I am extremely opposed to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry and object to the project.
Please find attached my submission, imploring you to consider the negative impacts that this project would have to our local community. While I didn't want to make a submission that was emotive and personal, the reality of what is being proposed is that this project is going to have an extremely negative impact on my partner and I and our young children - along with the broader Royalla, Burra, Googong and southern ACT suburbs / communities. Since hearing about the proposed quarry (days after exchanging on our property which backs onto the proposed quarry site) it has caused nothing but additional stress and anxiety to us at what we may have now exposed ourselves and our three young children too.
Please listen to the community, and please do the right thing with this proposal by saying no.
Thank you for taking the time to read my submission.

Dear Counsellors,
I am writing to formally object to the proposed approval of a fourth quarry on the Southside of our region. As a local Royalla resident, I hold serious concerns about the environmental, health, safety, and social impacts of this development, not only for my family but for the broader community. I outline some of my concerns below:

1. Health Impacts from Silica Dust

One of the most pressing concerns is the airborne silica dust that will inevitably be carried by prevailing winds across our region. This fine particulate matter poses serious health risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
It is unacceptable to expose our community of Royalla and our local neighbouring suburbs including the suburbs of Theodore, Banks, and Calwell, Richardson etc to these potential health hazards, especially when local schools and childcare centres are within the dust’s likely reach.

I am especially concerned about the health impacts given I already have three life long chronic health diseases in addition to respiratory issues. I fear that the silica dust that will travel from the quarry will amplify these issues. I also hold concerns for my parents as they age and my 5 year old outdoor loving son.

2. Noise Pollution and Blast Disruption

The noise generated from quarry blasts, machinery, and heavy vehicle movements is incompatible with the semi-rural, family-oriented nature of our area. The proposed hours of operation are not neighbour-friendly and will severely impact our right to quiet enjoyment of our properties, particularly for families who have chosen this region for its peaceful surroundings.

This is of particular concern to me as my son is already anxious about many things which I’ve worked very hard to help him with. However he is still quite fearful of loud unexpected noises such as thunder and fireworks. I imagine the blasts from the quarry will also contribute to his anxiety (as the noises from large trucks dumping soil on a local block did recently) and this will mean that we are both not able to enjoy our outdoor spaces as was intended when settling in Royalla.

3. Traffic and Road Safety Risks

The addition of up to 500 truck movements per day on an already overstressed, mostly single-lane stretch of the Monaro highway is deeply concerning. This road is already dangerous, especially during snow season and school holiday periods, when delays, risky overtaking, and animal fatalities increase significantly. Adding hundreds of slow-moving heavy vehicles daily will further compromise road safety for all users , including residents, school buses, emergency services, and tourists etc.

We already see risky behaviour under normal circumstances, and I fear for my family’s safety as we try to get onto and travel on the Monaro highway multiple times a day to and from school and work.

4. Environmental Destruction of Enchanted Hill

The proposed site threatens not just the tranquillity of the area, but the delicate ecological balance of Royalla’s Enchanted Hill,a location rich in wildlife and native flora. Increased dust, noise, and vibration from quarry activity will disrupt local ecosystems, including critical habitat for native species.

The beauty and diversity of our wildlife and native fora is what has attracted my family to this area. The quarry is likely to impact this significantly. Once lost, this biodiversity cannot be easily recovered.

5. Unnecessary Development

There are already three existing quarries on the Southside of Canberra / Queanbyan region that are not operating at full capacity. Before approving further expansion, these sites should be more efficiently utilised. The current proposal appears unjustified, especially when the needs of Canberra, Queanbyan and surrounding areas can already be met with existing resources.

6. Community Wellbeing and Property Values

Like many families, we made a deliberate decision to move to this region to raise our children in a healthier, more natural environment, one that promotes both mental and physical wellbeing. The presence of another large-scale quarry jeopardises that lifestyle and will almost certainly devalue our homes. It is disheartening to think that the peace and health we sought could be undermined by industrial activity of this scale and nature.

In conclusion, this proposed quarry is incompatible with the needs, safety, and wellbeing of our community. It endangers our health, our roads, our environment, our wildlife, and our way of life.

