I think this would be great for local job and the environment by recycling waste into new products

I think this would be a great development for the local area.
We often require bulk landscape supplies in the central coast area

It is creating jobs and there is nothing like this business on the Central Coast

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is with most urgency I am writing to raise a formal notification of complaint in opposing the planning for the concrete crushing business within our neighbourhood.

The erected building on 90 Gindurra Road, Somersby NSW 2250 has now confirmed further planning to commence their concrete crushing operation. Naturally, concerned locals – both resident and business owners – have objected to this. It has gained over 1200 signatures that state their concerns which such a business being allowed to operate.

I believe it is vital to raise awareness of the distress that this business would cause not only to myself but the surrounding population.

To start, when the initial planning was approved by local council, this was for up to 70,000 tonnes per year of recycling material. Via a state significant development application, this has now increased to 200,000 tonnes and is now to include up to 46,000 tonnes of concrete / year. A seemingly astronomical amount for a mostly rural/residential area and out of character of the surrounding bushland area that Somersby is known for.

Please note that the effects of having such a business in the area is already starting to cause damage to the surrounding location and its residents with increased noise due to the land clearing and vibration felt via close receptors with their houses.

There are many that are within close proximity to the crusher. This has already caused financial loss to one as they are unable to sell their property with the prospect of this business being so imminent.

Financial loss is not our only concern.

Undoubtedly with this type of trade brings a high level of noise pollution. Something that brings us all great concern. The noise of the actual crusher we believe will become intolerable to the surrounding area together with the unloading or industrial waste and constant truck movement. (Please see the attached independent Acoustic report from “Muller Acoustics”), which displays several areas of concern of the project, showing a significant exceedance to close-by receptors due to conservatively low sound power levels.

Section 3.3.3 of the NPI identifies that a development is considered to have a noise impact if the predicted levels at a receiver exceeds the corresponding project noise trigger level. Review of operational noise levels from the historic report identifies an exceedance of the PNTL at 24 Debenhams Road South, hence the project will have noise impacts on this receiver. Furthermore, taking into account the conservatively low sound power levels in conjunction with lower background noise levels east of the project site, project impacts would be up to 8dB higher than reported.
This potentially results in multiple receivers (10 Acacia Road, 12 Acacia Road, 16 Acacia Road 32 Acacia Road, 242 Debenham Road South and 252 Debenham Road South) exceeding the PNTL.
The maximum potential exceedance is 9dBA above the PNTL (for 242 Debenhams Road South) which would be above both the PNTL and relevant Amenity Noise Level and is also considered a significant exceedance under the NPI.


Concern falls heavily on the environmental factor that emissions from silica dust will have on the nearby orchards and residents. The company has addressed this by advising that they have taken measurements to prevent emissions. However, upon further research it is clear they are not adequate enough to prevent the silica travelling through air. Making it easy for locals to breathe in the pollution without any protective equipment and potentially cause adverse illnesses due to long term exposure.

To confirm, their supposedly adequate measures, they plan to use an open-ended enclosure for the crusher with the downward facing water sprays. Unfortunately, the crusher within enclosure hangs out of the building by 3.7 metres. It is a combination of the protruding concrete crusher and open enclosure that is extremely unsettling.

When researching the effectiveness of enclosures to gain 90%-100% of complete control over the silica emissions, it is stated in their own report, the only 100% safe option, would be to have a full enclosure of the crusher and holding bays. However, they have said this is not being done due to the cost of it to the company.

Please see the attached air report from “Todososki Air Sciences” we have had independently assessed, which indicates, they are not following the best practice in a development of this type and has underestimated several areas of air quality and dust emissions.

It is strongly deemed that an operation of this nature should not take place so close to residential areas or local businesses. There are families with young children that live in the area which this type of business can potentially cause health issues for all.

One element specifically raises concern for me is the movement of up to 160 trucks and cards per day. In particular, using Debenham Road South as a parking bay for trucks. The residents at this side – including myself – are subjected to the relentless noise of trucks parking, stopping and backing up all whilst using hazard alarms to warn of the vehicle’s movement. This is not something we wish to endure throughout the night causing loss of sleep. It is irritating and frustrating that there is no consideration for the locals.

In regards to caring for the environment factors, we have already experienced vibration issues from the building works. The owners of the company were called out to the nearby house in question to feel the vibration nuisance that it is already causing, yet even after feeling the vibration within the house and referring to the machinery they chose to use, nothing has been done to fix the house in question, instead choosing to ignore the issue. However, this will be minuscule compared to the noise and vibration that the trucks, tractors and heavy machinery could cause going forward. Not only will this be detrimental to the residents of the area’s mental health but the ability to move away. Therefore, causing further financial loss when property value plummets due to the noise pollution caused by this business.

The council has raised concerns about protecting the rich environmental heritage by conserving beaches, waterways, bushland, wildlife and the diversity of local native species in their plans to draw more visitors to Somersby, yet if this proposed development was approved it would have an irreversible impact and endanger the 1.41 Hectares local population of the eastern pygmy possum together with local endangered trees which seem to have their habitat in the exact chosen locations for the concrete crusher and holding bays to name a few.

We believe this objection is in the same nature to the refusal of the waste resource facility at 168 Somersby Falls Road (Development Application No 40918/2011), citing the proposal to not be ecologically sustainable and contrary to the precautionary principle as it has a direct and unknown impact upon the habitat areas of the aforementioned eastern pygmy possum.


I do not believe that a recycling centre that specialises in building waste removal – amongst other materials – would add value to the area. Nor would it in anyway conserve our happily situated bushland and wildlife. If anything, it will eventually cause detriment and damage to the surrounding areas whilst processing building waste materials.

Finally, another element of improvement for the Somersby area contains the proposed “The Great Weekender Trail” which states walkers will walk straight past this property and down Debenham Rd South. It is almost ridiculous that those visiting for an authentic bushland experience will be exposed to dramatically high buildings of a recycling centre. Something which I’m sure you would agree is completely out of character to this area. I believe that funding for this will be wasted as many who visit are likely to complain about the concrete jungle appearing in the middle of their weekender bushland trail.

All those who have signed the previous objections – that is over 1200 of us – believe that an operation of this size and environmental impact is not in accord with the bushland and rural properties that surround it.

Does the state government choose to turn the bush and eco wonderland of our beautiful Somersby into a waste recycling and crushing hotspot, and choose to ignore the local residences, their health, the endangered flora and fauna, and instead, allow big business to choose where to pick up and run their business due to their wallets and handing over money as bio credits, I hope not? If this occurs we will have no bushland left to appreciate!

I hope that this is dealt with as an urgent request and review.

Yours faithfully,

I support this project nsw needs more projects like this to be approved and less red tape!!!

I support the facility because it is an important piece of infrastructure that will reduce the quantity of building materials going to landifll in the Central Coast and Hunter. The NSW government has a policy of moving our state towards a circular economy. This is a positive step towards achieving that goal. I understand that the development will create at least 20 new direct jobs and make a significant contribution to economic activity in the Central Coast region. At the same time the developer has gone out of his way to make sure that local impacts on the environment and neighbours will be minimised.

This site will provide an essential service that will divert recyclable resources from landfill in a safe and effective manner. This project should go ahead.

The development of Kariong sand and soil supplies new facility will generate a huge amount of employment for local people here on the central coast which is greatly needed in these strange times we find our self's all in. Providing a local service to local businesses and people, helping to keep the local community strong and help us all strive for a more green environment. Recycling of a full range of materials that we all produce daily is critical to moving towards a high level of recyclables being reused where possible, to help protect future generations.