I write to formally object to the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry.

My family and I are proud residents of Bobs Farm, where we are raising our three young children. We chose to build our family home here because of its peaceful rural lifestyle, productive farmland, natural beauty and the unique environmental values that make this area so special.

When building a home in Bobs Farm, we are required to navigate extensive planning and environmental approval processes designed to protect the local environment, native vegetation and ecological values. We accepted those requirements because we understood the importance of preserving the unique character of Bobs Farm.

It is therefore difficult to understand how local families are expected to meet stringent environmental standards to build a single home, while a proposal for a large-scale industrial sand quarry, with the potential to permanently alter the landscape, groundwater systems and rural character of the area, is considered appropriate.

This submission is made not only on behalf of my family, but in the hope that future generations will continue to enjoy clean groundwater, thriving wildlife, productive farmland and the peaceful rural community that has made Bobs Farm such a wonderful place to live.

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1. Protection of Groundwater and Bore Water

My greatest concern is the potential impact on groundwater.

Many residents throughout Bobs Farm rely entirely on private bores for drinking water, household use, livestock and irrigation. Groundwater is not simply a resource—it is essential to the daily lives of residents and the ongoing operation of local farms.

A quarry of this scale has the potential to alter groundwater flows, lower the water table and introduce contamination risks through fuels, machinery, sediment and stormwater runoff.

Should groundwater quality or availability be affected, the consequences could include:

* Loss of drinking water supplies.
* Reduced irrigation for local agriculture.
* Reduced water availability for livestock.
* Financial hardship for residents forced to seek alternative water supplies.
* Damage to groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

Groundwater systems are highly complex and difficult to accurately predict over the lifetime of a quarry.

Once groundwater is contaminated or significantly altered, recovery may take decades or may never occur.

For this reason I urge the Department to apply the precautionary principle, a recognised principle of ecologically sustainable development in NSW. Where there is uncertainty regarding the possibility of serious or irreversible environmental damage, approval should not be granted unless those risks can be confidently managed.

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2. Potential Changes to Local Hydrology and Flooding

I am also concerned about the proposal’s potential impacts on natural drainage patterns and flooding.

Large-scale sand quarries commonly require groundwater management and dewatering to keep excavation areas operational.

Changing groundwater movement has the potential to alter the surrounding hydrology and drainage systems.

This may increase flooding risks in surrounding low-lying land during significant rainfall events or change the natural movement of groundwater that supports surrounding wetlands, vegetation and farmland.

Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, these long-term hydrological impacts should be thoroughly understood before any approval is considered.

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3. Protection of Agricultural Land

Bobs Farm is one of Port Stephens’ most productive agricultural districts.

The area provides a significant proportion of the fresh food produced locally through:

* Vegetable farming
* Poultry and egg production
* Livestock
* Turf production
* Other agricultural enterprises

As agricultural land across New South Wales continues to decline through urbanisation and industrial development, protecting productive farming land becomes increasingly important.

Once agricultural land is converted into extractive industry, it is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to restore it to its former productivity.

The long-term food security of our region should outweigh the short-term extraction of sand.

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4. Heavy Vehicle Traffic and Road Safety

The proposal indicates approximately 40 heavy truck movements each day.

The roads throughout Bobs Farm are already heavily used by:

* Local families
* School buses
* Farm machinery
* Cyclists
* Tourists
* Local businesses

Introducing dozens of additional heavy vehicles each day has the potential to:

* Increase safety risks.
* Accelerate deterioration of already stressed roads.
* Increase maintenance costs for taxpayers.
* Increase diesel emissions.
* Increase dust and noise.
* Create additional conflict between trucks, farm machinery and local traffic.

The cumulative impacts on the road network should be carefully assessed.

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5. Native Wildlife and Biodiversity

Bobs Farm is not only an important agricultural district—it is also a haven for native wildlife.

The surrounding bushland, wetlands and rural landscapes support native birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and countless other species.

