I am a long standing Royalla resident of over 23 years within 6km of the proposed quarry. I have concerns about the noise and dust from the proposed weekly blasting as this will affect my health and wellbeing and that of my family.
We get strong predominately north west wind and this will blow the dust and noise directly over my property.

Along with the noise from the concrete crushing and 500 truck movements per day and operation of associated concrete and asphalt plant, Royalla is in a bushfire prone area and I am concerned that this industrial site is storing 37,000 litres of diesel fuel and other associated chemicals. There has been no mention of what fire mitigation measures are proposed.

Royalla already is serviced by four nearby quarries including one directly to the south in (Willimansdale) all not operating at less than full capacity with over 100 years left of combined life. There is clearly no need for another.

To Whom It May Concern,

Subject: Formal Objection to Proposed Quarry Development by Monaro Rock in Royalla NSW 2620

I am writing to formally object to the proposed construction of a third quarry by Monaro Rock in Royalla, NSW 2620.

As a resident of this area, I find it deeply concerning and frankly insulting that the social impact report claims this development will be socially responsible, with negative impacts deemed minor or moderate when mitigated, and no residual impacts. Royalla already hosts two operating quarries, and the cumulative burden on our community is significant. I strongly urge that this submission be reconsidered only when one of the existing quarries ceases operation, which might then justify the addition of another.

The social impact survey itself acknowledges the challenges of quarrying in the region, stating:

“Williamsdale Quarry located about 4km north of Williamsdale commenced operations in the early 2000s. As a result, residents of the area are familiar with quarrying operations and the benefits and challenges associated with them.”

This quote from the social impact report confirms that the community is well aware of the adverse effects of quarrying. It is imperative that our concerns are taken seriously and not dismissed. In particular, the proposed site’s exposure to prevailing southerly winds poses a greater risk than the existing Williamsdale Quarry. These winds will carry dust and silica directly toward homes in Royalla, unlike the current quarry where such particles are dispersed over bushland.

The report lists potential positive social impacts such as employment, financial contributions to community projects, and site rehabilitation. However:

No commitments to community projects have been made by Monaro Rock. If genuine, such offers would have already been extended to the Royalla Common, which has a master plan with several incomplete initiatives (e.g., horse arena, playground, bike track). The absence of outreach suggests these contributions are unlikely to materialise post-approval.
Rehabilitation of a destroyed hill should not be considered a positive social impact. It is a remedial action, not a benefit.
Employment opportunities for local residents are likely minimal. The social impact study (page 47) notes that Royalla’s top industries are in public service and education, not mining. This project does not align with the local workforce’s skillset.

Furthermore, the community consultation appears flawed. The local study area map (page 43) excludes the majority of Royalla, focusing instead on the proposed site and a handful of adjacent blocks, including a largely vacant subdivision. This does not accurately represent the broader community that will be affected.

Lastly, the processing and stockpiling area has been positioned at the closest point to residential homes. This decision is unacceptable and should be revised. The facility should be located at the furthest possible distance from residences to minimise disruption and health risks.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that this application be re-evaluated with genuine community consultation, transparent commitments to local benefit, and a reconsideration of the site layout. The residents of Royalla deserve to have their voices heard and their health and wellbeing prioritised over private company profits.

kind regards

To whom it may concern,
I am writing this submission in support of the proposed quarry. I believe the quarry will not only provide employment opportunities for the community but will also support the progression of economical and social growth within the ACT and Surrounding NSW communities.
Benefits that I see include:
- Job creation for local residents and skill development
- local business growth by increasing local demand for services
- locally sourced aggregate from the quarry will contribute to affordable infrastructure
- community investment, i can see the quarry putting back into the community through supporting/sponsoring local communities etc
In conclusion the proposed quarry represents a balanced. future driven investment in the regions economy and community. The benefits will significantly outweigh any concerns.
Thank you for considering my submission

Kind regards

Resident of the Surrounding Community

I object to this project as a resident of Royalla and Googong since around 2010. The proposed amount of added traffic to the often neglected Old Cooma Rd is unacceptable. The council can’t even keep on top of the current conditions during seasons consisting of rain. There are sections of the road that have been patched and neglected for over a decade so I highly doubt any other areas subject to high heavy traffic that show ware are going to get any major repairs/upgrades.
I also oppose the noise pollution and oppose any risk of silica exposure.
The quarry is clearly not wanted in the area by a very large collective of the actual residents. Take your quarry somewhere else because it isn’t welcome in this region.

