Please see my attached document for my comments on the proposed Royalla (Monaro) Rock Quarry.

I have lived in Royalla the last 23 years near the Willimansdale quarry and have experienced firsthand the negative effects of living withing 2km of a quarry.

I am very concerned about the proposed processing plant and quarry as it will produce toxic dust and excessive noise amongst other issues.

The amount of trucks proposed will greatly increase the dangers of road travel as well as spread dust and other rubble throughout the region,

I am also very scared of the increased fire risk and reduction to the water tables the project will create.

I believe the negative impacts of this project would offset any financial benefit received by the NSW government and therefore it should not go ahead.

Objection to the Monaro Rock Project, Royalla, NSW

I’m a resident and property owner immediately adjoining the proposed Monaro Rock Pty Ltd Quarry on the Northern end of Royalla, NSW. This submission constitutes a formal objection to Development Application SSID-27223807.

Due to the lack of community engagement I have only just found out about the proposal by Monaro Rock Pty Ltd to construct and develop a new hard rock quarry in Royalla, NSW, on land located adjacent to the ACT/NSW border, approximately 5km north of the intersection of Monaro Highway and Old Cooma Road. The Project would be developed in stages and would have a maximum extraction rate of 1,000,000tpa and an expected Project life of 30 to 35 years.

Initially my submission was not intended to be a comprehensive review of the 16 (EIS) documents commissioned by Monaro Rock Pty Ltd to support it’s application. Instead focusing on #2 Monaro Rock_EIS_App N - Aug25 - Social – REDACTED document authored by Landscape Research positive and negative impacts.

In scrolling through Appendix B Air Quality Impact Assessment prepared by Northstar Air Quality Pty Ltd on page 97 of the Mitigation and Monitoring section advises that Should chemical suppressant be the dust control method of choice, then its effectiveness would be reviewed and additional suppressant applied as required. Exactly what chemical suppressant is to be used and what could be the short – long term environmental / human impact ? Is this going to be another PFAS issue right on our doorstep.

Going back to the Social EIS which was completed in July 2025 Landscape Research, the lead author of this Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report declared that:

Positive impacts:
1. Local supply of construction materials supporting regional infrastructure
2. Modest employment and supply chain benefits
3. Potential financial and in-kind contributions to community projects
4. Long-term site rehabilitation and land restoration benefits

Negative Impacts:
1. (pre-mitigation)Amenity-related impacts (dust, noise, blasting, vibration, traffic)
2. Health and wellbeing concerns (respiratory health risks, stress)
3. Community fears about water reliability, environmental degradation, and loss of rural character
4. Reduced sense of agency and trust in government/quarry operators
5. Concerns about cumulative impacts and property devaluation.

As the positives are only defined as Modest or Potential there is not a lot for the residents, general public to benefit from this proposal. Conversely the negatives will have effect a far greater number of residents, native flora and fauna.

In balancing my view I applaud the creation of up to 200 jobs and being able to source local raw materials for many projects within the Canberra region.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

To Whom It May Concern,
I write to express my strong opposition to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry development that is proposed to be located in Royalla NSW. I am a resident of Royalla and chose to live in this quite semi-rural development to improve the health and wellbeing of my family.
I believe this proposal is not based on community need or further requirement for materials, but rather on corporate greed, this proposal presents a wide range of unacceptable environmental, health, and safety risks that will impact my family, my community, and future generations.

Health Concerns: Silica Dust Exposure
One of my most serious concerns is the risk of silica dust exposure. The health impacts of airborne crystalline silica are well-documented, including the potential to cause silicosis, lung cancer, and other serious respiratory conditions. The proximity of this quarry to the residents of Royalla makes it entirely unacceptable to expose thousands of people, including children and vulnerable populations, to these risks. I will not stand by while my family’s long-term health is jeopardized. The residents of Royalla are unable to access any form of town water and rely solely on water tanks, our water tanks are filled from our roof line - under this new Quarry Proposal our roof lines will be covered in Silica Dust.

Irreversible Environmental Damage
The quarry plans to clear 22 hectares of critically endangered box-gum grassy woodland, and 78 hectares of vegetation in total. This is habitat for over 300 species of flora and fauna, which may not survive such destruction. The community is facing a climate and biodiversity crisis, and proposals like this only accelerate the loss of the natural environment we depend on. Once this ecosystem is destroyed, it cannot be replaced.

