Towrang residents object
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
TOWRANG residents living along Tiyces Lane are in a spin over a proposed new basalt quarry which is under council consideration.
Millerview Constructions Pty Ltd has lodged a Development Application (DA) for a new 1.04- hectare basalt quarry on Curlewin Lane, just off Tiyces Lane.
The company says the site would be excavated to a depth of 25 meters and produce close to 200,000 cubic metres of basalt its seven-year lifespan, but residents are having none of it. Goulburn Mulwaree Council has received 34 submissions from Tiyces Lane residents on the matter, 31 of which objected to the development.
The range of different concerns was numerous, taking in traffic issues, land values, dust and noise pollution from the quarry, wildlife and environment concerns and a general reduction in rural amenity. Chief among them though was the fact that the DA doesn’t comply with a Council development control stipulation that extractive operations like mines and quarries be setback no less than a kilometre from neighbouring residential properties.
Residents say there are six residences within that distance. Another objection raised by some residents in their submissions was that business owner Peter Miller signed Millerview Constructions Pty Ltd into liquidation in 2009, which they say makes the DA unlawful. Transport issues are also set to become a sticking point, with the quarry expected to add a further 22 daily truck movements to Tiyces Lane.
Councillors will use part of tomorrow night’s monthly meeting to consider the issues involved, and may call for further information from both residents and the proponent.
Council staff have recommended that councillors host a planning forum on the issue. Senior Town Planner Dianne James’ stated in a report to Councillors: “In light of the strong public interest in the proposal it is recommended that a planning forum be held prior to determining the application.”
“A planning forum would allow Council to hear from the applicant and community representatives. An inspection of the site by councillors is also recommended,” she wrote.
The proposed development is small enough to require only local government approval, as it will not extract more than 30,000m3 of material per annum.
