I object to this project. There is currently too much local traffic and the Googong township is not even complete yet. Additionally there is the issue of air pollution of dust and noise. This could be harmful on people’s health especially asthma. Also the noise will be damaging to the local area and furthermore degrade the value of this township. If such a project was to be implemented, I would have wanted to be informed prior to purchasing my block and building a house. This would have allowed me to make a decision on whether or not to buy in the area.
Also as a rate payer with the amount way above what it should be, this project will damage the value of the land and therefore impact the rates in the area. Council will need to half the land value. People will loose money on their properties and therefore impact currently highly desired area will loose its good reputation.

I have serious concerns with the project as currently scoped. The anticipated daily truck trips to and from the quarry will place a significant burden on already strained road infrastructure. Although the quarry developers plan to utilise the Monaro Highway as its primary transit route to Canberra, this is subject to separate development approval - and risks resulting in trucks utilising Old Cooma Road. This area is undergoing large-scale residential development, and the addition of these heavy vehicles would not only impact traffic, but also road condition and safety (as there are multiple points that are single-lane with restricted visibility). I also have significant concerns, given the residential developments around this location, as to the potential long-term health impacts on the local population.

As residents of Calwell we object to the proposed quarry being so close to Tuggeranong. We object to the main impacts of increased noise on the whole suburb, silica pollution with increased risk for health regardless of the levels of silica and other powders produced, and impact on traffic on the Monaro highway. There are other sites far from Canberra that are suitable for similar purposes, and we definitely do not want a monster project like this next to our doorstep, neither we are willing to being impacted by dangerous dusts, increased noise and traffic.

As residents of Calwell we object to the proposed quarry being so close to Tuggeranong. We object to the main impacts of increased noise on the whole suburb, silica pollution with increased risk for health regardless of the levels of silica and other powders produced, and impact on traffic on the Monaro highway. There are other sites far from Canberra that are suitable for similar purposes, and we definitely do not want a monster project like this next to our doorstep, neither we are willing to being impacted by dangerous dusts, increased noise and traffic.

I strongly object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry Project at Royalla. This development poses an unacceptable risk to my family’s health, our drinking water, and our community. It must be refused.

Health risks from dust
The quarry will generate large amounts of dust (PM10 and PM2.5) every day through blasting, crushing, and truck haulage. NSW Health confirms these fine particles worsen existing conditions and can cause new chronic illnesses. They also trigger systemic inflammation when inhaled.

My family includes members with autoimmune vulnerability. For us, this risk is direct and serious. Even small increases in dust exposure could cause flare-ups and permanent harm. With the quarry proposing 30 years of operation, this is intolerable.

Contaminated drinking water
Our home relies entirely on rainwater tanks. Dust from the quarry will settle on our roof and wash into our tanks. NSW Health warns of this risk, and the NSW EPA has already investigated similar contamination at Cadia, where metals were detected in tank water and sediments. Families there had to pay for testing and filtration. The same will happen here. This project directly threatens our only drinking water source.

The wrong location
Quarries generate dust, noise, vibration, and traffic. They should not be sited in residential or rural-residential areas, and certainly not where households depend on rainwater tanks. Royalla is the wrong place for this scale of operation.

Controls cannot eliminate the risk
The proponent may claim dust suppression and monitoring will protect us. Experience shows otherwise. Dust controls fail in hot, dry, or windy weather. Monitoring only shows exposure after the damage is done. Tank filters and cleaning shift the cost and responsibility onto residents. Families and out livestock should not have to live under constant threat of poisoned water and unsafe air.

Other impacts
The quarry will add heavy truck traffic on local roads, creating diesel pollution and safety risks. Blasting will disturb sleep and reduce quality of life. The stress of living under these conditions is already affecting my health, including loss of sleep since this proposal was announced.

Legal and regulatory framework
The project is inconsistent with the National Environment Protection Measure for air quality, the NSW Clean Air Regulation 2022, and NSW Health’s guidance on rainwater safety. Allowing this quarry here would disregard established health protections.

Future legal action
I also put on record my intention to commence legal action if this quarry is approved and causes harm to my family’s health or drinking water. I will pursue the proponent, regulators, and any authority that fails in its duty of care.

Relief sought
The only safe and responsible outcome is refusal of SSD-27223807 in full. If approval is nevertheless considered, strict independent monitoring and make-good provisions for air and water must be imposed. But even with conditions, the risk remains unacceptable.

Closing statement
This project threatens our health, contaminates our water, and undermines our right to live safely in our own home. Families in Royalla should not be forced to carry the burden of a 30-year industrial quarry. The only responsible decision is to reject this project entirely.