The proposal has the potential to result in:

* Habitat loss.
* Habitat fragmentation.
* Increased noise disturbance.
* Dust affecting native vegetation.
* Reduced biodiversity.
* Increased sediment movement.
* Long-term ecological degradation.

Native wildlife cannot simply relocate when habitat is destroyed.

Once ecosystems become fragmented, recovery may take generations.

The environmental value of this landscape should not be underestimated.

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6. Rural Character and Community Amenity

Residents choose to live in Bobs Farm because of its rural lifestyle, farming heritage and peaceful environment.

A large industrial sand quarry is fundamentally inconsistent with the existing character of the area.

Its operation has the potential to permanently change the landscape through increased industrial activity, heavy vehicle traffic, dust, noise and visual impacts.

Approving developments such as this gradually transforms a rural farming community into an industrial landscape.

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7. Economic Impact on Local Residents

The proposal also has the potential to adversely affect surrounding property values and investment confidence.

Like many local families, we have invested our life’s savings into building our home in Bobs Farm.

Throughout the planning process we were required to satisfy strict environmental requirements designed to protect the natural landscape.

We willingly accepted those obligations because we believed these environmental values were important.

It is therefore difficult to reconcile those stringent standards with consideration of a large industrial quarry that has the potential to permanently alter those same environmental values.

The proposed quarry may reduce the attractiveness of the area for future purchasers due to concerns regarding:

* Heavy vehicle traffic.
* Dust.
* Noise.
* Visual impacts.
* Potential groundwater impacts.
* Loss of rural amenity.

For many families, including my own, our home represents our largest financial investment.

Residents should not bear the financial consequences of a development that primarily benefits private commercial interests while placing surrounding communities at risk.

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8. Climate Resilience and Intergenerational Equity

As climate variability increases, protecting groundwater resources and productive farmland becomes even more important.

Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources our community possesses.

Likewise, preserving productive agricultural land is essential to ensuring future food security.

The principles of ecologically sustainable development include intergenerational equity—the responsibility to ensure that today’s decisions do not diminish the environmental resources available to future generations.

As parents raising three young children in Bobs Farm, this principle is deeply important to our family.

The decisions made today will determine the environment our children inherit tomorrow.

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9. Cumulative Impacts

This proposal should not be considered in isolation.

The cumulative impacts of:

* Industrial development,
* Loss of farmland,
* Increased truck traffic,
* Groundwater uncertainty,
* Environmental degradation,
* Habitat loss,
* Reduced rural amenity,
* Potential impacts on property values,

must all be considered together.

While each impact may appear manageable individually, collectively they have the potential to permanently alter the character of Bobs Farm.

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Conclusion

While I acknowledge that extractive industries are important to the economy, they should not be located where they place irreplaceable environmental resources, productive agricultural land and established rural communities at unacceptable risk.

My family chose Bobs Farm because it offered a safe, peaceful and environmentally significant place to raise our three children. We accepted strict planning and environmental requirements when building our home because we believed protecting this unique landscape was in the public interest.

It is difficult to understand how those same environmental values can now be placed at risk by a large-scale industrial quarry.

Once groundwater is contaminated, once productive farmland is lost, once wildlife habitat is destroyed and once the rural character of Bobs Farm is changed, those impacts cannot simply be undone.

We have a responsibility to think beyond the life of this quarry and consider the legacy we leave for future generations.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Department refuse the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry.

I ask that the protection of groundwater, agricultural land, native wildlife, biodiversity, road safety, rural communities and future generations be given priority over the short-term extraction of a finite resource.

Thank you for considering my submission.

I wish to raise concerns regarding the traffic assessment undertaken for the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry, particularly regarding the indirect impacts on Marsh Road and the Marsh Road/Nelson Bay Road intersection.

While the Environmental Impact Statement states that haulage trucks will be prohibited from using Marsh Road, the assessment appears to give limited consideration to the broader impacts that the additional quarry traffic will have on the surrounding road network and on residents who rely on Marsh Road for access to Nelson Bay Road.

