By Mitchell Clarke
Drilling works on the controversial Bunyip North Quarry project were briefly hampered after a support truck was allegedly stolen from the worksite.
As previously reported by the Gazette, Hanson Construction Materials began a drilling program on 19 October, which was deemed necessary to meet updated Earth Resource Regulation (ERR) guidelines.
The program, conducted by Apex Drilling, involved four holes being drilled – two in the proposed southern and south-eastern pit and two in the north-western pit – using a track or truck mounted drilling rig.
But according to Hanson, the drillers’ support truck was allegedly stolen from the worksite.
With assistance from local police, the Apex Drilling truck was located and returned onsite, but equipment loss and damage is still being assessed.
When pressed for more information, a spokesperson for Hanson said they had “nothing further to add”.
As a result of the alleged incident, the drilling program has been extended and is expected to be completed by 13 November.
The quarry’s Environment Effects Statement (EES), which was paused in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has since resumed.
Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group (MCADPG) secretary David Bywater has sought clarification from Hanson about important dates related to the EES.”We knew the EES would have to resume eventually if they were still intent on going ahead with this disastrous project,” he said.
“We’d like them to cease, but if they don’t want to cease then they need to let us know what their actual project process is and give us some more information around dates. We don’t get to see the report until they exhibit it, and we all know it’s a very, very short time to review it.
“If they continue to hide information from the community, the community will just dig in even more.”
An investigation into the alleged theft remains underway.
