quarries | Resources Safety & Health Queensland). The last bastion of defence for workers as outlined in the booklet are PPE specifically fitted to each worker, this equipment is not available to the surrounding community nor would it mitigate contamination of water tanks, dams, and edible produce grown on the many rural properties within 5 km of the site.

Noise and vibration from blasting:
Noise and vibration from blasting operations will be heard and felt five days a week from 9am to 5pm. We are recently retired and spend a lot of time outdoors around the property. It is unacceptable to permit a quarry so close to a rural/residential neighbourhood and to subject inhabitants to this amount of noise and discomfort. This is apart from the risk to our infrastructure such as cracks to water tanks, structures and foundations.

The environment:
The quarry will damage and/or clear close to 80 hectares of vegetation. A quarter of this land contains critically endangered fauna with 300 species of flora and fauna calling this land home.
The quarry intends to use groundwater which presents unacceptable risks to my property and livestock. My dam is spring fed and contains turtles, yabbies, and perch. It is also the main source of water for my livestock and garden. My surrounding neighbours have bores. Permission is required to create a dam or install a bore to help sustainably manage groundwater sources, protecting their quality and the ecosystems that depend on them (Drilling a bore domestic and stock rights FAQs). These safeguards have not been successful for mining operations in the past and have had a devastating impact on groundwater including flow paths and contamination.

Traffic:
The quarry will generate up to 500 heavy vehicles a day on the Monaro highway which equates to one truck every 10 minutes. This highway is the main road we travel on to get to town and is largely single lane. It already supports a steady flow of traffic during peak times particularly in the mornings, evenings and during the snow season. Accidents are common and the road is in constant disrepair. The quarry would increase our travel time and add to an already stressed infrastructure without regard to additional maintenance requirements.

I have great concerns for the proposed quarry in Royalla. I object to this proposal for another new quarry.

I have children who are learning to drive or are newly independent drivers driving to and from home on the Monaro Highway. I do not want them to have to manage the extra truck traffic and the possible reckless driving that will come from other cars wanting to overtake the trucks entering and exiting the new quarry onto the Monaro Highway. I also don't want to have to contend with the additional truck traffic from the proposed quarry. I work in Tuggeranong and travel on the Monaro Highway to and from work every day. This additional truck traffic will increase my commute time and will also increase the risks for my family and I on an already high-risk road.

I love the lifestyle that Royalla offers us with the livestock we tend to, the vegetable gardens and orchards that I have established and harvest from. I am concerned for the health of my family and I with regards to the silica dust that will be airborne and ingested from our fruits and vegetables. I am concerned about my own health with regards to the silica dust when I am out in the garden tending to it. I am also concerned about our animals and the impact that the silica dust will have on their health.I am also very concerned about the water table and how it could be affected by the proposed quarry as we have a bore which I rely on in my gardens and for our animals.