Unsustainable Traffic and Safety Risks
The proposal includes up to 500 fully laden trucks per day entering and exiting the site via the Monaro Highway and Old Cooma Road. These roads are already heavily trafficked by locals, tourists, and snow-bound traffic as well as logging trucks and movement from the Williamsdale Quarry. Introducing slow-moving quarry trucks will not only increase commute times for residents like my family, but significantly raise the risk of serious accidents. I am particularly worried about the danger to my family, who travel these roads daily. Adding industrial traffic to roads already under pressure is a recipe for disaster.

Water Extraction and Contamination
The quarry intends to use groundwater, raising serious concerns about lowering water table levels and affecting nearby residential bores. Many households in this region rely on groundwater for everyday use, and the potential for wells to run dry due to industrial use is not acceptable.

In addition, wastewater from the quarry will discharge into Tuggeranong Creek, which flows directly through Tuggeranong suburbs and into Lake Tuggeranong. This poses a clear risk of water pollution, threatening aquatic life and recreational water quality for thousands of residents.

Population Impact and Proximity to Residential Areas
The proposed quarry site is alarmingly close to residential areas not only Royalla residents but the Tuggeranong Valley. Approximately 49,000 people live within 10 kilometres of the site around the greater Royalla area, with projections indicating this number will grow to 69,000 within the next decade. A development of this scale, so close to a growing population, is completely inappropriate and short-sighted. It places industrial operations right on the doorstep of families, schools, and communities.

In summary, this project is inconsistent with the principles of sustainable development and community well-being. It prioritizes short-term profit over long-term health, safety, and environmental protection. I urge the decision-makers to reject the Monaro Rock Quarry proposal in the strongest possible terms.

Thankyou
Toni Shoard

I offer the following to support my objection:
Social Impact
From the initial ‘Community Consultation’ meeting on 16.04.21, Corkery’s rep has given the distinct impression that this project will proceed despite our many well-founded concerns. As recently as August 2025, the Monaro Rock newsletter stated ‘’We recognise that the project represents a source of change 'beyond the community’s control' and may introduce impacts not currently experienced in the vicinity of the project’’, again implying our opposition to the project is regarded by Monaro Rock as trivial and futile.
My wife and I have lived in Royalla since November 2004, cherishing the tranquil, picturesque surrounds, idyllic lifestyle and abundant wildlife. We regard ourselves as fortunate, regarded by others to be ‘living the dream’.
Since learning of the proposal 4 years ago, a high degree of stress exists directly attributable to this project completely destroying our amenity and value of what took the majority of our working lives to afford, 5 years of searching for to purchase and 21 years of hard work to transform into what we proudly possess today. The prospect of willful destruction of our fortunate lifestyle to bolster others’ wealth is highly distressing.

Project Need
The 4 existing quarries began far from suburbia, suburbia expanding outward toward them. The proposal prefers to abandon time honoured practice to commence operating in our backyards, literally.
There is no requirement for a 5th quarry to meet demand in this region well into the future, certainly none for a second quarry adversely affecting even more residents of Royalla and the surrounds.
The project’s claims as fact regards the lifespan of the existing quarries ability to meet local demand appear to be based on unproven speculation.
The Williamsdale quarry has advised me of adequate reserves and capacity to meet demand. Heidelberg Materials recently acquired the largest concrete company in the ACT, the Elvin Group, demonstrating their long-term commitment and ability to expand as required.
The Cooma Road Holcim quarry has advised me that their ‘commercially sensitive operational plans are confidential’, as such they are unknown by Ecoroc. Holcim’s website reveals they are capable of expanding the approved extraction boundary and increasing their total production limit to at least Oct 2035 before further approval is sought.
The proposal to operate a concrete recycling plant when 2 exist already at Symonston and Pialligo, an asphalt plant when 2 exist in Hume and yet another concrete batching plant on site are totally unnecessary.

Air Quality
Those living in southern Royalla already endure serious dust pollution by the Williamsdale quarry, presumably with identical mitigation requirements to this project, yet it occurs often enough to present a serious problem. Heidelberg Materials are unable to control this pollution 24/7, I have no confidence Monaro Rock will differ.
Prevailing NW winds in Royalla will see us among the first to be impacted by airborne breathable pollutants which will also settle on our roof contaminating our water supply, our sole source of potable water.

