EIS 1216
Environmental impact statement for the continued operation of
the Mittagong Sand Quarry AMATEK QUARRIES (MITTAGONG) PTY LIMITED
(TRADING AS ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY
PREPARED BY: ON BEHALF OF:
R. W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited Rocla Quarry Products Geological & Environmental Consultants 72 Orchardleigh Road 75 Kite Street P.O. Box 36 ORANGE N.S.W. 2800 GUILDFORD N.S.W. 2161 ACN : 002 033 712 ACN : 003 182 401
Telephone: (063) 62 5411 Telephone (02) 632 0122 Facsimile: (063) 613622 Facsimile: (02) 632 7471
fl LtJ iL,tu June 1995 Report No: 341/3 341mittagong/eis95 COPYRIGHT
R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited 1995 and Arnatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited
All intellectual property and copyright reserved.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this report may be reproduced by any process without written permission.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED FORM 2 SUBMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) prepared under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 Section 77
ELS prepared by:
Name: Mr Robert William Corkery Qualifications: B.Sc.(Hons), M. Appl.Sc. Address: 75 Kite Street ORANGE N.S.W. 2800 in respect of: Continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry.
Development Application:
Applicant Name: Amatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited Applicant Address: 72 Orchardleigh Street P.O. Box 36 GUILDFORD N.S.W. 2161
Land to be developed: Portion 127, Part Lot 165, DP 257186 Part Lot 148, DP 257186 and a Crown Road north of Lot 165, DP 257186 Parish of Jellore County of Camden
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
12f An Environmental Impact Statement is attached.
CERTIFICATE: I, Robert William Corkery, of 75 Kite Street, Orange, N.S.W., hereby certify that I have prepared the contents of this Statement and to the best of my knowledge it is in accordance with Clauses 51 and 52 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994 and it is true in all material particulars and does not, by its presentation or omission of infor Son, materially mislead.
Signature:
Name: ROBERT WILLIAM CORKERY /
Date: 1795 I [1 I
A I ii I F
I CONTENTS
I
I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - vii - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Contents Co NTENTS I
I Page Page
IFORM 2 ill 1.7 GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY I CONSULTATION 22
SUMMARY XV 1.7.1 Government Consultation 22 1 1.7.2 Community Consultation 23 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 1.8 ONGOING DOCUMENTATION 23 I PREAMBLE 1 1.9 MANAGEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS 23 1.1 SCOPE 3
1.2 DOCUMENT FORMAT I SECTION 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE 1.3 THE APPLICANT 6 PROPOSAL
1.4 BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL PREAMBLE 25 1.4.1 Quarrying History 7 2.1 OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSAL 27 1.4.2 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 37 I 2.1.1 Objectives 27 1.4.3 Background to Document 2.1.2 Overview of the Proposal 27 Preparation 10 2.1.3 Approvals Required 29 I 1.5 QUARRY PRODUCTS - THEIR PROPERTIES AND USES 11 2.2 THE PROJECT SITE 29
1.5.1 Introduction 11 2.3 RESOURCES 31 I 1.5.2 Sand Products 11 1.5.3 Shale 12 2.4 QUARRYING 32 1.5.4 Sandstone 12 I 2.4.1 Quarry Design 32 1.6 THE EXISTING OPERATIONS 12 2.4.2 Quarrying Method 37 2.4.3 Quarry Sequence 38 1.6.1 Introduction 12 2.4.4 Production Levels I 1.6.2 Existing Approvals 14 39 2.4.4.1 Friable Sandstone 1.6.3 Quarrying Operations 14 39 1.6.4 Processing Operations 16 2.4.4.2 White-firing Shale 44 I 1.6.5 Waste Management 16 2.4.5 Quarrying Equipment 44 1.6.5.1 Tailings 16 2.5 PROCESSING AND PRODUCT 1.6.5.2 Oversize Materials 18 DESPATCH 45 I 1.6.6 Rehabilitation 18 1.6.7 Product Despatch 18 2.5.1 Processing 45 1.6.7.1 Market Destinations 18 2.5.1.1 Introduction 45 I 1.6.7.2 Traffic Routes 18 2.5.1.2 Range of Products 45 1.6.7.3 Vehicle Types 20 2.5.1.3 Product Stockpiling 45 1.6.7.4 Traffic Levels 2.5.2 Product Despatch 46 I 1.6.8 Hours of Operation 20 2.5.2.1 Market Destinations 46 1.6.9 Employment 20 2.5.2.2 Traffic Routes 47 1.6.10 Environmental Status 22 2.5.2.3 Traffic Levels and Types 47
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - viii - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Contents
Pagel Page I
2.6 WASTE MANAGEMENT 47 2.12.4 Rehabilitation Procedures - Portion 127 64 2.6.1 Nature of Wastes 47 2.12.4.1 Introduction 64 2.6.2 Overburden 48 2.12.4.2 Buffer around Proposed 2.6.2.1 Occurrence 48 Quarry Area 64 2.6.2.2 Management 49 2.12.4.3 Northern Bund Wall 65 2.6.3 Tailings Management 50 2.12.4.4 Quarry Cells Backfilled with Tailings 65 2.6.4 Oversize Material 51 2.12.4.5 Final Dam 65 2.6.5 Non-production Wastes 52 2.12.4.6 Final Perimeter Slopes 66 2.12.4.7 Processing Area 2.7 SERVICES 52 66 2.12.5 Monitoring and 2.7.1 Power 52 Maintenance 69 2.7.2 Water 52 2.13 DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES 69 2.7.3 Fuel 52 2.7.4 Sewage 53 2.13.1 Introduction 69 2.7.5 Communications 53 2.13.2 Alternative Sand Sources 69 2.13.3 Alternative White-firing 2.8 HOURS OF OPERATION 53 Shale Sources 70
2.9 EMPLOYMENT 54 SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE 2.10 SAFETY AND SECURITY 54 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
2.11 LIFE OF THE PROPOSAL 54 PREAMBLE 71 2.11.1 Rehabilitation Activities on Permissive Occupancy 3.1 TOPOGRAPHY 73 1989/4 54 2.11.2 Quarrying Operations 3.1.1 Local Setting 73 on Portion 127 55 3.1.2 Project Site and Surrounds 73
2.12 REHABILITATION 55 3.2 DRAINAGE 73
2.12.1 Objectives 55 3.2.1 Regional 73 2.12.2 Final Landform 56 3.2.2 Local 76 2.12.3 Rehabilitation Procedures 3.3 GEOLOGY 78 - P0 1989/4 58 2.12.3.1 Introduction 58 3.3.1 Regional Setting 78 2.12.3.2 Quarry Voids 58 3.3.2 ProjectSite 78 2.12.3.3 Utilising Portion 127 Vegetation 60 3.4 SOILS AND LAND/AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITY 79 2.12.3.4 Maintenance 61 2.12.3.5 Disturbed Areas 61 3.4.1. Soil Occurrences 79 2.12.3.6 Roads and Tracks 62 3.4.2 Land Capability 79 2.12.3.7 Rehabilitation Programme 62 3.4.3 Agricultural Capability 80
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - ix - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Contents Pagel Page I I 3.5 METEOROLOGY 80 3.12 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 105
3.5.1 Source of Data 80 3.12.1 Setting 105 3.5.2 Temperature 81 3.12.2 Population 107 3.5.3 Rainfall 81 3.12.3 Employment 108 3.5.4 Evaporation 81 3.13 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK 109 3.5.5 Temperature Inversions 81 3.13.1 Road Network 109 3.5.6 Wind 83 3.13.2 Traffic Levels 110 1 3.6 WATER RESOURCES 83 3.14 VISUAL ASPECTS 110
3.6.1 Surface Water 83 3.15 SERVICES 111 3.6.1.1 Occurrence 83 I 3.15.1 Water 111 3.6.1.2 Surface Water Quality 83 3.15.2 Electricity 111 3.6.2 Groundwater 85 3.15.3 Telephone 111 I 3.6.2.1 Occurrence 85 3.15.4 Sewage 111 3.6.2.2 Groundwater Quality 87 3.16 BUSHFIRE HAZARD 111 I 3.7 NOISE LEVELS 88 3.7.1 Introduction 88 SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL 3.7.2 Statistical Analysis 89 SAFEGUARDS AND IMPACTS I 3.7.3 Results 89 PREAMBLE 113 3.8 AIR QUALITY 90 4.1 AIR QUALITY 115 3.9 FLORA AND FAUNA 90 4.1.1 Introduction 115 3.9.1 Introduction 90 4.1.2 Criteria for Impact Assessment 115 3.9.2 Project Site Flora 91 4.1.2.1 Introduction 115 3.9.2.1 Survey Methods 91 4.1.2.2 Dust Deposition 115 3.9.2.2 Results 91 4.1.2.3 Total Suspended 3.9.3 Project Site Fauna 96 Particulates 116 3.9.3.1 Introduction 96 4.1.3 Existing Operations 117 3.9.3.2 Survey Methods 97 4.1.4 Future Operations 117 3.9.3.3 Results 98 4.1.4.1 Introduction 117 3.9.3.4 Wildlife Corridors 99 4.1.4.2 Proposed Operational Safeguards 118 3.10 PRE-EUROPEAN HISTORY 101 a 4.1.4.3 Assessment of Impact 118
3.10.1 Introduction 101 4.2 SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT 118 3.10.2 Survey of Portion 127 101 4.2.1 Introduction 118 3.11 ZONING, LAND OWNERSHIP 4.2.2 Impact Assessment Criteria 119 AND LAND USE 102 4.2.3 Existing Operations 119 4.2.4 Future Operations 119 3.11.1 Zoning 102 4.2.4.1 Potential Water Pollution 3.11.2 Land Ownership 102 Sources 119 3.11.3 Project Site Land Use 104 4.2.4.2 Water Management Controls 120 3.11.4 Surrounding Land Use 105 4.2.4.3 Diversion of Borehole Creek 3.11.5 Future Land Use 105 Tributary 121
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PT? LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - x - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Contea-its
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4.2.4.4 Assessment of Impact 121 SECTION 5: EVALUATION OF THE 4.2.4.5 Monitoring 122 PROPOSAL
4.3 SOIL MANAGEMENT 122 PREAMBLE 137
4.3.1 Introduction 122 5.1 JUSTIFICATION OF THE 4.3.2 Soil Erosion Controls 123 PROPOSAL 139 4.3.3 Soil Stockpiling Practices 123 5.1.1 Introduction 139 4.3.4 Assessment of Impact 123 5.1.2 Biophysical Considerations 139 4.4 GROUNDWATER 124 5.1.3 Economic Considerations 140 5.1.4 Social Considerations 141 4.4.1 Introduction 124 4.4.2 Project Site Groundwater 124 5.2 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL 4.4.3 Surrounding Bores 124 SUSTAINABILITY 141
4.5 ECOLOGY 124 5.2.1 Introduction 141 5.2.2 Principles of ESD 142 4.5.1 Flora 124 5.2.3 Conclusion 144 4.5.1.1 Safeguards 124 4.5.1.2 Assessment of Impact 125 5.3 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE 4.5.2 Fauna 125 DEVELOPMENT 145 4.5.2.1 Safeguards 125 4.5.2.2 Assessment of Impact 125 5.4 CONCLUSION 146
4.6 NOISE 127
4.6.1 Introduction 127 REFERENCES 149 4.6.2 Guidelines for Assessing Noise Impact 127 4.6.2.1 Approach to Guidelines 127 4.6.2.2 Construction Noise 129 APPENDICES 4.6.2.3 Operational Noise 129 4.6.2.4 Transport Noise 129 Appendix 1: Requirements of the Department of Planning 4.6.3 Existing Operations 130 for the Environmental 4.6.4 Proposed Safeguards 130 Impact Statement 155 4.6.5 Assessment of Future Appendix 2: Summary of Relevant Impacts 131 Issues Raised by 4.6.5.1 Construction Noise 131 Government Authorities and their 4.6.5.2 Operational Noise 131 Coverage in the EIS 163 ' c Assessment of Rrr Appendix 3: Energy Statement 169 Traffic Noise 134
4.7 VISIBILITY 135 TABLES 4.8 SURROUNDING LANDOWNERS AND LAND USE 135 1.1 Quarries Operated by 4.9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING 135 Rocla Quarry Products 7 1.2 Sand Production 4.10 TRANSPORTATION 136 1968/1969 to 1993/1994 9 1.3 Particle Size Distribution - 4.11 ARCHAEOLOGY 136 Product Sands 11 4.12 BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT 136 1.4 Existing Hours of Operation 20
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - xi - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Contents I Page Page I
2.1 Friable Sandstone and Shale 2.7 Completed Quarry Area - Resources beneath Portion 127 32 Rehabilitation 59 I 2.2 Proposed Quarry Cells 36 2.8 Portion 127 - Rehabilitation 67 2.3 Sequence of Quarrying Events 40 3.1 Regional Setting 74 2.4 Indicative Schedule of Site Activities 43 3.2 Local Topography 75 I 2.5 Equipment for Bund Wall 3.3 Drainage 77 Construction 44 3.4 Wind Speed and Direction 82 2.6 Quarrying Equipment 46 3.5 Environmental Monitoring 84 I 2.7 Overburden Occurrences on the 3.6 Groundwater Bores 86 Project Site 48 3.7 Vegetation 93 2.8 Overburden Placement 50 3.8 Fauna Corridors 100 2.9 Extraction Cells for Tailings I 3.9 Land Ownership 103 Placement 51 3.10 Soapy Flat Reserve - 2.10 Quarry Voids on P01989/4 60 Proposed Future Land Use 106 I 2.11 Timetable for the Rehabilitation of 4.1 Northern Bund Wall 132 P0 1989/4 63 3.1 Regional Drainage Catchments 76 I 3.2 Registered Groundwater Bores Surrounding the Project Site 87 PLATES 3.3 Measured Background Noise Levels 89 3.4 Vegetation Communities within Plate 1.1: An oblique aerial view to the I P0 1989/4 92 east across the Mittagong Sand Quarry 15 3.5 Proximity of Surrounding Residendes 104 Plate 1.2: An oblique aerial view to the I 3.6 Population Characteristics 107 west across the Mittagong 3.7 Age Characteristics - % of Population 108 Sand Quarry 15 3.8 Employment in Major Industries 109 Plate 1.3: A view to the east from the 4.1 NSW EPA Criteria for Dust Fallout 116 site access road towards the area rehabilitated by the Applicant in I 4.2 Seven Point Test of Significance November 1989 21 Mittagong Sand Quarry 126 Plate 1.4: A view of the same area 4.3 EPA Recommended Outdoor in June 1995 21 I Background Noise Levels 128 Plate A: Project Site Environs At Back 4.4 Predicted Noise Levels 133 of Document 4.5 Predicted Noise Levels Under I Unfavourable Conditions 134
I FIGURES
1.1 Locality Plan 4 I 1.2 The Existing Operation 13 1.3 Existing Approvals 17 1.4 Existing Processing Operations 19 I 2.1 Site Layout 28 2.2 Project Site 30 I 2.3 Resources 33 2.4 Quarry Layout 35 2.5 Quarry Sequence 41 I 2.6 Final Landform 57
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I
I I I I I I
I i SUMNURY
I
I I SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited on behalf of Amatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited (the "Applicant") who is seeking approval for the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry. This EIS has been prepared inaccordance with the requirements of both State Environment Planning Policy No. 37 (SEPP 37) and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. Apart from providing the basis for the Applicant's Development Application, the EIS also sets out the overall plan for the operation and rehabilitation of the Quarry throughout its remaining economic life.
APPROVALS SOUGHT
The Applicant would need to obtain approvals from two Authorities for the ongoing operation of the existing and proposed activities. The authorities and approvals required are as follows:
Wingecarribee Shire Council - Development Consent for the continued operation of quarrying activities on Portion 127 and reinstatement/rehabilitation within P0 1989/4 (in accordance with SEPP 37); and
Department of Land and Water Conservation - a licence or lease for the continued occupation, use and rehabilitation of land within P0 1989/4.
It is noted that no further approvals are required for on-site processing and despatch of sand products.
THE PROJECT SITE
The Project Site is located approximately 13 km west of Mittagong with access from the Wombeyan Caves Road. The Project Site covers:
the area of continued extraction with Portion 127;
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED . the area of completed friable sandstone and shale quarrying within P0 1989/4 that is to be the subject of tailings placement and subsequent rehabilitation;
. section of the Crown Road that lies between P0 1989/4 and Portion 127;
a previously disturbed area within P0 1979/11; and
. the site access road from Wombeyan Caves Road.
THE PROPOSAL
Objectives
The Applicant's principal objectives for the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry are:
to provide a range of quality sand products for a wide range of industrial uses;
to provide a high quality white-firing shale for use as a raw material in the brick industry;
to undertake extraction of all raw materials in a manner that does not unduly affect the natural environment and surrounding neighbours; and
to ensure the standard of rehabilitation is appropriate for the ongoing uses of nature conservation and grazing.
Overview of the Proposal
The Applicant proposes to continue to extract friable sandstone and shale from freehold land (Portion 127) over a 30 year period and progressively rehabilitate the completed quarry area on Crown land. All friable sandstone would be transported to the existing processing area for processing, stockpiling and despatch. Emphasis is placed upon:
extraction of a range of friable sandstone and shale products at the one time; t R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED -xvu-- I,
. priority re-instatement of the landform in the completed quarry area 1 and rehabilitation of the final surface;
progressive rehabilitation on Portion 127;
I . ensuring sufficient noise controls are in place so as not to cause adverse impacts. One of the main controls would be a 2.5 m to 6.0 m high bund wall adjacent to the northern boundary of the Project Site; I . covering all tailings dams with substantial thicknesses of overburden to I enable their rapid rehabilitation to useful land;
. management of water passing through the site, including a permanent 1 diversion of a tributary of Borehole Creek that crosses Portion 127;
. creation of a lake and wetland environment on Portion 127 at the completion of the life of the quarry; and
ongoing research into rehabilitation of disturbed areas with known threatened plant species in the Soapy Flat Reserve. I I ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS, SAFEGUARDS AND IMPACTS
I The Existing Environment
The Mittagong Sand Quarry lies in an elevated plateau area referred to as Soapy Flat I between the Jellore Creek and Joadja Creek. The principal land uses in the area surrounding the Project Site include nature conservation, grazing, forestry and rural- I residential development. The EIS examines all relevant components of the existing environment and identifies the issues to be considered during the assessment process. The principal issues relate to noise, surface water, visibility, air quality and I rehabilitation of areas with rare and threatened plants.
Safeguards and Impacts
I The continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry has been planned with a range of design and operation safeguards to ensure the area within and around the quarry is not adversely affected and that the level of impacts meets specified criteria and I reasonable community expectations.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED fl
The safeguards and impacts are as follows:
The diversion of the Borehole Creek tributary and surface water on-site would be managed to avoid or limit any adverse impacts on nearby watercourses.