I have lived in Royalla for over 20 years. As I look out the kitchen window to the south east I have a clear view of the Williamsdale quarry. We have lived with blasting, noise, dust and smoke since we moved here. As I look to the north I have a clear view of Black Mountain tower in the ACT. In the middle distance is a hill called “Enchanted Hill”. I would like to think that it will there in twenty years and not another hole in the ground.
My first reason for objection is the damage to the environment, the quarry will clear 22.44 hectares of critically endangered Box-Gum Grassy Woodland and 77.83 hectares of vegetation overall. The proposed site is home to over 300 species of flora and fauna. On top of this included in the plan is the main access road, over 2.5 kms of sealed road taking up to 500 large trucks per day. This road on ‘crown land’ winds around Enchanted Hill at 860 meters, at times following the old railway, does a 180 degree “u” turn, (dropping 30 meters), follows the railway south east, a 90 degree turn over the railroad, by bridge, into the ACT, over Tuggeranong creek and a new “T” intersection on the Monaro Highway (in a 100KM zone and 150 meters below the crest of a ridge!!). There will be so many cuttings and embankments I gave up counting, the damage this road would do to the biodiversity will be horrendous. Might I suggest that the ACT Government approvals, cost, and environment impact of this road will mean it will never be built.
My second reason is Traffic. The project will generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, including haulage trucks and concrete dispatch vehicles on the Monaro Highway, rural roads and Old Cooma Road. The project acknowledges that to build the industrial estate will use existing local roads. This will result in the destruction of 3 roads, Mates Drive, Monaro Station and the Old Cooma Road.
My third reason is the misinformation or lack of information. When first proposed this was a simple blasting quarry. What is now proposed, upon release of the EIS, is twice the area where Monaro Rock hope to mine and process rock, manufacture concrete, hot asphalt and recycle concrete for the next 30-35 years. All this surrounded by residential areas in NSW, Royalla, Campbell Estate, Mount View, Little Burra, Fernleigh Estate, the new areas of Tralee and Environa, and Calwell and Theodore in the ACT. Many of these residents share a boundary with the proposed industrial area, as well the expanded area will impact the head waters of Tuggeranong Creek and Jerrabomberra Creek.