Human Health
Prevailing NW winds in Royalla will see us among the first to be impacted by airborne breathable pollutants. Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica contamination is paramount. Open cut mining and its accompanying processing is a dusty process, when it is the primary method of extracting hard rock, in this case Rhyodacitic Ignimbrite with a Quartz content of 30-40%.
Crushing and handling of this material has the likely potential of liberating Respirable Crystalline Silica. This product is comparable with Asbestos in its lethality. Given there is no safe level of any description for either of these products, any exposure is unacceptable. We have no confidence whatsoever in Monaro Rock claiming that we won’t be exposed when we are located nearby the plant with NW winds presenting the most danger for us, occurring 21.41% of the time. The heavy machinery required to handle the product on site will compound the amount of dust and airborne pollution freely escaping the site.
The dangers of silica dust exposure leading to the death sentence of Silicosis have only recently been learnt and acted upon. Silica has become a growing concern and deemed by governing authorities as ‘The New Asbestos’, every bit as lethal. Exposing us and so many others to this danger is unacceptable.

Noise
We have lived in Royalla for 21 years. What we regard as normal, is that the only sound outside is generally that made by the frogs or birdlife which are ever present which we enjoy immensely and actively encourage. We always know from the birds alert calls if there is something unusual around, be it fox, echidna, snake or blue tongued lizards as we have become highly attuned to their various calls, and we are able to decipher them.
I have no experience of the noise created by quarry operations, as I’ve never been unfortunate enough to live nearby one. It is clearly obvious that any plant machinery powerful enough to be capable of monotonously crushing the large chunks of hard rock extracted and slabs of concrete to be recycled into aggregates of varying sizes, together with the accompanying heavy machinery to move that product around onsite will produce and expose us to an unacceptable level of extremely harsh industrial noise. It has been claimed that the sound emanating from the plant will be comparable to that of an operating air conditioner compressor. That statement is rubbish. Reality will dictate that noise levels will prove to be unacceptable.

Biodiversity
This project is seeking to transform a pristine environment classified as C2 and RU2 and their respective objectives into a large scale heavy industrial site, directly contravening the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022, specifically drafted and enforced to provide protection from noncompliance.
The nature of quarry operations will ensure that the project property will not be the only landholding affected as the entire area will transform into a hostile environment for all wildlife within an indeterminate but substantial radius of the project site and surrounds. No species of any description, capable of fleeing will remain anywhere near the project property due to the frequent blasting shock, constant noise created by processing machinery, the heavy amount of associated transport traffic on, into and out of the project site, and the expanding destruction of their habitat.
This Box Gum woodland is increasingly rare, and every remnant must be treasured. It is listed Federally as Critically Endangered as it provides habitat for many endangered species of both fauna & flora. Offsetting does not excuse or compensate any destruction.
Any consent to destroy a precious and rare resource of such high conservation value in contravention of the local LEP for the financial benefit of so few to the complete detriment of so many will be an absolutely inexcusable short-sighted disgrace.

Transport
The plan to use the Monaro Highway as the access point for fully loaded 19 metre B-Double trucks with an average gross weight of 57.5 tonnes, with the scope for higher capacity vehicles of up to 25 metre B-Double trucks utilised occasionally, turning out onto, or trying to gain momentum along the Monaro Highway whilst approaching the crest with limited visibility, under any conditions will prove lethal or cause serious injury to an unfortunate number of motorists travelling along the highway at 100 km/h, often exceeded by many.
The highway attracts far too many careless drivers who notoriously don’t drive to conditions, are impatient and do not use their headlights to be seen in low visibility during any time of the year. This is greatly exacerbated during the snow season. The mitigation measures proposed by a Northbound merge lane does nothing to protect Southbound traffic confronted with trucks entering the highway from the access road, and it is highly doubtful if it will offer effective protection for Northbound motorists encountering trucks lumbering uphill attempting to merge with traffic jockeying to get past them at all costs whilst approaching the limited vision experienced at the crest of the hill especially in low visibility conditions. At 200 plus trucks daily, this additional, unacceptable hazard will prove disastrous for too many unfortunate victims.