Concerns over the Monaro rock quarry being established.
Damage to buildings during detonations at the quarry, what guarantee do locals have that they will not sustain damage to their homes caused by these detonations. Also, what risks are there for regular disruptions to the areas power supplies effected by these blasts, all surrounding properties rely on septic and tank water which are pump controlled and a concern is that these pumps will become defective from any potential power issues from these blasts. Will the quarry or council be responsible for costs involved in repairing any damage proven to be from the detonations, or will the homeowner be forced to pay excess on their insurance claims every time their homes require repairs.
The other major concern for my wife and I is the potential for property values to drop if the quarry commences and this has an impact on future sales.
Drinking water- All homes in the local area of the proposed quarry rely on rainwater for everything (drinking, bathing, laundry and watering of vegetable plants etc) this is of concern as on most days the dust from the quarry will carry over the area and land on roofs contaminating all water for every household. Of more concern is that this dust will settle on the ground around peoples properties and will be stirred up by humans, wind and animals and increase the risk of being inhaled. What long term risks will this bring and will the quarry and QBN council be liable for any future proven claims of illness to locals that are exposed to these dust particles. Note that there are also a number of waterways close to the new quarry and the water and wildlife that rely on the water from those creeks and dams.
Traffic concerns – Will the entry/exit for the quarry be via Monaro highway or Old Cooma Road? Old Cooma road is able to manage the current traffic, but an increase of a couple hundred trucks or more a day will raise the risk dramatically for daily incidents involving local traffic as well as other out of the area users and these trucks as they try to turn in and out onto Old Cooma Road will have a heightened risk of collisions resulting in injury or death. Old Cooma road currently requires regular road maintenance and cannot cope with a rise in large vehicle using the road. Monaro highway is another option but this will also increase risk of injury or death to local users as well as other travellers on the highway. The highway is bad enough with snow traffic , and to have a couple hundred trucks every day exiting and entering onto the highway this will certainly increase the risk of more deaths.
Can you please advise if a public hearing will be held to discuss concerns over this proposed quarry.

Looking forward to your response.

We object to the Monaro Rock Quarry Project on a number of reasons.
The amount of harmful fine dust this Quarry will produce & being so close to surrounding areas of Royalla & suburbs in the south of the ACT is a major health issue. Especially Royalla as it already has an operating Quarry just to the south of it within a couple of Klm's. The fine dust from this Quarry is already an issue in the surrounding areas. The Monaro Rock Quarry proposed site is just to the North of Royalla meaning it will be smack bang in the middle of the Quarries.
Then there is the issue of the excessive amount of trucks entering the Monaro Highway from the proposed new Quarry. The trucks will have to cross the very busy Monaro Highway which is 100Km zoned speed to get onto the highway. This will cause major disruption to traffic using the Highway. Not to mention the higher risk of major accidents causing serious injury or possible death with these heavy laden trucks entering the Highway in a 100Km zoned speed limit zoned area.
The Monaro Highway from Old Cooma Road to Johnson Drive Roundabout in the ACT is already substandard in a number of areas with issues to the road surface. These excessive amount of heavy laden trucks will bring this road into disrepair even more. The roundabout at Johnson Drive will need major upgrades as well because the traffic flow will not cope with the extra amount of trucks preventing flow of traffic.

Enchanted Hill in Royalla stands,
Covered in Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands.
This type of land we should preserve,
This hill beside Melrose Nature Reserve.

On Enchanted Hill the view you see,
Is The Australian Capital Territory.
Richardson, Calwell and Theodore,
Chisholm, Tralee and Gilmore.

Where Gang-gang fly and Wedge-tail soar,
Then return to nest as they did before.
On Enchanted Hill their nests so fine,
But a business wants to build a mine.

This hill where Traditional Owners walked,
Sharing their heritage through song and talk.
Scaring and ringing trees to show the way,
And leaving signs that can be seen today.

They lived in harmony with the land,
Leaving their footprints in the sand.
They drank from the creeks that still flow,
To Tuggeranong Valley down below.

Next the settlers came along the trail,
Building homes and soon the rail.
Royalla grew with rural blocks,
Children, horses, cherries and livestock.

Enchanted Hill supporting native bird and man,
And now some business has hatched a plan.
To fell the trees and scrape back the soil,
To dig the rock: The environment to spoil.

The hill to now make concrete and asphalt stink,
But what will become of the legless skink?
Blasting, grinding, the dust blows by,
To settle on gardens and homes nearby.

These rocks they carry silica dust,
But to build our roads they claim a must.
But what of the other quarries four,
They say not enough we need much more!

To me it’s greed at the cost of many,
Our insurance even now it’s a pretty penny.
The risk of bushfire and accident when blasting,
While children and horse owners are out riding.

I heard each day when a mine powers up,
Home electrical equipment becomes corrupt.
The brownouts and the power cuts,
The noise, the dust, the moving trucks.

Over two lanes on the Monaro trucks to go,
The traffic north and south will have to slow.
When trucks cross the rail line then turn right,
How will we see them in fog or at night?

Our Tin Man stands his green eyes cry,
On the Monaro log and quarry to trucks go by.
Slowing Tuggeranong’s city bound route,
Five hundred trucks to join the daily commute.

