STOP STONE RIDGE QUARRY
SAVE WALLAROO STATE FOREST
STOP STONE RIDGE QUARRY SAVE WALLAROO STATE FOREST
After receiving 135 public and community submissions objecting to the project, the Independent Planning Commission public meeting for the Stone Ridge Quarry project proposal took place at the Seaham Hall of the Arts on November 14.
7 days remain to lodge a submission for the IPC’s consideration, until November 21 2024
Watch the livestream of public meeting speakers above.
See the speaker list here.
Latest News
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Latest News 〰️
November 14 2024
October 24 2024
‘Public meeting called following complaints about new quarry project’, Newcastle Herald
July 27 2023
April 26 2024
‘Residents fear lower Hunter is becoming a super quarry for Sydney’, Newcastle Herald
Quarry industry expansion in the Lower Hunter
Quarry proposals and expansions in the Lower Hunter have residents on guard over the combined impacts facing bushland including State Forest, water quality, road safety, dust and noise pollution from 10 new or expanding hard rock quarry operations.
Port Stephens, Mid Coast, Dugong residents are facing the potential cumulative environmental and community impacts of 5 new quarry proposals - representing a doubling of quarry operations and associated impacts in the Lower Hunter.
Another 5 existing operational quarries are seeking or have recently been approved by the Dept. of Planning NSW (DPIE) or the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to increase production and extend the operations for an average of 20 years.
Heavy haulage traffic, air & water pollution and native vegetation loss eroding habitat connectivity and disturbing or displacing threatened species are associated with multiple expanding and newly proposed quarry operations.
Communities' call for urgent strategic & conservation planning to curb cumulative impacts
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Communities' call for urgent strategic & conservation planning to curb cumulative impacts 〰️
Fifteen community groups aligned against quarry impacts have endorsed a call for strategic and conservation planning outlined in an Issue Paper prepared by representatives of HCEC, Gloucester Environment Group and EcoNetwork Port Stephens. The issue paper has been sent to Hon. Kate Washington MP and the NSW Government Ministers for the Environment, Planning, Roads, Regional Transport and Roads, Resources and the Secretary for the Hunter.
Source: Letter from Jessie Evans Director Energy and Resource Assessments to Stephen Barry, Planning Director Office of the Independent Planning Commission NSW, December 2022 https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/resources/pac/media/files/pac/projects/2022/09/martins-creek-quarry/additional-material-23-december-2022/221219-in-dpe-response-to-ipc-questions_redacted.pdf
MEDIA COVERAGE
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MEDIA COVERAGE 〰️
Limeburners Creek residents are fighting a new battle against a proposal to create a new quarry
Matthew Kelly, Newcastle Herald
February 22 2022
Cluster of big quarry projects rocks residents living with traffic, dust, noise
Michael Parris, Newcastle Herald
June 24 2023
Stone Ridge Quarry: at a glance
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If approved, the proposed Stone Ridge Quarry would:
Allow the Proponent, the Australian Resource Development Group (ARDG) to clear-fell 80 hectares and disturb 139 hectares of re-establishing habitat for Koalas, Squirrel Gliders and Brushtail Phascogales inhabiting the Wallaroo State Forest, located within 12kms of Raymond Terrace in Balickera.
See additional daily heavy haulage truck movements on Italia Road increase by upwards of 300, which local residents fear will raise the risk of collision or dangerous accidents, as well as congestion, with additional noise, light and (dust) air pollution impacts from drilling vibration and extraction generated daily - a burden local residents are already exposed to from Boral’s Seaham quarry, currently seeking a life extension and production increase. The approval of the Stone Ridge quarry would enable a cluster of other quarries currently in various stages of planning to progress, resulting in cumulative traffic, dust, noise and habitat loss impacts.
Erode bushland connectivity in both an identified Regional Biodiversity Corridor, and an area of 3 overlapping Climate Corridors mapped as essential to the survival of threatened species fleeing the effects of climate change.
Disturb and displace the micro-bat population occupying Balickera Tunnel and contribute further to contaminated run-off load with potential to effect the Grahamstown Dam drinking water supply.
Threatened species including the Koala, Squirrel glider, Brush-tailed Phascogales as well as birds, bats and orchids have all been identified in or near the development site during site surveys.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) prepared for ADRG notes that: “All Plant Community Types within the proposed Disturbance Area are considered to provide suitable habitat for the koala. The assessment indicates the Project will lead to a long-term decrease of suitable koala habitat. A population decrease may occur indirectly in association with the clearing of occupied koala habitat. Therefore, the assessment indicates the Project will likely have a significant impact on the koala…" (page 124)
Within the 79 ha clearing footprint, just under 50ha of suitable habitat for the Squirrel Glider (Vulnerable) is at risk of being lost.
Two Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act along with one nationally listed Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) - Subtropical eucalypt floodplain forest and woodland of the NSW North Coast and South East Queensland bioregions.
Three types of Climate Corridors (mapped by Beaumont et. al 2019) as well as an intact regional biodiversity corridor (pictured above, EIS) span the area of Wallaroo State Forest which ARDG are seeking approval to clear and mine.
The Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) notes that: "The Subject Land is surrounded by large areas of intact native vegetation within the Wallaroo State Forest, with direct connection to Wallaroo National Park, Karuah National Park and Karuah State Conservation Area. The Pacific Highway separates the Wallaroo State Forest and the Subject Land from other local conservation areas to the east of the Pacific Highway, such as parts of the Karuah National Park, the Medowie State Conservation Area, the Medowie Nature Reserve, Moffats Swamp Nature Reserve and Tilligerry State Conservation Area.”
Open letter to Hon. Tanya Plibersek: Stop Stone Ridge Quarry
Sixteen groups issued a clarion call to the Commonwealth Environment & Water Minister to stop the Stone Ridge Quarry Project, due to the unacceptable impacts it poses to Matters of National Environmental Significance.
Calls for Stone Ridge to be stopped
7News, Thursday July 27
(Footage supplied by Otto Koo)
Concerns over quarry raised
NBN News, Friday July 10, 2023
STOP THE QUARRIES
A short film produced by SaveBalickera