COUNCIL planners are delving deeper into a controversial plan to develop a basalt quarry at Towrang.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It follows a planning forum last Thursday in which residents questioned whether the state government should assess the application, the development’s value, the company’s financial ability to deliver and key aspects of the proposal.
Figtree Reserve Trust wants to build a quarry at Curlewin Lane, 4km along Tiyces Lane from the Hume Highway north of Goulburn. Owners would extract 181,900 cubic metres from the basalt pit and 30,000 cubic metres (about 60,000 tonnes) of gravel over its estimated seven-year life, principally for the regional market. But residents have rallied against the plan.
Individuals and the 30-member Marianvale Action Group have challenged the application’s legality. They called on councillors and planners last Thursday to refer the DA to the state government, saying it was a designated development which covered more than two hectares.
Planning director Chris Stewart told the Post he was seeking legal advice on some points, in preparation for a report to next Tuesday’s Council meeting. These include whether it should be treated as a designated development and whether correct fees have been paid.
Solicitors will also advise on whether the company was legally able to lodge the application, given that associated companies were either in receivership or liquidation. Tiyces Lane resident Rod Lang told the forum he’d been over the DA with a ruler. Taking into account the quarry, ponds, drains, access tracks, car parking and paved areas, the surface area was 2.32ha, he said.
“These are just some of the omissions,” Mr Lang said.
“There are more…Hence this is a designated development and should be referred to the correct authority.”
Mr Stewart said solicitors would advise on whether the 2ha covered the quarry’s footprint or the ancillary aspects as well. The company’s planning consultant Keith Allen maintained Council was the correct assessment authority and planners hadn’t said anything to the contrary.
He also defended the stated $157,000 estimated value of the development, despite councillors’ and residents’ doubts.
For the full story, please see the print edition of Wednesday's Goulburn Post.
