By Mitchell Clarke
A proposed quarry site in Bunyip North, which is larger than Melbourne’s CBD, has drawn criticism over the years but as of late that criticism has turned to anger at the lack of community consultation regarding the status of the project.
Minister for Planning Richard Wynne ordered Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd to complete an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) in 2015 after recognising the serious implications a proposal like this would have, but that EES didn’t begin until late 2016.
Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group Inc (MCADPG) Secretary David Bywater has repeatedly asked Hanson why they have chosen this particular site for the quarry, but that question was deemed “not relevant to the EES and therefore didn’t need to be addressed or answered”.
“The EES process that is underway is intended to identify impacts on the environment and part of its scoping is to select a quarry site that is compatible with current land uses, has a suitable footprint that does not affect sensitive receptors nearby and does the least amount of environmental damage,” Mr Bywater said.
“However, when asked the simple questions of the proponent, we received an unacceptable response from their newly-appointed project development manager.
“I am afraid this kind of response is neither valid, nor professional, and flies in the face of the undertakings made in Hanson’s own community consultation plan, where engagement with the community and transparency in all dealings is emphasised.”
Mr Bywater is supported by residents across Bunyip North, Garfield North, Tonimbuk and surrounding townships who want to know why Hanson chose this area when they could choose from land between Harkaway and Moe, according to a study into the Areas of Interest for Extractive Industries as undertaken by the Victorian Government in the 90s.
“It seems now that we will have to resort to political pressure because common sense and reasonable community consideration by the proponent has failed us,” Mr Bywater said.
“We are really confident that, following an honest and comprehensive EES process, the Minister will recognise the environmental values of this site and deem this huge quarrying proposal inappropriate.”
Minister Richard Wynne’s office was contacted for comment but didn’t respond in time for deadline.
The area occupies a vital wildlife corridor between Mount Cannibal and the Bunyip State Park, both suffered significant destruction following the March bushfires.
In a project update, Hanson said they recognise the magnitude of the impacts of the recent Bunyip State Park fires on the community.
“In light of this, Hanson proposes to take a conservative approach to how we define the existing conditions of each study by considering the ‘worst case’ existing conditions, for both pre and post fire conditions with advice from the Technical Reference Group (TRG),” the update said.
“Hanson is aware that provision of this level of information prior to exhibition of the EES is above and beyond our obligations for community engagement under the EES process and hope that it will be seen as a show of good faith.”
But it’s the minimum level of engagement according to Mr Bywater, who says a show of good faith would be to acknowledge the site is “unfit for a quarry”.
“With our already seriously damaged wildlife corridors, the introduction of a quarry will prevent post-fire recovery of these areas and permanently leave the native wildlife isolated from their natural habitat,” he said.
“Hanson want to come in and denigrate our area for over 100 years, and it’s totally inadequate for them to be saying they’re doing more than necessary.
“They’re mineral thieves and they’re destroying our environment and denying the future enjoyment of the natural beauty of this place from our children. They chose this site for a reason and rejected other sites, so we want to know why?
“Everyone is in commerce to make money, I have no problem with that, but in order to avoid this environmental vandalism the proponent must find a better location.”
The Gazette contacted Hanson’s Project Manager Nathan Cherry who had nothing further to comment.
The proposed site of the granite quarry is on Sanders Road, Bunyip North, and three km north of the Princes Freeway.
Hanson acquired the grazing site in 2006 and announced in 2008 they were planning to use the site for a quarry. They made further acquisitions in the area including the Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre and now have 800 acres for their quarrying operations.
They propose to extract an estimated 70 to 100 million tonnes of granite from the site over a period of about 80 to 120 years.
The project is in the preliminary stages where no approval has been granted and operations are yet to commence.
