I object to the proposed sand extraction project on the basis that the existing road infrastructure is not capable of safely accommodating the additional heavy vehicle traffic.

Nelson Bay Road is already experiencing deterioration under current traffic volumes, with potholes and road wear becoming increasingly common. Significant sections of the route remain single carriageway, and while overtaking lanes exist in some locations, the increased number of heavy vehicles is likely to worsen congestion, particularly during peak travel periods and holiday seasons.

I am not opposed to appropriate industrial development. However, the Tomaree Peninsula is not a suitable location for large-scale extractive industries. The long-term focus for the peninsula should be on conservation, protecting its unique natural environment, and supporting sustainable industries such as tourism and recreation that directly benefit the local community and economy, rather than projects that impose significant transport impacts with limited local benefit.

Sand brown everywhere - Health hazard
Large trucks in and out regularly - trafic danger
Environment - should not remove resources.
Huge sand dust around Bob's farm, Anna bay area.
We should plant trees more to stop sand dusts, not by removing sands.

I am a resident in an over 55 Lifestyle Village on Nelson Bay Road Bobs Farm. This proposed Sand Mine at Bobs Farm will impact our lifestyle, safety, and health, if it is approved. I strongly object to it being approved.

* Silica Dust Exposure: Chronic health fears surrounding dangerous airborne silica particles and potential silicosis risks for nearby families.
* School Disruption: Severe threats to the daily operation, future enrolment, and safety of Bobs Farm Public School located directly adjacent to the site.
* Diesel Emissions: Concentrated air quality drop from a relentless flow of heavy machinery and decelerating haulage trucks. Traffic & Infrastructure Impact
* Truck Volumes: An influx of up to 200 heavy vehicle movements daily along already congested single-lane entry points.
* Road Safety: Increased collision risks along the vital Nelson Bay Road tourist and transit corridor.
* Gateway Industrialisation: Negative economic impacts on local tourism by transitioning a scenic peninsula gateway into an active mining hub. ## Environmental & Water Damage
* Habitat Destruction: Clearing 24 to 36 hectares of ancient sand dune old-growth forest.
* Threatened Species: Total disruption to vital wildlife corridors supporting endangered Koalas, Powerful Owls, and Grey-headed Flying-foxes.
* Water Table Disruption: Destructive long-term impacts on sensitive coastal groundwater aquifers that nearby avocado and produce farms depend on.
* Drinking Supply Pollution: High contamination risks to domestic rainwater tanks and the regional Hunter Water network.

Sand dunes are a critical ingredient in protecting our coastlines and are a rich habitat for wildlife. They protect our beaches from erosion, which in turn protect our roads and homes that border our beaches. We can not afford to diminish these dunes.
Traffic is also a major problem in our area. We have one road in and out of our peninsula. We do not need an increase in traffic much less industrial traffic. Our roads are at capacikty.
The major industry on the Tomaree Peninsula is tourism, and people flock here from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty of this special place. Please let's keep it special and say no to this sand quarry application.
Thank you,
Donna Oakley-Phelan
Nelson Bay NSW

I support the project

I am highly concerned by this project. According to my sources over 50 sand trucks a day will use this facility. I am particularly concerned that the access to this sandmine from Newcastle will be about 2 kilometres from where I live at 2011 Nelson Bay, Rd Bob Farm.
I live in an over 55's community called Sunrise. Next door is another over 55's community Ingenia with several hundred residents. There are many hundreds of residents living in these communities and other communities who access Nelson Bay road to do daily activities. From the planning documents over 50 full sand mine trucks will be passing these communities daily for 10 years. This is highly dangerous to the elderly residents of these communities who can only exit onto Nelson Bay Rd. The intention of the proposal is to exit the sand mine facility northbound towards Port Stephens Drive and then have them turn back at the roundabout on Nelson Bay Road towards Newcastle. It will be extremely difficult for those living in these communities to exit onto Nelson bay Rd safely. Another concern is the daily noise element being so close to these over 55's communities It is on these grounds that my objection is based.

I understand sand is required for construction, however this location is not suitable for a sand quarry.
Nelson Bay road is the only road into the bay with a lot of traffic and it will not handle the additional truck to and from the quarry.
Today there was an accident on Nelson Bay Road that closed the road. All traffic in and out was diverted via Marsh Rd. This would be unrealistic with the additional quarry trucks.
Not to mention the trees that will be taken down in the koala corridor and the close proximity to residential housing.
Surely there is a more suitable location for the quarry somewhere else. So much land for sale around the airport!

My concerns are
1: there is enough sand being extracted from the surrounding areas as the is, without another one pillaging the resource, I know this seems a overkill, but look what happened the the Kurnell sand hills, Harrington /Crowdy Head just to name a few..gone, .
2: the other concerns are the extra truck activity on a already stretched road system, especially in school holidays time and tourism.

I object to the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry because it will cause significant and unnecessary harm to the local environment, community and road network. Clearing 24 hectares of native vegetation will destroy important habitat for threatened species, including koalas and the Powerful Owl, and further degrade an already sensitive coastal groundwater system.

The large increase in heavy truck movements on Nelson Bay Road will worsen congestion, reduce safety for residents and school communities, and impact local amenity through noise, dust and vibration. The industrialisation of this key entrance to Port Stephens is not in the public interest, and cumulative impacts from existing extractive industries have not been properly addressed.