I am writing to formally object to the proposed quarry development in Royalla NSW, as outlined in the Monaro Rock Quarry project. As a concerned resident of the area, I believe that this development presents significant risks to both public safety and the local environment, and I urge the council to reconsider this proposal on the grounds of the following concerns:
1. Traffic Safety and Congestion
The development of a quarry in our suburb will significantly increase truck traffic, both on local roads and nearby highways. The heavy trucks transporting materials to and from the site will pose several risks, including:
Increased Traffic Congestion: Local roads are not designed to handle the volume of heavy truck traffic that will result from the quarry operation. These roads already experience high traffic, especially during peak holiday seasons both winter snow traffic and summer school holiday times, and the additional trucks would further congest the area, causing significant risks for residents and commuters.
Public Safety Risks: The combination of large, slow-moving trucks and the existing traffic patterns creates a dangerous environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users which could see an increased risk of accidents.
Wear and Tear on Infrastructure: Our current road infrastructure, is not equipped to support the extra weight and volume of traffic that would result from quarry operations. The long-term impact on road maintenance and safety could be detrimental to the community’s overall infrastructure.
2. Environmental Impact
In addition to the traffic concerns, the environmental implications of quarrying in our suburb are severe and warrant serious consideration:
Air and Dust Pollution: The extraction and transportation of quarry materials will likely release large amounts of dust and particulate matter into the surrounding environment. This can contribute to poor air quality, impacting the health of residents, particularly those with respiratory issues, and exacerbating the region's pollution problems.
Noise Pollution: The operation of heavy machinery, blasting, and transportation of materials would generate significant noise pollution, which could disrupt local wildlife and affect the peace and livability of residential areas. The noise would likely be constant throughout the day, disturbing both adults and children who live in the area.
Water and Soil Contamination: The risk of water and soil contamination due to quarrying activities is a serious concern. Potential runoff from the site could affect nearby waterways, compromising local ecosystems and potentially contaminating local water supplies. Reliance on the water tables for residents with bore operations for livestock will have a significant impact to properties who rely on the source daily.
Loss of Biodiversity: The land designated for the quarry is home to local flora and fauna, some of which are rare or threatened. Quarrying operations can lead to habitat destruction and the irreversible loss of biodiversity in the area, which is something that the community cannot afford to overlook.
3. Community and Property Value
A quarry in such close proximity to residential areas will likely lead to a decrease in property values. The combined effects of noise, dust, and traffic congestion will significantly detract from the overall quality of life in our suburb. The presence of a quarry would also make the area less attractive to potential buyers or renters, further impacting the local economy.

While I understand the economic benefits that may arise from quarrying operations, I believe that the risks associated with this development far outweigh any potential gains. Especially with other quarries operating in close proximity to this proposed site, that are not running at capacity or close to closing operations. The safety of residents, the environmental impact, and the long-term consequences for our community must take precedence.
Therefore, I respectfully request that the council reject the proposed quarry development in Royalla based on the concerns raised above. I am happy to discuss these objections further or to provide additional information if required.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
G

I object to this development application SSD-27223807 for the Monaro Rocks Quarry.

I intend to return to my family property next year in Royalla. As it stands, I am within 5km of the project site in GIlmore and I drive the Monaro Highway everyday. Regardless of where I locate, I will be impacted.

This proposal will impact the lives of all residents not only within Royalla but across the NSW & ACT region.

THE QPLEP DOES NOT ALLOW THIS
I refer to the Environmental Impact Statement (‘EIS’) and the “Need for the Project”. The data suggests there will be a hard rock shortfall by 2030 if the project is not approved. This is an opinion put forward by the Proponent is that the need outweighs the environmental constraints and its values at the proposed development site. Extractive industries are a prohibited use within the RU2 Rural Landscape and C2 Environmental Conservation of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Environmental Plan 2022 (‘QPLEP’). The need for the project cannot outweigh the prohibition of extractive industries for this landuse under the QPLEP and utilise the loophole of Clause 2.9(3) of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Resources and Energy) 2021 (‘the SEPP’) to justify its need described “by virtue” in the EIS.

The C2 Environmental Conservation zone under the QPLEP does not permit ‘agriculture’ or ‘industry’. Therefore Clause 2.9(3)(b) would prohibit the extractive industry occurring on this section of land under the C2 zoning.

The extractive industry goes against all objectives of both zones. I have further comments below on biodiversity.

The “Cumulative impacts” are assessed as 'acceptable.' This is wrong and will have detrimental impacts.

THE TRAFFIC STUDY IS FLAWED
The traffic report had traffic surveys undertaken on Thursday 27 May to Wednesday 9 June 2021 (inclusive) on the Monaro Highway north of Old Cooma Road was during the beginning of the Victorian lockdowns and 11 days before NSW went into lockdown where work from home was a necessity. This greatly distorts any type of traffic modelling done. The data would accurately reflect the Monaro Highway traffic during snow season. They removed the data of the ACT public holiday as they felt that inflated the traffic count. The report models a conservative traffic count showing a daily average of 4,400 vehicles in 2021 equating to an average weekly total of 30,800 vehicles (Table 2.1 (p. 8)). One look at the TfNSW Counter 6114 at Bredbo shows that peak demand during winter in 2024 (week of 15 July 2024) reaching up to 61,510 vehicles in both directions and 58,007 (week of 3 July 2023). I understand that the traffic report disputes the distance of the TfNSW Counter 6114 to the project site, the estates between the project site to the traffic counter would not generate the total difference of additional numbers of traffic given the lack of population density.