Groundwater
We share a communal bore with 2 of our neighbours, it is for stock and domestic purpose. Our bore site sees it among the closest to the project site to be impacted. Over the 21 years the bore has been in service, it has proven to be marginal in terms of reliability with the supply being ‘overrun’ at times i.e. more water is required by us than can be provided by the source. This has generally occurred most often at times of most inconvenience when that source of water is needed the most by each of us.
According to one local expert who specialises in servicing bore pumps and equipment, with an intricate knowledge of the situation in our district has publicly stated that the water table has dropped 17 metres in the time he has been working locally over 22 years. He has stated that this has resulted in a drop in yield of approximately 25% at his own bore site.
We, and many others, depend on groundwater as a necessary source for our stock animals and critically essential static water supply for fire protection. I am unconvinced that Monaro Rock will not have to draw groundwater at anything less than maximum capacity to extract every drop of the groundwater available in an attempt to contain airborne contaminants, severely affecting the water table. We have been led to believe that the project will not impact the rights of other landholders who depend on that same groundwater. Reality often refutes and no consultant’s glossy presentation of theory will alter my pragmatism.

I object to the project on the following grounds.

1. Social
I chose not to participate in Landscape Research’s Impact Assessment as I have no faith in their impartiality, regarding them as another hired gun tasked with putting as much lipstick on this pig as possible.
I know what the social impact will be for my wife and I.
My wife and I, living in the ACT began searching for a rural property to purchase in 1997, we had precise requirements and were prepared to wait for ‘the one’. That transpired in 2002 when Steve Gibbs offered us first look at his subdivision. On inspection, we chose our block and settled the purchase procedure in Sept. 2022.
I commenced building in May 2004 and we moved in in November. Since then, we have enjoyed the lifestyle, wildlife and the tranquil, picturesque surrounds. Generally, the only sounds are that of the abundant birdlife or frogs.
For the recent 4 years, there has been a high degree of stress directly attributable to this project that will completely destroy by its physical pollutants, the general outlook of the amenity and value of what took the majority of our working lives, 5 years of searching for and 21 years of hard work to transform into what we proudly possess today.

2. Need
There is no requirement for a 5th quarry to meet demand in the Canberra region well into the future, and certainly none for a second quarry directly affecting the residents of Royalla.
Ecoroc have published their assumptions of the lifespan of the existing quarries and their ability to meet demand on false information.
My research reveals the Williamsdale quarry has more than enough reserves and capacity to contribute to long term demand. Heidelberg Materials recently acquired the largest concrete company in the ACT, the Elvin Group, they have demonstrated long term commitment and ability to expand as required.
The Cooma Road quarry operated by Holcim have stated that their commercially sensitive operational plans remain confidential, as such they are unknown by Ecoroc. Holcim’s website reveals they are capable of expanding the approved extraction boundary and increasing their total production limit to at least Oct 2035 before seeking further approvals to operate.
The accompanying application to operate a concrete recycling plant when 2 exist already at Symonston and Pialligo, asphalt plant, 2 exist in Hume and another concrete batching plant are also unnecessary and serve the sole purpose of lining the pockets of the joint venture.

3. Air Quality
The residents living in southern Royalla have to endure serious dust pollution by the Williamsdale quarry, presumably with identical mitigation requirements to this project, yet it occurs regularly enough to be a problem. Heidelberg Materials are unable to mitigate this pollution 24/7, so I have no confidence Monaro Rock will be any different.
Prevailing NW winds in Royalla will see us among the first to be impacted by airborne pollutants which will settle on our roof, hence into our water tank, our sole source of potable water.
The issue of Respirable Crystalline Silica contamination and exposure is paramount. Open cut mining and its accompanying processing is a dusty process, when it is the primary method of extracting hard rock, in this case rhyodacitic ignimbrite with a quartz content of 30-40%. Crushing and handling of this material has the likely potential of liberating Respirable Crystalline Silica. This product is deadly, on par with asbestos in its lethality. Given there is no safe level of any description for either of these products, any exposure is unacceptable, and we have no confidence whatsoever in Monaro Rock insisting that we won’t be exposed when we are directly downwind from the plant with winds that will be at the most dangerous for us are occurring 21.41% of the time. The heavy machinery that will be required to handle the product on site will also compound the amount of dust and airborne pollution freely escaping the site. The dangers of silica dust exposure leading to the death sentence of Silicosis have only recently been learnt and acted upon. Silica has become a growing concern and deemed by governing authorities as ‘The New Asbestos’, every bit as deadly. This problem cannot be mitigated 24/7.