There are many reasons to object to this development, environmental damage, health concerns, other activities on the site, excess traffic, electricity surges, water table drops. These are just a few.
Environmental damage - the area of Enchanted Hill has been an area of environmental significance because of the box-gum grassy woodland. Councill has the area zoned as a protected environmental zone due to the woodlands being home to endangered plant species. To my knowledge it is also federally protected. this operation will also displace many native animals especially birds who nest in the trees. Once this is lost there will be no recovery to this beautiful area. We know that quarries do not adhere to their boundaries and do care about accidental damage done to areas they are not supposed to be blasting in. There are also Indigenous artefacts in the area which were found during the site survey. If these are found on our property, we are not to disturb them, so using this site as a quarry will disturb what has been found.
Health concerns - no amount of dust control will keep the dust down. As a resident of Royalla, we know about dust due to the other quarries in the area. The biggest concern is the silica dust and the possibility of contracting silicosis. More is being learnt about this life-threatening cancer and how far the dust can travel. I am asthmatic, I moved to the area for the cleaner air, if this goes through this will affect my health. Who will pay for my medical treatments? Notwithstanding the health implications, the dust will settle on our roofs, it will contaminate our water tanks that we use for everyday drinking, washing etc. Many in the area have solar panels, including us. The dust will also settle on these and reduce the amount of electricity we produce and a need to clean the panels more often. So, we also will have extra costs to clean our water tanks, water filters and solar panels. We also have livestock; this will affect their drinking water and the extra dust in the paddocks.
Other operations on the site - This was put forward as a quarry, it is now turning into a major industrial operation. Along with the quarry, they are now proposing to recycle and crush cement (more dust) and asphalt production (this will smell). The residents in Tralee complain about the smell from the production of asphalt in Hume in the ACT. They are now proposing to operate 6 days a week.
Blasting - Blasting causes shock waves, residents on the southside of Royalla have noticed damage to their houses from the quarry blasting in Williamsdale (we can hear this on occasion). The blasting will frighten the animals and could cause serious injury if spooked and run into fences.
Excess traffic - Now they are looking at expanding their operation, up to 500 heavy vehicles will be driving down rural roads and the Monaro Hwy (dropping dust as they go). This will make getting in and out of driveways and onto the highway more difficult. Add the extra traffic during ski season and we will never be able to get out onto the hwy. I have looked at the proposed entry onto the Hwy. This is at the crest of the hill; this is a recipe for disaster. There will be many accidents at this intersection especially over winter when the fog sets in. This area is the first area to have the fog settle and the last to dissipate. The Monaro Hwy road surface is a disgrace, there are pot holes everywhere and they never seem to be fixed. There are quite a few from the solar farm and going down the hill that keep getting filled but not fixed, within a couple of weeks the pothole is back, it takes another month before it gets filled again. The Hwy will become more of a goat track than it already is with around 500 extra trucks using it.
Electricity surges and brown outs - these damage electrical equipment. We have 3 phase equipment along with our other appliances. These can be damaged when there are surges in the supply. If you have to claim on insurance, our policy amount will increase especially if there are many claims going through in the area.
Water table - many in the area have bores, we also have one. During the drought most bores dried up as the water table dropped. With the site estimated to use 42.4 million litres of water annually, this will dry up our bores (which we use to water our life stock and water our gardens) even faster when the next drought comes. This will mean that we will have to bring in water for the life stock etc. More costs.
Economic loss - I have already named a few things that will economically disadvantage the residents. Cleaning water tanks and solar panels regularly, insurance increases due to building movements and electrical appliance damage, water having to be bought in due to water tables dropping. Another one will be windscreen damages, lets face it, the truck drivers do not cover their loads properly and drop dirt as they drive because they don't cover the trailer when it is empty. The leftover dust and small rocks swirl around and out of the trailer, hitting car bonnets and windscreens of those driving behind them causing damage to the car. Dirt also drops out of the bottom and sides of the tailgates of the trailers. Now the big one, house prices. We all have poured our hearts and soles into our homes; we have designed and built our own home. Our home is our retirement fund. When we do sell our home will be worth a lot less than it is now due to the quarry. The prospect of the quarry has already affected house prices and the number of people who want to move to the area. I know of people who are waiting on the outcome of the planning development before buying in the area. They will not buy if the quarry goes ahead, they will look elsewhere. That is our financial loss. Who will compensate us for the loss of property value?
Do we need this development - this development is not of state significance. This company went straight to the state government for approval as they knew that council would quash it for the environmental protection that the property has. There are 3 quarries in the area, to our knowledge, these quarries are only operating at round 40%, so there is no need for a 4th. This is purely a money-making venture for the owners of Monaro Rock to feed their current concrete business. They have said that it will reduce their costs, this may be true, however they will not pass on these savings to their customers. Why would they, people are paying the price they are already, why would you reduce them?
This industrial operation has the potential to affect over 49,000 residents who live within 10km of the site with the dust that will be carried away from the site as well as what comes off the trucks when they travel. The suburb of Googong keeps growing, so there are going to be a lot more people potentially affected by this development.
If the NSW state government cares abouts its constituent’s health, and the environment, there is only one option, and that is to reject this development proposal.
Please don't let us down.

I object to the Quarry being built in Royalla. I fear for the health of myself and my Family, as we moved here 15 years ago to have a healthier lifestyle to be able to breath in fresh air and have peace and quiet knowing that our water was also safe to drink. I fear for the large trucks that will be travelling on our highway which is not built for the amount of traffic that is currently on our roads let alone 500 more trucks a day. Our wildlife should not be disturbed full stop, but this will also impact motor vehicle accidents on our roads and i fear for the safety of my children travelling on the roads. For the health and safety of the all the communities and suburbs around the areas affected by the quarry. Please stop the quarry.

The proposed quarry is less than 5kms from my home. The sound of any blasting and dust will potentially reach my home and affect my family and many of my neighbours. The quarry will also increase the heavy vehicle traffic along the Monaro highway. I have witnessed several serious accidents caused by heavy vehicles along this road. Myself and other residents will be put at risk due to these heavy vehicles on our daily commute. The sound from the heavy vehicles will also affect our suburb. Theodore is in a small valley that traps a lot of sound from the Monaro highway this will add a lot of new sound pollution. In my opinion there are already several other quarry’s in the area. It seems excessive to add another while the others are operational. Australia is a plentiful vast country, why would it even be a consideration to place a quarry near residential areas.

The proposed quarry is less than 5kms from my home. The sound of any blasting and dust will potentially reach my home and affect my family and many of my neighbours. The quarry will also increase the heavy vehicle traffic along the Monaro highway. I have witnessed several serious accidents caused by heavy vehicles along this road. Myself and other residents will be put at risk due to these heavy vehicles on our daily commute. The sound from the heavy vehicles will also affect our suburb. Theodore is in a small valley that traps a lot of sound from the Monaro highway this will add a lot of new sound pollution. In my opinion there are already several other quarry’s in the area. It seems excessive to add another while the others are operational. I’ve seen several of Monaro mix trucks on my commute already and witnessed several near miss accidents with these truck and dogs over the years.