Nelson Bay Road already experiences significant traffic volumes. There are also ongoing safety concerns associated with drivers exiting businesses and tourism venues along Nelson Bay Road. Drivers unfamiliar with the area occasionally exit venues along Nelson Bay Road onto a one-way road against the flow of traffic, creating an immediate head-on collision risk. I have personally witnessed this occur on multiple occasions over the past six years, including an incident involving a truck at night within the last two months.

Subsequently, the Traffic Impact Assessment contains out-of-date information stating, “There have been no crashes on Nelson Bay Road during this period (2020–2024) involving heavy trucks”. This does not include a fatal collision involving a heavy vehicle and a light vehicle that occurred on 6 February 2026 on Nelson Bay Road, near the intersection with Frost Road.

These existing safety issues should be considered when assessing the cumulative impact of introducing an additional 240 daily truck movements associated with the quarry.

Marsh Road residents depend entirely on finding suitable gaps in traffic at the Marsh Road and Nelson Bay Road intersection in order to enter and exit their properties.

The Traffic Impact Assessment states that “peak quarry operations could generate 120 truck entries and 120 truck exits per day, equivalent to 240 heavy vehicle movements daily.” Even if these trucks do not travel on Marsh Road itself, they will still contribute to increased traffic volumes on Nelson Bay Road and may reduce opportunities for vehicles to safely enter or exit Marsh Road.

This issue is particularly noticeable during weekends, school holidays and peak tourism periods when traffic volumes are already high. During these periods, it is not uncommon to wait several minutes to exit Marsh Road onto Nelson Bay Road.
The assessment does not appear to specifically model delays, queuing or gap acceptance for motorists exiting Marsh Road, despite this intersection being directly affected by increased traffic volumes generated by the proposal.

The EIS states that haulage trucks will be prohibited from using Marsh Road. However, it is unclear whether this restriction would remain in place during traffic incidents, roadworks, emergency detours or temporary closures of Nelson Bay Road.

Clarification is required regarding:
- Whether haulage vehicles would ever be permitted to use Marsh Road during diversions.
- How access would be managed during major incidents on Nelson Bay Road.
- Whether any contingency traffic management plans have been prepared.

Marsh Road is not suitable for increased heavy vehicle traffic. The road was constructed across saltmarsh areas and is known to experience pavement movement, surface deterioration and frequent potholes. Additional heavy vehicle use would exacerbate these existing issues. For residents, this road is the only way to access our properties and it is unlikely that the road will be repaired by Council if affected by the proposal, with potholes often taking months to be fixed.

Given the existing congestion and safety constraints on Nelson Bay Road, I believe further assessment is required before works commence.

I request that the Department enquire regarding:
- A peak holiday and peak tourism traffic assessment, rather than assessment based solely on average traffic conditions.
- Detailed intersection modelling for the Marsh Road/Nelson Bay Road intersection, including delays, queue lengths and available turning gaps for Marsh Road residents.
- Assessment of cumulative safety impacts associated with increased heavy vehicle movements on Nelson Bay Road.
- Whether additional signage, line marking or lighting measures are required to prevent wrong-way exit incidents by unfamiliar drivers.
- Clarification of traffic arrangements during road closures, incidents and detours.
- Post-approval traffic monitoring, with clear trigger points requiring mitigation measures or intersection upgrades if traffic delays or safety issues increase.

While the proposal states that haulage trucks will not use Marsh Road, the assessment appears to underestimate the indirect impact of quarry-generated traffic on Marsh Road residents and on the safe operation of the Marsh Road/Nelson Bay Road intersection. Additional assessment and monitoring should be undertaken to ensure that existing congestion and road safety issues are not worsened by the development.