4. Noise
For the 21 years we have lived at our home in Royalla, something that we regard as normal, is that the only sound outside is generally that made by the frogs or birdlife which are ever present, something we enjoy immensely and actively encourage. We always know from the birds alert calls when there is a fox around or something unusual out in the paddocks, echidnas, snakes and blue tongued lizards as we have become highly attuned to their various calls, and we are able to decipher them.
I have no experience of the noise created by quarry operations, as I’ve never been unfortunate enough to live nearby one, however I firmly believe that any plant machinery powerful enough to be capable of monotonously crushing the large chunks of hard rock extracted and slabs of concrete to be recycled into aggregates of varying sizes, together with the accompanying heavy machinery to move that product around onsite will produce and expose us to an unacceptable level of industrial noise, extremely harsh noise at that. Corkery’s has claimed that the sound emanating from the plant will be comparable to that of an operating air conditioner compressor. I declare that statement as rubbish and am prepared to state that reality will prove otherwise.

5. Biodiversity
This project is seeking to transform pristine property classified as C2 and RU2 and their respective objectives into a heavy industrial site, directly contravening the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022, the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) and the native vegetation land clearing provisions of the Local Land Services Act 2013.
The nature of quarry operations will ensure that the project property will not be the only landholding affected as the entire area will transform into a hostile environment for all wildlife within an indeterminate but substantial radius of the project site and surrounds. No animal of any description, capable of fleeing will remain anywhere near the project property due to the frequent blasting shock, constant noise created by processing machinery, the heavy amount of associated transport traffic on, into and out of the project site, and the expanding destruction of their habitat.
Box Gum woodland comprises less than 5% left worldwide and every remnant is to be highly prized. It is listed Federally as critically endangered as it provides habitat for many endangered species of both fauna & flora and cannot be simply off set by another property.
Any consent to destroy such rare property of such high conservation value in contravention of at least 2 NSW laws and the local LEP for the benefit of 2 unashamedly greedy families seeking even further wealth to this community's detriment will be an absolutely inexcusable short-sighted disgrace.

6. Transport
The proposal to use the Monaro Highway as the access point for fully loaded 19 metre B-Double trucks with an average gross weight of 57.5 tonnes, with the scope for higher capacity vehicles of up to 25 metre B-Double trucks utilised from time to time, turning out onto, or trying to gain momentum along the Monaro Highway whilst approaching a crest with limited visibility, under any conditions will prove lethal or cause serious injury to an alarming number of motorists innocently travelling along the highway at the posted speed of 100 km/h.
The perceived solution of adding slip lanes will do nothing to protect drivers who notoriously do not drive the highway to conditions, are impatient and fail to use lights to be seen in low visibility. The Northbound merge lane does nothing to protect Southbound traffic confronted with a fully laden truck entering the highway, it is highly doubtful if it will offer any effective protection for Northbound motorists encountering fully laden 57.5 tonne B-Double trucks 57.5 tonnes, at times larger, lumbering to merge whilst travelling uphill and approaching the limited vision experienced at the crest of the hill especially in low visibility conditions. At 200 trucks daily, this additional, unnecessary hazard will prove disastrous for too many.

7. Groundwater
Our property shares a communal bore with 2 of our neighbours, residing at 42 and 43 Moringol Place, for stock and domestic purposes. The bore location sees it as the 3rd nearest from the project site. Over the 21 years the bore has been in operation, it has been marginal in terms of reliability with the supply sometimes being ‘overrun’ i.e. more water is required by us than can be provided by the source. This situation has generally occurred more often at times of most inconvenience when that source of water is needed the most by each of us.
According to one local expert. Mr Rick Sullivan, specialising in servicing bore pumps and equipment, with an intricate knowledge of the situation in our district recently stated that the water table has dropped 17 metres in the time he has been working locally over 23 years. He has stated that this has resulted in a drop in yield of approximately 25% at his own bore site.
Given we, and many others, depend on groundwater as the primary supply for our stock animals and the critically important static water supply for firefighting protection, no amount of assurance from Corkery’s can convince me that Monaro Rock will not have to draw groundwater at anything less than maximum capacity to extract every litre of the local groundwater available in an attempt to contain contaminants. Corkery’s would have us believe that this situation will not impact the rights of other landholders who depend on that groundwater. Practicality dictates otherwise and no academically based consultant’s report proclaiming what is theoretically possible will convince me otherwise.

Replacing withdrawn previous submission SUB-93638967.
I offer the following to support my objection.

