A public meeting to debate the proposed establishment of a quarry near Bundabah – and directly across the water from North Arm Cove – has been unanimously rejected by residents.
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More than 150 residents from North Arm Cove, Bundabah, Pindimar and surrounding areas attended the public meeting on Saturday, June 17
The quarry proposal – DA 269/2017 – has been lodged with MidCoast Council by Tattersall and Lander on behalf of owner, Phillip Lee.
It envisages the quarrying of 250,000 cu m of rock a year for an indefinite time.
A motion by resident Janine Reid passed by the meeting was seconded by former councillor and deputy mayor and Karauh Aboriginal Land Council chairman Len Roberts and stateed: “That this meeting calls upon council to reject Development Application 269/2017 due to the damage it would do to both the surrounding natural environment and the quality of life in nearby villages.”
As proposed the quarry, if approved, would be able to operate on a daily basis, at any time, generating high impact noise, vibration and dust, and so have a seriously adverse effect on the surrounding villages.
Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington addressed the meeting, lending her weight to the opposition to the proposal.
Other speakers pointed out there were many discrepancies and omissions within the DA documents while geologist, and a mining manager provided a detailed explanation of the site and the technical reasons why the proposed quarry should not be approved.
The DA proposed quarry management be by self-assessment, which may mean it could be enlarged without further consultation.
The DA also indicated the stone would be utilised for farm use but failed to specify if the stone also would be used on Mr Lee’s now numerous farm holdings in the area.
It claimed no noise or dust would be created.
Representing the owner, Brett Peterkin, who also attended the meeting had been appointed three days earlier to assist the conciliation process being undertaken in the Land and Environment Court aimed at rectifying previous environmental damage to the site.
He said the court had adjourned any further hearings until September 29 to enable time for rehabilitation of previous environmental damage to begin and to work out ways to prevent further ongoing damage.