I strongly OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Quarry proposal. This is a quiet
rural residential area where the proposed extraction and processing of
sand will lead to widespread environmental damage, impacting on the
flora and fauna of the area and the lives of not only the local
residents but those in the greater region.


To clear a huge stretch of land (63 hectares) in the only vegetated
habitat corridor shows total disregard for the environment. Our native
animals rely on this track of land to move between regions around The
Blue Mountains in the north to Bungonia in the south. Human impact on
native habitats have huge consequences both short and long term.
Mining in large open pit mines is a threat to the biodiversity of this
area and a safe and undisturbed habitat corridor is only way of
protecting our native species. This cannot be another case of human
need and greed to the detriment of the environment
Mining in the Sutton Forest are will adversely affect the biodiversity
of the area. This area is located in the Great Western Wildlife
Corridor and therefore it is important that this area remain untouched
as it is an important vegetated habitat for many of our native
animals. The endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo requires this stretch of
native vegetation for nesting and feeding as it requires very specific
environmental conditions. This cannot be another case of humanity of
wiping out another species.


Lowering the water table at Sutton Forest will adversely affect the
bores on which so many locals depend for agriculture and life as the
mine site would drill below the water table. There is also the added
risk of pollutants from the mine site and associated activities
entering the ground water and directly impacting on the quality of
water. This water flows directly into Long Swamp and its creek. This
area is very fragile where any disturbance in the water level and
quality and the mineral and salt deposits will have disastrous
consequences. The removal of the topsoil and the sandstone to a depth
of 39 metres and then dumping fill into the resultant pit in a rural,
residential area will affect not just the local residents and the
native flora and fauna but on the clean water supply to Sydney as it
is part of the Nepean water catchment area feeding into Warragamba
Dam. Do not allow this destruction to happen to OUR water supply. You
are in the position to make decisions for us. Make sure it is the
ethically and environmentally constructive rather than destructive
one.

There will be a huge impact on tourism through air, sound, water
pollution and the extra heavy traffic generated by the
mine. No one wants to visit a dirty, polluted place that can impact on
their health either immediately or over the long term.
Breathing in dust, such as, silica dust and other finely powdered
materials, can damage the lungs and airways. Both long (over years)
and short term (hours or days) particle exposure have been linked to
health problems The risk to health varies depending on the size and
nature of the dust particles. The EIS gives us lots of figures to
assure us that this is going to be a safe, monitored mine where dust
emissions are below the EPA standard. There are too many variables at
play here.
Any air pollution that affects those who have lived in this clean air
environment is totally unacceptable. Any air pollution that affects
visitors to the area, especially those so close to the mine site, at
the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy
is equally unacceptable. Respect for other's established residences
and routines must come ahead of this mine proposal. This is not a
suitable place for this very large mine.

I OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Quarry Proposal. Sand mining operations are
out of place in this native bush/ rural/ residential area. The
deforestation, habitat destruction and biodiversity erosion due to a
sand mine in this area can not be considered a viable proposition.

My brother and sister in law purchased a 65 hectare property in Hanging
Rock Road, Sutton Forest next door to the property of The Shrine of
Our Lady of Mercy-Penrose Park approximately 15 years ago. Since
purchase they have steadily developed the property with suitable
accommodation for weekend stays with friends and relatives and use it
frequently over weekends and holiday periods as a holiday farm to rest
and escape the hustle and bustle of City life, both in Sydney and
Wollongong. When visiting the property one can't help but notice the
peace and tranquility of the location and see the wildlife in their
natural habitat.
With the construction and operation of the proposed Sutton Forest Sand
Mine I shutter to think of what the noise level will be with blasting
and excavation of the site with heavy machinery, coupled with the
hours of operation 24 hours/7 days and large B double trucks coming
and going.
As well as the noise, the local residents will have to put up with the
air quality due to the dust levels coming from excavation and damage
to the water quality affecting Long Swamp Creek and the underlying
aquifer.
I could not find any information in the EIS in relation to what the
decibel levels will be during construction and operation of the
sandmine. It appears that little consideration has been given to local
residents who will have to endure horrendous noise levels for the 30
year life of the mine and then have to put up with stench of land fill
into the 42 hectre hole.

My concerns about the Sutton Forest Sand Mine which I strongly oppose
include:
* the impacts on ground water and groundwater dependent species
including Eucalyptus aquatic, Carex klaphakei, Eucalyptus macarthurii,
*the impacts of this huge area of land clearing on the Great Western
Wildlife Corridor which is so vital for minimising the impacts of
climate change on fauna and flora,
* the noise pollution and dust pollution caused by the operation
particularly on a 24/7 basis
* the potential to impact on Sydney's drinking water catchment via
Long Swamp and Lake Burragorang
* the leachates from the proposed landfill impacting on local water
quality affecting local flora and fauna and downstream flown affects

I am NOT in favour of any approvals being granted in relation to the
proposed Sutton Forest Quarry project. It would appear that the EIS
submitted by the proponent is somewhat lacking (and that's being
charitable) in the necessary detail.

Approving any activity such as this within the Sydney water catchment
area is folly - history has shown time and time again that mining and
water does not mix.

This community is already dealing with the environmental horror show
left behind by the Berrima Colliery, and fending off the equally
ludicrous proposed Hume Coal Project.

Protection of the aquifer and groundwater, and preservation of the
wildlife corridor should be of primary concern to all - and the
continued disregard shown by government towards the local community in
this regard will no doubt be reflected at the polling stations in no
uncertain terms.

I strongly urge you to reject this proposal.

I OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Quarry Proposal. The "extraction techniques"
of " ripping , pushing, loading and haulage"(EIS Executive Summary)
have no place in the quiet rural, residential setting that is the
proposed site. Mining and its associated activities in this area will
be responsible for irreversible environmental and social damage .

This development should not be approved - there is simply too many
industrial developments happening in our drinking water catchment
areas !

From
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-09/fears-sutton-forest-sand-quarry-could-jeopardise-waterways/9846832

"The proposed mine does pose substantial and unquantified risks," said
Dr Wright.

Furthermore, apparently, "A section of the Great Western Wildlife
Corridor, the only native vegetated habitat from the Blue Mountains to
Morton National Park, would be cleared and narrowed to 500 metres in
parts. " from the above URL. This is deeply shorted sighted,
irreversible ecological damage for a projected 30-50 years of sand
extraction.

This is a totally unacceptable mine proposal and should be rejected.

I strongly OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Quarry proposal. This is a quiet and
historic rural residential area, which families have called home for
decades. The proposed sand mine would ruin sanctity of these small
farms with noise pollution and will severely affect the agriculture
and animals.
These environmental damages will be irreversible.
The sand mine proposal is simply in the wrong location as the
environment is not In nature with the rural, bushy area and should not
be socially or environmentally acceptable to go ahead.

This sand mine is likely to severely impact on the surrounding
environment and furthermore is totally unnecessary in this location.
It is an absolute disgrace that the proposal has got as far as it has
and should be permanently quashed henceforth.

I strongly OPPOSE the Sutton Forest Quarry proposal. This is a quiet
rural residential area where the proposed extraction and processing of
sand will lead to widespread environmental damage, impacting on the
flora and fauna of the area and the lives of not only the local
residents but those in the greater region.

It will cause problems with the additional traffic entering and
leaving the Highway with an upgraded access and create great
disturbance to a quiet scenic bushland area.

I wish to submit my OPPOSITION to the proposed sand mine at Sutton
Forest. This quiet rural area is not the place for a sand mine of the
proposed size. There are far too many impacts environmentally and
socially to accept this proposal.