Social Impact
My husband and I, living in Canberra at the time, began searching for rural property to purchase in 1997, we knew exactly what we wanted and were prepared to wait for however long it took to get ‘the one’. That wait took 5 years, we completed building and moved to Royalla in 2004.
We sought the rural amenity and lifestyle to provide the ideal rejuvenation from the pressures of our working situations. In the 21 years since, our idyllic surroundings have proven to hold the additional benefits of enjoying the native wildlife in abundance, outstanding neighbours, a clean, unpolluted and healthy atmosphere and a generally peaceful, quiet existence in a comfortable rural setting.
Those sources of unique pleasure have been severely threatened by this proposal to destroy prime land of the highest conservation value and transform it into a large heavy industrial estate, in far too close proximity to so many residential dwellings. The many serious issues accompanying this proposal will ensure that so much of our lifestyle will be seriously impacted by threats to our health, potable water contamination, noise, blasting shock, dust pollution, groundwater depletion, the irrefutable devaluation of our sole property asset and the unwarranted willful destruction of our peaceful and enviable surroundings generally.

Project Need
It is my understanding that the 4 quarries currently operating within relatively close proximity to the proposal who supply the same product to the Canberra regions consumers of aggregates are completely capable of operating at their present or increased capacity to meet the demands of their product over this proposals estimated 30-year lifespan. This proposal benefits no one other than the Applicant despite the glossy sales pitch claiming otherwise.
I make no apology for appearing ungrateful at the prospect of so many ‘benefits’ presenting themselves, trivialising the many valid concerns I have whilst facing the ominous prospect of spending our remaining days living next door to a large scale heavy industrial plant set squarely in otherwise peaceful, idyllic rural surroundings.

Air Quality
The project will produce an unacceptable risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica exposure which has been covered by my husband’s submission. I don’t wish to have to wear respiratory protection when venturing outdoors.
We will be subjected to air pollution not presently experienced. The proposed asphalting plant will produce and emit an obnoxious stench 24/7, impossible to contain. The proposed concrete batching plant can also produce hydrogen sulphide emissions as an unavoidable byproduct, again uncontainable.
This project will produce higher levels of dust pollution than those generated by the Williamsdale quarry due to being sited upwind of most Royalla residents who will be affected by the prevailing winds much of the time. We are aware of concerns regarding incessant dust exposure to residents in Southern Royalla. We do not wish to experience the issue which will prove worse than theirs.

Human Health
It is beyond doubt winds will carry Respirable Crystalline Silica far from the project site, contaminating many households. The person responsible for a decision on this project must consider the danger associated with this product of utmost importance. It is now seen as ‘the new Asbestos’ and must be regarded similarly.
The Bureau of Meteorology website reveals that wind data records NW winds as the most prevalent in the district.
Given our home is located a relatively short distance and directly Southeast of the proposed site, we will be impacted for much of the time by breathable contamination, also affecting our roof harvested potable water supply by additional dust contamination and potentially lethal pollution.

We, in common with every other homeowner in Royalla, do not have access to reticulated town water supply with no prospect of ever being connected. We depend solely on roof harvesting and tank collection to provide our potable water, whatever settles on our roof is consumed by us. This will also result in additional sludge levels in the water tank.

It is inexcusable subjecting so many people to the lethal threat of Silicosis following airborne Respirable Crystalline Silica exposure and the associated pollution severely affecting our sole potable water supply.

Noise
The noise generated by large capacity powerful crushing plant will not mimic that of an operating air conditioning compressor as has been suggested by Monaro Rock, nor will the heavy machinery and trucks required to transport the product on and out of the site blend unnoticed with the tranquillity and ambience of the surrounds that presently exist.
Due to our close proximity to the plant site, we will suffer the adverse effects of heavy and harsh noise pollution which have never existed where we have lived for 21 years.
The applicant has stated the plant will be operational for 6 days per week, Monday to Saturday, with the hours of operation being 0600 hrs – 1800 hrs, with transportation of product scheduled to commence at 0500 hrs on the days of operation. Clearly, the degree of harsh noise being generated for so much time is unacceptable.

Biodiversity
The detail of the most important aspect of this proposal.

I understand that the proposal is to be located on land with a zoning classification determined by the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022 as C2 and RU2.
Lands classified as C2 and RU2 are accompanied by a significant number of important objectives.