Limitations on Old Cooma Road is supported however it will be at the detrimental of commuters on the Monaro Highway. The residents of Royalla and those estates off Old Cooma Road who head to the Monaro Highway from both Old Cooma Road and Royalla Drive will be impacted and further up the road network that connects Tuggeranong residents onto the Monaro Highway. A laden and unladen truck will move inbound and outbound every minute from 5am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. This is simply not safe. This is not liveable.

Flaws in the report include lack of consideration of general maintenance undertaken by TfNSW during the snow season from June long weekend to the October long weekend where works cannot occur before 12pm on Mondays and after 12pm on Fridays on the Monaro Highway. Yet these trucks will be free to haul on the Monaro Highway in droves.

The traffic report does not consider the bottleneck experienced at the Johnson Drive and Monaro Highway roundabout. This is not appropriately assessed in the EIS cumulative impacts. More traffic is then experienced at the Rose Cottage roundabout and that is not considered.

The prohibition of use of any Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Roads is supported however the EIS (p. 2-31) states that extended operating hours could be considered if truck movements are directed to the Monaro Highway! The proposed condition consent will have adverse effects. This is the main reason why I am objecting to this development as there are no amenable alternatives to the traffic.

The traffic estimates a maximum of 710 trips per day including quarry product dispatch, VENM/EMN importation, concrete and asphalt transportation. This introduces inbound laden truck movements which will have an accumulative impact on the Monaro Highway and the amenity.

There is no consideration of the impact of the school bus run as it enters onto the Monaro Highway.

There are no considerations on wet weather contingencies that should form part of a Driver Code of Conduct.

THE NOISE REPORT IS 'CONSERVATIVE'
It is noted in relation to the above, the report by the Octave Acoustics models noise based on the traffic figures from 2021. Octave Acoustics utilizes the minimum daily volume, specifically the date of Wednesday 9 June 2021, stating it would provide a “conservative assessment from the perspective of relative change. The existing proportion of heavy vehicles used is also conservative, as heavy vehicles are likely to avoid peak hour delays where possible”.

This modelling is flawed. The haulage operations are to begin at 5:00am through to 6:00pm Mondays to Saturdays. The EIS does not accurately assess the reality of maximum daily vehicle numbers. The assumption in the noise report that the operator will not commence heavy vehicle inbound and outbound movements during peak hour is not reflected in the Traffic report thus their assumption the noise is not an issue - because it has not been appropriately modelled.

In other words, the reports within the EIS are not talking to each other.

WHERE IS THE VENM/ENM COMING FROM?
The quarry proposes to import VENM/ENM under NSW EPA approval processes. Claiming that 'where possible, material would be transported to the Project Site via trucks returning from the delivery of quarry products to customer’. However, the quarry's market is based in the ACT. This requires ACT EPA approval. Where will the VENM/ENM come from? Who will check on this process? The amount is enormous. How will the local Council's compliance officers monitor this situation? That those trucks are carrying VENM/ENM and not other hazardous waste. This is a burden to the rate payer to resource this function!

The location of the project is selected based on a profitability distance to the ACT to reduce haulage cost and the market demand in the ACT. Between the project site to the south, there is limited NSW development that would generate the volume of VENM/ENM that the project requires.

VENM/ENM from NSW would need to be obtained to the east meaning haulage along Old Cooma Road or through other parts of the Queanbeyan- Palerang local government area before entering the Monaro Highway if they are truly obtaining VENM/ENM from NSW. A little tricky when you as the road authority are not allowing access?

The Proponent needs to clarify where the VENM/ENM is coming from?