The clearing of the remaining vegetation on Portion 127 would be inevitable for the proposed continued operation, however, the planned transfer of specific vegetation and soils to P0 1989/4 would provide an excellent opportunity for rehabilitation of disturbed areas on that area. The rehabilitation programme on P0 1989/4 would assist in maintaining wildlife corridors in the Soapy Flat area and would provide valuable data on the propagation of specific rare plant species.
Dust generation from the proposed quarry extension would be managed in an environmentally responsible manner so as to maintain deposited dust levels well below EPA's air quality criteria. Appropriate air quality safeguards would be adopted to ensure minimal impact on air quality.
The activities on the Project Site and associated product transportation would continue to be audible from time to time, however, for the bulk of the operating time the noise levels would be comparable to existing noise levels from all sources. The proposed northern bund wall would considerably reduce more bulk at two residences north of the Project Site.
As a result of the ongoing operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry there would be significant benefits earned by the Applicant, its shareholders and employees, as well as by the local community, State and Federal Governments.
CONCLUSION
The proposal has been designed to enable the existing Mittagong Sand Quarry to continue to operate in an efficient and responsible manner. Although some minor impacts would occur, it has been determined that the level of impact would be with specified criteria and acceptable community standards.
R.W. CORKEIRY & CO. PTY LIMiTED I I I I SECTION 1 I
1 INTRODUCTION I I I I I PREAMBLE I This section introduces the proposal for the on going operation I of the Mittagong Sand Quarry and reviews the: details of the Applicant; I background to the proposal; history of quarrying in the Soapy Flat area near Mitta gong; 1 current approvals; existing quarrying and processing operations and their I current environmental status; consultation undertaken with relevant Government I Authorities and the local community; and personnel involved in project design and preparation of I this document and supporting documents. EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 3 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 1 - Introduction
1.1 SCOPE I This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared to accompany a Development Application to Wingecarribee Shire Council by Amatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited (the "Applicant") seeking approval for the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry. The quarly is located approximately 13 km west of Mittagong with access from the Wombeyan Caves Road (Figure 1.1). This document has been prepared in satisfaction of the requirements of State Environmental Planning Policy No.37 (SEPP 37) - Continued Mines and Extractive Industries which require quarries such as the Mittagong Sand Quarry to seek approval under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (as amended). The proposed continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry is considered to be a "designated development" in accordance with the definitions within SEPP 37. The continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry would provide the Applicant with the opportunity to further supply their existing customers in the Southern Highlands and south-western Sydney and to expand their sales into the Sydney market as alternative sources of sand are depleted around Sydney. The production and sale of white-firing shale as an ancillary product to the sand products would also continue. This document provides details of the existing operations and assesses the effectiveness of the existing environmental controls. The Applicant's proposal for the rehabilitation of the completed quarry area on Crown land and ongoing quarrying and I progressive rehabilitation on freehold land are outlined. A range of design and operational safeguards and management procedures are outlined in the document together with an assessment of impact once these safeguards and procedures are adopted. I This Statement will also serve as a basis for:
(1) the Applicant's application to the EPA for an amendment to their existing licences relating to quarrying activities; and
(ii) rationalising the tenure of the section of Crown land within the area covered by the Applicant's Development Application.
1 For the purposes of this document, the area for which approvals are sought is referred I to as the "Project Site". Details of the Project Site are presented in Section 2.2. I 1.2 DOCUMENT FORMAT This document has been written in five sections with a set of Appendices. The requirements of Clause 50 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, I 1994, SEPP 37, and specific requirements from the Department of Planning (Appendix 1) and other Government Authorities (Appendix 2) are addressed in the most appropriate section(s) of the document.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED
ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS 4 - EIS MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY
Section 1 - Introduction
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C('AI Source E BURRAGORANG 8929 MOSS VALE 8928 I igure 1.1 0 1 2 3 4 5 km 1:100000 TopographIc 1982 & 1988 EdItions
REPORT No. 34 / Z 29th May, 1995 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED WORKING PLAN I EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 5 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 1 - Introduction
Apart from outlining the specific issues to be addressed, Appendices 1 and 2 also list I where each issue is addressed in this document. A complete copy of all requirements from Government Authorities is held by Wingecarribee Shire Council. I The document format is as follows:
I Section 1: introduces the document and the existing quarrying and processing operations. A brief assessment is provided of the environmental status of the existing operations. The background to the proposal and the I consultation with Statutory Authorities and the surrounding community is outlined; I Section 2: outlines the Applicant's objectives and their proposed plans for the continuation of quarrying to produce sand and shale products. The I proposals for, and rehabilitation of the completed quarry area and future quarry cells are also outlined;
I Section 3: describes the components of the existing environment on and around the Project Site that have been reviewed during the preparation of this I document. Potential constraints imposed by the existing environment or relevant issues that have been taken into account when planning the I ongoing operations are identified; Section 4: presents the design and operational safeguards and management procedures that have been taken into account during the planning of the I ongoing operations. This section also analyses the impact the ongoing operation would have on the surrounding environment once the I safeguards and procedures are adopted. Appropriate environmental ' monitoring procedures are also outlined. Section 5: evaluates the proposal in terms of the goals and guidelines of Ecologically Sustainable Development, and justifies the ongoing I operations in terms of biophysical, economic and social considerations. The consequences of the not continuing with the quarrying operations I and a conclusion for the entire document is also presented; References: incorporates references to both published information and the specific I supporting reports for this document;
Appendices: present correspondence from the Department of Planning, summary I tables identifying where specific issues from other Government Authorities are addressed in this document, an Energy Statement and a I Traffic Impact Assessment.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 6 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction F~ This document is supported by four reports prepared by specialist consultants n commissioned by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited on behalf of the Applicant. The subject matter of the reports and the authors are set out below: bn
Noise Assessment - Wilkinson Murray Pty Limited; I . Flora Study - Anne Clements & Associates Pty Limited; ['I
. Fauna Study - Countrywide Ecological Services Pty Limited; and
Pre-European Archaeological Study - Robert Paton Archaeological [1 Studies Pty Limited. H The reports prepared by these specialist consultants have been included in the references of this document. All reports can be viewed at the exhibition centres or provided to interested readers on request to the Applicant during the exhibition 1 period. I
1.3 THE APPLICANT
Amatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited is wholly owned by Amatek Limited a I subsidiary Company of BTR Nylex Limited, a leading Australian based manufacturer of building and other construction materials. Since November 1991, Amatek Limited I has operated all of its quarries under the operating name of Rocla Quarry Products. Amatek Limited is: 11,
a major producer and supplier of construction raw materials, including sands, crushed aggregates, flyash and dimension stone; I
a major producer of concrete pipes, poles and pre-cast products; I
-i a pioneer and the largest supplier of pre-stressed concrete railway j sleepers; and
a major manufacturer of concrete paving bricks and blocks. [1
Amatek Limited has been involved with the development and operation of quarries I since 1961 and, through Rocla Quarry Products, currently operates quarries in all states of Australia except Tasmania (Table 1.1). Li R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED E I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 7 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 1 - Introduction I TABLE 1.1 Quarries Operated by Rocla Quarry Products Eli State Location of Operating Quarries
I New South Wales Kurnell, Windsor, Raymond Terrace, Bell and Mittagong
I Victoria Clayton South, Langwarrin and Bendigo South Australia Gawler, Maslins Beach, Golden Grove, Rowland I Flat, Port Augusta, Black Hill and Mannipa Western Australia Gin Gin, Migel Road, Gaskell Avenue, Gnangara I Road, Hope Road,Atwell Street and Jandakot Queensland Mount Marrow I The Mittagong Sand Quarry is operated by Amatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited I which was formerly named Worner Quarries Pty Limited.
I 1.4 BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL I 1.4.1 Quarrying History I A review of historical records reveals that sand extraction has been undertaken within and surrounding the Soapy Flat Reserve since the mid 1960's. The reserve is an area of Crown land that has been the subject of a number of land uses in the past including I forestry, sand extraction and grazing (Department of Conservation and Land Management, 1993). I Quarrying commenced in the area of the Applicant's current operation in 1966 when C.F. Worner and Sons were granted a Permissive Occupancy from the then Department of Lands. Extraction commenced in two other areas to the east of the I Applicant's current area in 1979 when Permissive Occupancies were granted to C.F. Worner and Sons and Stafford Quarries Pty Limited. The bulk of the early sand extraction focussed upon the removal of loose surficial sand which was used mainly as I a mortar sand. C.F. Worner and Sons removed sand from the Soapy Flat Reserve and Portion 127 for I almost 20 years. From approximately November 1986 until May 1988, a consortium comprising Messrs Burton, Nagel and Hallinan leased the quarry operation from C.F. I Worner and Sons and operated the sites as Worner Quarries Pty Limited. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 8 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 1 - Introduction
In May 1988, Worner Quarries Pty Limited was purchased by Amgrow Pty Limited who operated the site for 15 months. During this period, Amgrow Pty Limited obtained approval for, and erected a sand processing plant on freehold land (Portion 127) in an area of previous sand extraction. This plant is the plant currently used by the Applicant. In July 1989, Worner Quarries Pty Limited were granted a Permissive Occupancy (P0 1989/4) that incorporated the two previous Permissive Occupancies for continued sand removal and for exploratory drilling. On the 29th September 1989, Worner Quarries Pty Limited was purchased by Amatek Limited and the name changed from Worner Quarries Pty Limited to Amatek Quarries (Mittagong) Pty Limited, now trading as Rocla Quarry Products. A lease was also obtained from Amgrow Pty Limited to operate the sand processing plant and to continue quarrying on Portion I 127. Since October 1989, Rocla has improved efficiencies on the site and achieved considerable success in its objectives to progressively "tidy up' many of the areas disturbed by the previous operators. The principal improvements have been:
removal of waste heaps from the bushland adjacent to the entrance road and quarry haul road and refurbishment of this area; I
construction of all-weather roads, thus eliminating the need for numerous side-tracks; I
rehabilitation of substantial areas of former tailings dams and tailings dumps in Crown land areas;
redesigning site drainage, particularly from the processing plant and stockpile areas, so that drainage is directed through sediment control dams into water storage areas on freehold land, rather than in an I uncontrolled manner onto surrounding Crown land;
reinforcing and elevating the storage dam and constructed a rock-lined spillway to avoid the likelihood of a breach; and 1 general improvement in site housekeeping and maintenance. I
Since 1989, the Applicant has also encountered a lens of white-firing shale in some quarry cells which has been quarried as an ancillary product to the sand products. I Table 1.2 lists the production from the Project Site during the period since 1968/1969. 1
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 9 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 1 - Introduction
TABLE 1.2 Sand Production 1968/1969 to 1993/1994
Production Production Production Year Year Year ('000 0 ('000 t) ('000 t)
1968/1969 13.5 1977/1978 35.5 1986/1987 23.4
1969/1970 15.4 1978/1979 29.0 1987/1988 35.7
1970/1971 19.3 1979/1980 52.3 1988/1989 147.3
1971/1972 24.6 1980/1981 41.2 1989/1990 46.1*
1972/1973 27.0 1981/1982 38.1 1990/1991 82.6
1973/1974 31.6 1982/1983 29.2 1991/1992 90.1
1974/1975 42.7 1983/1984 46.7 1992/1993 80.4
1975/1976 36.7 1984/1985 46.7 1993/1994 67.9
1976/1977 39.8 1985/1986 67.2
* Only 9 month's production records
1.4.2 State Environmental Planning Policy No.37 On the 3rd February 1986, Section 109(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 was amended to restrict activities such as quarrying that had commenced lawfully without development consent before planning controls came into force. The amendment to Section 109(2) restricted such activities to areas of disturbance and levels of production to those at the date when planning controls requiring consent came into force. In the case of the Mittagong Sand Quarry, the relevant planning control is understood to have been the Shire of Mittagong Planning Scheme Ordinance dated 16th February, 1968. It was intended that any increases in areas of disturbance or production levels would require development consent in accordance with the Act. This requirement was upheld by the Court of Appeal in November 1991 (Vaughan Taylor -v- David Mitchell-Melcann Pty Limited). Given numerous mines and extractive industries across NSW, including the Mittagong Sand Quarry, which lawfully commenced operations prior to the requirement for development consent, the NSW Government gazetted State Environmental Planning Policy No. 37 - Continued Mines and Extractive Industries (SEPP 37) to provide for the continued operation of mines and extractive industries for a period of two years until these mines and extractive industries obtained the necessary development
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 10 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 1 - Introduction consent. SEPP 37 provided for registration by the 18th September 1993 and a two year moratorium during which owners and operators of mines and extractive industries were required to obtain development consent. I The Applicant registered the Mittagong Sand Quarry with Wingecarribee Shire Council during in September 1993. This document has been prepared to accompany the Applicant's Development Application to Council to obtain the required development consent.
1.4.3 Background to Document Preparation I At the time when the requirements of SEPP 37 were gazetted, the Applicant and the then Department of Conservation and Land Management were discussing the long term plans for the quarrying and rehabilitation of the areas of Crown land within P0 1989/4. The Applicant had prepared a draft Plan of Management for the ongoing operations and the Department was simultaneously examining a long term management strategy for the entire Soapy Flat Reserve in the form of a land assessment. I The Department, through the land assessment of the Soapy Flat Reserve, identified potential friable sandstone extraction areas beyond the approved areas within the reserve. However, it was incumbent on the Applicant to be able to demonstrate that the populations of two rare and threatened plants in these areas could be adequately managed for their long term survival before extraction could proceed in those areas. 1 Early trials in the propagation of the plants failed and the Applicant recognised that a more detailed, and more lengthy trial would be necessary. I
The Applicant then considered the remaining resources on the freehold land (Portion 127) as an interim source of raw materials whilst rehabilitation/plant trials were I undertaken on the Crown land. It subsequently followed that substantially more resources were identified on Portion 127 suited to ongoing production of a range of sand products (and white-firing shale). Given the remaining resources of the freehold land would provide a project life of 25 to 30 years, the Applicant considered that it would be inappropriate to pursue further quarrying of friable sandstone resources on the Crown land. Rather, it was decided that the previously disturbed area be rehabilitated over the next 5 to 10 years in conjunction with the planned continuation of tailings disposal on the previously quarried areas. This in turn would ensure the long term survival of the rare and threatened plants in areas currently being considered by the Department of Land and Water Conservation for future extraction. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 11 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 1 - Introduction I 1.5 QUARRY PRODUCTS - THEIR PROPERTIES AND USES 1.5.1 Introduction I The quarry products produced within the Project Site comprise various sand, sandstone and shale products. Both the sand and sandstone products are derived from the friable sandstone resources present while the shale is present in discontinuous lenses across L the Project Site.
1 1.5.2 Sand Products The principal sand product produced on site is a well graded medium grained concrete sand. The sand products comprise a sand fraction >98 per cent silica (silicon dioxide) I with minor quantities of other minerals such as clays and iron oxides. Table 1.3 presents a typical size grading of the sand products produced on the Project Site.
I TABLE 1.3 A Particle Size Distribution - Product Sands
Product Sands I Sieve Aparture Australian Standard AS 2758.1* (% Passing)
I 4.75 mm 100 90 - 100 I 2.36 mm 97 - 99 60 - 100 1.18mm 88-97 30-100 1 600m 54-83 15-100 300m 10-26 5- 50
I 150m 1- 5 0- 15 I 75m 0- 1 0- 5
* This Standard relates to the total sand mix used in I concrete manufacture, not a single component
I The size grading and sub-angular to sub-rounded grain shape of the sand makes the sand products ideally suited for use in pre-mixed concrete and concrete products such as masonry blocks. I The variability within the resource on the Project Site enables the Applicant to produce both coarser and finer products than the well-graded concrete sand. The coarser products are used for filter sands and horticulture whilst the finer products are
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY L!MITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 12 - EIS - MAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction used for plaster and mortars. The high silica content of the sand products and comparatively low iron concentration would enable the sand to be used for glass manufacture. However, no sand is currently used as a raw material for glass manufacture. I
1.5.3 Shale There are substantial lenses of shale on parts of the Project Site. By selective I extraction of this material, it can be used for various purposes, including:
clay brick manufacture (primarily white-firing material);
road shoulder construction; and
selected fill.
The white-firing shale is predominantly free of iron and sandstone whereas the material used for road shoulder construction and selected fill incorporates iron-rich materials and interbedded sandstones. I
1.5.4 Sandstone The oversize sandstone material screened from the friable sandstone is usable in the I construction of road pavement and road shoulders.
1.6 THE EXISTING OPERATIONS I
1.6.1 Introduction A brief outline of the existing operations is provided in this section to enable readers I to gain an appreciation of the current status of activities on the Project Site prior to considering the continued operations. Figure 1.2 displays the existing site layout and Plates 1.1 and 1.2 present oblique aerial photographs of the existing operations on the Project Site. The four principal activities on the Project Site at present comprise: I extraction of friable sandstone;
processing of friable sandstone to produce sand products;
disposal of tailings generated during processing; and despatch of products. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PT'T' UMITED I I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 13 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 1 - Introduction I I
I 108 I
r
I See Figure 1.4 y 1 \ I I Exiating Quarry 110 - - am I iing -- - - -
1.3 and 1.4 - Existing Tailing o y / I1 I 'JiL700 I
ii
I Completed Quarry 165 / rea 186 1 (DP ;
I REFERENCE Project Site Boundary Contour (Interval = 2m) I Watercourse / Existing Dam Track Marsh - - - - Lot / Portion Boundary
Areas Previously I EM Rehabilitated by Applicant I SCALE 1:10000 Figure 1.2
0 100 200 300 400 500 m THE EXISTING I OPERATION
1 !.w. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED 1 ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 14 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction I
It is noted that both (ii) and (iv) are not the subject of the current application as I approvals exist for these activities. There is currently no white-firing shale being extracted on site.
In accordance with the requirements of the Department of Planning (Appendix 1), this section reviews the environmental status of the existing operations. 1
1.6.2 Existing Approvals I
The Applicant currently operates the quarry and specific operations with a range of approvals and licences. As previously discussed in Section 1.4.2, the overall operation is currently operating by virtue of the provisions under SEPP 37, however, this is to cease beyond the 18th September 1995 unless the Wingecarribee Shire Council has not determined the Applicant's Development Application. In this case the Applicant would continue operations in accordance with the production limits set under SEPP 37 until determination occurred.
The Applicant holds a Permissive Occupancy (P0 1989/4), over a 100 ha area of Crown land where quarrying of friable sandstone has taken place in the past and which is now the subject of tailings disposal and rehabilitation (see Figure 1.3). Within P0 1989/4, approved extraction was confined to two areas (Areas Al on Figure 1.3), however, exploration drilling was permitted elsewhere on P0 89/4. Quarrying activities had been confined by the Applicant to Area A.