I respectfully ask: would you want this quarry built in your own backyard?

On behalf of my family and concerned neighbours, I urge the council to reject this proposal in favour of a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for our region. I implore you to please listen to your community’s voices and support us by opposing the Monaro Rock Quarry. Our concerns are significant, real and very valid.

Thank you for your time.
Yours Sincerely,

I am a long standing Royalla resident of over 23 years within 6km of the proposed quarry. I have concerns about the noise and dust from the proposed weekly blasting as this will affect my health and wellbeing and that of my family.
We get strong predominately north west wind and this will blow the dust and noise directly over my property.

Along with the noise from the concrete crushing and 500 truck movements per day and operation of associated concrete and asphalt plant, Royalla is in a bushfire prone area and I am concerned that this industrial site is storing 37,000 litres of diesel fuel and other associated chemicals. There has been no mention of what fire mitigation measures are proposed.

Royalla already is serviced by four nearby quarries including one directly to the south in (Willimansdale) all not operating at less than full capacity with over 100 years left of combined life. There is clearly no need for another.

To Whom It May Concern,

Subject: Formal Objection to Proposed Quarry Development by Monaro Rock in Royalla NSW 2620

I am writing to formally object to the proposed construction of a third quarry by Monaro Rock in Royalla, NSW 2620.

As a resident of this area, I find it deeply concerning and frankly insulting that the social impact report claims this development will be socially responsible, with negative impacts deemed minor or moderate when mitigated, and no residual impacts. Royalla already hosts two operating quarries, and the cumulative burden on our community is significant. I strongly urge that this submission be reconsidered only when one of the existing quarries ceases operation, which might then justify the addition of another.

The social impact survey itself acknowledges the challenges of quarrying in the region, stating:

“Williamsdale Quarry located about 4km north of Williamsdale commenced operations in the early 2000s. As a result, residents of the area are familiar with quarrying operations and the benefits and challenges associated with them.”

This quote from the social impact report confirms that the community is well aware of the adverse effects of quarrying. It is imperative that our concerns are taken seriously and not dismissed. In particular, the proposed site’s exposure to prevailing southerly winds poses a greater risk than the existing Williamsdale Quarry. These winds will carry dust and silica directly toward homes in Royalla, unlike the current quarry where such particles are dispersed over bushland.

The report lists potential positive social impacts such as employment, financial contributions to community projects, and site rehabilitation. However:

No commitments to community projects have been made by Monaro Rock. If genuine, such offers would have already been extended to the Royalla Common, which has a master plan with several incomplete initiatives (e.g., horse arena, playground, bike track). The absence of outreach suggests these contributions are unlikely to materialise post-approval.
Rehabilitation of a destroyed hill should not be considered a positive social impact. It is a remedial action, not a benefit.
Employment opportunities for local residents are likely minimal. The social impact study (page 47) notes that Royalla’s top industries are in public service and education, not mining. This project does not align with the local workforce’s skillset.

Furthermore, the community consultation appears flawed. The local study area map (page 43) excludes the majority of Royalla, focusing instead on the proposed site and a handful of adjacent blocks, including a largely vacant subdivision. This does not accurately represent the broader community that will be affected.

Lastly, the processing and stockpiling area has been positioned at the closest point to residential homes. This decision is unacceptable and should be revised. The facility should be located at the furthest possible distance from residences to minimise disruption and health risks.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that this application be re-evaluated with genuine community consultation, transparent commitments to local benefit, and a reconsideration of the site layout. The residents of Royalla deserve to have their voices heard and their health and wellbeing prioritised over private company profits.

kind regards

To whom it may concern,
I am writing this submission in support of the proposed quarry. I believe the quarry will not only provide employment opportunities for the community but will also support the progression of economical and social growth within the ACT and Surrounding NSW communities.
Benefits that I see include:
- Job creation for local residents and skill development
- local business growth by increasing local demand for services
- locally sourced aggregate from the quarry will contribute to affordable infrastructure
- community investment, i can see the quarry putting back into the community through supporting/sponsoring local communities etc
In conclusion the proposed quarry represents a balanced. future driven investment in the regions economy and community. The benefits will significantly outweigh any concerns.
Thank you for considering my submission