SAVE ENCHANTED HILL
In 2008, QPRC commissioned a report on Biodiversity in the local government area. This report celebrated the importance of Enchanted Hill, describing it as 'remnant and regrowth Dry Forest, Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands associated with the Enchanted Hill area in the south-west of the LGA.'

The EIS states that 55.39 hectares of Monaro-Queanbeyan Rolling Hills Grassy Forest and 22.84 hectare Southern Tableland Grassy Box Woodland will be cleared.

The ecosystems to be cleared, leads to detrimental impacts to our Pink-tailed Legless Lizard; Key's Matchstick Grasshopper; Pale Pamaderris; Small Purple-pea and Silky Swainson-pea.

Why does so much land need to be cleared? This is because the 2008 report clearly identifies that accessibility to Enchanted Hill was difficult. The mass destruction is because the site has challenging terrain. So for profit for a few, the flattening around Enchanted Hill before quarry materials are hauled is the reason. We are compromising biodiversity importance because the terrain is challenging. Enchanted Hill is a sacred hill. So are its surrounds.

CONTRIBUTIONS FOR INCONVENIENCE
Contributions for inconvenience will never make up for the excessive water usage, biodiversity destruction, dust, traffic accidents that may result in fatality and the detrimental impact this will have on all Royalla residents and those residents who travel along Old Cooma Road to enter onto the Monaro Highway. No amount of money will ever take away the fact that this development will destroy the Royalla estate and those who commute along Old Cooma Road or out from Royalla Drive and detriment to drivers from Tuggeranong.

Thank you for considering my submission. I hope I have highlighted at a minimum the flaws in the EIS that based on its merits, cannot be approved in its current format.

We moved to Royalla for the country living and fresh air. There is already a quarry in Williamsdale which is expanding without community consultation. This quarry is already directly affecting Royalla residents and the expansion of this needs to be reviewed and consulted on. It is an eyesore- now directly in view of properties in Royalla. Another quarry will increase heavy vehicle traffic, live stock and dust. It is not an appropriate location in the Royalla community. A industrial estate would surely be more appropriate.