Johnson Drive and that slip lane,
Where drivers and truck attempt to share the same.
And at the top of the hill where trucks to turn left,
How many of us will soon be laid to rest?

Michalago, Bredbo and Cooma too,
This mine will impact all of you.
Googong if they don’t take the Monaro Highway,
Then the trucks will drive Old Cooma ‘byway’!

The report said we wouldn’t make a fuss,
As kids walk from gate to school bus.
Public Health of both lung and our heads,
Four years we waited for this report to be read.

You didn’t mention for our health the tree change,
Or the soldiers that don’t want to live on a range.
For the families that moved from quarry to hill,
We want peace, clean water, clean air and not to be ill.

The SEARS said 200 trucks to go cruising,
And yet your report said 500, 750 it’s very confusing.
The failure to engage with those in the valley,
It took us to rise and call them to rally.

They have this issue with pollution and air,
An inversion layer sits over those that live there.
They don’t need more dust or noise or pollution,
Your trucks or your cleverly worded ‘solutions’.

There were so many here that wanted to buy,
The blocks of land so close but a quarry nearby?
Your proposal stopped the growth of our community,
But on this issue, we have joined together in unity.

What of these offsets they are but a laugh,
Scared birds and animals as they scrape back the grass.
Those critters don’t move to another location or blocks,
This flora and fauna will no longer be stocked.

And where are global warming reports?
More bushfire and drought less water to port.
Or what of the cost of the carbon offsets,
Economic value we think there but regrets.

And what of the cost when motorists cry
A plume of smoke is in the sky!
Call up the local bush fire brigade to appear
Their employers bear the cost to volunteer!

You see you didn’t add up all the cost,
Our tank water and pumps and panels will be lost.
The figures we waited four years to see,
Have failed to assure us to agree.

The wind wasn’t measured here,
The traffic measured in a covid year!
Update the workings but our trust is eroded,
No licence for Enchanted Hill to be exploded.

Those that chose to live near here,
This mine will cost them very dear.
We will no longer see the stars at night,
Because of the mines bright shining lights.

Don’t let them clear, blast, dig or drill.
Stop the trucks, Save Enchanted Hill.
No Quarry, no industrial estate in Royalla,
Save Enchanted Hill - You have the power!

I found out about this project a couple of hours ago (Wednesday 24/9/2025). With this very short notice it limits my ability to read all the information available and consequently provide a more detailed submission.

However, I still have serious concerns about positioning this quarry close to populated areas. I understand there would be a lot of dust particles and pollution in the air. Additionally, when there are prevailing winds, pollution would be blown further and ultimately lots of people would be breathing in these dust particles. I know so many people who already suffer from asthma and also have compromised immune systems. I believe this could become a major health issue for a lot more people in the area and surrounding areas.

I note that the quarry would be worked for 30 years, 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. That is a lot of dust, pollution and so close to a populated area.

In addition, the increase in trucks required, the traffic implications is also a major negative factor. The Monaro Highway already sees congestion with the amount of work and snow traffic.

Surely there are better choices, safer and more suitable places where this quarry could be placed, away from signifiant populated areas.

I am registering my objection to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Royalla. This project is unsafe and inappropriate for our community and should not proceed.

In my household there are autoimmune health issues. This makes us particularly vulnerable. Even short bursts of dust exposure could seriously affect wellbeing. Living beside a quarry for thirty years, with daily emissions, is an unacceptable health burden.

Like most properties in Royalla, we rely completely on collected rainwater. Dust from the quarry will settle on rooftops and wash into water tanks that also provide drinking water. Residents will have to pay for testing and treatment of water and also more frequent cleaning of water tanks and roof tops just to ensure safe and clean water supply. These additional costs will add to the already high cost of living.

A large, long-term quarry does not belong in a rural-residential area. The proposed site is too close to established homes and recent subdivisions. The amount of Dust, vibration, noise, and truck traffic do not belong in a rural residential area. .

Proposed controls such as water sprays and monitoring are not reliable. Have you ever been to an event where it is dusty and the ground is sprayed with water? The water dries/evaporates quickly and the dust continues making an unpleasant situation. With water being such a valuable resource , how much will the quarry require to attempt to keep dust at bay? Furthermore, the quarry will add respirable crystalline silica dust proposing a significant health risk. Royalla experiences high winds and it is inevitable that the dust will escape and be carried into the community and have devastating health impacts.

The high level of truck movements will bring diesel pollution and road safety issues. Will the 250 additional trucks each day be flowed via the Monaro highway, likely causing an even greater issue with snow traffic? Or will the trucks flow down Old Cooma road where some sections are not even fit for cars to travel on safely.

This quarry threatens to damage community health, pollute vital water supplies, and erode the wellbeing of families in Royalla for decades to come. As a resident and as a mother, I cannot accept such risks. The proposal must be rejected in the interests of public health and community safety.

I object to the project 100%. Please refer to my attached submission.