The objectives of C2 Zoning – Environmental Conservation are:
1. To protect, manage and restore areas of high ecological, scientific, cultural or aesthetic values.
2. To prevent development that could destroy, damage or otherwise have an adverse effect on those values.
3. To protect threatened species and rivers, creeks and gully ecosystems within Queanbeyan.
4. To identify and protect escarpment areas that enhance the visual amenity of Queanbeyan and possess special aesthetic or conservational value.
5. To protect water quality by preventing inappropriate development within catchment areas.

The objectives of RU2 Zoning – Rural Landscape are:
1. To encourage sustainable primary industry production by maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base.
2. To maintain the rural landscape character of the land.
3. To provide for a range of compatible land uses, including extensive agriculture.

On 17 July 2024, the NSW Government released its Plan for Nature in response to the reviews conducted last year into the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act) and the native vegetation land clearing provisions of the Local Land Services Act 2013.
To support ongoing improvements to native vegetation management on private land, the NSW Government says it will strengthen prescriptions in the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code and implement a new monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework.

In summary, the planned reforms will:
1. Introduce a nature positive approach that will set nature on a path to recovery.
2. Acknowledge the intrinsic relationship between biodiversity and Aboriginal culture.
3. Set out short, medium and long-term priority actions to improve biodiversity protections and land management practices.
4. Set the direction to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and support environmental repair and regeneration.
5.Introduce the NSW Nature Strategy to guide actions to protect, restore and enhance ecosystems and landscapes.

Very clearly, this proposal contravenes not only the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Local Environmental Plan 2022, but the New South Wales Government’s recently released reforms as well as one of their more important election promises.

I understand that SSD status may overrule laws and the objectives of these documents if Monaro Rock's glossy spiel seems too great an opportunity to let pass, but these objectives are in place for very good reason and must not be dismissed to accommodate the personal objectives of a very few individuals. This proposal will destroy the habitat of an alarming amount of endemic fauna and flora by circumventing laws and NSW Government Local Environmental Plans created to prevent such willful destruction occurring. This simply cannot occur.

Transport
Initial Issued SEARs on 29 Sept. 2021 states no more than 150 trucks per day will be considered, raised to 200 trucks per day on 18 Aug. 2023 in their extension application, remaining at 200 per day on 13 Aug. 2025 in a further request of timeframe for SEARs.

Monaro Rock’s ‘EIS Community Summary’ again dated Aug. 2025, states ‘’The Project would generate up to 500 heavy vehicle movements per day, including haulage trucks and concrete dispatch vehicles.’’
Issued SEARs as recently as 13 August 2025, do not reference the practical figure of 500 heavy vehicle movements per day Monaro Rock are now telling the community. Either way, the adjudicator must determine whether 200 or 500 additional heavy vehicle movements will present as a serious danger to drivers using the Monaro Highway. I cannot stress strongly enough that I believe this proposal will result in an indeterminate, but alarming number of serious Motor Vehicle Accidents occurring, which will be directly attributable to this project. I base this on witnessing the unacceptable driving habits of far too many who currently use the highway without the additional hazards this proposal will bring.

I formally object to the proposed quarry, asphalt plant, and concrete recycling facility in Royalla.
As a resident and ratepayer within the ACT, I am writing to express my unequivocal opposition to the proposed quarry development within 6km of densely populated suburbs including Conder, Banks, Gordon, and Theodore. This proposal is not only reckless—it is an affront to the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community.
Canberra residents pay some of the highest rates in the country, significantly more than our NSW counterparts. We do so with the expectation that our environment, infrastructure, and public health will be safeguarded—not sacrificed for private industrial gain.

Health & Air Quality Risks:
The release of ultrafine dust, silica particles, and other carcinogens from quarry operations poses a direct threat to public health. Tuggeranong already battles elevated rates of asthma and respiratory illness due to winter woodfire smoke and bushfire seasons. Introducing quarry emissions will compound these risks—especially for children, the elderly, and vulnerable residents.

Water Security & Groundwater Contamination:
The proposed site risks runoff and groundwater disruption that could contaminate Canberra’s drinking water catchment. With declining rainfall and increasing drought stress, this project adds unacceptable pressure to our already fragile water systems.

Traffic Congestion & Road Safety:
The Monaro Highway is already congested and hazardous. High-volume quarry truck traffic will exacerbate road wear, increase accident risk, and disrupt daily commutes for thousands of residents who rely on this arterial route.

Environmental Destruction & Bushfire Risk:
Clearing bushland and operating heavy machinery in a fire-prone region is irresponsible. The long-term damage to wildlife habitats and increased ignition risks are irreversible and incompatible with ACT’s environmental commitments.

