By Bonny Burrows
Residents against the proposed Bunyip North granite quarry will voice their concerns with Cardinia Shire Council.
The Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group will represent residents of Bunyip, Bunyip North, Garfield, Garfield North, Tonimbuk and surrounding areas at an upcoming Cardinia Shire Council meeting, to be held at the council offices on Monday 12 February from 4pm.
President of the preservation group and former Cardinia Shire Mayor Bill Pearson welcomed the meeting as an opportunity to discuss the impacts of the proposed 34-hectare quarry, mooted for a Sanders Road site about 500 metres from local icon Mount Cannibal.
The quarry is expected to operate more than 500 truck movements per day to carry an estimated two million tonnes of granite from the site to Melbourne markets over a 100-plus year lifespan, and has been the subject of much public criticism due to its location and possible environmental impacts.
Mr Pearson said it was important resident concerns were heard.
“We are delighted that the council has provided us with the opportunity to address the councilors and executive of the shire and fully explain what the residents are so concerned about regarding this massive new quarry proposal in Bunyip North,” Mr Pearson said.
Group secretary David Bywater said the aim was to make the most of the 20 minutes provided.
He said while the council had voiced its opposition against the quarry about five years ago, council staff and councillors had changed and needed to be brought up to speed.
“The council has been great, attending our protest walk and other events, but now we’re asking them to officially reaffirm their support,” Mr Bywater said.
Mr Bywater said that the quarry proposal would “irrecoverably damage the area, its ecology and bio-diversity, and will make a beautiful area unsuitable to live in and enjoy.”
Not against the need for a quarry, the local farmer said the site was simply the wrong choice.
“The increasing population in Victoria and the steady movement of people away from Melbourne will see significant growth of residential housing throughout the Cardinia Shire and this is hopelessly incompatible with the operation of a nearby super quarry,” Mr Bywater said.
The Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group has invited all residents to attend the meeting to show their opposition to the quarry proposal.