I am most concerned with the proposed submission. I live in Sunrise Over 55's Village at 4011 Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm. We enjoy a semi rural environment, yet only 10 minutes from the thriving hub of Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay, a hugely populated waterfront tourist hub. This is at the end of a peninsula, surrounded by beautiful ocean, and is accessed by one road - Nelson Bay Road. My main objection is the unacceptable huge increase of articulated haul trucks along this road - by their own submission a total of 120 proposed movements daily! In the submission it provides for these trucks to travel a distance of approximately 4.4 km along Nelson Bay Road before they reach Port Stephens Drive roundabout before they can turn at the roundabout to travel south - this is ridiculous! At Sunrise Village we can only perform a left hand turn, travel further to Trotters Road intersection, enter Trotters Road U-turn bay to come back to Nelson Bay Road to perform a right hand turn to travel south. It is difficult enough now to access the left hand turn from Sunrise Village to head to Trotters Road - the road from our village to enter Nelson Bay Road is just past a blind bend and extreme caution and patience is required to access Nelson Bay Road. Bring on 60 articulated haul trucks a day coming from a blind bend past our only egress - a recipe for disaster. Natura Over 55's Village has their only means of access and egress on Trotters Road and these residents will also be severely hampered by these trucks. It is common rumour that there is a further proposed Village to be constructed on the corner of Port Stephens Drive roundabout. THERE MUST BE PROVISION MADE FOR THESE TRUCKS TO TURN SOUTH FAR BEFORE THE PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ROUNDABOUT, AND CERTAINLY FAR BEFORE THE SUNRISE VILLAGE ACCESS/EGRESS ROAD AT 4011 NELSON BAY ROAD. Nelson Bay Road is extremely busy every day, but this volume would easily double during holiday times. It is noted that the development will be operating 6 days a week from 7 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri and 7 am - 4 pm Saturday, with maintenance operating 7 days a week. The locals experience very poor road surfaces at the current time, and have to take extreme care to avoid the hugely damaging potholes. With a minimum of 120 proposed articulated haul truck movements a day on this section of the road, what chance have we got to hope for any safe surfaced roads. The noise and associated dust levels cannot be imagined nor endured. The degradation to the landscape is heartbreaking - I thought Port Stephens was as a Koala preservation habitat but this is slowly but surely being decimated. I have had the pleasure of living in this beautiful part of Port Stephens for over 3 years, making the decision to leave busier suburbs and enjoy the lifestyle enjoyed by the residents of Port Stephens and the holiday makers - please do not lower the aesthetics of this very special place!