Proximity to Homes, Schools & Aged Care:
The proposed site sits alarmingly close to residential areas and community infrastructure. Families, schools, and aged care facilities will be directly impacted by noise, dust, and industrial disruption. This is not a remote quarry—it’s a direct intrusion into our daily lives.

Minimal Community Benefit:
The promise of 30 jobs and access to rock does not justify the enormous health, safety, and environmental costs. The financial benefit flows to the quarry operator—not to the community bearing the burden.

Precedent & Planning Integrity:
This is not the first time a quarry has been proposed near residential zones—and it shouldn’t be the last time one is rejected. In Wallan, VIC, the Mitchell Shire Council opposed a quarry in a future residential zone, citing dust, noise, and traffic concerns. The local water authority warned of “unacceptable negative impacts on urban development.” Similarly, in Binningup, WA, a quarry proposal was rejected by the Shire of Harvey due to community opposition and environmental risks. These cases reflect a growing recognition that industrial developments must not compromise residential wellbeing.

Lack of Genuine Consultation:
The public submission period has been unreasonably short, with minimal opportunity for meaningful community input. This undermines democratic process and erodes public trust.
We demand action—and accountability.
This objection is being sent directly to our elected representatives in the ACT Legislative Assembly. You were voted in by this community, and now is the time to stand with the people who entrusted you with that responsibility. We expect you to:
• Publicly oppose this proposal on behalf of your constituents.
• Advocate for an independent review of the health, safety, and environmental impacts.
• Request an immediate extension to the public submission period to allow proper consultation.
This decision will shape the future of our region for decades. We expect leadership that prioritizes people over profit, and community over convenience.

I am a resident of Tuggeranong, ACT, living close to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Royalla. While I recognise the importance of construction materials, I oppose the project in its current form. This submission highlights five key concerns:
Failure to assess diesel truck exhaust impacts on air quality and health
Disproportionate trade-off between community costs and limited job benefits
Permanent loss of endangered habitat
Lack of clear evidence of unmet demand in the ACT
The omission of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategies
1. Diesel Truck Impacts on Air Quality
The quarry will add up to 25 laden trucks per hour (≈200 per day) plus 50 agitators to the Monaro Hwy.
Diesel exhaust (PM2.5, NO₂, ultrafine particles) is a Group 1 carcinogen yet the EIS does not assess these emissions.
Tuggeranong already suffers poor winter air quality due to wood smoke; extra diesel particulates increase risks of exceedances and respiratory illness.
2. Limited Job Benefits vs. High Community Costs
The quarry provides only 30–40 direct jobs, likely male-dominated.
Tuggeranong and Royalla residents will face:
More truck traffic and congestion
Air pollution and health risks
Noise and blasting vibration
Loss of rural amenity and visual impacts
Most economic benefits flow to NSW, while the ACT carries the burden.
3. Permanent Loss of Endangered Habitat
The project will impact critically endangered Box-Gum Woodland and habitat for Gang-gang Cockatoo, Golden Sun Moth, and Pink-tailed Legless Lizard.
Offsets cannot fully replace the ecological and cultural value of these areas.
This loss conflicts with both NSW and ACT conservation objectives.
4. No Clear Unmet Demand in the ACT
The Economic Assessment (Appendix M) argues the quarry would provide a local supply for the ACT–Queanbeyan construction industry. However, existing quarries in the region (e.g. near Queanbeyan, Bungendore, and further south) are still producing, and the EIS does not show a clear “supply shortage” in the ACT.
The benefit is largely cost savings for NSW operators and contractors, not filling an urgent unmet demand in the ACT.
In other words, the ACT bears major environmental/social costs without evidence of a critical shortage that justifies this new quarry.
3. Gender and Social Equity in Employment
Quarrying is historically a male-dominated industry, yet the Social Impact Assessment does not address how the project will ensure equitable access to employment.
The omission of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategies is inconsistent with government commitments to gender and social equity in major projects.
Without deliberate action, the limited job benefits will likely be concentrated among a narrow demographic, reinforcing inequity rather than addressing it.

The Monaro Rock Quarry, owned by Monaro Rock Pty Ltd (McPherson and Ferreira families), proposes to impose 30+ years of air pollution, traffic, noise, blasting, and biodiversity loss on ACT residents and endangered habitats, in exchange for a small number of jobs and regional cost savings.