I object to the project based on the following reasons:

- Noise and disturbance: There are already as significant number of trucks using Pitt Town Road/Bathurst Street creating a lot of noise
- Safety: Trucks frequently exceed the 60 km/ph speed limit which is dangerous
- Safety: Due to the increase of trucks there have been at least 2 accidents in the past 12 months, one in which a truck cause damage to a house.
- Noise and disturbance: Drivers use their exhaust breaks at all hours causing much noise and disturbance
- Traffic Generation: Further increase to the number of vehicles using Pitt Town Road/Bathurst Street will add to the congestion
- Road Access: Difficult for cars entering and exiting driveways
- Safety: There are no pathways to walk on and pedestrians currently use the road to walk, an increase in the number trucks will cause safety issue for pedestrians
- Health: Pollution carries significant risks for human health and the environment, increased number will be harmful for residents of Pitt Town.
- Environment: Extraction of sandstone will cause irreversible ecological damage
- Archaeology: Cultural & Heritage should be addressed as a part of this project and Traditional Custodians (Darug) people should be consulted as a part of this project to ensure that this is not a significant site.

I do have CCTV footage which may assist in further investigations into the number or trucks currently using the road, if required.

The Pitt Town Bypass would address and remedy some, if not all of the above issues.

While supporting appropriate development within Pitt Town and the surrounding district, the Pitt Town Progress Association strongly objects to any development that increases traffic flow through Pitt Town and along Main Road 181 to McGraths Hill until the Pitt Town bypass, road shoulders and intersection upgrades are provided along Pitt Town Road between Mitchell Road and Windsor Road. There are currently more than 840 heavy vehicle movements per day (according to RMS survey), many of which are truck and dog combinations carrying sand for construction works throughout Sydney. These vehicle constitute serious safety issues, noise and pollution. The Pitt Town bypass, widened road shoulders and intersection upgrades were supposed to be delivered as part of the residential development of Pitt Town that commenced around 2008 and was covered by the 2006 Planning Agreement between the state government and the developer. There have been some intersection upgrades but the critical bypass and road shoulders remain undelivered. The safety of the Pitt Town community, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users must not be further jeopardised by increased heavy vehicle movements until all the above items of infrastructure are delivered.

We would like to outline the following concerns in relation to this application “Maroota Friable Sandstone Extraction Project” (SSD-10410). For the reasons set out below we object to this proposal.
When we purchased our property in 2013 the land outlined in the above application was Crown Land. We made enquiries with Hills Council, Crown Lands Department and Department of Lands and purchased our property based on those enquiries and the understanding that the property was natural bush land and not mined or under any application. We feel it is unfair that our property, our investment, and most importantly our home will be negatively impacted by something that will take away from the natural beauty of the surrounding area our property looks upon and the reason we purchased our property in the first place. We are a family with young children and the proposed plans will have a significant and lasting impact on our family, our lifestyle and possibly our health.
We also raise the further concerns:

Road Traffic Noise and Safety

Wisemans Ferry Road and Old Northern Road are already very busy at peak times of the day and the proposed number of trucks accessing the site raises concerns around the affect this will have on vehicle noise and road safety and how this will be managed to minimise any effect on the community.
This application proposes a significant increase in truck movements, and will not only affect our home, and residents along Wisemans Ferry Road and Old Northern Road in Maroota but other surrounding areas such Glenorie and Pitt Town. Areas where traffic must travel along roads where schools and residentials communities are located.
Glenorie Public School has limited parking and cars must park along Old Northern Road, there are no other options. Suburban streets are already full and the one carpark located parallel to the school is overcrowded and unsafe during morning drop off and afternoon pick up periods. Old Northern Road is lined with cars during these peak times. The area is already quite dangerous during this time with so many cars passing the school where the road is only one lane each way with cars parked along each side. Increased traffic to this area especially trucks, will only add to an already congested area putting families safety at risk.

Dust

This is of great concern to us as we have young children who will be living in close proximity to the extraction site and we are concerned about any increased risk to their health.
We note that our property is already in close vicinity to two PF Formation sites on Wisemans Ferry Road and a Dixons Sands site is also located adjacent to our property and we are concerned about the impacts that an additional mining site will have on dust levels.
The site is a very vast area and we can not understand how the applicant can possibly control the dust on this site from impacting neighbouring properties. We have been told many times from other mining sites that areas will be watered down if it is a windy day but this simply does not happen on weekends or weekdays. We therefore can’t see how this site will be any different. How can the operator possibly tell residents that they can assure no dust will effect neighbouring properties. Will sprinklers be installed?? Will someone be hired to watch over dust 7 days a week? We would think not. So how would this be managed and not impact neighbouring properties.