Submission Objecting to the Proposed Bobs Farm Sand Extraction Project
I wish to formally object to the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Extraction Project.
This proposal would involve the extraction of approximately 530,000 tonnes of sand each year for a period of 10 years, together with the clearing of around 24 hectares of native vegetation. The environmental costs of this development far outweigh any short-term economic benefits.
Port Stephens is recognised as one of the last significant strongholds for koalas on the NSW coast. Despite ongoing conservation efforts, koala populations continue to decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, vehicle strike, dog attack, disease and the increasing impacts of development. Every remaining area of native vegetation and every wildlife corridor plays a critical role in the long-term survival of this endangered species.
The proposed clearing would permanently remove habitat used by threatened species, including the Koala, Grey-headed Flying Fox and Powerful Owl. Habitat fragmentation also forces wildlife to cross roads more frequently, increasing mortality and reducing breeding success. These impacts cannot simply be offset through revegetation elsewhere, as mature habitat takes decades to develop and many species depend on established ecosystems.
The Koala is listed as Endangered in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) and nationally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Governments at all levels have committed significant resources to reversing the decline of koala populations through habitat protection and restoration. Approving further clearing of known koala habitat appears inconsistent with these commitments and with the objectives of the NSW Koala Strategy, which aims to secure and expand koala habitat and improve landscape connectivity.
As a volunteer involved in koala rescue, rehabilitation and community education in Port Stephens, I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of habitat loss. Our hospital treats koalas injured through threats that are often directly linked to urban expansion and habitat fragmentation. Preventing additional habitat destruction is far more effective than attempting to rescue wildlife after those impacts have occurred.
Beyond its impact on biodiversity, this proposal raises several serious environmental concerns.
The project has the potential to affect a sensitive coastal groundwater system that supports native vegetation and local ecosystems. Any alteration to groundwater levels or quality could have long-term consequences extending well beyond the extraction site.
The proposal would also generate substantial quarry processing, stockpiling and haulage activities, resulting in a significant increase in heavy vehicle movements along Nelson Bay Road. This raises concerns regarding traffic congestion, road safety and increased risks for local residents, school communities and visitors.
Potential health impacts associated with dust and airborne crystalline silica should also be carefully considered. Nearby residents should not be exposed to avoidable health risks arising from large-scale extractive industry.
In addition, the industrialisation of the Bobs Farm–Salt Ash area would erode the rural character and visual amenity of one of Port Stephens' most important entrance corridors. The natural environment is central to the identity, liveability and tourism appeal of Port Stephens. Incremental industrial development threatens these values and may have lasting economic consequences for businesses that rely on the region's environmental reputation.
Perhaps most concerning is the cumulative impact of this proposal when considered alongside existing and proposed extractive industries in the surrounding area. Environmental assessments should not examine each project in isolation. The combined loss of native vegetation, increased traffic, noise, dust, groundwater impacts and fragmentation of wildlife habitat must all be considered together. Small incremental losses can ultimately lead to irreversible ecological decline.
The precautionary principle should be applied in assessing this proposal. Where there is the potential for serious or irreversible environmental damage, uncertainty should not be used as a reason to proceed with development. Instead, protecting biodiversity and threatened species should be the priority.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that the consent authority refuse this application. The permanent loss of native vegetation, destruction of threatened species habitat, increased pressure on an already endangered koala population, potential impacts on groundwater, public health concerns, increased heavy vehicle traffic and the cumulative industrialisation of the Bobs Farm–Salt Ash area are not in the long-term interests of either the environment or the Port Stephens community.
Future generations deserve to inherit healthy ecosystems, thriving wildlife populations and the unique natural landscapes that make Port Stephens such a special place. Once this habitat is destroyed, it cannot simply be replaced.
As mentioned previously, I am an active volunteer at the Port Stephens Koala Hospital and have watched the decline of our local population. While rehabilitating injured koalas is an essential part of conservation, preventing habitat loss is far more effective. Once mature koala habitat is cleared, it cannot be recreated within the lifetime of the koalas that depend upon it.
Sharon Egan

We live less than 5 kilometers from the proposed Project site on Marsh Road.
We rely on tank water and I have concerns about
the airborne Silica dust which will affect not only the school children close by the site but many residents in the surrounding area.
The number of trucks using our roads, 40 per hour.
The environmental impact on native ecologically sensitive vegetation and Fauna
Our precious ground water.
The noise and dust pollution will affect the Bobs Farm Primary School where 4 of my children went.
I strongly oppose this Mining Proposal.

Objection to the Proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry (SSD-99860959)

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a local resident of the Port Stephens area, the substantive Principal of Bobs Farm Public School (currently on Leave) and wish to object to the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry.

This development resides behind Bobs Farm Public School, which has been the focal point of the local community which it serves for 110 years. The mine development was previously withdrawn due to the major backlash from local residents, people and businesses who would have been impacted from this unsuitable mine location on the doorstep to Port Stephens. These protests and concerns have not been resolved by the latest attempt to get this mine through. Previous submissions against the mine proposal would still be relevant in almost all circumstances apart from staying 0.7m above the water table rather than dredging below the water table ( who will be policing this?) and not having as many trucks movements each day and not driving onto Marsh Road beside the school. Apart from these relative minor changes, nothing has changed.

My concern is that this development would permanently destroy a significant natural dune landscape that can never, ever be replaced. While sand can be sourced from other locations, once these ancient dunes are excavated the landscape, native vegetation and wildlife habitat will be lost forever. Fifteen mine/driving jobs could also easily be made available in other sand mine projects currently occurring in more suitable places. The Job arguments are misguided.

I am concerned about the impacts on local wildlife. The proposal involves clearing a large area of native vegetation that provides habitat for koalas, gliders, owls and other native species. The area forms part of an important natural corridor linking surrounding bushland and conservation areas.

