“In regards to the article about the Hernani Quarry expansion I wish to inform readers of a few facts,” Mr Sheridan said.

“The quarry currently has an extraction limit of 80,000 tons per annum and the maximum daily truck movements of 20 laden trucks per day for six days per week.

“The new application would see the extraction limit go to 198,000 tons per annum, but still retain the maximum of 20 laden trucks per day.”

In other words, the Hernani Quarry DA intends to match the already approved truck movements with the correct volume of extraction tonnage.

The DA, while initially lodged with the Clarence Valley Council (CVC), is now to be decided by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP), a state government independent, merit-based group that accesses regionally significant development.

This means that even though the Hernani Quarry is not within the Bellingen Shire boundary, the JRPP takes note of the BSC recommendations. And this is the reason why Mr Sheridan is concerned by the internal figures and advice offered by the BSC to the JRPP.

A statement released by the BSC did not refer to Mr Sheridan’s specific concerns, however, highlighted the general unease at the possibility of extra truck movements along Waterfall Way.

“The application has been referred to BSC for comment and council staff have provided a response raising a number of issues relative to the use of Waterfall Way. This has included a request that the matter be referred to NSW Roads and Maritime Services (NSW RMS) as the relevant road authority.

 “In the meantime, council continues to proactively liaise with NSW RMS around a range of matters concerning Waterfall Way including the Road Safety Review being undertaken by the NSW RMS as well as works currently underway.

 “Councillors continue to take an active interest and role in the matter and will shortly be undertaking an inspection tour of the entire length of Waterfall Way in order to inform future discussions with both the community and the NSW RMS.”

Another group closely watching the Hernani DA application is the People with an Interest in Road Safety for the Waterfall Way.

The Road Safety group believes that the expansion means increasing “their current quarrying activities by 2.47 times” and although “we still await official confirmation from CVC regarding the total number of extra heavy vehicles that will result from an approval of Sheridan’s Quarry’s DA, the total number of trucks from Hernani must be added to 200 laden and 200 unladen approved in November 2013 by Bellingen Shire Council from EMS Dorrigo and stand to be corrected but put the figure of extra  heavy vehicles travelling down the mountain to a total of 1100 trucks with dogs.”

The Hernani DA is on public exhibition until 4.00pm on Monday, May 12. Any interested party may make a submission on the matter, which should be directed to CVC. The application will be determined by the JRPP and any person who has made a submission can make a presentation to the JRPP to express their views on the DA. Comments made at the public meeting are considered by the JRPP when making a decision on the DA. 

The People with an Interest in Road Safety for the Waterfall Way have organised a meeting on the April 30 at the Uniting Church at 6pm to discuss the Hernani DA.

The RMS is preparing a submission in response to Hernani Quarry’s development application. It will include advice about road safety, efficiency of the road network, traffic management, and integration of land use and transport and will be submitted next month.