Resident in close proximity to planned project subject to dangerous levels of Silica.

The Environmental Impact

Key concerns include:
- Increased truck traffic
- Dust impacts, including silica dust
- Ongoing noise from operations
- Impacts on local flora

My granddaughters attend school in Tuggeranong area within close proximity to the proposed Monaro quarry and both suffer asthma and one has severe asthma attacks, the silica dust from the quarry will affect their health now and in the future.

The Hon Paul Scully MP
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
NSW Government
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Dear Sir,
I ask that the proposal for the Monaro Rock quarry, including industrial site to mine and process rock, and manufacture concrete, hot asphalt and recycle concrete, be rejected outright at this time, thus avoiding further time and expense to the applicant.
There are enough quarries already
I question the need for and object to another quarry in this area, given there is an existing quarry in the Royalla area with associated issues already in operation. This quarry already impacts residents in the area with dust issues (wind knows no boundaries), noise and electricity brownouts. The existing quarry at the other end of the valley has sufficient supplies to extend for many decades. Is another one put into operation for private personal gain worth the risk to people living, eating, and enjoying life in the surrounding area?
Dangers to myself and our community
I question the need for and object to this quarry in this area, given it is within a few kilometres of multiple residences, including my residence purchased more than 20 years ago when there was no flagging of a quarry to be commenced in this location. Having a blasting hard rock quarry and associated concrete and asphalt industrial site so close to several rural-residential estates is irresponsible and negligent.
I continue my letter in the attached pdf document, as my submission is more than the 10000 character limit of this submission box. Please consider the attached pdf as my submission.

I am concerned about the impact of this proposal on myself and my family. We live just over the hill from this development, in the closest Canberra Suburb. My son aged 11 has already been through cancer with long term throat complications and asthma like symptoms that are made worse on days of poor air quality. The report suggests that air quality may be impacted, impacting on people’s health. I see this as a direct health risk to my family.

We regularly enjoy the bush capital nature reserves in between Conder and this area for bush walking, which we will now need to reconsider. This is impacting on our ability to utilise, enjoy and feel safe in our local area.

There are several schools in our local area where children play outside for several hours a day. On high wind days monitoring of exposure by parents during the day will not be possible. We’re putting our children at risk associated with the poor air quality that will occur. This is made worse by the vicinity to local sporting grounds as well.

The particular area of the Monaro highway where the quarry will be accessed from is already a dangerous road, with excessive traffic in the snow season, daily native animal deaths and road users handling (poorly) increasing and decreasing speed limits in that area. The additional 150 trucks per day will increase risks of further crashes or animal injury.

With the growing ACT footprint, there would be opportunities for further development in this area such as the new residential areas that will now be subject to this noise, pollution and risk. Please utilise the land for something that will not jeopardise our health.

I write in support of the development application lodged for the Monaro Rock Project. This proposal presents significant social, economic, and environmental benefits for the Queanbeyan-Palerang and ACT regions and demonstrates a balanced approach to meeting both community and industry needs.

Strategic Resource Access

The project will secure long-term access to a strategically located hard rock resource. With strong demand for aggregates and road construction materials in both Queanbeyan-Palerang and the ACT, this project provides an essential supply chain to support sustainable growth, infrastructure renewal, and future development across the region.

Efficient Resource Recovery

By maximising efficient resource recovery within the defined Extraction Area, Monaro Rock ensures responsible use of finite natural resources. This approach reduces waste and promotes sustainable practices, aligning with industry best standards and government objectives for resource management.

Environmental Responsibility

The development has been designed to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, with clear commitments to meet all regulatory criteria and uphold community expectations. Strict environmental safeguards and monitoring will minimise impacts on air, water, biodiversity, and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that the natural character of the area is preserved.

Consideration of Community and Land Use

The operation acknowledges the diversity of existing land uses and the importance of community amenity. Careful planning around noise, traffic, and visual management demonstrates that the project will be considerate of nearby residents and compatible with broader land use planning objectives.

