Submission opposing Karreman quary extension

Karreman Quarries Pty Ltd has applied to Redland City Council for approval to extend its existing quarry operations into an area which borders on Venman Bushland National Park.

The material change of use application is MCU19/0050.

Submissions about application MCU19/0050 can be lodged with Redland City Council up until Thursday 19th September.

Submissions should include the name and address of the person making the submission to ensure that the submission is regarded by the Council as ‘properly made’.

Submissions can be posted to Redland City Council, P.O. Box 21, Cleveland, 4163 or emailed to rcc@redland.qld.gov.au

Local residents have suggested a number of points which could be included in a submission as grounds for opposing Karreman Quarries’ development application:

Submission for Material Change of Use for Extractive Industry extension to existing quarry and Environmentally Relevant Activity 16 extractive and screening activities and Operational Works for Filling and Excavation and Clearing of Native Vegetation. Application Reference MCU19/0050

• There will be substantial increase in heavy truck movements on local roads. Existing quarry activity is already causing traffic congestion on Mt Cotton Road and West Mount Cotton Road.
• The proposed quarrying activity is inconsistent with regulations imposed on surrounding landowners. They are required to adhere to relevant legislation including tree clearing and heavily restricted land uses.
• The proposal adversely impacts on Koala habitat with extensive clearing and corridor fragmentation. The area to be quarried is in part of the Koala Coast.
• Substantial quality of vegetation proposed to be removed is old growth forest. The offset in Avalon Road is already shortfall for the existing quarry clearing and the land to be cleared will have a huge impact on Venman National Park as this quarry will go right to the boundary of the Park. No additional offset is shown for this extra area of vegetation which would be cleared.
• This proposed quarry is within the catchment of Tingalpa Creek which is located within the Leslie Harrison Dam Catchment. Extended quarry operations will increase the impact on the quality of water entering the waterways. Whilst there are sediment dams, during heavy rain the water overflows into the creeks.
• The existing levels of vibration cause impact on residents within a few kilometres, causing windows to shake.
• In the past the quarry had a condition to only upgrade West Mt Cotton Road, and does not pay royalties similar to other quarries in SEQ. Royalties must be conditioned to cover the costs of repairing and upgrading other roads the massive Double B quarry trucks travel on 6 days a week. The royalties must be based on volume of extractive material removed from the site. It is not acceptable that the ratepayers and taxpayers pay for upgrade of infrastructure.
• The existing quarry frequently operates outside of the approved hours of operation times. 6am until 6pm 6 days a week. Trucks have been seen on Mt Cotton Road after 7pm at night.
• The existing operation shows huge dust plumes above the existing quarry on most days. The new area is to be quarried for greywacke which has significant levels of silica which can cause silicosis. During south easterly winds dust can cover areas in Sheldon, Burbank and Rochedale.
• Blasting materials contain high levels of chemicals which have the capacity to leach into local creek.

Redlands2030 – 15 September 2019