Kind regards

Resident of the Surrounding Community

I object to this project as a resident of Royalla and Googong since around 2010. The proposed amount of added traffic to the often neglected Old Cooma Rd is unacceptable. The council can’t even keep on top of the current conditions during seasons consisting of rain. There are sections of the road that have been patched and neglected for over a decade so I highly doubt any other areas subject to high heavy traffic that show ware are going to get any major repairs/upgrades.
I also oppose the noise pollution and oppose any risk of silica exposure.
The quarry is clearly not wanted in the area by a very large collective of the actual residents. Take your quarry somewhere else because it isn’t welcome in this region.

Concerns over the Monaro rock quarry being established.
Damage to buildings during detonations at the quarry, what guarantee do locals have that they will not sustain damage to their homes caused by these detonations. Also, what risks are there for regular disruptions to the areas power supplies effected by these blasts, all surrounding properties rely on septic and tank water which are pump controlled and a concern is that these pumps will become defective from any potential power issues from these blasts. Will the quarry or council be responsible for costs involved in repairing any damage proven to be from the detonations, or will the homeowner be forced to pay excess on their insurance claims every time their homes require repairs.
The other major concern for my wife and I is the potential for property values to drop if the quarry commences and this has an impact on future sales.
Drinking water- All homes in the local area of the proposed quarry rely on rainwater for everything (drinking, bathing, laundry and watering of vegetable plants etc) this is of concern as on most days the dust from the quarry will carry over the area and land on roofs contaminating all water for every household. Of more concern is that this dust will settle on the ground around peoples properties and will be stirred up by humans, wind and animals and increase the risk of being inhaled. What long term risks will this bring and will the quarry and QBN council be liable for any future proven claims of illness to locals that are exposed to these dust particles. Note that there are also a number of waterways close to the new quarry and the water and wildlife that rely on the water from those creeks and dams.
Traffic concerns – Will the entry/exit for the quarry be via Monaro highway or Old Cooma Road? Old Cooma road is able to manage the current traffic, but an increase of a couple hundred trucks or more a day will raise the risk dramatically for daily incidents involving local traffic as well as other out of the area users and these trucks as they try to turn in and out onto Old Cooma Road will have a heightened risk of collisions resulting in injury or death. Old Cooma road currently requires regular road maintenance and cannot cope with a rise in large vehicle using the road. Monaro highway is another option but this will also increase risk of injury or death to local users as well as other travellers on the highway. The highway is bad enough with snow traffic , and to have a couple hundred trucks every day exiting and entering onto the highway this will certainly increase the risk of more deaths.
Can you please advise if a public hearing will be held to discuss concerns over this proposed quarry.

Looking forward to your response.

We object to the Monaro Rock Quarry Project on a number of reasons.
The amount of harmful fine dust this Quarry will produce & being so close to surrounding areas of Royalla & suburbs in the south of the ACT is a major health issue. Especially Royalla as it already has an operating Quarry just to the south of it within a couple of Klm's. The fine dust from this Quarry is already an issue in the surrounding areas. The Monaro Rock Quarry proposed site is just to the North of Royalla meaning it will be smack bang in the middle of the Quarries.
Then there is the issue of the excessive amount of trucks entering the Monaro Highway from the proposed new Quarry. The trucks will have to cross the very busy Monaro Highway which is 100Km zoned speed to get onto the highway. This will cause major disruption to traffic using the Highway. Not to mention the higher risk of major accidents causing serious injury or possible death with these heavy laden trucks entering the Highway in a 100Km zoned speed limit zoned area.
The Monaro Highway from Old Cooma Road to Johnson Drive Roundabout in the ACT is already substandard in a number of areas with issues to the road surface. These excessive amount of heavy laden trucks will bring this road into disrepair even more. The roundabout at Johnson Drive will need major upgrades as well because the traffic flow will not cope with the extra amount of trucks preventing flow of traffic.

Enchanted Hill in Royalla stands,
Covered in Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands.
This type of land we should preserve,
This hill beside Melrose Nature Reserve.

