My home is approximately 3 kilometres from the site of the proposed quarry, as the crow flies. I have lived here for over twenty years. I live here with my wife, one son and two grandchildren. My other children and grandchildren visit frequently. I share the concerns of my neighbours that the proposed quarry and other associated industrial processes will impact our health and quality of life. I have read about cancer clusters around comparable quarries in Australia.

My most pressing concern is the potential effect on our health and that of our community. I have read about the effects of respirable crystalline silica and, in particular, how long particles may remain airborne. I have also read the risk assessment and the proposed mitigation strategies for the Royalla Quarry. In my view, the proposal underestimates the risk and the mitigation strategies, even if closely adhered to (which they almost never are), will not assist homes in Royalla and surrounds. The proposal has modelled meteorological conditions in Isabella Plains in the ACT. In my 20 years experience in Royalla, and a further 20 years in Tuggeranong before that, Royalla is much windier and i would expect RCS to be carried much further than the proposal suggests. The proposal's claims require close scrutiny for that reason alone. Royalla (and similar communities nearby) are peculiarly vulnerable to RCS because we all rely on tank water. There are no measures (and no viable measures are suggested in the proposal) that would protect our water supply from RCS blowing onto our roofs, and into our dams, springs and ground water. Based on my reading, the quarry will put the community's health at significant risk.

I am also concerned about noise and odours and use of groundwater associated with the three distinct heavy industrial processes proposed for the site.

I am also concerned about the effect of additional heavy vehicle traffic on the Monaro Highway and associated roads. I note that the traffic modelling for the proposal appears to have been based on 2021 data, at a time when traffic was especially light due to COVID travel restrictions.

The risks to our community are out of all proportion to the stated economic benefits to NSW, which as described in the proposal are modest, at best.

To allow this process would be an intolerable breach of faith by the NSW government to people who live in this community.

We strongly object to this project proceeding.
The project will adversely impact the region for the next 30-50 years. The project adversely impacts road safety, biodiversity, environmental water quality and important downstream areas, business costs, resident health and quality of life for not only us but also across the region. Compounded by existing quarries around the region and the increased pollution produced, the impacts are unacceptable.

To Whom It May Concern,

I wish to lodge my formal objection to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Royalla. While I acknowledge the need for construction materials, the long-term environmental, social, and health risks of this project far outweigh any short-term economic gains.

1. Traffic and Road Safety
The quarry will significantly increase heavy vehicle movements on local roads that are not designed for sustained quarry traffic. This will:
• Create safety risks for residents, school buses, cyclists, and general traffic.
• Accelerate road damage, placing an additional maintenance burden on taxpayers.
• Increase greenhouse gas emissions and diesel-related air pollution.

Royalla and surrounding areas already face congestion and road stress. The introduction of potentially hundreds of quarry trucks daily will compound safety risks and erode community amenity.

2. Dust and Air Quality (Including Silica Dust)
Quarrying produces fine dust particles, including crystalline silica, a known carcinogen. Long-term exposure increases the risk of silicosis, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer. Even with mitigation, dust cannot be completely contained.

Prevailing winds will carry dust across homes, small farms, and natural habitats. This presents an unacceptable health hazard, especially for children, older residents, and people with respiratory conditions.

3. Noise Pollution
Blasting, crushing, loading, and truck movements will generate persistent industrial noise over decades. Unlike temporary construction works, this would be a long-term intrusion. Noise pollution is known to disturb sleep, elevate stress, and negatively affect cardiovascular and mental health. It will irreversibly disrupt Royalla’s quiet rural character.

4. Environmental and Biodiversity Impacts
The project footprint will clear and fragment native habitat, threatening biodiversity and displacing wildlife. Disturbances from blasting, vehicles, and light pollution will further degrade the local environment. Once lost, these habitats cannot be fully restored.

5. Irreversible Land Degradation
Quarrying permanently alters landscapes. Even with rehabilitation, former quarry sites rarely regain their ecological or social value. Residents have chosen Royalla for its rural amenity; this project would impose an industrial operation that fundamentally changes the area’s character.

Conclusion
The proposed Monaro Rock Quarry poses unacceptable risks to public health, road safety, community wellbeing, and the natural environment. The cumulative and permanent impacts are not justified by the claimed benefits.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Department of Planning to refuse approval of this proposal.

I write to formally object to the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry at Royalla on the basis of significant and unacceptable environmental, social, and health impacts. While I recognise the need for construction materials, this project poses long-term risks that outweigh any short-term economic benefit.

1. Increased Truck Traffic

The quarry will substantially increase heavy vehicle movements along local roads that are not designed for sustained high-volume quarry traffic. This will:
• Create road safety risks for residents, school buses, cyclists, and general traffic.
• Accelerate road surface damage and require ongoing taxpayer-funded maintenance.
• Increase greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from diesel exhaust.

The Royalla and surrounding region already experiences congestion and rural road stress. Adding quarry trucks—potentially hundreds per day—will only amplify the risk of accidents and reduce community safety.

2. Dust Impacts (Including Silica Dust)

Quarrying generates fine particulate matter, including crystalline silica dust, which is a known carcinogen. Even at low concentrations, long-term exposure poses serious health risks including silicosis, chronic lung disease, and cancer. Residents in the immediate and downwind areas will be subjected to continuous dust fallout, which no mitigation system can fully eliminate.

The region’s winds will carry dust over residential areas, small farms, and natural habitats. This represents an unacceptable health hazard, particularly for children, elderly residents, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

3. Noise Impacts

The ongoing operation of blasting, crushing, loading, and truck movements will generate a persistent noise burden for local communities. Unlike temporary construction works, this project would impose industrial-level noise over decades.

