Trying to ensure that truck numbers on the Waterfall Way are kept to an acceptable level has been one of the Bellingen community’s longest-running battles and it is not over yet.
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After deferring a decision in order to collect more information back in July 2016, the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) will now meet in Dorrigo next Wednesday, July 25, to further consider Sheridans Hard Rock Quarry’s application to increase daily truck movements from 20 vehicles (40 return trips) to 66 vehicles (132 return trips) during periods of peak demand.
Friends of Waterfall Way (FOWW) say if this application is approved, it could mean one truck and dog every five minutes during daylight hours on peak days travelling through Dorrigo, Bellingen and Fernmount.
FOWW spokeswoman, Pauline Kidson, said of greatest concern was that the company had already been penalised for previous non-compliance to some development application (DA) conditions and the latest modification wants self-monitoring.
“This is deeply troubling with such a large increase in the number of truck movements,” Ms Kidson said.
“Plus there is the question of amenity – imagine that many trucks going through town over the weekend of the festival.
This change would not only affect the lives of residents, but also the economic viability of tourism in this area.
- FOWW spokeswoman Pauline Kidson
The Hernani quarry sits within the Clarence Valley Shire and is therefore outside the planning jurisdiction of Bellingen Shire Council.
Bellingen Council did however make a submission to the original Modification Application in July 2016.
General Manager, Liz Jeremy, said the assessment report for the current modification on the JRPP website acknowledged that council’s submission was considered in the report (page 10).
“Council is in the process of registering to speak at the July 25 meeting to reiterate the content of its submission as well as addressing issues such as proposed consent conditions, linkage to the Pacific Highway upgrade, annual extraction limits and issues raised by the Friends of Waterfall Way relative to key events,” Mrs Jeremy said.
FOWW member, Griffith University academic and governance expert, Tim Cadman, said that allowing the quarry expansion and increase of road traffic is a sham process.
“Having been knocked back already, the JRPP is simply paying lip-service to public participation, as there has been no real consultation,” Dr Cadman said.
“The increased traffic movements, and related pollution have simply been rubber-stamped.
“Council has requested information on the related environmental impacts, but this will be after the fact. The traffic will already have been increased, as will the pollution in Hyde street, and the danger to pedestrians and other road users.
“Council has been remarkably weak on this issue, and rather than pushing for public health and wellbeing, it has opted for street upgrades and beautification projects instead.”
Back in 2016 quarry owner, Graeme Sheridan, said the modification was about meeting demand. He said he wanted to “reassure Bellingen residents this requested change would not impact the town”.
FOWW is making a submission to the meeting and invites concerned members of the community to attend.