On Enchanted Hill the view you see,
Is The Australian Capital Territory.
Richardson, Calwell and Theodore,
Chisholm, Tralee and Gilmore.

Where Gang-gang fly and Wedge-tail soar,
Then return to nest as they did before.
On Enchanted Hill their nests so fine,
But a business wants to build a mine.

This hill where Traditional Owners walked,
Sharing their heritage through song and talk.
Scaring and ringing trees to show the way,
And leaving signs that can be seen today.

They lived in harmony with the land,
Leaving their footprints in the sand.
They drank from the creeks that still flow,
To Tuggeranong Valley down below.

Next the settlers came along the trail,
Building homes and soon the rail.
Royalla grew with rural blocks,
Children, horses, cherries and livestock.

Enchanted Hill supporting native bird and man,
And now some business has hatched a plan.
To fell the trees and scrape back the soil,
To dig the rock: The environment to spoil.

The hill to now make concrete and asphalt stink,
But what will become of the legless skink?
Blasting, grinding, the dust blows by,
To settle on gardens and homes nearby.

These rocks they carry silica dust,
But to build our roads they claim a must.
But what of the other quarries four,
They say not enough we need much more!

To me it’s greed at the cost of many,
Our insurance even now it’s a pretty penny.
The risk of bushfire and accident when blasting,
While children and horse owners are out riding.

I heard each day when a mine powers up,
Home electrical equipment becomes corrupt.
The brownouts and the power cuts,
The noise, the dust, the moving trucks.

Over two lanes on the Monaro trucks to go,
The traffic north and south will have to slow.
When trucks cross the rail line then turn right,
How will we see them in fog or at night?

Our Tin Man stands his green eyes cry,
On the Monaro log and quarry to trucks go by.
Slowing Tuggeranong’s city bound route,
Five hundred trucks to join the daily commute.

Johnson Drive and that slip lane,
Where drivers and truck attempt to share the same.
And at the top of the hill where trucks to turn left,
How many of us will soon be laid to rest?

Michalago, Bredbo and Cooma too,
This mine will impact all of you.
Googong if they don’t take the Monaro Highway,
Then the trucks will drive Old Cooma ‘byway’!

The report said we wouldn’t make a fuss,
As kids walk from gate to school bus.
Public Health of both lung and our heads,
Four years we waited for this report to be read.

You didn’t mention for our health the tree change,
Or the soldiers that don’t want to live on a range.
For the families that moved from quarry to hill,
We want peace, clean water, clean air and not to be ill.

The SEARS said 200 trucks to go cruising,
And yet your report said 500, 750 it’s very confusing.
The failure to engage with those in the valley,
It took us to rise and call them to rally.

They have this issue with pollution and air,
An inversion layer sits over those that live there.
They don’t need more dust or noise or pollution,
Your trucks or your cleverly worded ‘solutions’.

There were so many here that wanted to buy,
The blocks of land so close but a quarry nearby?
Your proposal stopped the growth of our community,
But on this issue, we have joined together in unity.

What of these offsets they are but a laugh,
Scared birds and animals as they scrape back the grass.
Those critters don’t move to another location or blocks,
This flora and fauna will no longer be stocked.

And where are global warming reports?
More bushfire and drought less water to port.
Or what of the cost of the carbon offsets,
Economic value we think there but regrets.

And what of the cost when motorists cry
A plume of smoke is in the sky!
Call up the local bush fire brigade to appear
Their employers bear the cost to volunteer!

You see you didn’t add up all the cost,
Our tank water and pumps and panels will be lost.
The figures we waited four years to see,
Have failed to assure us to agree.

The wind wasn’t measured here,
The traffic measured in a covid year!
Update the workings but our trust is eroded,
No licence for Enchanted Hill to be exploded.

Those that chose to live near here,
This mine will cost them very dear.
We will no longer see the stars at night,
Because of the mines bright shining lights.

Don’t let them clear, blast, dig or drill.
Stop the trucks, Save Enchanted Hill.
No Quarry, no industrial estate in Royalla,
Save Enchanted Hill - You have the power!