Noise pollution degrades quality of life, disrupts sleep, and has documented links to increased stress, cardiovascular issues, and mental health impacts. The tranquil rural character of Royalla will be irreversibly altered.

4. Impacts on Flora and Fauna

The project footprint will clear and disturb habitat used by native species, some of which may be threatened or vulnerable. Quarrying fragments ecosystems, reduces biodiversity, and contributes to cumulative environmental degradation in the region.

The disturbance from blasting, vehicle activity, and light pollution will displace local wildlife. Once habitats are destroyed, they cannot be easily restored.

5. Long-Term, Irreversible Change

Unlike other developments, quarry operations scar the land permanently. Even after rehabilitation, the altered landscape rarely supports the same ecological or social values. Residents have chosen Royalla for its rural amenity, and this project threatens to replace that with industrial-scale extraction and disruption.

Conclusion

The Monaro Rock Quarry represents a significant and avoidable risk to public health, community amenity, road safety, and the natural environment. The proposal fails to demonstrate that the benefits justify the cumulative and long-lasting impacts on local residents and ecosystems.

For these reasons, I strongly object to the project and urge the Department of Planning to refuse approval.

Please see my attached submission for the proposed Monaro Rock Quarry.

I object to the project as I am very concerned about the impact to our community regarding the negative health aspects of the dust produced by the quarry. I also have three young adult drivers in my family and am concerned about the safety impact of the 500 extra heavy vehicles on our local roads daily. This project absolutely should not be approved in our local area.

To whom it may concern,
I object to the Monaro rock quarry being done due to my point that follow,
Quarry operations generate fine particulate dust (silica dust) that can travel long distances through wind. Inhalation of this dust is known to cause respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and long-term lung damage. There are serious concerns about the health and safety of those living downwind of the site, especially vulnerable populations. Adequate mitigation measures are often unreliable and difficult to enforce over time, particularly in remote or rural areas.
And secondly,
The operation of a quarry will inevitably produce excessive and continuous noise from blasting, crushing, truck movements, and heavy machinery. This level of industrial noise is incompatible with the rural character of the Monaro region and poses a significant disruption to the quiet lifestyle currently enjoyed by residents. Prolonged exposure to such noise levels can also have long-term psychological and physiological effects, particularly on children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions.
As these are only two of many of my concerns as a resident with health conditions I hope that it does not take place.
Thank you.

I write to formally oppose the proposed Monaro Rock quarry development at Royalla. While the supply of construction materials is important for regional growth, the location, scale, and impacts of this project pose unacceptable risks to community safety, health, and infrastructure.

1. Road Safety and Capacity
The proposed quarry would significantly increase the number of heavy vehicle movements along Old Cooma Road. Current estimates indicate that quarry operations could generate hundreds of additional truck trips per day. Old Cooma Road is not designed to handle this volume of heavy traffic.

The road is narrow, contains sharp bends, and has limited overtaking opportunities. Shoulders are often absent or inadequate, meaning there is little margin for error in the event of breakdowns or evasive manoeuvres. The interaction of quarry trucks with commuter, school, and agricultural traffic will create a dangerous mix of vehicle types with very different operating characteristics.

Old Cooma Road is already recognised by local residents as hazardous. Increased heavy vehicle traffic will exacerbate risks of collisions, particularly head-on and rear-end incidents on bends and at intersections. It will also reduce travel time reliability and compromise access for emergency services. No amount of signage or minor road upgrades can mitigate the fundamental design limitations of this road.

2. Public Health Impacts – Silica Dust
Quarrying operations are associated with the generation of respirable crystalline silica dust. Inhalation of silica dust is a well-documented occupational and public health hazard. Long-term exposure, even at low levels, can cause silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.

Prevailing winds in the Royalla area mean it is unrealistic to assume dust emissions will remain contained within the quarry boundary. Nearby residential areas, schools, and recreational spaces are at risk of exposure. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly susceptible to harm. Given recent national attention on the health impacts of silica exposure, permitting a quarry of this nature in close proximity to residential communities would be negligent.

3. Community Amenity and Environmental Impact
Royalla and its surrounds are valued for their semi-rural amenity. Residents have chosen this area for its quiet character, open space, and relatively low levels of industrial activity. The operation of a major quarry will introduce continuous noise, vibration, dust, and traffic, permanently altering the character of the community.

Heavy vehicle movements will contribute to noise pollution along Old Cooma Road and surrounding areas. This will impact not only residents but also local wildlife. The cumulative environmental burden, combined with safety and health risks, far outweighs any economic benefits claimed by the proponent.

4. Infrastructure Burden
The increased truck traffic will accelerate wear and tear on Old Cooma Road and adjoining routes. Local councils and taxpayers will bear the costs of premature maintenance and upgrades to infrastructure that was never designed for sustained heavy vehicle use. This constitutes an inequitable transfer of costs from a private operator to the public.

Conclusion
In summary, the proposed Monaro Rock quarry is fundamentally incompatible with the Royalla area and its existing infrastructure. The increased truck traffic on Old Cooma Road presents unacceptable road safety risks. The generation and dispersal of silica dust pose serious long-term health hazards to the community. The quarry will erode the semi-rural amenity and place an unsustainable burden on public infrastructure.

For these reasons, I strongly urge the relevant authorities to reject the proposal in the interests of public safety, community health, and environmental protection.