Traffic issues are major concern. The quarry would result in a significant increase in heavy truck movements along Nelson Bay Road, a road already heavily used by residents, tourists, school buses and local businesses. Increased truck traffic raises concerns about road safety, congestion and the overall character of the area. There have been numerous road accidents and several fatalities on this road which is the only road into the area. The main road is a constant bottleneck during tourist season and having even more sand truck movements each day contending U turns to change directions to head towards Newcastle is a disaster waiting to happen!

The proposal has the major potential to affect nearby residents and businesses through silica dust, noise, tank water and bore water contamination and visual impacts. Many people choose to live in, run eco-tourism businesses and visit Port Stephens because of its natural environment. Introducing a large industrial quarry at the gateway to the peninsula is inconsistent with the area's tourism, environmental and lifestyle values.Instead of "Welcome to Blue Water Wonderland" it will become "Welcome to Silica City!" The whole area will be impacted negatively by this one additional mine.

The long-term environmental and community impacts have been inadequately addressed. In particular, there is no certainty regarding groundwater impacts, rehabilitation outcomes and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures. Monitoring impacts after they occur is not the same as preventing them. Who will keep the business operating the sand quarry honest, ethical and above board once they get their licence to mine?

The environmental and social costs outweigh the benefits of this proposal. Future generations should not lose an irreplaceable natural landscape for a project with a relatively short operational life.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Department refuse the application.

If this sand mine is approved, it will put another (up to) 120 heavy vehicles on the road. This will endanger residents of Sunrise Lifestyle Resort, visitors, trades and emergency services when entering Nelson Bay Road from Binder and Trotter roads.
I have a suggestion to alleviate this problem; install a new roundabout for the trucks to enter and leave the sand mine site directly onto Nelson Bay Road from the site. This will mean the loaded trucks will not be required to travel to the Port Stephens Drive roundabout to turn around and head back to Newcastle.

To the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure,

I am writing to formally object to the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry at 3631 Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm (SSD-99860959). I respectfully request that this proposal be refused, and that it be determined by the Independent Planning Commission due to the significant public interest and community concern surrounding the project.

My objection is both personal and community based. My family owns a farm on Marsh Road, where I grew up, and I have a deep and long standing connection to this landscape. I have firsthand knowledge of the area’s environmental values and the importance of preserving its rural character for current and future generations.

Biodiversity and habitat loss-

The proposal involves clearing approximately 24 hectares of native vegetation and extracting 530,000 tonnes of sand per year for 10 years. This represents a substantial and irreversible loss of habitat in an area known to support threatened and vulnerable species.

I am particularly concerned about the potential impacts on:

● Grey-headed Flying Foxes – I have personally observed large colonies of Grey Headed Flying Foxes in the exact area where this mine is proposed. These colonies are an important part of the local ecosystem, and their displacement or loss would be devastating.

● Spotted Tailed Quolls – an endangered species whose habitat may be affected by vegetation clearing, noise, lighting, and increased human activity.

● Bush Stone Curlews – when I was young, Bush Stone Curlews were present on our family farm paddock on Marsh Road. Their historical presence demonstrates the ecological significance of this landscape and the need to protect remaining habitat.

● Koalas, Powerful Owls & Mahony’s Toadlet- all of which rely on connected native vegetation corridors that could be fragmented or destroyed by this development.

The cumulative impact of habitat clearing, quarry operations, stockpiling, lighting, and heavy vehicle movements threatens to permanently alter the biodiversity of the Bobs Farm–Salt Ash area.

Groundwater and environmental risks-

I am deeply concerned about the potential impacts on the sensitive coastal groundwater system. Sand mining can alter groundwater flows, affect water quality, and reduce water availability for surrounding properties, agriculture, and ecosystems. Given the rural nature of the area and the reliance of many properties/farms on groundwater resources, these risks must not be underestimated.

Traffic and road safety-

The proposal would significantly increase heavy vehicle movements along Nelson Bay Road and surrounding local roads. This raises serious concerns about road safety for residents, commuters, and school children.