I wish to oppose the development of the Monaro Rock Quarry.
We purchased our Monaro Station property in 2017. It was a massive financial outlay for us but after looking into the areas zoning, what price do you put on your family’s health and wellbeing what a wonderfully unique lifestyle for our family and even for friends to visit, it was such an exciting prospect, we couldn’t believe our luck we had managed to secure a property in an absolutely stunning rural area only minutes from Canberra. Given the financial commitment we had to consider this our “superannuation” becoming either an option for our children to purchase off us later in life or to on sell as a unique opportunity for someone to purchase a rural residence only ten minutes from Canberra, what would become an even rarer commodity in the future.
Wow, we had no idea what an amazing community we were moving into, it was almost like stepping back in time! If we left the door unlocked, we didn’t need to worry, neighbours look out for each other, everybody is house proud and maintain the appearance of their property, people were always trying to help each other… the list goes on, in short just a great place to live. A community centre built by the resident for the residents and the surrounding regions with regular local volunteer coordinated children’s events, sausage sizzles and bonfires…
Since our purchase we had been excitingly looking into so many options for our property, we were planning on re-developing our driveway, entrance and even a substantial extension to our home including large deck and inground swimming pool. We were just about to begin the process of relocating our children from school in central Canberra to one of the local south Tuggeranong schools to allow us the ability to use the local bus service and aid in mingling more in the local community.
Then in early 2021, I read a Facebook post one Sunday afternoon and there was a photo of proposed quarry and an associated letter posted by an angry resident. I was astonished, could not believe this could happen, I made my way down to my letterbox to find an unsealed, unaddressed envelope with the recently posted on Facebook documents inside, with consultation times of short notice and inconvenient times. From that point on our lives and the lives of our family, neighbours and community have been turned upside down. The consultation days where ill-prepared and provided very little information and only gave the impression that they were going ahead with this project as it will mean increased profits for our company and it’s your problem to stop it!
Due to the location and nature of this proposal our quiet and clean aired lifestyle could now be impacted but not limited to, a relentless line of trucks driving past or in close proximity to our property on a daily basis (500 a day from 7am to 6pm!!!), producing noise, dust, diesel fumes, rubbish (rocks ,dirt etc) on road to be flicked up and break windscreens, general traffic congestion. Noise from explosions, heavy machinery, trucks, increased visitor and employee traffic. Dust, no matter how well it is claimed this can be reduced realistically all the dust can simply not be stopped. This is an extremely windy location we will be inundated with dust both the dirty annoying dust and deadly silica dust, affecting our health, our water supplies, swimming pools, dams, solar panels even down to the smaller issue extra cleaning both inside and outside we will now have to perform. Damage, there is no denying that all properties within a certain radius will be affect by the shock waves of the blasting potentially cracking home and shed foundations, water tanks, underground services. There will obviously be an increase of debris on the roads be it small rocks, dirt dust, to damage windscreens and duco or the potential damage caused by inevitable potholes which will frequently turn up due to the heavy traffic on our residential streets. Not to mention the damage to pumps and filters on our water systems. Speaking of water, what about our water table, our community relies heavily on the underground water table to maintain our properties and stock the existing community respect the limited resource that it is and are very careful with its usage however according to the proposers they will be accessing this to use astronomical amounts of water on a daily basis with the only other option being to truck in water which apparently was unfeasible due to the amount required! and if it was the chosen option it would only increase the already unacceptable amount of trucks on the road. Last but not least power, as existing residents know the installation of the other quarries in the region have been closely associated with brown outs causing an unusual amount of electrical failures of water pumps and sewerage in the past, it seems the existing quarry and electrical authorities have more or less got this under control now but if the proposed quarry goes ahead we will most likely be faced with this problem yet again.
Given the above issues as a family we had to put our lives on hold, we didn’t want to move our children to a school that is potentially within the fallout area of the quarry, this would mean they would be exposed to silica dust both at home and at school, we wouldn’t be able to use the local bus service as it will be too dangerous to have my children walk down to the local bus stop as the existing roads are not appropriate for both pedestrian access and heavy vehicle access. Any plans to extend our home were and still are put on hold, we couldn’t afford to risk extending a home that may lose value and put ourselves at risk of over capitalising, the option of a pool is now more or less out of the question as it would more than likely just be filled with dust and become a mud bath.
We didn’t come here to live next to a quarry, we will most probably have little choice other than to move if the project goes ahead but who is going to want to buy our home now! What was to become our retirement fund is now a dwindling flame and ultimately has the potential to leave us financially crippled, how could we possibly be compensated for this.
I am still at a loss as how this proposal can even be considered given the huge number of residents affected by this, with our knowledge of the health risks associated with industrial developments like this, surely, they should be moved away from residents not closer. With three other quarries in the region not running at full capacity you can only assume that this is purely for higher profit which should not come before existing resident’s lifestyle and health.
Here we are now getting towards the end of the approval process and as I read through the EIS sure they have included several of the issues which I mentioned above but for me, it is just a lot of facts and figures, there are no guarantees, no promises, anything could happen really… Unfortunately I can only see downsides, I can’t find one upside in this for myself or my community.
In conclusion, when we bought this home, we carefully considered the zoning of the area, what else can we base the possibilities of future development on? We were aware of the proposed development of extra residential blocks behind us and were actively involved in the approval process, we were under the impression that the zoning laws would keep this untouched unique paradise maintained, if we had known a quarry or similar could be built so close to homes in a residential area we would not have invested our lifesavings into this property. The prospect of the Monaro Rock Quarry has left us deflated, disappointed and at a loss as to what to do next, what was an exciting opportunity to look forward to has become a long list of unknowns causing, incredible stress to my children and our marriage. The proposal has already affected the mental health of my entire family and the community and will only get worse.
Please don’t approve this horrible industrial development in our beautiful rural community and let us get back to living our dreams without this dark cloud hanging over us.