Noise and Vibrations

We have serious concerns over the noise and vibrations that will be generated from processing equipment, loaders and other cutting machinery not to mention noise associated with the ongoing clearing of vegetation, disposal of vegetation and removal of sandstone via bull dozer or excavators.
Our property is in an elevated position and noise travels to our home where we can regularly hear the Maroota Public School bell and distant machinery from quarries which are located further than the proposed quarry outlined in this application. We can’t see how this proposed application will not affect us if we can already hear mining works from quarries twice the distance or more from our property than this proposed application.

Visual Impact

As noted above our property is at an elevated level and we currently have a pleasant, peaceful outlook and in addition to the noise concerns we are also concerned about any visual impacts this application will have on our outlook. It is not clear in this application if our outlook has been considered. It is noted in the application that access could not be gained to our property. This because the gates are locked and no attempt was made by the applicate to make a time to discuss visual impacts was made with us. What will be done to ensure we are not impacted negatively?

Mines in the Area

We note our property is already in close proximity to the Dixon Sand’s Heares Road site and two other PF Formation sites both on Wisemans Ferry Road. Our property is already exposed to noise and dust of all three quarries at close range any further mining sites will only increase our exposure and negatively affect ambience. We are concerned that this could make living on our property very uncomfortable and affect our lifestyle.

Wildlife

This corridor is also home to much wildlife including birds something we have had the pleasure of enjoying. It saddens us to think that this vast area of natural untouched bushland will now be destroyed on such a large scale. We often have wallabies and kangaroos come to our back fence that borders the land mentioned in your application. Their home will be now be destroyed.

We ask that all of the above issues are considered during your review process.

I am making this submission on behalf of Hawkesbury Environment Network who has recently participated in a study of 30 wetlands in the catchment of the Hawkesbury River in the LGA's of Hills and Hawkesbury. While Jackson Swamp was not included in this study, we know it to be a very significant freshwater floodplain. A REP-20 wetland.
A study of this swamp was conducted under the Natural Assets Assessments Project - Wetlands Study in May 2002.

We understand that the sandstone extraction project would sit above/impact Jackson Swamp open wetland with swamp forest dominated by Swamp Mahogany trees.
Open-water vegetation includes Eliocharis sphacelate and Ludwigia peploides; Reedland includes Phragmites australis; Sedgeland contains Juncus usitatus and at least 12 other species; Closed-scrub includes 2 species of Leptospermum; Swamp Woodland includes Meleleuca linariifolia, Eucalyptus robusta and more leptospermum.
This whole vegetation community is consistent with Sydney Coastal Estuary Swamp Forest (SCESF) which is listed as an ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY under TSCA.
Jackson Swamp is in good condition above River Road due to the exclusion of agriculture over a long period which allowed regeneration of wetland vegetation. Native species dominate with high floristic diversity.

Hawkesbury Environment Network urges the State Government not to allow the mining/extraction of sand in Maroota Forest. Preservation of the natural environment in areas surrounding and adjacent to many valuable wetlands in sensitive forests must be a priority of governments in 2022.

We are strongly opposing this project on the grounds of:
No more trucks on Old Northern Road. There are far too many at present an extra 61 in 61 out is unacceptable. The road at presnt is a hazard (Multiple potholes make the road dangerous)
Noise/Air pollution - again more trucks, more dust.
Concerns with expansion once this is approved.
Value of property will decrease with additional trucks, noise, dust loss of bushland.

