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A PLANNING panel has rejected one quarry proposal and thrown another local project back in Council’s court.
The Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (SRPP), chaired by former state environment minister Pam Allen, met in Goulburn on Wednesday.
The four-member body unanimously refused Argyle (NSW) Pty Ltd’s application for a basalt quarry at Tiyces Lane.
The company, directed by Peter Miller, wanted to extract 30,000 cubic metres annually from the quarry, 5km east of Goulburn. Council planners had recommended deferred commencement.
On Wednesday they told the panel there were no impacts that couldn’t be overcome through conditions. The SRPP disagreed.
Members had also considered 17 public submissions, many objecting on the basis of noise, dust, traffic, road safety, amenity impacts and permissibility.
The panel refused the DA on the grounds there was “inadequate” survey information of the resource.
This meant they could not determine whether blasting was needed and therefore, whether the associated noise would breach EPA noise limits.
Mr Miller had argued the basalt was highly fractured and blasting was not necessary.
The other grounds for refusal were:
* Lack of information to assess the visual impact of extraction and associated structures on adjoining properties;
* Members were not satisfied Mr Miller could secure owner’s consent to buy land needed for Tiyces Lane road widening;
* Sight distance from the quarry access onto Tiyces Lane did not meet minimum standards to adequately address environmental and road safety impacts; and
* Although the RMS had required a code of conduct to restrict trucks to a left turn only onto the Hume Highway, there was a risk to safety at the intersection through potential right turns.
The refusal came despite submissions from Mr Miller’s consultant Robert Mowle of Laterals Planning. He said it was “unjust and unreasonable” to require acquisition of land for the road widening.
“He can’t force anyone to sell him land. If they say no, nothing will happen,” Mr Mowle said. “The neighbour has told Mr Miller that the land has a high value, when it isn’t.”
Mr Miller also maintained the basalt testing was comprehensive. After the meeting he was heard to describe the decision as “short sighted.”
He told the Post he was disappointed. “But we will persevere to secure an approval through whatever channel we are advised,” he said.
“...We are committed to providing Goulburn with a resource we believe is significant and of value.” The council had rejected the same DA in 2011, following residents’ concerns.
Meantime, the panel took swift time deciding the Eastern Sand and Gravel Company’s proposal to expand its limestone mine at South Marulan.
Member Allen Grimwood said it was not the panel’s role to consider the application as it was not defined as an extractive industry under the relevant legislation. Instead, it was a limestone processing facility.
The DA was immediately tossed back to Council to assess. Council planners referred it to the panel earlier this year.
Councillors endorsed a submission at their April meeting after planning staff advised it was an extractive industry for assessment by the SRPP.
“Based on the application, it is unclear whether the development is permissable under Council’s LEP,” they reported at the time.
“Note that Council approved a previous application for a limestone processing plant.”
Mrs Allen said as all the assessment had been done, Council could now consider the application.
When contacted on Friday, general manager Warwick Bennett was still seeking clarification on why the DA had been referred to the panel in the first place.