An additional Permissive Occupancy (P0 1979/11) is also held by the Applicant for a small area of land used by previous operators for storage of gravel products. The Applicant also holds an approval to gain access to both Permissive Occupancies via a road through the Soapy Flat Reserve (Figure 1.3). I
The Applicant holds a Development Approval for the operation of the existing processing plant. The approval was granted on the 27th September 1988. The I conditions of consent are of a general nature and relate to the Applicant gaining approvals from other authorities and complying with noise standards. I The Applicant also holds a current EPA licence (No. 03132) for the dry processing of sand. This activity is no longer carried out on site.
1.6.3 Quarrying Operations
The Applicant is currently quarrying friable sandstone from the south-eastern corner of Portion 127, an area where it has been necessary to divert the upslope runoff to the north around the active quarry area (Plate 1.2). The area of active quarrying at any one time is generally less than I ha.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY 15 ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS 1 Section 1 - Introduction I .. %•_ I .. I :
I t I I I I
Plate 1.1: An oblique aerial view to the east across the Mittagong Sand Quarry I (Ref: 34IG/8) I I
I I 1 I Plate 1.2: An oblique aerial view to the west across the Mittagong Sand Quarry I (Ref: 341G/17) I R.W. CORKEIRY & CO. FTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 16 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction I Quarrying involves the removal, transfer and storage of topsoil, overburden removal and subsequent ripping and pushing of the exposed friable sandstone. At present, quarrying is undertaken on a campaign basis involving 2 to 4 weeks' operations every 6 I to 10 weeks. A stockpile of ripped friable sandstone of up to 10000 t to 15 000 t is created at the end of quarrying period after which the contractor undertakes further preparatory activities such as overburden removal for the following quarrying campaign. At the completion of each quarrying campaign, the contractor transports the raw feed on a campaign basis to the raw feed stockpile area adjacent to the processing plant. I 1.6.4 Processing Operations
The processing operations on the Project Site are designed to remove the fine silts and clays and the oversize sandstone and ironstone materials from the raw feed to produce sand products meeting customers' specifications. Figure 1.4 presents a layout of the processing plant and its flowsheet.
The processing plant operates at a rate of between 80 and 100 tonnes per hour. The plant currently operates for approximately 20 to 25 hours per week to produce the I current market requirements of between 1 600 t and 2500 t per week.
The processing plant uses approximately 7 m3 of water for each tonne of sand product produced. A thickener in the water reclaim circuit and the recovery of water from the active tailings dam results in a make-up water requirement of between 10 and 15 per cent. Approximately 7 per cent of the raw feed is removed as oversize material and 18 per I cent of the raw feed is removed as tailings. I 1.6.5 Waste Management I 1.6.5.1 Tailings I The tailings are a slurry (60 per cent solids) comprising waste water, silts and clays from the processing of the raw feed. The tailings are pumped to the completed quarry area within P0 1989/4 where the clays and silts settle out and the water is pumped back to the processing plant. Once the active tailings area is near its capacity, the surface of the tailings is allowed to dry out for at least 12 months before it can be covered with overburden and revegetated. The completed quarry area has a capacity to contain a further 150 000 m3 of tailings I which would be generated by processing approximately 1.34 million tonnes of raw feed which would in turn yield approximately 1 million tonnes of washed sand products. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 17 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 1 - Introduction I [1 I I I
I \ Al APPROVED / A2 I I si \ I H 165 H 158 I I'
I H - ---- 1 11 12 1314 10 ,'ll 12 I Li - 288 DP 213511 2 DP 789043 - -:TT- - - - DP 713537
I DP 749861 , DP 258366 DP 213511
286 "- - - I - -- - -- - 292 DP 749861 J I 3 ,301 I REFERENCE Project Site Boundary Power Transmission Line Easement I P.O. 1989/4 I Sealed Road / Track Portion / Lot Boundary Al P.O. 1989/4 - Sand Removal Area Subject to Continued A2 P.O. 1989/4 - Exploratory Drilling Operation under SEPP 37 I B P.O. 1979/11 - Gravel Storage Area of Processing Activities and Product Despatch - Approved September, 1988
I SCALE 250 0 250 500 750 1000 m Figure 1.3 I 71 EXISTING APPROVALS
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 18 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction I 1.6.5.2 Oversize Materials I The Applicant currently stockpiles the oversize materials for use in the construction of on-site roads and rehabilitation of completed tailings areas or periodically, it may be sold for a range of uses including private road construction and maintenance, filling or drainage materials. I
1.6.6 Rehabilitation I Since September 1989, when the Applicant became the operator of the Mittagong Sand Quarry, considerable emphasis has been placed upon the progressive rehabilitation of areas disturbed by previous operators. Plates 1.3 and 1.4 provide a comparison of the condition of an area within P0 1989/4 in 1989 and in 1995. Through their efforts to date, the Applicant has rehabilitated approximately 4.4 ha of 1 land adversely affected by previous quarrying operations.
Within the operational areas in P0 1989/4, the Applicant has backfillecl two sections of the completed quarry with tailings. One of the sections has dried out sufficiently for earthmoving equipment to place a thin veneer of overburden/subsoil on the surface. Limited natural regrowth is now evident. 1 L
1.6.7 Product Despatch I I 1.6.7.1 Market Destinations
The Applicant estimates that approximately 70 per cent of their products are currently consumed in the Southern Highlands or within a 30 km to 40 km radius of the Project Site. The remaining 30 per cent is destined for markets in the south-western suburbs of Sydney. i 1.6.7.2 Traffic Routes I With the exception of occasional loads of oversize materials used for driveway construction, virtually all products are transported from the Project Site along Wombeyan Caves Road to the Old Hume Highway at Mittagong. Trucks turn either left to travel towards Mittagong and beyond or right to travel southwards towards Moss Vale and surrounding destinations.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONGSANDQUARRY - 19 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS
Section 1 - Introduction
I TN / I
I 9°A
POND
11] SEDIMENTATIONI IfIAM2
FINE WORKSHOP PRODUCT II STOCKPILE 1 AMENITIES C) TUICKENER/ (\ CLARIFIER I
PRODUCT I STOCKPILE DPRODUCPILE AREA I WEIGHIJ{ GENERATOR i:E I SCALE ::: I 'DI. 1.1. PROCESSING PLANT LAYOUT ----- r
FRONT END k LOADER SCRURBER LRAWEED ER
FEEDE Rp _ I CO SCREEN OVERSIZE
CYCLONE I /SUMP (_
SUMP I THICKENER ______X~~ PRODUCT STOCKPILE-
I PUMP '1Y TAILINGS SUMP
PROCESSING PLANT FLOW DIAGRAM
Figure 1.4 EXISTING PROCESSING OPERATIONS
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 20 - EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY
Section 1 - Introduction
1.6.7.3 Vehicle Types Approximately 80 per cent of the products are despatched in bogey drive tn-axle semi- r~ trailers with an average capacity of approximately 27 tonnes. The remaining 20 per cent is delivered in smaller bogey drive rigid trucks generally with a capacity of approximately 13 tonnes. I
1.6.7.4 Traffic Levels I Existing traffic levels are variable and reflect market demand. The quantity of sand products despatched varies from 300 tpd to 1200 tpd averaging approximately 30 truck L1 movements per day. Maximum hourly traffic movements approach up to 12 movements. On average, there are approximately 4 to 6 vehicle movements per hour. Although not I currently operating, the white-firing shale is despatched to Sydney brick manufacturers P at a maximum of 8 movements per hour albeit for only a few days each week. u
1.6.8 Hours of Operation I Table 1.4 lists the existing hours of operation of the various activities on the Project Site. I TABLE 1.4 Existing Hours of Operation I I Activity Hours of Operation Days* L Quarrying 6.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday I Processing 6.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday
Product Despatch Sand 6.00 am to 9.00 pm Monday to Friday P1
6.00 am to 12.00 noon Saturday
Shale 7.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday
* Public holidays excluded I
1.6.9 Employment The existing quarrying operation provides full-time employment for three persons L employed by the Applicant, four part-time jobs (one third of each year) for on-site contractors and various jobs for truck drivers.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I .EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY - 21 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 1 - Introduction I I I I I I I I Plate 1.3: A view to the east from the site access road towards the area 1 rehabilitated by the Applicant in November 1989 (Ref: Rocla-A) I I I I I I I
I Plate 1.4: A view of the same area in June 1995 (Ref: Rocla-B)
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 22 - EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 1 - Introduction I 1.6.10 Environmental Status It is assessed that the existing operation complies with all requirements with respect to I air, water and noise. The existing operations are periodically heard by surrounding residents, however, the actual measured levels satisfy accepted criteria. The approved clearing of 10 ha of natural vegetation within P0 1989/4 by previous I operators has resulted in the removal of some rare and threatened plants. The impact of this clearing is now more clearly understood, but it is assessed not to be significant since it is proposed to revegetate the final landform with a number of the rare species. More details of the assessment of the existing operation are provided in Section 4. 1 1.7 GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION I 1.7.1 Government Consultation I The following authorities were consulted by the Applicant, R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited and/or the specialist consultants during the preparation of the Statement: I Department of Planning (Sydney/Wollongong); I Wingecarribee Shire Council (Moss Vale);
Department of Mineral Resources (Wollongong);
Sydney Water (Guildford);
. Department of Conservation and Land Management (Moss Vale/Goulburn) (Now part of Department of Land and Water I Conservation); I Department of Water Resources (Sydney) : (Now part of Department of Land and Water Conservation); I National Parks and Wildlife Service (Queanbeyan); and I Environment Protection Authority (Penrith).
Correspondence from the Department of Planning is included as Appendix 1 together I with a summary table identifying where each of the Director's specific requirements is addressed in the Statement. I A summary table identifying the issues raised by other Government Authorities and where each issue is addressed within the Statement is included as Appendix 2. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 23 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 1 - Introduction
1.7.2 Community Consultation During the preparation of the Statement, the Manager of the Mittagong Sand Quarry personally contacted each of the surrounding neighbours to outline the proposal being I considered in the EIS. Issues raised by these residents during these discussions included:
I transport noise;
quarrying noise; and
visual effects of the northern bund wall.
H Li 1.8 ONGOING DOCUMENTATION I The Applicant recognises the benefit of ongoing documentation to firstly update their plans for the quarrying and rehabilitation of disturbed areas and secondly to document the progress with on-site activities and compliance with relevant criteria. Accordingly, I they propose to prepare a biennial report with the following section headings:
I • Introduction Quarrying . Processing I Rehabilitation . Environmental Management I - Soil Management - Water Management - Fire Management I Environmental Monitoring.
Each section of the report would review the progress over the previous two years and present the plans for the following two years.
1.9 MANAGEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS I The preparation of the EIS has been managed by Mr Rob Corkery, B.Sc.(Hons.),M.Appl..Sc., Principal of R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited, Geological and Environmental Consultants. Also involved in the document's preparation have I been the State Manager for Rocla Quarry Products, the Manager of the Mittagong Sand Quarry and Miss Cleta Coleman, B.Env.Sc. Environmental Scientist with R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 24 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 1 - Introduction
The investigations commissioned to identify various aspects of the existing environment and potential environmental constraints upon the continued operation of the quarry have been undertaken by the following specialist consultants:
Wilkinson Mining Pty Limited - Acoustic Assessment;
Anne Clements and Associates Pty Limited - Flora Assessment;
Countrywide Ecological Services Pty Limited - Fauna Assessment;
Robert Paton Archaeological Studies Pty Limited - Archaeological Study.
D.J. Potter and Associates Pty Limited contributed to the hydrological component of the proposal. Their calculations have been incorporated directly into the relevant sections of the document.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I I Ii SECTION 2 I I DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL I I I I I t1YAIi]fl I This section details the proposal and the Applicant's objectives for the continued operation of the Mitta gong Sand Quarry. The I friable sandstone and shale resources are defined together with the plans for quarrying, overburden placement and tailings management. Particular emphasis is placed upon the rehabilitation of the completed quarry area on the Crown land Ii section of the Project Site. The Applicant's plans for the progressive rehabilitation of the remainder of the Project Site I are also reviewed. This section concludes with a review of development alternatives considered throughout the planning undertaken I for the ongoing operation of the Quarry together with a review of alternative sources of sand and white-firing shale.
Details of the Applicant's proposals for water, air and soil I management and other environmental safeguards and management procedures are presented in Section 4.
I 11 I.EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 27 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.1 OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSAL
I2.1.1 Objectives The Applicant's principal objectives for the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry are:
(i) to provide a range of quality sand products for a wide range of industrial uses;
I (ii) to provide a high quality white-firing shale for use as a raw material in the brick industry;
I (iii) to undertake extraction of all raw materials in a manner that does not unduly affect the natural environment and surrounding neighbours; and
(iv) to ensure the standard of rehabilitation is appropriate for the ongoing I uses of nature conservation and grazing.
I 2.1.2 Overview of the Proposal I The Applicant proposes to continue to extract friable sandstone and shale from freehold land (Portion 127) over a 30 year period and progressively rehabilitate the completed quarry area on Crown land nominated on Figure 2.1. AU friable sandstone would be transported to the existing processing area for processing, stockpiling and I despatch. Emphasis is placed in the proposal upon:
extraction of a range of friable sandstone and shale products at one time; i priority re-instatement of the landform in the completed quarry area and rehabilitation of the final surface;
. progressive rehabilitation on Portion 127;
I ensuring sufficient noise controls are in place so as not to cause adverse impacts. One of the main controls would be a 2.5 m to 6.0 m high bund wall adjacent to the northern boundary of the Project Site;
I . covering all tailings dams with substantial thicknesses of overburden to I enable their rapid rehabilitation to useful land;
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 28 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
TN FN I Northern Bund Wall Soil Storage Area
50m I ±TH -
Propose I i 50m I
Por 127
------1 50m .. - I 50m - b Groundwater I
Processing Area I
lorn I Site Access Road I (2 I Completed I 00 I
REFE RENCE I Project Site Boundary [ Proposed Quarry Area Watercourse / Existing Dam - Lot / Portion Boundary 1 Marsh - - Power Line I I SCALE 1:10000 Figure 2.1 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 m SITE LAYOUT I
.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I
I.EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 29 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
I . management of water passing through the site, including a permanent diversion of a tributary of Borehole Creek that crosses Portion 127;
creation of a lake and wetland environment on Portion 127 at the completion of the life of the quarry; and
I ongoing research into rehabilitation of disturbed areas with known threatened plant species in the Soapy Flat Reserve.
During the planning of ongoing operations on the Project Site, it has been necessary to develop a range of operational and management procedures together with appropriate design and operational safeguards to ensure the environmental impacts at all stages of I development are acceptable, and where appropriate, within defined criteria. The I procedures and safeguards are presented in detail in Section 4 of this document. I 2.1.3 Approvals Required Schedule2 (7) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, requires this document to include a list of approvals required for the ongoing operation of the existing and proposed activities. The approvals required are as follows:
(i) Development Consent from Wingecarribee Shire Council for the continued operation of quarrying activities on Portion 127 and re- instatement/rehabilitation within P0 1989/4 (in accordance with State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 37); and
(ii) a licence or lease from the Department of Land and Water Conservation for the continued occupation and use of the land within P0 1989/4. This tenure is required given the Department is replacing Permissive I Occupancies with licences or leases.
It is noted that no further approvals are required for on-site processing and despatch I of sand products. 2.2 THE PROJECT SITE For the purposes of this document, and the applications discussed in Section 2.1.3, the Project Site refers to the area shown on Figure 2.2 which covers:
the area of continued extraction within Portion 127;
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 30 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2- Description of the Proposal I TN MN 870: I 153 78 107 DP 777857
-I-- I
320: I 108 148 DP 777857 DP 257186
L I
- Por 127 830: L I ! I OP 777857 I
P.O. 1979/11 I Proce::ing Area I 165 OF Crown Road DP 257186 Partof P.O. 1989/4 285 - I 390: 440: ' Site ACC.BB Road I
165 DP 257186 390: I
0-1
P REFERENCE
Project Site Boundary - - Boundary of Proposed Quarry Area Watercourse / Existing Dam Lot / Portion Boundary P I I SCALE 1:10000 Figure 2.2 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 m PROJECT SITE I
W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 31 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
. the area of completed friable sandstone and shale quarrying within I P0 1989/4 that is to be the subject of tailings placement and subsequent rehabilitation;
I section of the Crown Road that lies between P0 1989/4 and Portion 127;
a previously disturbed area within P0 1979/11; and
I . the site access road from Wombeyan Caves Road.
The existing approved processing plant is located within the processing area on I Portion 127 which is freehold land covering an area of approximately 76 ha. The completed quarry area lies within Permissive Occupancy (P0)1989/4 which covers an I area of approximately 100 ha. The area of the disturbance within completed quarry area is approximately 10 ha. P0 1989/4 lies within the Soapy Flat Reserve. It is noted that the exact boundary of P0 1979/11 is uncertain and is subject to I confirmation. 1 2.3 RESOURCES The resources on Portion 127 comprise friable sandstone of varying grain sizes and I colour, and white-firing shale. The distribution and quantities of resources have been ascertained following a detailed diamond drilling programme and testing programme. Figure 2.3 graphically presents the results of the drilling and the respective depth of I fine to medium sand, medium to coarse sand, and white-firing shale. For quarry planning purposes, there is a predominance of fine to medium sand on the I eastern side of Portion 127 and predominance of medium to coarse sand on the western side of Portion 127. I The quantity of friable sandstone on Portion 127, and hence sand resources on site, has been established in conjunction with laboratory testing of the drill core hardness, which in the Applicant's experience on site, is directly related to recovery of sand-sized I grains after simple processing. A point load registration of 0.75 MPa equates to a quantity of oversize material, of approximately 7 per cent and the preferred limit for I recovery of friable sandstone. Table 2.1 lists the range of resources identified on Portion 127 that would be extracted should the Applicant gain the approvals sought and detailed in this document. I Distinction is made between the quantity of insitu resources and recoverable resources. The recoverable resources have been determined after an allowance is made for the incomplete extraction of all resources for various reasons, e.g. retention I of intermediate walls between quarry cells or poorer quality material. The product quantity reflects the losses due to oversize material (7 per cent) and tailings (18 per cent).