In particular, I am concerned about the proximity of Bobs Farm Public School on Marsh Road. Increased truck traffic in the area poses an unacceptable risk to families, children, cyclists, and pedestrians who use these roads daily. The safety of our community should be prioritised over industrial expansion.

Health, amenity, and rural character-

Dust and airborne silica from quarry operations have the potential to impact the health of nearby residents, particularly children and vulnerable people. Noise, vibration, and visual impacts would also significantly reduce the amenity and lifestyle of those living in the area.

Bobs Farm is a rural and environmentally significant gateway to Port Stephens. Further industrialisation through another sand quarry would erode the unique character of the region and diminish the natural beauty that residents and visitors value so highly.

Tourism, amenity, and rural character-

Bobs Farm and the surrounding Port Stephens region are not only valued for their rural lifestyle and environmental significance, but also for their thriving tourism industry. The proposed quarry is located in close proximity to a number of well known tourism and hospitality businesses that contribute to the local economy and the reputation of Port Stephens as a destination for nature based and family tourism.

Nearby businesses include Port Stephens Animal Adventures, Bobs Farm Berries, Bobs Farm Avocado Farm, B Farm by Murray’s, Cookabarra Restaurant/Barramundi Farm and Hydroponics, Go Karts Go, Kookaburra Farm Stay, Sunset + Vine Restaurant & Vineyard, and Valhalla. These businesses rely on the area’s peaceful rural atmosphere, scenic landscapes, clean environment, and positive visitor experience.

The introduction of a large scale sand quarry, with associated noise, dust, visual impacts, heavy vehicle traffic, and industrial activity, has the potential to negatively affect these tourism operators and reduce the appeal of the area to visitors. This could result in economic harm to local businesses and undermine the broader tourism identity of Port Stephens.

I am also deeply concerned about the proximity of the proposed quarry to the surrounding national parks and protected natural areas, including the internationally recognised coastal landscapes and biodiversity values of the Port Stephens region. These protected areas provide critical habitat for native wildlife, support ecological connectivity, and are enjoyed by residents and visitors for recreation and appreciation of nature.

The establishment of another extractive industry adjacent to these sensitive natural environments is inconsistent with the protection of Port Stephens’ environmental and scenic values. Rather than further industrialising this important gateway to Port Stephens, the focus should be on preserving its unique rural character, biodiversity, and tourism assets for future generations.

Previous community opposition

I understand that there was a previous attempt to establish a sand mine in this area, which did not proceed following strong community opposition. The fact that the community fought hard against such a proposal in the past demonstrates the long-standing and widespread concern about extractive industries in this location. Those concerns remain valid today and should be given substantial weight in the assessment of this application.

Conclusion

For all of these reasons, I strongly object to the Bobs Farm Sand Quarry proposal. The environmental, social, health, and safety risks associated with this development outweigh any claimed economic benefits. I urge the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to refuse this application and protect the biodiversity, groundwater, rural character, and community wellbeing of Bobs Farm and Port Stephens.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Yours faithfully,

Jessica Henderson
70 Koree Street Pindimar NSW 2324

Family Farm- 756 Marsh Road Bobs Farm NSW 2316

21/07/2026

This project would have detrimental effects specifically on the environment due to proximity of excavations to the water table. Heavy vehicle traffic on local roads is likely to cause massive disruption to the area and thirdly silicone dust created from the excavation work would be severely dangerous to the children and staff at the Bobs Farm Primary School. This is a project previously denied and should be again regardless of the changes made to the original application.

My concerns are the infrastructure, roads will not handle 200 trucks a day 7 days a week. The holiday traffic is already bad and this will make it worse.
My concerns are also the air pollution, wildlife. I have seen dogs, wombats, echidna, lizards on the road most have been hit or are about to be hit, having extra trucks, people will do nothing but hurt our wildlife by destroying their environment.
Also, my personal opinion having a Labor council, state and federal government has been a disaster for port stephens.