Health and Safety

Monaro Rock has committed to ensuring that the health and wellbeing of its workforce and the surrounding community are not adversely affected. Safety protocols, dust and noise management, and strict compliance with workplace health and safety legislation will remain central to operations.

Economic Benefits and Employment

The project will stimulate the local economy through the creation of direct employment opportunities, as well as indirect supply opportunities for local contractors, service providers, and small businesses. This economic activity will provide long-term benefits to the region, contributing to community resilience and prosperity.

Operational Efficiency

By operating in a cost-efficient manner, Monaro Rock can provide competitively priced, high-quality construction materials that are critical to supporting infrastructure projects. This efficiency will deliver long-term value to both government and private sector partners reliant on stable, sustainable material supply.

Conclusion

The Monaro Rock Project represents a well-considered, responsible, and beneficial development for the Queanbeyan-Palerang and ACT regions. It delivers on the dual objectives of securing essential construction resources while protecting the environment, supporting community amenity, and contributing to regional economic development.

For these reasons, I strongly support approval of this development application.

The Hon Paul Scully MP
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces
NSW Government
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Dear Sir
I wish to put my objection to allowing the quarry and concrete plant, tar manufacturing and concrete recycling plant to not go ahead in any shape, fashion or form.
There is absolutely no need for a fourth quarry to be put in a rural estate, where the rural estate will be devastated and it will affect the lifestyle that people in this area have enjoyed for more than 30 years.
The quarry would mainly service the Canberra region and will have little or no value to residents of Royalla, Little Burra and Mount Campbell. There are already three quarries within 30 kms of Canberra servicing all the needs to the larger area than Canberra alone.
The amount of additional traffic that the quarry, concrete plant and tar supplies will produce makes this the biggest commercial industrial area for miles. With the amount of wildlife in the area, means with any more traffic flow this will create more vehicle accidents from animals being driven onto the already busy Old Cooma Road. We have also already had fatalities at the Monaro Highway and Old Cooma Road intersection without having this additional vehicle flow. With very slow heavy and large articulated vehicles entering either Old Cooma Road itself and the intersection with Monaro Highway we will end up with more collisions and quite possibly deaths.
The local residents have bought properties in these areas, some more than 20 years ago. For my young family it was to enjoy the rural life and the open air, which will be effected. Now we have grandchildren that spend time at our place and how do I know whether dust in the air blown to my property will affect our drinking water, cover our solar panels and effect our health.
Noise pollution to our area will also affect our lifestyle with blasting and heavy diesel vehicles, ie trucks, on the road and the machinery used to extract the hard rock. I am also concerned about the amount of extra water needed to recycle concrete waste and given the fact also that tar production will also affect our air quality. The extra load to the existing electricity required to drive conveyor belts and all the buildings on the site will also impact residents.
There has been no notification at all to the residents or authorities as yet if the proposal was to go ahead what intervals would environmental impacts be checked by Government authorities that regulate these activities.
There are many unanswered questions and the number one is that the Canberra area does not need another quarry/industrial estate, especially in a New South Wales rural residential location affecting so many locals for one person’s personal gain.
Therefore I wish this senseless project to not proceed and no authority to allow it. The cost is too large to thousands of residents who enjoy a rural lifestyle and this should be respected at all costs.

Please do not allow this project to proceed. The proposed quarry is unacceptably close to nearby residences in the township of Royalla and poses a serious health risk to members of the community, both in Royalla and across the border in the ACT's southern suburbs. This project will have a terrible impact on the community, which has already been impacted by other quarries nearby. The silica dust which will be generated by the quarry will pose a risk to the health of residents near the quarry.

I think it will create more jobs locally. And provide construction materials for the ongoing expansion of the ACT and surrounds.

I am writing in support of the proposed quarry development at Monaro Rock Project. The project represents an important opportunity to provide essential construction materials for the region while supporting local employment and economic growth.