To whom it may concern,
I would like to put forward my great concern regarding the submission that is for consideration.
My concerns include the effects that this mining will have to our quiet enjoyment, directly to the land, flora and fauna and environment around us, the health implications and also the potential significant decrease in value to our property.
Our property currently has more than 3 sand mines that function within DA guidelines located around us. Our property is a private residence, we do not run a business from our property in any way but do understand that part of the primary production zoning meant that sandmines were present and trading around us, as well as the crop farmers, meat works, heavy machinery plants etc. The sand mines form a large part of the noise pollution that effects the properties within proximity of the mines, with heavy machinery running for roughly 10 hours per day, minimum 60 trucks coming and going from each of the the sites and water transfer pumps can be heard throughout most nights. This noise will increase substantially, as will the volume of trucks using our main road which is a one lane road that supplies thoroughfare from Wisemans Ferry and beyond to South Maroota and beyond as one of only two access roads to Glenorie, Hornsby and the CBD of Sydney. The dust from these trucks and the extraction during differing winds may impact on our ability to capture drinkable water and with no other option available this is a major concern to local population.
The property that I live with my partner and four children backs onto the land that is earmarked to be used for sand mining in the near and long term future. The land that runs directly behind our property is virgin bushland and houses many protected and endangered flora and fauna, many of which i believe are recorded as being present in the areas set to be mined, such as endangered colonies of koalas, kangaroos and swamp wallabies, birds such as migratory wetland species , powerful owl, masked owl, feathertailed glider, as well as many endangered fauna species, some of which are only located in this area . The land that is under consideration also runs directly to the main ocean feeder being the Hawkesbury, with little accounted for how this will effect the river, the people that live along its edge and its infastructure. Maroota is very well known for its name as it means "much water" due to its many natural springs. It has also been documented that the land itself that will be mined is actually sand swamp forest, wetlands 88 and very specific to the area.
The loss of this land we believe will be devestating to the local area, which is iconic in its views showing virgin bushland from Old Northern Rd that spans uninterrupted right through to the base of the Blue Mountain and Hawkesbury River, one of the many reasons that we love where we live and that we, as well as many others, stand to lose. History has shown that the impact of the sand mines to the land they mine, is one that is long lasting, with regeneration processes falling short of supplying back an environment that resembles its original form.
For your consideration please.

I am objecting to the proposal to expand sandmining in Maroota. Firstly, as a landowner in Maroota, it is a disgrace that I was not informed directly rather than learning about this on google news. This reeks of a political coverup and is frankly another example of regular widespread governmental failure, all three! My objections include, but not limited to: 1. I am currently building a retirement home in Maroota, unfortunately reasonably close to the new proposed mining. We potentially face ruin if the value of our property is devalued due to this development. 2.At times, I can already hear noise from the existing mine. I object to additional noise and air pollution that will undoubtedly increase due to closer proximity to our property and poor controls by the operation. We cannot rely on P F Formation purchasing state of the art, noise dampened equipment, as they will undoubtedly cut corners for a 'least cost outcome' to the detriment of the locals. 3. I object to all setbacks noted and insufficient vegetation management plans, both need to be increased and improved. 4. ! object to the proposal to use excessive amounts of bore water that can potentially affect to Maroota aquifer. Also the plans for water treatment systems, with potential spills entering the Hawkesbury river, which is already silted up. Just review the sand spills at the intersection of Wisemans Ferry and Patricia Fay roads and this will indicate the future attention to detail and compliance . 5. The assumption that 20 Maroota locals will be employed is rubbish, there is no guarantee this will occur. 6. I don't believe there has been any successful rehabilitation carried out following sand mining, this still needs to be enforced, but when? 7. I see 2 aboriginal sites of importance are noted, does this mean the local land council is OK to destroy these for the sake of income? 8. There are endangered species on the site, which I assume cannot be relocated? Again, is it OK to destroy these or will common sense prevail? 9. The traffic management report indicates both truck routes are satisfactory, they are not! I note there are no stats presented to show the existing number of serious sand truck accidents, 3 of which occurred in the last 6 months? The movement statistics are also false and do not necessarily include sandstone log trucks, the report needs to be resubmitted with the missing statistics. Wisemans Ferry / Cattai road is totally unsuitable for the increasing size of sand trucks. There is no police presence or surveillance, sand trucks speed, intimidate, regularly cross centrelines. 10. All access roads need to be completely upgraded between the mine and Windsor/Castle Hill. 11. There needs to be an operational limit placed on the site to 5 days, 8 hours per day. 12. All landholders and stakeholders within the Maroota area need to be advised, consulted and involved in community meetings. There needs to be complete disclosure rather than orchestrated, misleading, secretive and selective information after the event! Further, the rapid increase in truck movements affects not only affects local people (noise is excessive already), but everyone on both major truck routes, both of which are extremely dangerous in their current form. How any reasonable thinking person can suggest the routes are satisfactory is farcical at best. Lastly, could I have confirmation the proposed development is within the original boundaries or if this is an extension? Regards.

See attached document titled Objection Submission - SSD 10410

There is no Pitt Town bypass built yet despite 40 years of waiting and promises every state election.
there are constantly accidents and the road is in a constant state of disrepair. More truck movements will only add to this.