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 32 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
TABLE 2.1
Friable Sandstone and Shale Resources beneath Portion 127
In-situ Quantity Recoverable Quantity Product Quantity terial M a (Mt) (Mt) (Mt)
Fine-Medium Sand 4.1 3.7 # 2.9 *
Medium-Coarse Sand 6.4 5.7 4.3
White-Firing Shale 0.9 0.75 0.75
TOTAL: 11.4 10.15 7.95
# Calculated assuming recoverable quantity is approximately 90 per cent of in-situ quantity.
* Calculated assuming approximately 25 per cent reduction in recoverable quantity due to the proportion of tailings and oversize material
2.4 QUARRYING
2.4.1 Quarry Design
Figure 2.4 presents the proposed layout for the overall quarry. Both the fine-medium grained material (FM) and medium-coarse grained material (MC) areas of the quarry have each been sub-divided into ten quarry cells. Table 2.2 lists the area of each cell and the proposed maximum depth of quarrying in each cell. For the purposes of presentation on Figure 2.4, 15 m wide dividing walls are indicated between the cell walls. However, in many cases, it may be possible to simply progress from one cell to another without leaving a cell wall. This would be possible mainly in the northern section of the Project Site whereas in the lower areas close to the plant the Applicant is likely to retain cell walls to provide both access to the processing plant and to contain active tailing areas.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS VS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I 1 I RERENCE Boundy of Prop:s:d Quarry Area I 10 0 7 10 / 10 \ ( / Contour (Interval 2m AHD) WI I !5N7 w-L 77- - Watercourse / Existing Darn 2m 158 w / I . I and I Oei 88 ained Sandstone
I 10 J MeurnGrained Sandstone 2.5 I - / Si 112 130 Sandstone I 137 ypes Core Loss I 10 L 011 i \ Topsoil j
- 10 9.8 EL 10 Shale
12.9 13.4 I T'd 20 0 14.0 0 Depth below surface (m)
I Quarry I
I 01 50 0 50 100 150 200 m I
I -10 'i i, I 25 ot- I RESOURCES
11 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED - - - I. ------w -
1] 39~ /1 Northern Bund Wall - - -- TN REFERENCE IVIN - 4 ti 'SoiIStorage Area ' 15 P rtl IL t B day MC 10 Contour (Interval z 2m AHD( I wi FM 10 FM 9 W -- - -- - ( - - - Nj- Boundary of Proponed Quarry
- - -
0 U15 Diamond Drillhole Location & No - -- - x h_. ..Ax MC-7 - - - - - - MC - 6 Modiom-coarne Material & Coil No - •U3 - • I •uis FM 6 Fin m di m Material & Cell N FM 7 çI 8 - I '\ L ------
- -t -- I S
- - • - L._._ __ S
M—H
- M
ISO 1.
K
24 1 3 5 7 -- 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 QUARRY LAYOUT ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 36 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal j
TABLE 2.2 PL Proposed Quarry Cells I Average Average Maximum Maximum Area Area Quarry Cell * Depth of Quarry Cell Depth of Quarrying ** Quarrying ** li (m) (m) I FM- 1 2.4 8.8 MC- 1 2.9 13.3 FM- 2 3.1 9.3 MC- 2 2.6 13.3 FM- 3 2.4 10.3 MC- 3 2.6 11.3 FM- 4 2.5 8.8 MC- 4 2.2 12.3 I FM- 5 2.6 8.8 MC- 5 4.5 9.8 FM- 6 4.5 11.3 MC- 6 3.8 10.3 FM- 7 2.7 11.3 MC- 7 3.2 11.8 U FM- 8 2.8 10.3 MC- 8 3.1 12.8 FM- 9 2.5 8.3 MC- 9 3.2 14.3 FM-1 2.6 9.3 MC-10 3.4 13.3 I fl TOTAL: 28.1 31.5 Li * See Figure 2.4 for ccli location I ** Assumes an allowance of 0.3 m for soil removed Fj~ I It is proposed that where dividing walls are left or where quarrying occurs on the perimeter of Portion 127, extraction cells would have near vertical sides. Any poorly consolidated overburden would be battered at an angle of approximately 1:1 (V:H) to ensure stability throughout the extraction life (Figure 2.4 inset). 1
Minor variations to this design would be necessary where thin shale or clay layers I occur within the exposed face. Under those circumstances, local reductions in slope may be necessary. The nominated depths of quarrying vary from approximately 6 m to 18 m below the existing surface with an average maximum depth of quarrying in the I quarry cells varying from 8.3 m to 14.3 m (Table 2.2). I
The average depth of quarrying over the proposed quarry area is 11 m. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 37 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal 2.4.2 Quarrying Method
I The quarrying method for the extraction of the friable sandstone and shale involves a I range of common procedures: (1) where trees are present, they would be cleared by a bulldozer well ahead I of schedule at a time when they are in seed and of greatest value for rehabilitation purposes. The trees (and stumps) would be cut into manageable lengths and removed from the prepared quarry area and I transferred directly onto areas on P0 1989/4, Portion 127 or other Crown land areas requiring stabilisation;
I topsoil (and where appropriate, subsoil) would be stripped either by bulldozer or scraper and preferentially placed onto final surfaces on I Portion 127 requiring stabilisation. In the event that no final surfaces are prepared, the soil would be temporarily placed either adjacent to the area next nominated for rehabilitation or in the designated soil storage I area in the north-eastern corner of Portion 127 (Figure 2.4);
I the overburden would be removed by bulldozer, scraper or trucks (loaded by excavator) and pushed/placed either into the previously I extracted void or the nominated area requiring rehabilitation; the exposed friable sandstone would be ripped (by bulldozer) and I pushed into a stockpile within the active quarry cell. This material would be loaded by excavator or front-end loader into off-road articulated haul trucks for transfer to the raw feed stockpile within the processing area. I Once the stockpiled material was removed from the active quarry cell, ripping of the quarry floor would resume and another stockpile pushed U up; once a lens of light-firing shale is exposed in the quarry floor, the top IJ section of the lens (often contaminated with sandstone and/or ironstone), would be removed from the active quarry and placed into previously worked out sections of the quarry in a similar manner to the I overburden. Once the floor is clean of sandstone, the shale would be ripped and pushed up into a stockpile where it would be either loaded directly onto highway trucks for despatch to Sydney brick manufacturers I or allowed to weather within the floor of the quarry until despatched; I and shale or friable sandstone would continue to be extracted until the lower I limit of quarrying nominated on Figure 2.3 is reached. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 38 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.4.3 Quarry Sequence The following factors have influenced the proposed quarrying sequence on Portion 127:
Sand Grain-size
The Applicant requires access to both fine-medium grained sandstone and medium-coarse grained sandstone. This would be best achieved through the concurrent operation of two active extraction cells, one on the eastern side and one on the western side of Portion 127. It is noted that concurrent operations relate to areas open during the same period throughout the quarry life. They would invariably be operated alternately and the blending of both types of materials undertaken as the materials are processed. Towards the end of quarrying in each nominated cell, it is proposed that unless extraction involves the progression into an adjoining cell, there would be a short period of time when extraction is concluding in one cell and commencing in a new cell. This approach is required to ensure continuity of supply of the same type of sand to the processing plant, particularly in areas that require the removal of substantial thicknesses of overburden. It is therefore proposed that the extraction sequence reflects this approach.
Occurrence of WThite-firing Shale It is proposed that future quarrying is programmed to provide a continual source of white-firing shale at rates that are consistent with the programmed removal of friable sandstone.
Drainage The presence of a drainage line near the southern side of Portion 127 (Figure 2.4) would necessitate an alternative short term and/or long term drainage system be established whilst the resources beneath the existing drainage line are extracted.
Tailings Placement Given it is the Applicant's intention to progressively backfill the southern or topographically lower areas with tailings to re-instate a productive landform, it is a requirement that extraction is programmed in these areas during the earlier stages of development. This approach would enable these areas to be backfilled with tailings generated during the processing of friable sandstone resources extracted from the topographically higher areas later in the project life.
R.W. CORKER'! & CO. PTY LIMITED
I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 39 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
(v) Overburden Placement I The Applicant proposes to progressively cover those areas backfilled with tailings with variable thicknesses of overburden and to use I overburden placement as a means of contouring the final landform, particularly in the topographically lower areas. Given the progressive approach to overburden movement, it is necessary for the quarry I sequence to reflect such objectives and particularly to minimise the pushing or haulage distance for the placement of the overburden.
I Based on the above factors the quarry sequence is presented sequentially in the eastern side of the Project Site, namely FM-i -> FM-2 -> FM-3 -> FM-4 -> FM-5 -> FM-6 -> FM-7 -> FM-8 -> FM-9 -> FM-10 with the concurrent sequence in the I western side of the Project Site namely MC-1 -> MC-2 -> MC-3 -> MC-4 -> MC-5 - MC-5 -> MC-6 -> MC-7 --> MC-8 -> MC-9 -> MC-10. Table 2.3 outlines the sequence of events in each of the fine to medium and medium to coarse areas of the Project I Site. This sequence is also illustrated on Figure 2.5 where the status of all extraction cells is presented in Years 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25. Table 2.4 presents the programmed schedule of operations for the quarrying of both the sand and shale throughout the life I of the operation.
It is noted from Table 2.4 that the production of shale is programmed for extraction I during the next 10 years of operations and thereafter from approximately Year 16 to the end of the project life.
2.4.4 Production Levels
1 2.4.4.1 Friable Sandstone The Applicant anticipates that the markets for its blended sand products could increase to the forecast maximum level of 0.25 Mtpa within approximately four years J and therefore require the quarrying of the following quantity of friable sandstone: I 1995/1996 - 125 000 tpa (100 000 t products) 1 1996/1997 - 187 000 tpa (150 000 t products) 1997/1998 - 250 000 tpa (200 000 t products) I 1999/2000 - 312 000 tpa (250 000 t products)
These forecast production levels are provided in the context of the Applicant's assessment of market demand. Beyond the Year 2000, production levels are I anticipated to fluctuate between 0.2 Mtpa and 0.25 Mtpa. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PrY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 40 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY 40 Section 2- Description of the Proposal
TABLE 2.3
Sequence of Quarrying Events
Fine-Medium Sandstone Medium-Coarse Sandstone
Quarrying would continue in FM-i. Quarrying would commence in Cell MC-1 Drainage is currently directed around this where substantial thicknesses of white- cell (Figure 1.2). Quarrying is planned to firing shale is present. The overburden cease in this cell during 1996. from Cell CM-i (50 000 m) would be transported to form an acoustic mound adjacent to the northern boundary of the Quarrying would recommence in Cell Project Site. FM-2 with overburden transported to PU 89/4 for progressive rehabilitation of that area. Quarrying would continue eastwards into Cell MC-2 with all overburden Quarrying would then progress to Cells progressively pushed into Cell MC-1. FM-3 and 4 on the northern side of the main drainage line. Some of the At the completion of quarrying in Cell overburden from FM-3 would be MC-2 quarrying would re-commence on stockpiled adjacent to the northern the southern side of the drainage line in boundary of Cell FM-6 whilst the Cells MC-3 and MC-4. Overburden from remainder would be pushed into the Cell MC-3 would be pushed to Cell FM-2 western section of Cell MC-1. Overburden and Cell MC-4 to Cell MC-3. from Cell FM-4 would be progressively pushed into the void created in Cell FM-3. Quarrying would be undertaken in Cells Once quarrying ceases in Cell FM-4 and MC-5 and MC-6 once the upsiope creek flow is diverted into Cell FM-4, drainage was directed through Cells extraction would commence in FM-S. FM-4, FM-3, MC-2 and MC-1. Overburden from FM-S would be pushed Overburden from both of these cells into Cell FM-4. would be pushed into Cells FM-S, MC-1 and MC-2. Quarrying would commence in Cell FM-6 with the overburden pushed/transferred Quarrying would be undertaken to Cells FM-4 and FM-i. The diversion progressively in Cells MC-7, 8, 9 and iO. channel around Cell FM-i would be The overburden from these cells would be retained and not quarried as part of Cell progressively placed around the northern FM-6. perimeter of Cells MC-1 and MC-2 and across Cells MC-7, 8 and iO.
Quarrying would proceed clockwise in Cells FM-7, 8, 9 and 10. Overburden from Cell FM-7 would be pushed into Cell FM- 3. All overburden subsequently quarried from Cells FM-8, 9 and iO would be transferred to other cell areas requiring additional material to achieve the required final surface including Cells 7, 8 and 9.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I IS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2- Description of the Proposal I I I I I I I I REFERENCE
I Portion/Lot Boundary
Boundary of Proposed Quarry Area
I MC - 6 Medium-coarse Material & Quarry Cell No I FM - 6 Fine-medium Material & Quarry Cell No Quarry cell not yet quarried
1 I Active quarry cell I Completed quarry cell awaiting backfilling Tailings placement in Completed quarry Cell
I Overburden placement or storage in progress I EM Cell covered with topsoil and rehabilitated I Figure 2.5 QUARRY SEQUENCE
W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 43 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2- Descrtption of the Proposal I
TABLE 2.4 1 Indicative Schedule of Site Activities
I YEAR CELL i 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 I 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Coved FMHl-: f ÔIB stored frM- I stored I j 0/B Cover from FM-4) FM-2 -H------I ' Frotn1C3 FM-3 _ I From FM-4 Fro4m I : _ To FM-4 from FM-8 stored from FM-8
- I I From FM-5 I 0/13 stored from FM-3 FM-8 To FM-5 From FM-9
FM-9 .. I FM-7 From FM-to FM- b ToFM-8j. FroinuiWi foBundWali - - MC I ----f—L I 0/B stored from 3 :T:~::~:Frog MC5 From
From -7 I rem MC 9
From MC-4 - From MC-6 - - ed for covering MC-4 - - J:!:501 :±::-: I FM-i From MC-6 & FM-6 MC-5 From MC-io MC-6 H . I - - From MC-4stoptte
To Nk-3 From MC-8 1 MC7 i MC9 To MC-7 From MC-tO I tIIIIItT I I Shale - 30 000tpa QUARRYING SOIL MANAGEMENT WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Frtable Sandstone Soil placed in storage area Tailings disposal - -++ Shale I Soil directly transferred IZi Overburden (0/13) movement Soil recovered from storage area I Revegetation I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 44 - EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2- Description of the Proposal
2.4.4.2 White-firing Shale
The Applicant proposes to produce the white-firing shale at a level of approximately 50 000 tpa for the first nine to ten years from quarry cells MC-1 and MC-2. During Years 10 to 16, no white-firing shale would be exposed whereas beyond Year 16, it is planned to extract an average of approximately 30 000 tpa from Cells MC-7, MC-8, MC-9 and MC-10. The emphasis placed upon production levels of white-firing shale has been determined by the supply of a regular quantity of material in conjunction with the planned progression of the friable sandstone removal. The approach is consistent with the preference of the brick manufacturers using the shale.
2.4.5 Quarrying Equipment
Table 2.5 presents a list of equipment owned by the Applicant and/or contracted equipment that would be used for the construction of the northern bund wall. Table 2.6 similarly lists the equipment to be used for the extraction and haulage of the various raw materials on site.
TABLE 2.5
Equipment for Bund Wall Construction
Equipment Number Function Utilisation
Excavator CAT 300 1 Loading trucks 4 to 6 weeks and shaping bund wall
Bulldozer CAT D 6 1 Topsoil removal 4 to 6 weeks and emplacement. Shaping bund wall during and after construction
Articulated Truck 2 or 3 Transportation of 4 to 6 weeks overburden to bund wall
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 45 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.5 PROCESSING AND PRODUCT DESPATCH
1 (NOT THE SUBJECT OF THIS APPLICATION) I
1 2.5.1 Processing I I 2.5.1.1 Introduction I An understanding of the ongoing processing and product despatch is provided to U enable a full appreciation of the continued operations on the Project Site, particularly with respect to water management, noise generation and tailings management. As stated in Section 1.6.4, the existing processing plant has a capacity to produce I approximately 80 t to 100 t of product per hour. U
2.5.1.2 Range of Products
The Applicant plans to continue producing a well-graded concrete sand as their principal product. The range of raw materials within the Project Site would enable the Applicant to produce a range of products with different grain sizes, e.g. a fine-grained or a coarse-grained sand. However, the quantity of such products is likely to remain small. I I 2.5.1.3 Product Stockpiling
The Applicant would maintain product stockpiles surrounding the processing plant I with a total capacity of up to 20 000 t. Stockpiles of this capacity would utilise the full area surrounding the processing plant and necessitate the use of a front-end loader to I relocate and maintain various stockpiles. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 46 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY 40 Section 2- Description of the Proposal
TABLE 2.6
Quarrying Equipment
Number of Equipment Equipment Function Year - . Year . - UtilisatLon Utilisation 1996 2000
Bulldozer Clearing trees, topsoil 1 2 to 4 weeks on/ 1 2 to 4 weeks on/ (Komatsu 355) removal, ripping 4 to 6 weeks off 2 to 4 weeks off overburden, friable sandstone and pushing overburden
Bulldozer (D6) Reshaping overburden 1 1
Articulated Truck Transportation of 2 1 to 2 weeks 2 to 3 Continuous (25 t capacity) friable sandstone to every processing plant 6 to 8 weeks
Excavator (CAT 300) 1 1 to 2 weeks 1 Continuous every 6 to 8 or weeks Loading trucks Front-end Loader 1 (CAT 950)
Water Cart Dust suppression 1 As required 1 As required (5 000 L Capacity)
2.5.2 Product Despatch
2.5.2.1 Market Destinations
The Applicant recognises that there would be a gradual shift in the market destination over the next five years. It is anticipated that the forecast increase in sales from the Project Site would originate principally from the Sydney market.
It is forecast that approximately 50 per cent of the total output from the Project Site would be transported to Sydney and its south-western outskirts as Sydney's sources of sand diminish.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 47 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.5.2.2 Traffic Routes I It is proposed that apart from occasional local sales, the bulk of the truck traffic originating from the Project Site would travel along the Wombeyan Caves Road to the I old Hume Highway where at least 85 per cent would turn left and travel to Mittagong and beyond. Less than 15 per cent of truck traffic is likely to travel southwards along the old Hume Highway. I
2.5.2.3 Traffic Levels and Types
Tt is proposed that based on current daily variations in traffic levels and projected I sales, that daily traffic levels would vary from 300 tpa to 2000 tpa. These projected sales equate to approximately 12 loads (24 truck movements) to 80 loads (160 truck movements). These levels are established assuming 85 per cent of trucks are tn-axle I semi-trailers with a capacity of 27 tomes and 15 per cent of trucks are bogey drive rigid trucks with a capacity of approximately 13 t.
1 2.6 WASTE MANAGEMENT 1 2.6.1 Nature of Wastes For the purposes of this document, wastes generated on site are considered as either I production or non-production wastes. Production wastes include:
overburden materials comprising red/brown silty clays with a small but variable sand content; I non-white-firing shale (contaminated with sandstone or ironstone);
processing plant tailings comprising a slurry of fine clays and silts washed from the sand products; and I . processing plant oversize material comprising hard sandstone and I ironstone fragments generally in three size ranges, namely: I <100 mm (20 per cent) I < 50 mm (75 per cent) I a R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 48 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2- Description of the Proposal
Non-production wastes include:
general domestic-type wastes from the site office and lunchroom;
. routine maintenance consumables;
oils and greases; and
sewage.
The following sub-sections discuss the generation, quantity, and management of each of the above wastes over the remaining life of the project.
