Quarry Consultative Committees
Ondit Quarry
Key matters discussed at the Ondit Quarry Consultative Committee meeting held onsite and via Teams video conference on 21 February 2023
- No issues arising from groundwater monitoring reports for the past 6 month period.
- Holcim awaiting final approval from Southern Rural Water for relocation of two groundwater monitoring bores to reflect the approved extension of the extraction area at the north-east corner.
- There were no exceedances of dust benchmarks identified in the last 6 months.
- There have been no identified exceedances of blasting thresholds over the reporting period. Holcim indicated there had been a misfire of a blast on 30 November 2022 which required a further blast the following day. Relevant agencies were notified and approval was granted from Council for the temporary road closure required for the second day. Holcim committed to changing procedures to ensure that nearby residents are notified of last minute temporary road closures in future.
- Holcim is continuing to work with Earth Resources on a draft Work Plan for the land proposed as an extension of the quarry to the north of Warrion Ondit Road. It is not expected that a planning permit application will be lodged until around August/September 2023. A traffic impact assessment is being undertaken to identify what form of upgrade to Rattray Road will be required if the application is approved.
- Council will initiate a review of the community representation of the Committee by calling for fresh nominations over the coming months. This was meant to occur late in 2022 but was delayed.
- Concern raised regarding progress with replacement of dead trees in landscape buffers and damage occurring due to stock. Holcim indicated they have had trouble with replanting but will continue to pursue this and Council to check compliance with planning permit requirements.
- Next meeting is scheduled to be held on 15 August 2023
Mooleric Road Quarry
Key matters discussed at the Mooleric Road Consultative Committee meeting held via Teams video conference on 18 October 2022
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Birregurra Quarries reported that there has been a significant loss of sales associated with the recent rains and the current permit restrictions on truck movements per hour limit the capacity for the quarry to catch up on this activity during improved weather.
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The Quarry has lodged further information to Council concerning its application to amend the planning permit conditions, which is under consideration. The application seeks approval for increased material to be removed annually, an earlier starting time and removal of the hourly truck movement restriction. Public notice will be the next step in the process.
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Council indicated it is currently awaiting a second assessment of the Mooleric Road pavement condition, with the objective of engaging contractors to repair the road.
- It was noted that a zoologist had observed brolgas on the site during blast activity and found no evidence of impacts to them.
- Next meeting is scheduled to be held on 28 March 2023
For further information please phone 03 5232 9400 or email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au