Hanson calls time-out in quarry battle

Opponents of the controversial super quarry showing their passion. 168672_05

By Rowan Forster

 The findings of an environmental audit into Bunyip North’s proposed super-quarry have been delayed for six months, infuriating the Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group.

Developer Hanson Materials made the announcement last week – failing to cite reasons for the delay.

It comes as yet another roadblock in the tumultuous quarry battle, which has been ongoing for more than a decade.

The conservation group’s president Bill Pearson lambasted the latest hold-up.

“This is a terrible blow to our residents,” he said.

“The community has already waited for 12 years since Hanson deceptively came into our area and purchased the first property for their quarry back in 2006, and now it seems this wait will go on to 2020.

“The residents have no certainty over their future, cannot make decisions about their homes and properties and are stuck waiting on Hanson.

“This is unfair, unethical and will not be well received by the community.”

The EES was ordered by Planning Minister Richard Wynne in November 2015 and will now not be finalised until June, 2020.

The announcement came from Hanson’s project manager Stephanie Salinas through a circulated update.

As part of the update, Hanson published a “receptor map” which shows properties around the proposed quarry site that would be directly impacted by the facility.

It has asked the community to provide feedback or corrections by July 13.

“Why have Hanson delayed their study but still impose an unreasonable time limit on residents to correct Hanson’s own mapping errors,” Katherine Lee, a resident of Garfield North, said.

“Perhaps they should use their own delay to visit all residents in the affected areas and complete their map themselves.”

The proposed location for the quarry rests less than 400 metres from Mount Cannibal and within 1.5 kilometres of 71 homes.

It would see up to 2 million tonnes of granite extracted yearly over a period of 100 years, with 550 truck movements to and from the site on a daily basis.

Hanson said it would use the extended deadline to conduct further research.

“Hanson will be utilising this time to update resource information, develop additional details on operating plant options and conceptual staging for quarry development,” the update read.

“Following confirmation of these project elements, the final phase of a number of technical studies will commence.

“To date, technical work has predominantly involved the collection of background information to understand the site and existing environment.”