Quarry works 2013

ATTENTION: MARCUS BRENNAN (ASSESSMENT MANAGER).

As a resident within a short distance (50 metres - directly across the road) of the Neale’s and White Pit Quarry’s I am not opposed to the rehabilitation (post extraction land use) of the two receiving quarry’s but do have some concerns about the ‘hours of operation’, and ‘possible negative air / acoustic / aesthetic changes to the receiving quarry sites’.

An increase in the intensity of works (many more trucks and activity than usual over the receiving sites) at Neale’s and White Pit Quarry’s will have an adverse impact on the surrounding "Rural Settlement" residential area, especially with air (increase in dust), acoustic (significant increase in machinery and truck noise on the sites and coming to and leaving the receiving quarry’s) and potentially adverse visual/aesthetic impacts on the immediate surrounding area.

- Hours of Operation: CSR are requesting 6am-6pm Monday to Friday and 7.00am-3.00pm on Saturday over the ‘two year’ period at a very high intensity of works, compared to previous years.

REMEDY:

Approved hours of operation would be more appropriate if 8.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday only and extend the ‘intensive period’ of works at the relevant quarry’s from to 2 years to 2.5 years.

Families do live in close proximity to the receiving sites at Neale’s and White Pit quarry’s and the noise in early mornings, evenings and on Saturday’s will detract from the current peaceful environment.

In addition, local coast residence and intrastate/interstate/overseas tourist frequent Lake MacDonald on weekends for recreational activities and formal events such as weddings and the yearly Noosa Festival of Water each June. The road should be free of these intensive works on Saturdays, especially for road safety, general aesthetics, noise and air quality.

- Negative air / acoustic / aesthetic qualities changes to the receiving quarry sites:

REMEDY:

CSR should be directed to Bitumen 50-100 metres into the entry and exit roads leading to the Neale’s and White Pit quarry’s to assist with the reduction of dust and noise from the site. Currently, the section of Lake Macdonald Drive facing the two receiving quarry’s is covered in mud and dirt from the site and this would be reduced significantly if the quarry roads at Neale’s and White Pit were laid with bitumen.

Our shed and property driveway is located directly across from the receiving quarry’s access road. A speed reduction to 60km/hour along the section of Lake Macdonald Drive facing the two receiving quarry’s would make it much safer for access to our property during these intensive works. In addition, it would assist in reducing the acoustic noise and dust from trucks / roads entering the site.

Aesthetically/visually, currently the receiving sites are covered in mature native trees including Wattle and eucalyptus and other native trees and grasses. The view into the receiving quarry sites (Neale’s and White Pit) from Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy is currently an aesthetically pleasing view and has been for the past decade. A lay person would not know there was/is a quarry located beyond the bush along the road front on Lake Macdonald Drive, Cooroy.

CSR should be directed not to change or negatively/adversely impact the visual beauty of the receiving quarry sites. If, during the rehabilitation of the receiving sites at Neale’s or White Pit quarry’s aesthetic/visual changes must occur, the site should be brought back to at least the same visual quality as prior to the works.

Kind regards

Steve Arnold
Lake Macdonald drive, Cooroy
Ph: 0439 746 559