TABLE 2.7
Overburden Occurrence on the Project Site
Overburden Overburden
Quarry Cell Quarry Cell Average Average Quantity Quantity Thickness Thickness m3) ('000 loose m3) (m) ('000 loose (m)
FM- 1 3.0 92 MC- 1 1.5 50 FM- 2 1.8 73 MC- 2 1.5 50 FM- 3 2.0 62 MC- 3 1.8 61 FM- 4 2.5 81 MC- 4 1.5 43 FM- 5 2.5 85 MC- 5 1.8 47 FM- 6 4.0 234 MC- 6 1.5 74 FM- 7 3.0 105 MC- 7 0.8 33 FM- 8 2.5 91 MC- 8 2.0 81 FM- 9 2.0 65 MC- 9 2.0 84 FM-1 3.0 101 MC-10 2.5 111
TOTAL: 989 TOTAL: 634
2.6.2 Overburden
2.6.2.1 Occurrence Table 2.7 presents a breakdown of the individual quantities of overburden within each of the defined quarry cells based on the nominated average thickness listed. In total, an estimated 1.6 million loose m3 of overburden is present in the areas proposed for future extraction. The quantity of overburden has been expressed as loose m3 since it is
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED FJ EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 49 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I expected that after ripping, pushing and/or haulage, the volume of overburden would I swell by approximately 30 per cent. H
I 2.6.2.2 Management
I The overburden quarry on the Project Site would be utilised in the rehabilitation of the Project Site. It is noted that small quantities of overburden are periodically sold. The management of all overburden remaining on site would involve careful planning Li throughout the life of the project to ensure it is placed in the most effective location for rehabilitation and that double-handling is avoided as much as possible. It is I proposed that the overburden would be used for providing: I
(1) a substantial cover above accumulated tailings in the nominated tailings cells (see Section 2.6.3); and I
I (ii) a cover above final extraction levels thus ensuring a substantial substrate I for plant growth.
Table 2.8 lists the respective quarry cell(s) into which the overburden would be pushed I and/or placed. The sequence of quarrying (Table 2.4) provides, as much as is practicable, for the overburden to be pushed into the adjoining cell. Emphasis would, however, be placed upon pushing the overburden the least distance and preferably I within the one quarry cell. It would be necessary at times to transport overburden by truck from some quarry cells to achieve the required balance to create the final I landform (see Section 2.11). It would also be necessary at times to commence pushing overburden into adjoining I cells before tailings placement is completed. In this situation the overburden would be placed to one side in the cell and stockpiled up to 5 m above the final level for later spreading across the completed tailings surface (Section 2.11).
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 50 - EIS MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2- Description of the Proposal
TABLE 2.8
Overburden Placement
Quarry Cell Overburden placed in Cell Quarry Cell Overburden Placed in Cell
FM- 1 * FM-1 (Stockpiled) MC- 1 Northern Bund Wall FM- 2 * P089/4 MC- 2 MC-1 FM- 3 FM-3 (some stockpiled), FM-6 MC- 3 * FM-2 FM- 4 FM-3 MC- 4 * MC-3 FM- 5 * FM-2, FM-4 MC- 5 * MC-1 FM- 6 MC-4, FM-6 MC- 6 * MC-3, MC-4 FM- 7 MC-2 MC- 7 MC-1 FM- 8 FM-7 MC- 8 MC-7 FM- 9 FM-8 MC- 9 MC-2, MC-8 FM-1 MC-6, FM-9 MC-10 MC-5, MC-6, MC-9
* These cells are to be filled with tailings to approximately 698 m AHD before overburden is placed on these cells
2.6.3 Tailings Management
The most effective means of managing tailings is placing the slurry into a previously worked out cell, allowing the solids to settle out and then progressively dewatering the surface until the void is almost full. The tailings areas forms an important component of the site's water management system given the need for the recovery of water for processing. Once each cell is full and dewatered, the surface is left to dry out sufficiently to permit earthmoving equipment to place a cover of ripped overburden on the surface for enhanced rehabilitation prospects. Experience to date, together with an assessment of selected drill cores, has established that for planning purposes the tailings generated during the processing of the sand account for approximately 18 per cent of the feed through the plant. When first generated, the tailings slurry has a density of approximately 1.1 t/m3, however once emplaced and settlement of the clays and silts occurs, a density of 1.5 t/m3 is achieved (assuming a 40 per cent moisture content). The processing of the defined resources on the Project Site would generate approximately 1.06 million m3 of tailings throughout the life of the project. Based on a production level of 0.25 Mt of sand products annually, the annual production of tailings would be approximately 40000 m3. It is proposed to place the tailings into the cells nominated in Table 2.9. It is noted that the nominated cells have a collective capacity of approximately 1.2 million in', that is, based on the volume of the voids below 698 in AHD. This level has been selected as it is 0.4 m below the final overflow
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 51 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
point on the western side of the Project Site which would ensure that no tailings would I be at an elevation that could be eroded from the Project Site. I TABLE 2.9 Extraction Cells for Tailings Placement I Capacip' ** Extraction Cell * Years of Use (Approximate) I P0 89/4 150 000 1 to 4 I FM-i 40000 # 5 FM-2 80 000 6 to 7
I MC-3 120 000 # 8 to 10 I MC-4 100 000 11 to 12.5 FM-5 100 000 # 12.5 to 15 I MC-5 340 000 16 to 23 MC-6 250 000 24 to 29 1 TOTAL: 1 180 000 I * Listed in order of use ** Calculated on a maximum level of 698 m AHD
I # An allowance has been made for this cell to contain some overburden below 698 m AHD I
I 2.6.4 Oversize Material
I Based on the cut-off hardness level of 0.75 MPa, the Applicant has established that the oversize material generally represents approximately 7 per cent of the product generated. Therefore, when production levels reach 0.25 Mtpa, the annual quantity of I oversize material produced would be approximately 17500 t. Whilst considered a waste material, this material can be used as a filling or drainage material or for road construction. It is likely that insufficient markets would exist for this material and I therefore, the Applicant would place the unsaleable portion of the oversize material into the extracted voids as part of the overburden/tailings backfilling programme or I use it for the construction and maintenance of on-site roads. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 52 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY I Section 2- Description of the Proposal
2.6.5 Non-production Wastes All site office and lunchroom wastes and equipment maintenance consumables such as grease cartridges are deposited in appropriate containers and disposed of at the Welby Landfill Depot. The Applicant would continue with this practice. I All used oils and grease are collected and stored on site and periodically delivered to the licenced recycling contractor based at the Welby Landfill Depot. I 2.7 SERVICES I 2.7.1 Power I The Applicant would continue to use the reticulated single phase power for lighting and electrical equipment at the weighbridge, office and amenities. The processing plant would continue to be powered by a diesel powered 312 kVA generating plant given that an economic supply of three-phase power is not available to the Project Site. I
2.7.2 Water The Applicant's annual water requirement at full production of 0.25 Mtpa would be I approximately 255 000 m3, comprising:
250 000 m3 for make-up water for processing; and
5 000 m3 for road watering.
The Applicant would continue to draw its water requirements from the on-site dams immediately north of the processing area (Figure 2.1) which conservatively contain between 50 000 m3 and 60 000 m3, even under comparatively dry conditions. The Applicant would also draw water from its on-site bore (Figure 2.1), which is capable of yielding 40 L/sec and licenced to yield 200 000 m3 per annum. Additional voids for water storage would be excavated throughout the life of the project which could supplement the water supplies harvested from both groundwater and the natural and relocated drainage line. It is noted that the water in Dams 1 and 2 are used, when required, for firefighting and I by Wingecarribee Shire Council for road construction/maintenance activities.
2.7.3 Fuel Distillate would be used on-site for power generation, for the Applicant's front-end loaders and the Contractor's earthmoving equipment and various pump motors. When operating at full capacity, the annual fuel usage on-site would be approximately I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EIS - MI1TAGONG SAND QUARRY - 53 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2- Description of the Proposal
400 000 L. The use of this quantity of liquid fuel is justified in the Energy Statement I (Appendix 3). The Applicant maintains five fuel storage tanks in the vicinity of the Processing Plant:
(i) a 10000 L tank adjacent to the main generator for power generation for I the processing plant; (ii) an 8 000 L tank adjacent to the raw feed stockpile for use by the I earthmoving contractor;
(iii) a 5000 L tank adjacent to Dam 2 for use by the pump designated for I pumping water to the processing plant from Dam 2;
a 1 000 L tank adjacent to the thickener for the motor for that facility; and 1 a 200 L drum for small motors used on site. I All tanks and drums are bunded to provide an emergency storage of at least 110 per I cent of the capacity of the tank or drum. 1 2.7.4 Sewage An approved septic system is installed with an appropriate absorption trench adjacent to the site office. The existing system would be adequate for the remaining life of the I project.
2.7.5 Communications
' The Applicant maintains three communication lines brought to the site from Wombeyan Caves Road generally within the alignment of the power line. The easement for the power line is located immediately north of the site access road.
I 2.8 HOURS OF OPERATION The proposed hours of operation for all continued quarrying operations would be 6.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday, public holidays excluded. It is noted that I these hours are proposed as the band width for the nominated activities within which quarrying activities would occur. The actual hours of operation would depend upon the I level of sales. I 2 R.W. CORKERY & CO. Ply LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 54 - EIS - MUAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.9 EMPLOYMENT The Applicant anticipates that by the time production levels of 0.25 tpa are achieved, the site workforce would be approximately 7 full time persons comprising 4 persons employed by the Applicant and 3 persons employed by the Contractor. I Based on the planned delivery of approximately 70 per cent of the sand products to the Sydney market by the Year 2000, there would also be a considerably increased level of employment for truck drivers.
2.10 SAFETY AND SECURITY The Applicant recognises the need to protect the safety of the public and it's own and contracted employees. The Project Site is somewhat isolated from population centres, however, the Soapy Flat Reserve is used periodically by 4 WD and trail bike enthusiasts. The Applicant would continue to adopt the following procedures to achieve a level of safety considered appropriate for the type of activities on site and its location:
the entrance gate would be maintained at the site entrance of Wombeyan Caves Road. The gates would be locked at all times when there are no authorised personnel on site; I
the Quarry Manager's residence is nearby and he would continue to undertake inspections of the quarry outside normal working hours; I security signs are positioned at strategic locations around the Project 1 Site; and
perimeter bund walls and logs would be positioned adjacent to active quarry faces or water bodies within the Project Site to prevent unauthorised access. I
2.11 LIFE OF THE PROPOSAL
2.11.1 Rehabilitation Activities on Permissive Occupancy 1989/4 It is proposed that the backfilling of the final quarry cells on P0 1989/4 would be completed within about 5 years and the final Iandform completed in a further 2 years to 3 years. The revegetation programme would commence in Year 2 and by Year 10 it is anticipated that all vegetation techniques, including those for the rare and endangered plants, would be well established. The need to extend the term of the I Applicant's licence or lease over the area beyond 10 years would be assessed at that time to establish whether further management/maintenance is required by the I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I • EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 55 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I Applicant. Further details of the programme for rehabilitation activities on P0 1989/4 I are presented in Section 2.13.3. I 2.11.2 Quarrying Operations on Portion 127 The defined resources within Portion 127 of approximately 9.4 million tonnes (insitu) yielding 7.2 million tonnes of sand products are estimated to provide an operational I life of almost 30 years, that is based on an annual production rate of approximately 0.25 million tonnes per year. I 2.12 REHABILITATION I 2.12.1 Objectives The Applicant's principal objective in the rehabilitation of all areas disturbed during I the life of the project is to undertake a level of rehabilitation that would assist in ensuring the proposed final land uses can be achieved. Secondly, it remains I fundamental that the rehabilitated landform does not cause any long term adverse impacts relating to water quality, soil erosion and visibility from adjoining lands.
I P0 1989/4
For the rehabilitation of the areas disturbed within P0 1989/4, the Applicant's I objective is to return the land to a nature conservation land use with a species diversity and habitat value commensurate with the surrounding undisturbed native bushland. It P is recognised at the outset that the lack of sufficient topsoil on P0 1989/4 and the proposed more clayey substrate arising from the placement of the tailings into the completed quarry area would provide for local changes in species abundance and I perhaps the occurrence of other native species. The retention of P0 1989/4 as part of the local wildlife corridor is also recognised as I an important objective of its rehabilitation. Portion 127
The Applicant's rehabilitation objectives for Portion 127 are:
I to return the land principally to a grazing land use with a combination of predominantly pasture-improved grassland with scattered tree belts I providing long term stock shelter and a visual appearance similar to that currently present;
I development of a dam/wetland system within the lower parts of the property that provides both a source of water for stock, a habitat for I birdlife and a visually appealing landscape;
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 56 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
to ensure the vegetation developed around the perimeter of Portion 127, particularly on the southern and western boundaries does not adversely affect the adjacent native bushland. This relates primarily to weed invasion. Any remaining areas occurring on P0 19079/11 on the western boundary of Portion 127 would be rehabilitated; I
complete coverage of the completed tailings dams with the greatest thickness of overburden as possible to ensure the best opportunity for 1 revegetation of the site. This objective is proposed given the documented difficulties caused at other sites where sand is washed and insufficient materials are available to adequately cover them at the end of their operational life. The presence of substantial thicknesses of overburden on Portion 127 would enable the completed tailings dams to be adequately covered; and
maximise the progressive rehabilitation of disturbed areas with emphasis placed whenever possible upon direct transfer of soil.
2.12.2 Final Landform Figure 2.6 presents the proposed final landform after the completion of all quarry-. related activities on the Project Site. The principal features of the final landform are 1 set out below: I P0 1989/4
the pre-quarrying landform would be generally re-created within a free- draining surface;
the local catchment divides would be reinstated generally in pre- quarrying locations;
final slopes would vary from 1° to 5° which are comparable to adjoining slopes. 1 Portion 127 1 A final dam and associated shallow wetlands would be formed approximately 200 m north of the existing dam/wetland on the Project Site. The dam would vary from 0.5 m to 1.5 m in depth and contain at least two islands, positioned in the area of old roadways through the area left as a dam; I slopes on the southern side of the final dam would be comparatively gentle (20 to 40) and similar to natural slopes currently in that area; I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 57 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I I / V-- I 408 DP777857
I Por. 127 I
110 DP 777857 I \i \ it I L_
I L i-iiiiif N , I I
r1 ' I 165 DP 257186 I
I REFERENCE Project Site Boundary - - Boundary of Proposed Quarry Area I Lot / Portion Boundary ... ... Contour (Interval = 2m) Watercourse / Existing Dam ,_- Proposed Contour (Interval = 2m) I Marsh Proposed Dam I SCALE 1:10000 tOO 0 100 200 300 400 500 m Figure 2.6 I FINAL LANDFORM
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 58 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
slopes on the northern side of the proposed dam would be steeper than existing slopes but generally in the range of 60 to 90; and
the northern bund wall would be removed at the end of quarry life and the material from the bund wall used to create the final slopes in quarry Cells FM-10 and MC-10.
2.12.3 Rehabilitation Procedures - P0 1989/4
2.12.3.1 Introduction
The areas of disturbance within P0 1989/4 comprise:
quarry voids to be backfilled with tailings;
disturbed areas, not quarried, generally on the perimeter of (i); and
access roads and tracks.
This sub-section reviews each of these areas of disturbance and the proposals for landform re-construction and re-vegetation. The erosion and sediment controls to be adopted throughout the rehabilitation stages are set out in Section 4.3.
Rodd and Clements (1995) have identified that the remnant dry sclerophyll forest on Portion 127 would play an important role in the successful rehabilitation of P0 1989/4. This sub-section also incorporates the procedures for utilising the remnant vegetation on Portion 127.
2.12.3.2 Quarry Voids
The method of quarrying and tailings disposal to date within P0 1989/4 has resulted in four areas which are to be the progressively rehabilitated. The four quarry voids are shown on Figure 2.7, and the area and volume of each is listed in Table 2.10.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 59 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal TN 511V7 MN CrownRoad I V' I I C I L I Area EFER yea) //a I Boundary Watercourse / ExisUng Dam Ver ') / / / Contour (Interval 2m) I 720 / / 01* — Proposed Contour (Interval = 2m)
U PLAN SCALE 1:5000 50 0 50 100 150 200 250 m I I I I I Area A -- Area B --f- -- Area D - I Overburden / Soil I I
SECTION SCALE 1:3000 I Figure 2.7 50 0 50 700 150m COMPLETED QUARRY I l/ERTICAL EXAGGERATION = 3 AREA - REHABILITATION
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS ElS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
TABLE 2.10 I
Quarry Voids on P0 1989/4 1
Area Volume Comment Quarry Void (ha) (m3) I A 2.0 46 000 Backlilling not yet commenced in this void Li B 2.7 <2 000 Part of area previously rehabilitated and part of area backfilled with tailings I C 1.4 11 600 Backfihling not yet commenced in this void L D 2.9 95 000 Area currently used for tailings disposal r
The proposed sequence of tailings placement in the remaining voids on P0 1989/4 will I be from C - D —> A. This sequence would enable the early completion of approximately 50 per cent of the area to receive the overburden that is to be progressively transferred from quarry cell FM-2 to P0 1989/4. It is noted that n additional quantities of overburden could be drawn (if required) from other quarry cells, e.g. FM-i or MC-3, to create the final landform in P0 1989/4. I Figure 2.7 presents two typical sections through the completed voids showing the tailings and the placement of overburden on the final surface. Overburden thicknesses would vary from 0.3 m to 2.5 m depending on the final profile achieved. 1
2.12.3.3 Utilising Portion 127 Vegetation I
There is approximately 10 ha of remnant DSF 3 vegetation on Portion 127 ideally suited to assist in the revegetation of P0 1989/4 also with an area of approximately I 10 ha. The Applicant would adopt the programme recommended by Rodd and Clements (1995) to ensure the value of the remnant stands are maintained to achieve I their greatest value for rehabilitating P0 1989/4. I All remnant stands of vegetation on Portion 127 would be fenced to exclude stock. Li
The fenced-off area would be carefully monitored for weeds prior to the summer in which it is planned to clear the vegetation. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED Li EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 61 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
By this careful management, the remnant patches of dry scierophyll forest would be I relatively weed-free and with higher cover of the local native species, especially Phyllota humifusa. In October 1994 (survey time of Rodd and Clements, 1995), P. humifusa was widespread in the remnant relatively ungrazed patches and weed I occurrence relatively low.
In the summer, the remnant patches would be harvested for their biomass (above I ground plant material), topsoil (including part of the below-ground biomass with its seed store) and subsoil. The harvesting involves rapid transferral from the patches to the area requiring rehabilitation to the local native dry sclerophyll plant community. I As the final landform is created within each area, a section of remnant vegetation on Portion 127 comparable in area to the area to be covered would be harvested. I Harvesting would involve:
pushing the biomass to one side exposing the topsoil;
pushing the topsoil to the other side exposing the subsoil;
I (iii) removal of subsoil - It is noted that the depth of subsoil removal would reflect the rooting depth of the cleared vegetation.
I This procedure would be reversed by firstly placing the subsoil on the area to be vegetated, then the topsoil and finally the biomass. This process would be undertaken I within 2 or 3 days to maximise the opportunity for regeneration.
