THE HERNANI Quarry has been given the green light to expand operations, with some conditions, by the Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The successful Development Application (DA) means the extraction rate of quarry product will increase from 30,000m3 to 73,600m3 per annum and the quarry footprint enlarged from 2ha to 5.73ha in area. Maximum daily quarry truck movements will not change.
Chair of the Northern JRPP, Garry West, said the development will boost economic development for the region and believed the panel had mitigated community concerns, including the hotly debated truck traffic flow on Waterfall Way.
“We have worked closely with Clarence Valley Council, the community and the proponent to make a decision that balances the economic needs of the region and the impact on the local environment,” Mr West said.
“Community submissions were made concerning Saturday traffic along Waterfall Way through Bellingen which led to a decision to impose a condition not to permit the haulage of quarry product east-bound on Waterfall Way east of Maynards Plains Rd on Saturdays.
“The panel’s decision includes a number of conditions that the proponent must meet including how they will rehabilitate vegetation, protect local fauna and monitor water and dust levels,” Mr West said.
Quarry owner Graham Sheridan said he was relieved the DA had been approved and assured the Bellingen Shire community that the increased operation would not exacerbate truck numbers on Waterfall Way.
“While I am glad the process is over, I never had any doubts – it was always going to happen,” Graham said.
“What I would like to tell the people in Bellingen is that they will not see an increase of truck movements from my quarry go through the town. About 85 per cent of my product goes to the west, to Armidale and Tamworth. There’s very little that goes to the east of the quarry.
“This was something always known and I tried to get this message out, but there have been a few people who took my DA application and blew it out of all proportions. It really was a case of hysteria.”
Graham was particularly scathing of the Bellingen Shire Council who he says, “made allegations which were just not true”.
In approving the development, the JRPP noted extractive industries are permitted in the zone as outlined in the Clarence council’s Local Environment Plan.
The proposed development was considered to have a minimal impact on surrounding, existing and future agricultural land uses. Further conditions stipulated include a plan of management to include full rehabilitation details, water quality monitoring, and vibration and air blast mitigation along with other measures to address impacts.
In addition, the area is not to exceed 5.73ha and the maximum extraction rate of 73,600 cubic metres of material per year is also to be adhered to.
The Courier-Sun understands Sheridan’s Hard Rock Quarry plans to meet all DA conditions within the month.