I 2.12.3.4 Maintenance
I It is proposed to monitor the rate and diversity of plant growth on the revegetated areas every six months for the two years, and then annually and subsequently biennially. This monitoring would take the form of detailed surveys based on selected I 10 m x 10 m quadrats where species height and density would be recorded. Should it be necessary to undertake supplementary planting, local seeds of appropriate species would be collected and propagated. I
2.12.3.5 Disturbed Areas
Approximately 1 ha has been disturbed around the completed quarry area. The I Applicant proposes to deep rip those areas that are compacted and undertake a direct seeding programme in those areas. Logs and seed-bearing branches recovered from Portion 127 would also be placed randomly across these areas. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 62 - EIS - MI1TAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 2- Description of the Proposal
2.12.3.6 Roads and Tracks
The perimeter roads around the completed quarry area and the access road from the processing area (within the Crown Road) would be progressively removed and rehabilitated as they are no longer required for access.
The perimeter roads would be ripped and where possible covered with limited topsoil and direct seeded. The main access road would be ripped. Removal of material forming the built-up sections of the road would be placed into active areas of backfilling on Portion 127. The road would be progressively removed leaving a 4WD track for access during the maintenance phase of the site rehabilitation. Logs and branches recovered from Portion 127 would also be placed randomly across the rehabilitated roads and tracks.
At the completion of all activities on the Project Site, appropriate earth barriers, ditches and log barriers would be positioned to prevent all vehicular access to the regenerating areas. Appropriate signs would be erected during the revegetation programme advising of prohibited vehicular access.
2.12.3.7 Rehabilitation Programme
Based on the projected production levels outlined on Table 2.4, the Applicant proposes to undertake the rehabilitation of P0 1989/4 generally in accordance with the timetable set out in Table 2.11. The programme, together with detailed plans and sections of the planned profiles and rehabilitation activities would be incorporated in the relevant biennial report for the entire project.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 63 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I TABLE 2.11 Timetable for the Rehabilitation of P0 1989/4 I Activity in Nominated Areas Year Tailings Tailings Overburden Direct Maintenanc I Placement Drying Out Placement Seeding * I 1996 C -- B B -- 1997 D C -- -- B I 1998 D -- C C B 1999 A D -- -- B,C
I 2000 A -- D D B,C I 2001 -- A -- -- B,C,D 2002 -- -- A A B,C,D I 2003 ------A, B, C, D 2004 ------A, B, C, D
I 2005 ------A, B, C, D
I * See Section 2.11.5 I The above schedule is indicative only and would be reviewed in conjunction with the biennial report for the project. Factors likely to influence variations to the schedule I include: I I rate of quarrying and hence availability of overburden and tailings; I rate of drying of tailings; and I
I results of the previous rehabilitation activities and trials.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED 1 ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 64 - EIS - MITFAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal 1 2.12.4 Rehabilitation Procedures - (Portion 127) 1 2.12.4.1 Introduction I The areas of planned disturbance within Portion 127 throughout the life of the project and components of the final landform that would be created during the project life would be:
the buffer around the proposed quarry area; I
the northern bund wall; I quarry cells backfilled within tailings;
final dam I final floor and perimeter slopes; and
(vi) processing area.
The rehabilitation procedures for each of these components are set out in the remainder of this sub-section. The erosion and sediment controls to be adopted throughout the rehabilitation stages within Portion 127 and set out in Section 4.3. 1 2.12.4.2 Buffer around Proposed Quarry Area I The Applicant would initially mark out the limit of the 50 m wide buffer around the eastern, northern and western boundaries of Portion 127 and the 10 m wide buffer on the southern boundary of Portion 127. Within the nominated buffer it is proposed to I undertake the following:
(i) retention of all mature trees;
I a regular weed control programme (see Section 2.12.5); and
progressively remove all equipment and structures within this buffer area and revegetate any disturbed areas. One particular activity planned in this programme would be the removal of the wall of the Dam 1 on the western boundary of Portion 127 (Figure 2.1) and the construction of a I grassed waterway across the 50 m wide buffer from the outlet of the final dam to carry the dam overflows. I
R.W. C0RKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY - 65 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Descnption of the Proposal
2.12.4.3 Northern Bund Wall I The northern bund wall (Figure 2.1) would be constructed over a comparatively short period of 4 to 6 weeks. As sections of the bund wall are completed to the nominated height and profile, topsoil originally pushed to the northern side of the bund wall and I additional soil transferred from quarry cell MC-1 would be placed over the outer surface of the wall. I In order to impart rapid stability on all sides of the bund wall, the surface would be seeded and mulched with a hydroseeding unit. It is proposed that seed from a range of appropriate grasses and native shrubs (e.g. wattles) would be used. A limited quantity I of fertiliser would be included with the seed mix.
2.12.4.4 Quarry Cells Backfilled with Tailings Quarry Cells FM-i, FM-2, FM-5, MC-3, MC-4, MC-5 and MC-6 would be progressively backfilled with tailings throughout the life of the project. The quarry I sequence (Table 2.4) identifies that each tailings cell would be covered with overburden transferred either directly from a subsequent quarry cell or from a I nominated overburden stockpile area. It is proposed that the overburden would be placed above the dried-out tailings at a thickness varying from 1.0 m to 3.0 in. The thickness of overburden would be I controlled by the exact level of tailings achieved and the available overburden removed as part of the normal quarry sequence. Overburden would be placed to a depth that ensured the final landform was free-draining and above 698.4 in AHD, the I proposed outlet level of the final dam. At the completion of overburden placement, soil would be placed above the I overburden from either a subsequent quarry cell or stockpile, after which it would be seeded and fertilised with conventional farming equipment. A range of pasture species such as: Couch Grass, Rhodes Grass, Cocksfoot, Sub-clovers, Tall Fescue, Rye Grass I and/or White Clover would be planted subject to the season in which sowing occurs. The Applicant proposes to re-establish a number of tree belts similar to those already I on Portion 127 as part of the final landscape. Figure 2.8 identifies approximate areas for these 80 in x 40 in tree belts.
I 2.12.4.5 Final Dam The final dam is to be created within Quarry Cells MC-1 and MC-2 and FM-3 and I FM-4. It has been planned that overburden is backfilled into these cells (and not tailings) to achieve a final level of approximately 697 in to 698 m providing an area of I approximately 5 ha and varying in depth water from 0.2 in to 1.5 in. The capacity of the final dam is assessed to be comparable to the combined capacity of Dams 1 and 2 (Figure 2.1) currently on Portion 127, namely 50000 m3 to 60000 m3. I Figure 2.8 also shows the area of inundation that is likely to occur during periods of high runoff. The area within the 698.4 m contour shown on Figure 2.8 could contain up to 100 000 m3 I of water, much of it at depths of between 0.2 in and 0.4 m beyond the
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS 66 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
likely limits of the final dam. It is likely that the normal level within the final dam would reach an equilibrium level that reflected the typical runoff levels, evaporation and extent of infiltration to the underlying sandstone and regional water table. It is therefore likely that, consistent with natural wetlands, the area covered with water an any one time would advance and retreat according to seasonal factors.
The final dam would become operational in approximately Year 9, immediately prior to quarrying commencing in Quarry Cell FM-5. However, it would not be finally formed until approximately Year 25 when backfilling of Quarry Cell MC-2 is prograrmned. At the completion of all periods of backfilling of overburden, and subject to water levels at the time, the appropriate parts of the surface would be contoured, covered with topsoil and sown with appropriate pasture grasses.
At the completion of each section of the perimeter of the final dam, limited planting of appropriate aquatic plants would be undertaken. It is recognised, however, that natural colonisation similar to that which has occurred within Dams 1 and 2 on the existing site, would dominate the revegetation of this area.
2.12.4.6 Final Perimeter Slopes
The final perimeter slopes, principally around the northern and eastern sides of the proposed quarry would be formed by shaping the overburden transferred onto the nominated area. Topsoil would be transferred onto the final surface from either subsequent quarry cells or from designated topsoil stockpiles. As in the case of the areas south of the final dam, the perimeter slopes would be seeded with appropriate pasture grasses and fertilised. Some small farm dams would be established together with scattered tree belts (Figure 2.8).
2.12.4.7 Processing Area
At the completion of all processing activities, all plant and equipment would be removed. The need for the retention of the permanent buildings, e.g. workshop, would be assessed. All concrete slabs, footings etc. not required for any ongoing purpose would be ripped up and either buried or removed from the site.
Once the final landform is created, the area would be deeply ripped and covered with the remaining topsoil stored from the quarrying operations and grassed.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I
0- MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 67 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal rD I ad Sown to Pasture ~17 ELEVAIION ELEVAJ ION m (AHD) rn (Al IL)) / Surface After Backfilling 730- / 72L.I I is Completed - - 712 Original Existing Surface 710 720- Tree Belt 720 706 / I 704 702 71
I 701 Belts
690 U9LI I MC-8 IMC-2 MC-4
\ ± TRtid Section C - C I VERTICAL EXAGGERATION = 6 (Approx.)
ELI0N ELEVATION m (AHDH I Surface After Backfilling 730 i F is Completed Grassed ow Original Existing Surface / Sown to Pasture EVA
\
TT - 7 1 :iTm 1 . ty ath:Dam
O/
590 ProcessIng Plant Removed Area FM-9 FM-8 I I FM-4 FM-2 Vegetated _FM2=._Ij1j M-i ------j -J Section D - D /- E-E - VERTICAL EXAGGERATION = 6 (Approx.) I
L - C D REFERENCE
F 0' 0TH /1 ---- Portion/Lot Boundary m(AHD) rn (AHD) I - Contour (Interval = 2m) Proposed Contour (Interval = 2m) 730 Boundary of Proposed Quarry Area Surface After Backfilling Original Existing Surface Note Quarry cells FM-i, 2 & 5 Area of Maximum Water Storage - Completed - and MC-3, 4, 5 & 6 - I limit 698.4m AHO) I - 720 backfilled to 698m with tailings and covered - Sown to Pasture Overburden with overburden. Water Depth 0.3 to2 Orn I Islands 7 1 U Tail ngs
I 590_L-- - - -- .-)/U SCALE Figure 2.8 MC-1 MC-2 FM-3 FM-4 FM-6 500 50 100150 200m PORTION 127 - I Section E - E VERTICAL EXAGGERATION = 6 (Approx.) REHABILITATION
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 69 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.12.5 Monitoring and Maintenance I The Applicant would continue to monitor the progress of all revegetation activities and surface stability throughout the life of the rehabilitation activities with P0 1989/4 I and quarrying and processing operations on Portion 127. The monitoring would establish the health and vigour of the revegetating plants and determine whether an appropriate species diversity is being achieved. The monitoring I would also establish whether there is an unacceptable level of weed invasion etc. An important component of the monitoring programme would be the assessment of I progress of propagation and growth of the rare and endangered plants on the final landform in P0 1989/4. Maintenance of rehabilitated areas would involve supplementary direct seeding and 1 planting of tube stock to re-establish an appropriate species diversity or achieve an appropriate coverage of the final surface. I The maintenance programme would also incorporate a weed control programme.
2.13 DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES
2.13.1 Introduction The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulations, 1994 requires that this document address any feasible alternatives to continuing the quarrying of sand and I shale on the Project Site. Feasible alternatives are assessed as those alternatives that are both practicable and economic. Apart from the "no development" option which is I discussed in Section 5.3, the principal feasible alternatives relate to alternative sources of sand and shale. I There are no feasible alternatives with respect to:
. on-site power generation because of the costs to connect the required I reticulated power to the site;
. transport access to the main road network as Wombeyan Caves Road is I the only legal "through" road to the old Hume Highway; and I . management of tailings as no viable processes are available to use the materials in ceramic manufacture.
I 2.13.2 Alternative Sand Sources I Alternative sand sources relate either to those available to the Applicant or the sources available to consumers of the sand products. This subsection addresses both I alternatives. I - R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 70 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY • Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
The Applicant currently holds a Permissive Occupancy (P0 1989/4) for the quarrying of friable sandstone from within the Soapy Flat Reserve to produce sand products. The opportunity exists for quarrying sufficient friable sandstone in P0 1989/4 to yield about 4 million tonnes of sand products. The Department of Conservation and Land Management, in their 1993 Land Assessment of the Soapy Flat Reserve, identified the reserves defined in P0 1989/4 as available for responsible extraction subject to quarrying operations being able to regenerate the rare and endangered ground cover species present within the dry sclerophyll open forest within P0 1989/4. As discussed in Section 1.4.3, the Applicant has decided only to pursue the quarrying of the friable sandstone resources on the freehold land adjoining P0 1989/4, given the bulk of the area is cleared and sufficient resources are available on that land to sustain an economically viable operation. Consumers of sand products in the Southern Highlands currently have the choice of purchasing sand similar to that the Mittagong Sand Quarry from two other suppliers within the highlands or from other suppliers on the south-western outskirts of Sydney. The more distant sources attract high transport costs. There are three principal sources of well graded concrete sands in the Southern Highlands, namely the Applicant's quarry and those near Kangaloon and Penrose. The Kangaloon sand deposits are marginally different to those at the Project Site whereas the Penrose sand deposit is also a friable sandstone source whose production involves washing and removal of oversize materials and tailings. It is understood that the remaining resources in the Kangaloon sand deposits are not substantial compared with those at Penrose. However, the extent of resources at both locations that are approved for extraction is similarly not known. Notwithstanding this information, it remains desirable for consumers in the Southern Highlands that several sources are available for supplying local requirements. Apart from supplying local requirements, the Applicant expects to supply a substantially greater amount of the sand products from the Mittagong Sand Quarry to the Sydney market. Spackman (1992) identified that available fine to medium grained sand resources in the Sydney area were dwindling and that by about the Year 2000, a far greater proportion of Sydney's sand would be sourced from more distant sources such as the Southern Tablelands. In conclusion, the Applicant's decision to proceed with the continuation of quarrying on Portion 127 is one which would benefit from the existing infrastructure and processing facilities which would enable the Applicant to continue to produce a range of quality sand products.
2.13.3 Alternative White-firing Shale Sources The occurrences of white-firing shale available for extraction throughout Sydney and the surrounding area is limited and the sources of this material available for brick manufacture are dwindling. The continued supply of white-firing shale from the Project Site would assist in enabling the brick industry to produce a wide range of bricks in natural colours.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED SECTION 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
PREAMBLE
This section examines the components of the existing environment within and surrounding the Project Site. The extent of description and associated data collection varies throughout this section and is invariably related to the potential for impact to occur from the ongoing operation.
The issues to be considered in the assessment of impact or constraint(s), if any, imposed upon the proposal are described at the end of each sub-section and highlighted in italics. Where necessaly, the need for design and operational safeguards is highlighted. I EIS - MI1TAGONG SAND QUARRY - 73 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 3- Existing Environment I 3.1 TOPOGRAPHY I
LI 3.1.1 Local Setting I The Project Site lies in an elevated plateau area referred to as Soapy Flat between the Jellore Creek and Joadja Creek. Figure 3.1 shows the plateau area lies at approximately 700 m AHD and is surrounded by higher ranges or peaks e.g. High I Range to the north (827 m AHD), Mount Jellore to the north-east (833 m AHD) and Hurdle Ridge/Mount Misery to the south (801 m AHD). I I 3.1.2 Project Site and Surrounds
The topography of the Project Site is very mildly undulating with a comparatively low I relief of generally less than 20 m. The highest point on the Project Site lies at 724 m AHD in the north-west corner. The land falls gently with slopes of 30 to 50 to I approximately 700 m AHD in the central portion of the Project Site (Figure 3.1). Natural slopes on Permissive Occupancy 1989/4 are gentle (10 to 30) except where quarrying activities have taken place. Figure 3.2 shows the landform within Portion 127 L rises gradually to the north where it reaches elevations at surrounding residences of between 735 m AHD and 740 m AHD. A ridge rising to 722 m AHD is present immediately south of the Project Site. The topography also rises gradually to the east I of the Project Site but falls to the west as part of the Joadja Creek and Borehole Creek systems. I [1 3.2 DRAINAGE 1
I 3.2.1 Regional
I Figure 3.1 shows the Project Site lies close to the watershed of Joadja and Borehole Creeks, tributaries of the Wingecarribee River and in turn the Wollondilly River. Figure 3.1 also shows the Project Site lies close to the eastern limit of the Warragamba I Dam Catchment. Both Borehole Creek and Joadja Creek flow in a generally westerly direction beyond the Project Site and join approximately 2.5 km south-west of the I Project Site. [1 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
341 / 3 - 10th Jsfle, 1995
966 TN -j - .H) 706 3E, A91 Ern,szts 613702 - IVIN M6Auhsrs iiL .___-_.-- .469 642 / WANGANOESWP70060UT Rocky -f -- %L'7 67 ' 0 MOsJwr-P 98 7 622 576 "752 SSSJESRA WAMs4ttQ1759r" - 671S$ELLS NEEDLE & ?. 5/0 2/IL Lo/ss5 ) 97 837 0A. 98 645
- 566 '59(6 I Joadja Creek ,Catchment Boundary . 722 - - -sm boo I61c,6 94 3 1553 , 5g.' \ — p - 1:'
700 Im 709. 1SI07ARLOA - LvnI07d, Lilly Bi - LI7TLE 84113 PEAK Ges. q % 25 4 88 f 695 '4..'____.,1j134., RAO t H89t •'\ %2 - o: 7—-'- rC/) 724 95 .710 e° ILRdge L4 85 kMeteorologca •i- 0 632' ..- * Station 'I14 50 . 0 -84 7: r 774 54(f)0 85 736 652 5 C L J Source 73 CROWN COPYRIGHT I SCALE BURRAGORANG 8929 COURTESY LAND INFORMATION CENTRE 2.5 0 2.5 5. 0 7.5 km MOSS VALE 8928 Figure 3.1 PANORAMA AVENUE, BATHURST 00 TopographIc 1:1000& 1988 EditIons REGIONAL SETTING
------ ------
TN REFERENCE MN Project Site Boundary - ------Power Transmission Line Easement uo ______Portion I Lot Boundary / Sealed Road / Track - - I \\ Watercourse / Dam I Residence Contour (Interval lOm)
womDaroo NI
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--
I L I Por 127 L ..fl9
I l Processingre ------___.
-- go H C, 0 LI -
- - ------0 C) I I 0 I ii I 61034 g i I I --- I L— — — — — — — — — — 0 -M I I I -I I I C I _- _GI I 0 57622 > -o 11:1 mL 0 Figure 3.2 0 CALE --- FT1 c I I I LOCAL C) 200 0 200 -1 TOPOGRAPHY C,, ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 76 - ElS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment I
Table 3.1 lists the respective catchment areas of the rivers and creeks referred to I above. TABLE 3.1 I Regional Drainage Catchments 1 Dam! River! Creek Area of Catchment (km2) I Warragamba Dam 9 050 Wollondilly River 5 400 Li Wingecarribee River 800
Joadja Creek 13.6 LI Borehole Creek 8.7 I
3.2.2 Local I Figure 3.3 depicts the local drainage patterns and stream catchments on and immediately surrounding the Project Site. The Project Site occurs within four sub- catchments of Borehole and Joadja Creeks: I
. Sub-catchment 1 drains to the north-western corner of the Project Site I and flows into a tributary of Borehole Creek, just west of the Project Site; I Sub-catchment 2 drains a 3.5 km2 area of the watershed of a tributary of Borehole Creek. All runoff from this catchment flows into the two dams constructed adjacent to the processing area within the Project Site. This I sub-catchment drains the bulk of Portion 127. It is understood these dams overflow with a frequency of once in every 2 to 5 years; I Sub-catchment 3 drains the site access road and part of the access road to the completed quarry area; and
Sub-catchment 4 drains the area in which the completed quarry area is located. Almost all rainfall falling within the disturbed area is contained I within the quarry voids.
Much of the runoff from the Project Site is collected in two large shallow dams within the Borehole Creek Catchment. Both Borehole Creek and Joadja Creek are non- perennial fresh water creeks. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ------
341 / 3 10th Je. 1995 : 1 i2i_ TJJ1T \ --- -- 8URRAGORANG 8929 , ---. -----'-,, . 1100000 TopogruphIc --T TN SITE
108
.110 122 : L r k / \ F - T-:---4 93 - --t - 2 60
QQ I 34 -r6292 C) 0 \ 771 7 7 Catchment Boundar 10 y : T 9 TL !Q - 79,84, A 4)224
150 2G,1f,) -_"7 •r— ------ ----', 30, I / / Y 4 a 1 1 /
-] SCALE t CROWN COPYRIGHT - - - - COURTESY LAND INFORMATION CENTRE 1.0 0 1.0 20 30 km - igure 3.3 PANORAMA AVENUE, BATHURST . 1 a DRAINAGE ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 78 - EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment
3.3 GEOLOGY
3.3.1 Regional Setting
The Project Site is located near the south-western margin of the Sydney Basin where it is underlain principally by the Triassic Hawkesbury Sandstone formation (Herbert and Helby, 1980; Gobert, 1974).
The Southern Highlands has also experienced the intrusion of numerous igneous bodies which have been exposed to form many of the district's highest and prominent topographic features, e.g. Mount Gibraltar, Mount Misery, Mount Jellore and Mount Flora.
The Hawkesbury Sandstone is underlain by other Triassic rock formations (Shoalhaven Group) and the Permian Illawarra Coal Measures.
In the Soapy Flat area the Hawkesbury Sandstone has been comparatively deeply weathered and is recognised more as a friable sandstone. Locally harder and more competent sandstones (the result of metamorphism) are present immediately adjacent to the igneous intrusions. The Hawkesbury Sandstone contains discontinuous shale lenses throughout the unit which vary in thickness from 0.1 m to in excess of 5 m.
3.3.2 Project Site
The Applicant has undertaken substantial drilling programmes on both P0 1989/4 and on Portion 127 to determine the local variations in geology and to ascertain the areas and depth of friable sandstone suitable for the production of the required sand products.
Within P0 1989/4, the sandstone exposed in the completed quarry area was generally fine to medium grained and sufficiently friable to enable extraction by ripping to depths of between 6 m and 11 m. Also exposed over much of the quarry floor was a lens of white-firing shale varying in thickness from less than 1 m to in excess of 3 m.
Within Portion 127, a total of 30 diamond drill holes (Figure 2.3) have defined the presence of considerable quantities of friable sandstone varying in depth from between 7 m and 18 m from the surface. The drill core establishes that there is a dominance of fine to medium grained sandstone on the eastern side of Portion 127 and a dominance of medium to coarse grained sandstone on the western side of Portion 127. Shale lenses also occur erratically across Portion 127 with the most consistent and thickest lens beneath the north-western quadrant of Portion 127. It is noted that the thin lenses of shale, predominantly on the southern side of Portion 127, have little value as a raw material for brick manufacture given they are contaminated with iron oxides and invariably interbedded with thin sandstone beds.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 79 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment I 3.4 SOILS AND LAND/AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITY 3.4.1 Soil Occurrences I Soils developed on Hawkesbury Sandstone are mostly thin and sandy with variations reflecting local changes in lithology and local topography/drainage. On ridges and hilltops, soils are skeletal and exposure of underlying rocks is common. Past quarrying I activities within P0 1989/4 have resulted in the removal of soil from site or its blending and dilution with underlying subsoils as it has been pushed aside to expose the friable sandstones. Small stockpiles of blended topsoil/subsoil are present on the I margins of the areas of disturbance within P0 1989/4. Soils on Portion 127 are generally classified as Yellow Earths which are characterised I by residual sands comprising a light grey A horizon and gradationally increasing clay content to 20 per cent. There is a small area of sandy loam in the south-east corner of Portion 127 associated with the existing drainage system. Topsoil thickness varies from I 0.1 m to 0.9 m, with an average thickness of 0.4 m. The topsoil is thickest in the south- eastern corner of Portion 127, associated with the occurrence of sandy loam. Beneath the topsoil, red and brown clay occurs at thicknesses varying between 0.8 m and 5.7 m. I This clay is invariably thicker above the fine to medium friable sandstone and thinner above the medium to coarse sandstone. I Yellow Earths have a moderate to high erosion potential given the fine sandy nature of the topsoil. They have a low nutrient status, but a substantial value for L rehabilitation, principally due to the native plant propagules present. I 3.4.2 Land Capability The Soil Conservation Service has developed an eight class system for evaluating the I capability of rural land. The classification delineates the various classes of land using: the biophysical characteristics or constraints and the extent to which I these would limit a particular land use. Climate, geology, geomorphology, soil erosion, site and soil drainage characteristics and I current land use data are all considered in determining land capability; . the current technology available for the management of the land; and
I . an assessment of the soil erosion hazards, environmental problems I caused by soil erosion and sedimentation. The Project Site comprises land capability Classes IV to V, VI and VIII. Parts of the Project Site, particularly on the steeper slopes to the north of the site, can be classified I as having a land capability of Class VI which is suitable for grazing but not suitable for cultivation owing to limitations of slope gradient, shallowness or rockiness and soil I depth and fertility.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 80 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment
More gently sloping land on the central portion of the Project Site varies between Class IV and V. Class IV and V land is suitable for grazing and occasional cultivation with recommended structural soil conservation works such as absorption and contour banks, contour ripping and minimum cultivation. Land capability Class VIII refers to cliffs, lakes or swamps and other lands unsuitable for agricultural and pastoral production and includes areas such as the artificial wetland area immediately north of the processing area.
3.4.3 Agricultural Capability
NSW Agriculture classifies and maps rural land into agricultural suitability classes using land capability and ranks areas according to their productivity for a wide range of agricultural activities. Under this classification system, the undisturbed cleared areas of the Project Site can be considered to be predominantly of agricultural suitability Class IV which is land suitable for grazing based on native or improved pastures using minimum tillage techniques.
3.5 METEOROLOGY
3.5.1 Source of Data
The following summaries of meteorological data are based on records collected at a number of different meteorological stations:
temperature data has been drawn from 26 years of data collected at Bowral, 13 km south-east of the Project Site;
rainfall data has been drawn from 63 years of records kept at "Mandemar", approximately 4 km west of the Project Site;
wind data has been collected from a meteorological station operated by the Applicant on Hurdle Ridge, approximately 6 km south-south-east of the Project Site );
evaporation data has been drawn from a recording station in Goulburn, approximately 60 km south-west of the Project Site; and
data on fog and frost frequencies has been drawn from the Bureau of Meteorology Station at Moss Vale, approximately 20 km south-east of the Project Site.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I.EIS - MITFAGONG SAND QUARRY - 81 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment 1 3.5.2 Temperature Records from Bowral indicate that January is the hottest month with a mean daily maximum of 25.3°C and a mean daily minimum temperature of 13.00. July is the I coldest month with a mean daily maximum temperature of 11.7°C and a mean daily minimum of 0.7°C. Sub-zero minimum temperatures regularly occur for 5 months of the year, from June to October. It is noted from the short-term temperature data from I Hurdle Ridge, that temperatures on the Project Site are likely to be warmer in summer and marginally cooler in winter.
1 3.5.3 Rainfall The mean annual rainfall recorded at "Mandemar" is 810 mm and the median is 756 mm. The differences between the annual median and mean rainfalls are due to the influence of very high or low rainfall events which are not expected with sufficient frequency to affect the median but which have a significant effect upon the mean. During 63 years of records evaluated from this site a maximum annual rainfall of I 1 853.4 mm (1950) and a minimum annual rainfall of 260.3 mm (1944), were recorded.
I 3.5.4 Evaporation I January and December are the months of highest evaporation, both having a mean monthly evaporation of 248 mm. Evaporation is lowest in June (60 mm) which corresponds to the coldest month of the year. I Total evaporation for the year exceeds the annual rainfall by approximately 900 mm which results in a water deficit for the area.
I 3.5.5 Temperature Inversions A temperature inversion is a layer of the atmosphere where the temperature increases with height and substantially reduces convective activity. A temperature inversion I occurs under a stable atmosphere. Radiation inversions are the main types of temperature inversions likely to cause noise enhancement and enhancement of air pollution as they act as a 'lid" in the atmosphere and prevent dispersion of pollutants. I Radiation inversions are also referred to as ground-based inversions as they involve the loss of longwave radiation from the ground surface back into the atmosphere. An indication of radiation inversions is obtained by examining fog and frost frequencies as I radiation inversions invariable occur on clear, frosty mornings and when fogs are present. I An examination of fog and frost frequencies, temperatures, calm and low wind speeds in the area indicates that ground-based inversions are likely to occur on at least 35 per I cent of summer nights and 50 per cent of winter nights. 1 1R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
341 / 3 12th J.hh. 149
ANNUAL SUMMER WINTER I
<2,0 - .3.5 -5,5 -8.5 > 55
Avcs rri 10 e'.e' T
AUTUMN SPRING Figure 3.4 WIND SPEED DATA SOURCE: Hurdle Ridge Meteorological Station Compiled by: P. ZIB & Associates and DIRECTION
------1 - I.EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 83 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment 1 3.5.6 Wind The speed and direction of winds recorded at Hurdle Ridge from 1988 to 1994 are presented on a seasonal and annual basis on Figure 3.4. The dominant winds in I summer are from the north-east. During autumn, winter and spring, winds from the north-east are more prominent of a morning and winds from the south-west dominate I of an afternoon. I 3.6 WATER RESOURCES I 3.6.1 Surface Water I ' 3.6.1.1 Occurrence
Figure 3.3 depicts the occurrence of surface water on and immediately surrounding the Project Site. Borehole Creek, a non-perennial freshwater creek, runs in a westerly direction through the Project Site. It is currently diverted around the active quarry cell I near the south-western corner of Portion 127. Two large shallow dams form an artificial wetland on the Project Site. These two dams collectively have a capacity in excess of 50 000 m3. Dam 2 (Figure 3.3) invariably contains more water than Dam 1 as the Company directs the water pumped from the nearby bore into Dam 2. Overflow I from Dam 2 to Dam 1 occurs through a pipe within the dam wall and overflow from Dam 2 to Borehole Creek occurs through a rock lined spillway. The existing dam system is understood to overflow every 2 to 5 years. During low flow periods, seepage I beneath the dam wall maintains a small base flow downstream of the dam. Within Portion 127 there are approximately 20 small farm dams and ponds. I Within P0 1989/4, the principal water body is the main void within the completed I quarry area. Water in this void is derived principally from the tailings pumped from the processing plant. Other voids in the completed quarry area accumulate rainwater but are often dry. One dam is present on the western side of the completed quarry area, however, due to quarrying activities has a negligible catchment. I Immediately to the west and downslope of P0 1989/4 there are a number of swamps I adjacent to Joadja Creek. These swamps are permanent features. 3.6.1.2 Surface Water Quality
Surface water quality within Borehole and Joadja Creeks has been monitored by the Applicant. In April 1994, the water in the outlet from Dam 1 had a near neutral pH (pH 6.9) and a very low level of non-filtrable residue. Water sampled from Joadja I Creek immediately downstream of the small silt dam outlet, was slightly acidic and had I a relatively higher level of non-filtrable residue. I t R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED
0 TN REFERENCE C) MN Boundary :1111=1 Power Transmission Line Easement 0 Dt Boundary -1- Sealed Road / Track C / Dam I Residence / Building - - - erval = tOni) 3 A Noise Monitoring Location -< SW-4 • Surface Water Monitoring Location 0 0 C 0 -4 C,)
(SW-4ç 1
03
C) 0
Ck
- / ------ic ————/ ——— - - - 61034
Gi
I I F -- 2 Longrnead r- I H I
II WB=ROADFigure35 SCALE I I "0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 m ENVIR NMENT AL MONITORING ------I •• EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 85 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment
Further surface water monitoring was undertaken in March 1995 at a time when water was confined principally to ponds. Water monitoring locations are shown on Figure 3.5. Analysis of water sampled from the Dam 1 (Site SW-1) indicated water of I high quality. The pH was 6.3, salinity was low (71 pS/cm), as was the level of bicarbonate and suspended solids (8 mg/L). Concentrations of metals such as cadmium, copper, manganese, lead, zinc, arsenic were low. Borehole Creek (Site SW- I 4) immediately downstream of the outlet from Dam 1 had a similar conductivity and pH, suspended solids (26 mg/L), bicarbonate (19 mg/L) and iron (3.7 mg/L). The water in Joadja Creek (Site SW-2) was slightly acidic (pH 5.0), had a low conductivity I and low concentration of metals.
I Water in the tailings dam within the completed quarry area (Site SW-3) had a pH of 6.8, a low electrical conductivity (90 pS/cm), bicarbonate (22 mg/L) and iron concentration of 5.8 mg/L. The elevated iron levels are attributed to the washing of I the clays and silts from the sand. I 1 3.6.2 Groundwater
1 3.6.2.1 Occurrence
The porous Hawkesbury Sandstone acts as an unconfined aquifer in areas where there I are no substantial shale lenses. The shale lenses locally cause perched water tables to occur. The regional groundwater table has not been accurately defined beneath the I Project Site given it was not intersected during the resource evaluation drilling. It is noted that some groundwater was encountered in a few of the diamond drill holes but this was identified as local perched occurrences of groundwater. Groundwater levels in I these holes ranged from 2.4 m below the surface at drilling location Q7 to 9.5 m at Y7 (Figure 2.3).
I The Applicant has a registered bore (Bore No. 65048) on Portion 127 (Figure 3.6). This bore is 80 m deep, has a standing water level (SWL) of about 26 m and is licenced to yield up to 200 million litres per annum. A 72 hour pump test of the bore I yielded 40 L/sec and caused the standing water level to drop by only 0.5 m over that I period. Figure 3.6 identifies groundwater bores within approximately 1.5 km to 2.0 km of the Applicant's bore on the Project Site. Table 3.2 summarises known data for each of I these bores.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
------0 TN REFERENCE C-) 63700 MN ----- Project Site Boundary 111111111 Power Transmission Line Easement - - - Portion / Lot Boundary / Sealed Road / Track 0
Watercourse / Darn S Residence Contour (Interval lOw) • 57622 Registered Groundwater Bore -< Wobreo -tJ 0 . A - - ROAD 0 C C-) —1 ; C,)
r Proposed Quarry Are 28922
Por 127 ------
65048 - -- 7 r -- -
28703 of - Completed Quarry 7 - - - Area ' cr _TH
-
?'J. -- -- 61034 0 - L - - - -- Qb -M S - - - - 64749 _ G 1 0 57622 - - 45319O Llongrnead • F I H' - 44899 - -- -- Z WOMBEYAN CAVES ROAD MM --:- Figure 3.6 SCALE GROUNDWATER 0 800 t000m - - BORES - - M - M ------KI- - I is EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY - 87 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment I TABLE 3.2 Registered Groundwater Bores Surrounding the Project Site I Distance from Aquifer Bore S WL* Bore Depth Yield Bore Rock Type Depth(s) Use Number (m) (m) (L/S) I 65048 (m) (km)
I 28703 0.95 NS 4.5.7 Sandstone 19.5, 44.1 7.6 Irrigation
28922 1.5 15.2 52.1 Sandstone 22.2, 38.1 1.9 NS
I 31862 3.0 NS 48.7 Sandstone 35.9, 46.6 <1.5 Stock and Domestic 44899 1.8 25.3 43.9 Sandstone! 37.5 1.3 NS I Shale I 53190 1.9 9.8 54.0 Sandstone 21.0, 34.0 6 Irrigation 57622 2.7 NS 76.0 Sandstone! 20 to 50 5 Stock and Shale Domestic
I 61039 3.2 52 105 Sandstone! 11 to 103 1.5 NS Shale
I 63700 1.9 27 91 Sandstone 4.8 4 NS
64749 1.7 9 45.0 Sandstone! 28 to 40 3 Stock and I Shale Domestic * I SWL Standing Water Level NS: Not Supplied
The bores around the Project Site are also located within the Hawkesbury Sandstone I at comparable depths to Bore 65048, and exhibit yields varying from 1.3 L/s to 7.6 L/s. It is likely groundwater flow is sympathetic to surface flows and that the bulk of the water pumped from the Applicant's bore originates to the east and north-east of the I Project Site in an area where there are no other groundwater bores. I 1 3.6.2.2 Groundwater Quality
Groundwater water quality analysis of water pumped from the Applicant's registered I bore indicated high quality potable water with a pH of 5.9, low salinity (76 pS/cm), and low levels of metals (<0.01 mg/L) such as iron, cadmium, copper, arsenic, lead and zinc. I I I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 88 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment
3.7 NOISE LEVELS
3.7.1 Introduction
A noise survey to establish the existing noise environment in the area around the Project Site was undertaken by Wilkinson Murray Pty Limited over a period of 9 days from 27th October 1994 to 4th November 1994. Noise monitoring was undertaken at three sites identified on Figure 3.5. All three sites are residential locations surrounding the Project Site and are as follows:
Site 1: - "Jyndara Lodge", Wombeyan Caves Road; Site 2: - "Longmead", Wombeyan Caves Road; and
Site 3: - 'Wombaroo", Soapy Flat Road.
The noise sources heard at Site 1 include traffic on Wombeyan caves Road (500 m distant); the processing plant on the Project Site, farming equipment, stock, birds, insects, wind in trees. This site is representative of a number of residences on the southern side of the Project Site set well back from the local road network. The noise sources heard at Site 2 include traffic on Wombeyan Caves Road (130 m distant) stock, birds, insects, trail bikes and wind in trees. This site is representative of many residents located along Wombeyan Caves Road between the Project Site and the old Hume Highway. Site 3 is located north of the Project Site in an area where distant road noise can be periodically heard but most noise sources are of a rural nature, e.g. stock, birds and insects. It is understood noise from the processing plant is periodically detectable but only at low levels. Continuous monitoring was carried out at the three sites over 15 minute sampling periods. Sampling times were divided into:
6.00 am to 7.00 am, 7.00 am to 7.00 pm and 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm Monday to Friday; and
6.00 am to 7.00 am, and 7.00 am to 7.00 pm on Saturday.
Noise monitoring equipment used for these measurements consisted of Environmental Noise Loggers set to the A-weighted scale, fast response mode, and capable of remotely monitoring and storing noise level descriptors for subsequent detailed analysis.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 89 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 3- Existing Environment I 1 3.7.2 Statistical Analysis Because environmental noise levels vary with time, it is necessary to analyse the levels I statistically and to describe the noise in terms of statistical descriptors. The statistical noise exceedance level L in dB(A) is the level exceeded for N per cent of the measurement period. For example, L is the noise level which is exceeded for 90 per I cent of the measurement period and approximates the average minimum noise level. This is often referred to as the "background" noise level. Similarly, the LA!0 is the noise level exceeded for 10 per cent of the measurement period, and approximates the I average maximum noise level used to assess annoyance. LA, is indicative of maximum noise level that is exceeded 1 per cent of the time due to individual noise events such as a heavy vehicle passing. LAq provides a measure of the total noise energy during the I measurement period.
The A-weighting is a standard electronic weighting applied to the measurement of I sound to approximate the frequency response characteristics of the normal human ear when judging the loudness of a sound.
3.7.3 Results
The existing noise climate around the Project Site is typical of a rural area. Results of background noise level measurements at the three residences are presented in Table 3.3. Due to poor weather, the equipment at Site 3, "Wombaroo", temporarily malfunctioned and data between the 29th and 31st October are missing. I TABLE 3.3 Measured Background Noise Levels
Measured Background Noise Levels (LA9O) - dB(A) Monitoring Monday to Friday Saturday I Site* 6.00 am -7.00 am 7.00 am -7.00 pm 7.00 pm .10.00 pm 6.00 am -7.00 am 7.00 am - 7.00 pm I "Jyndara" 37 31 38 34 31 [1 "Longmead" 33 32 33 32 33 I "Wombaroo" 35 33 32 -- -- * See Figure 3.5 I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 90 - ElS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY 40 Section 3- Existing Environment
The recommended acceptable background noise levels for rural areas are:
Daytime ( 7.00 am to 10.00 pm) - 45 dB(A) Night time (10.00 pm to 7.00 am) - 35 dB(A)
3.8 AIR QUALITY The Project Site is located in a rural area and adjacent to Soapy Flat Reserve where the most common air contaminant is dust from agricultural activities on nearby farms, vehicle movements along unsealed site access roads and existing quarry operations. The relative impact of each of the dust sources on residences within the area is a function of prevailing weather conditions and their proximity to the sources. Measures are taken to control dust generated by existing quarrying operations and include a water cart to suppress dust on haul roads and covering of loads. Other air contaminants include pollen, seeds, fire debris and smoke and vehicle exhaust from quarry equipment, trucks and traffic on Wombeyan Caves Road. Although there is no quantitative data available on background air quality adjacent to the Project Site, it can be assumed that the air is generally of high quality and typical of reasonably well vegetated rural areas.
3.9 FLORAAND FAUNA
3.9.1 Introduction The flora and fauna of the Project Site has been investigated in two stages. The first stage, in early 1993, involved investigations within Soapy Flat Reserve, and P0 1989/4 in particular. The emphasis of the investigations at that time was upon identifying appropriate management procedures for Rocla Quarry Products to adopt in their planned extension of quarrying activities within P0 1989/4. As outlined in Section 1.4.3, the Applicant's approach to planning their future quarrying activities has changed with emphasis now placed upon quarrying from Portion 127 and rehabilitation of P0 1989/4. Therefore in the second stage of investigations, the flora and fauna of Portion 127 was described and its ecological value assessed. This section therefore draws on the results of investigations by both Lim (1993) and (1995) and Clements and Rodd (1993) and Rodd and Clements (1995). It is noted that the 1993 investigations covered an area greater than the section of P0 1989/4 included in the Project Site identified in this document. The results of the investigations do, however, assist in assessing the impact of the proposed operations in the context of the Soapy Flat Reserve.
7 R.W. CORKERY & CO. P1Y LIMtTED 1 EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 91 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment 1 3.9.2 Project Site Flora 1 3.9.2.1 Survey Methods Survey methodology involved collection of data from thirty-five 10 m transects. The transects each consisted of three contiguous 10 m x 10 m wide quadrats. The heights I and number of individuals of all species greater than 2 m were recorded in each 10 m x 10 m quadrat. Herb and shrub species were recorded in 5 m x 5 m sub-quadrats. Transect data was supplemented by observation at forty-two spot locations across the 1 Project Site.
1 3.9.2.2 Results A total of 291 plant species were recorded during the flora surveys of the Project Site I and the adjoining sections of P0 1989/4. The distribution of the vegetation communities within and immediately surrounding the Project Site are identified on I Figure 3.7. I Vegetation Communities - P0 1989/4 Six vegetation communities were identified within P0 1989/4, two of which occur within the Project Site. Table 3.4 lists the six communities, their geographic position I and dominant species. The principal community present within the Project Site is DSF 3, as dry sclerophyll open forest dominated by Eucalyptus scierophylla (Scribbly I Gum) and E. mannifera (Brittle Gum).
Rare and Threatened Plants - P0 1989/4
Four rare and threatened plants have been identified on P0 1989/4, two of which had I previously been identified, namely Phyllota humifusa and Persoonia glaucescens. The I occurrence of the four species within P0 1989/4 is as follows: Phyllota humifusa
Soapy Flat Reserve is one of the two known occurrences of the rare and endangered plant Phyllota humifusa. It also occurs adjacent to the Penrose State Forest and is I protected within the Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve under the administration of the NSW Forests. Although it may occur elsewhere in the local area, these are the major locations for the species. Its conservation status is 2 VCa, that is, its geographic range I is less than 100 km, vulnerable and population adequately reserved. The status of adequately reserved is allocated if there are more than 1 000 individuals in a I conservation area.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 92 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment
TABLE 3.4 Vegetation Communities within P0 1989/4
Vegetation Community* Reference Geographic Position Dominant Species
Dry Sclerophyll DSF 1 On the ridge tops 0.5 km Sydney Peppermint open forest east of the Project Site (Eucalyptus piperita) and Narrow-leaf Peppermint (E. radiata) Dry Sclerophyll** DSF 2 On slopes and adjoining Scribbly Gum (E. open forest swamps scierophylla) and Brittle Gum (E. mannifera)
Dry Sclerophyll DSF 3 On ridge south of the White Stringybark (E. open forest Project Site globoidea)
Dry Sclerophyll DSF 4 Adjoining swamps Brittle Gum (E. praecox) open woodland (stunted)
Swamp with scattered trees SWAMP 1 Swamp edges Brittle Gum (E. inannifera) and Candlebark (E.rubida) Swamp** SWAMP 2 Swamp, fringing water No trees present bodies in swamp
** * Distribution shown on Figure 3.7 Present within the Project Site
Phyllota humifusa is found on the Project Site within the dry scierophyll open forest conimunity DSF 2. Benson (1986) mapped its distribution across the entire Soapy Flat Reserve within all dry sclerophyll open forest communities. The largest clump of Phyllota humifusa observed within P0 1989/4 covered approximately 16 m2. Plants of this size have a rooting depth in deep loose "soil" of approximately 300 mm (Clements and Rodd (1993)).
Persoonia glaucescens
Persoonia glaucescens occurs in woodlands to dry scierophyll forest on sandstone from Picton to Berrima. Its conservation code is 2V, that is, it's geographic range is less than 100 km, vulnerable. Persoonia glaucescens is widespread in DSF 3 immediately south of the Project Site.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED 1 - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 93 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3 - Existing Environment I T I I I I I 1
I I I I I REFE RENCE - - - Project Site Boundary Contour (Interval r 2m) HEI Dry Scierophyll Forest 3 - Open Forest
I Sealed Road / Track Cleared for Grazing Dry Scierophyll Forest 4 - Open Woodland
- ------ Portion / Lot Boundary Cleared / Disturbed by Sand Swamp 1 - Swamp with scattered trees Extraction or Processing I Dam Swamp 2 Dry Scierophyll Forest 1 - Open Forest SCALE 1:8000 ------Watercourse Sedgeland 700 0 700 200 300 400 m Dry Scierophyll Forest 2 - Open Forest Figure 3.7 H Marsh VEGETATION
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 95 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 3 - Existing Environment
Persoonia mollis subsp. revoluta
Persoonia mollis occurs in sry scierophyll eucalypt forest with a shrubby scierophyllous understorey on deep grey-white sand. The sub-species occurs sporadically in a I restricted area west of Mittagong to Bullio and south to Berrima with an outlying occurrence at Canyonleigh. It has a recorded conservation status of 2 Ri, that is it has a geographic range of less than 100 km, rare (not threatened), inadequately reserved I (in Nature Reserves). The sub-species was recorded on the Project Site near the Crown Road dividing I PU 1989/4 and Portion 127 and the sedgeland fringe of Dams 1 and 2. I Helichivsum calvertianum Helichiysuin calvertianum occurs in dry scierophyll forest in a restricted area around Fitzroy Falls, Berrima and Mittagong. Its conservation status is 2 K, that is, it has a I geographic range of less than 100 km and is poorly known. 1 The species was recorded on exposed Hawkesbury Sandstone near Joadja Creek. The occurrence of four rare and threatened flora species on the Project Site, particularly, I Phyllota humifusa is an important constraint upon the on-going extraction and rehabilitation programme on the Project Site. Appropriate strategies for ensuring the populations of these species are not threatened in the long term are essential.
Vegetation Communities - Portion 127 I Four plant communities were identified on Portion 127. These include remnant fragments of open forest, sedgeland, a shallow aquatic community and cleared land I with some pasture improvement. Characteristics of each community are listed below:
. Remnant Open Forest - canopy dominated by Brittle Gum (Eucalyptus I mannifera), Narrow-leaved Peppermint (E. radiata) and Scribbly Gum (E. scierophylla). The fragments of remnant open forest have undergone I varying degrees of disturbance principally by grazing and wombat burrowing.
Sedgelands - are dominated by Mat grass (Hemarthria uncinata) and Restio fimbriatus. Leptospermum continentale was also recorded in the I sedgeland adjacent to Dams 1 and 2.
. Shallow-aquatic Community - found on the shallow edge of Dams 1 I and 2, is dominated by Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum variifolium), Tall Spike-rush (Eleochoris sphacelata), Branching Rush (Juncus 1 prismatocarpus), Nymphoides geminata, Isolepis prolifera and Juncus
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 96 - ES - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment
continuous. Juncus continuous was also recorded in the sedgeland fringing the dam.
Grazing Land - is cleared of trees and pasture improved with the addition of Subterranean Clover (Trifolum subterraneum) and Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne).
Rare and Threatened Plants - Portion 127
Two rare or threatened plant species were recorded on Portion 127. Persoonia mollis subsp. revoluta was recorded in the sedgeland fringe along the margin of Dams 1 and 2 in association with pre-existing open forest canopy. Phyllota hum ifusa (Dwarf phyllota) is widespread in remnant patches of open forest and behaves as a pioneer species on the coarse-textured sandy soils of low nutrient status and material excavated by wombats.
Weed Species
Of the 291 species recorded in the combined surveys, 42 were exotic. Three of the exotics are listed as noxious weeds within the Wingecarribee Local Government Area and include the following:
Scotch/English Broom (Cytisus scoparius);
Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius); and
Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma).
A native species, Sifton Bush (Cassina arcuata) is similarly listed as noxious. Under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1993, private landholders must fully and continuously suppress and destroy Scotch/English Broom, Blackberry and Sifton Bush. The spread of Serrated Tussock must be prevented and the number and distribution of this species reduced.
3.9.3 Project Site Fauna
3.9.3.1 Introduction A fauna survey of the Project Site was conducted by Dr Leong Lim and Associates of the Countrywide Ecological Services in March 1995. The fauna found on the Project Site is similar to that expected to be found in the surrounding area and in most of the Southern Highlands where similar open woodland and dry sclerophyll forest communities exist. The drought has had an adverse impact on the Project Site fauna.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 97 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 3 - Existing Environment
' The artificial wetland formed by a dam constructed on Portion 127 has attracted a large number of water birds and maintained a frog community at a level that would have otherwise not been possible. I A Fauna Impact Statement of the Project Site is not required as the proposal is unlikely to cause a significant impact on any endangered fauna (Lim, 1995). I 3.9.3.2 Survey Methods I Five main fauna habitat areas were identified and surveyed on the Project Site and the immediate surround within the Soapy Flat Reserve. These include the dry scierophyll ' open forests (DSF 1), (DSF 2) and (DSF 3) and Swamp Communities (Swamp 1) and (Swamp 2). Fauna were surveyed in the habitat areas along ten transects using a range of materials and methods. I Elliot Traps were used to survey small mammals in each of the representative habitats over a total of 400 trap nights. All traps were checked each morning and the mammals I were identified and measured before release.
Hair Sampling Tubes are traps with a bait compartment lined with double-sided sticky tape to pick up hairs from animals that visit them. Fifty tubes were placed at 20 m intervals and left out for two weeks. I
Harp Traps consist of an array of thin nylon fishing lines designed to catch and 1 contain bats for sampling. A harp trap was placed across bat flyways next to the Dams 1 and 2 (Figure 3.7).
An Ultra-sonic Detector was used to identify bats by their characteristic calls. This I device is useful in detecting the fast flying, largely upper canopy or above canopy species that are not normally detected by other means. I Spotlighting of arboreal mammals, nocturnal and roosting birds and amphibians was I undertaken on foot and from a vehicle over three nights.
Playback Calls and Listening Watches were conducted between dusk and 10.00 pm to I identify the presence of owls and arboreal mammals.
Sampling Amphibians and Reptiles involved searches targeting rocky and swamp areas and by random opportunistic sampling. Frog calls were identified using pre- I recorded calls by Barker and Grigg (1983). I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 98 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment
3.9.3.3 Results There were no "rare or endangered" amphibian or reptile species identified on the Project Site nor expected to occur on the Project Site. Three Schedule 12 bird species may be expected to occur on the Project Site but only as transients and two bat species listed as "vulnerable and rare" in Schedule 12 were recorded on Site. A third bat species, similarly listed in Schedule 12, could not be confirmed as occurring on the Project Site due to the low level of recording of its call.
Mammals
A total of 42 mammals were expected to occur in the Project Site and its surrounds. The only semi-terrestrial and arboreal mammals recorded on the Project Site were: the Brown Antechinus (Antechinus stuartii), the Common Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus valpecula) and the Greater Glider (Petaurus volans). Large mammals including the Common Wombat (Vombutus ursinus) and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) were present throughout the Project Site. The insectivorous bats were the best represented mammal group on the Project Site. Seven species were recorded on the Project Site during the survey, two of which are considered "vulnerable and rare" and include the Common Bent-wing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) and the Greater Broad-nosed Bat (Scoteanax rueppellii). The third species, probably the Large Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri) which could not be confirmed due to the low level of recording of its call, is similarly listed in Schedule 12 as "vulnerable and rare". Feral cats, pigs, foxes and rabbits were found to be widespread in the fauna survey.
Reptiles
The Project Site lies within the distributional range of 17 reptile species, however, only 1 lizard, 3 skinks and 1 snake were sighted on the Project Site. These species include: the Jacky Lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus), Grass Skink (Lampropholis delicata), Garden Skink (L. guichenoti) and Southern Weasil Skink (Saproscincus mustelinus) and a Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus). The scarcity of reptiles on the Project Site may be attributed to the prevailing sub-optimal conditions (Lim, 1995).
Amphibians
Of the 11 amphibians expected to occur in the vicinity of the Project Site 7 were recorded on the Project Site. The highest diversity of amphibians occurs in the vicinity of Dams 1 and 2 (Figure 3.7). The scarcity of amphibians in the other habitats is undoubtedly a result of the drought conditions at the time of survey as the distribution and abundance of this fauna group is highly dependent on rainfall.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3- Existing Environment I Birds
The bird census and searches on the Project Site revealed 33 avifauna species of the 171 species expected to occur in the vicinity of the Project Site. The greatest diversity was recorded near Dams 1 and 2 which are continuously supplied with bore water for the quarrying operation and provides a valuable bird refuge. Of the 171 expected I species, three are listed in Schedule 12 as 'vulnerable or rare" and include the Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) and the Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis). There are no prime habitats for these species I on the Project Site and it is expected that at best they would only be recorded as transients in the area (Lim,1995).
1
3.9.3.4 Wildlife Corridors
The Lands Department (1989), Department of Conservation and Land Management (1993) and Benson (1986) considered that the Soapy Flat Reserve, may serve as an important wildlife corridor in the region in that it provides a connection between various state forests and national parks to the north-east with vacant Crown Land to the west of Wombeyan Caves Road. Figure 3.8 shows the occurrence of native vegetation surrounding the Soapy Flat Reserve and the possible existing corridors in the vicinity of the Project Site.
The Illawarra Regional Environmental Plan (REP) No. 1 requires wildlife corridors to be considered during the preparation of Local Environmental Plans and relevant development applications. Lim (1993) assessed the wildlife corridors within the Soapy I Flat Reserve and suggested that the north-south corridor (Figure 3.8) did not appear to have any inherent merit and that an east-west corridor was more appropriate. Lim (1993) identified 6 mammals and 2 birds in the local setting that could be targeted for I consideration because of their small population size or decreasing numbers. In addition, the three Schedule 12 birds, the Masked Owl, Glossy Black Cockatoo and Blue-billed Duck are known to occur in the region. None of these species are considered to be dependent on the Project Site for their regional status or local survival. Similarly the amphibian and reptile species identified on the Project Site are not considered to be particularly dependent on the Project Site for their local survival or regional status and are all widely distributed and common in the region. Hence no further evaluation of the need of any target species or how the Project Site would accommodate the movements of each species is warranted (Lim, 1995).
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REFERENCE
fl... ...:..• .:.: .. 0 .. .. flAn I - R - Wildlife Corridor
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. ... .. _____ . ... .. . _. . . : Native Vegetation - . Cleared Land Road Major/Minor t 0
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Dept of Conservation 0 Source: C SCALE and Land Management (1993) 0 1 2 3 4 5km Figure 3.8 FAUNA CORRIDORS ------ I • OS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY - 101 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 3- Existing Environment
3.10 PRE-EUROPEAN HISTORY
I 3.10.1 Introduction Systematic archaeological surveys have been previously undertaken throughout the Soapy Flat Reserve and P0 1989/4 in particular. Koettig (1987) investigated the Soapy I Flat Reserve where she identifies a total of thirty archaeological sites consisting of scatters of stone artifacts which are remnants of open campsites. Twelve of the sites identified by Koettig (1987) were present in P0 1989/4. It is estimated from these I artifacts that the area was occupied from about 4000 years to 5 000 years ago. Aboriginal occupation probably continued until the arrival of Europeans. The sites were found in the sandy sediments in the southern and western areas of the Reserve I and are typical of those found extensively throughout the region. There appeared to be a good correlation between surface sand deposits near water and the archaeological I sites. ' A further survey by Mr Rex Silcox in 1993 confined to P0 1989/4 established there were no further archaeological sites within P0 1989/4. However, for planning purposes some zones of potential significance were identified that should be avoided. These zones of significance are beyond the areas cleared within P0 1989/4. The most I important management area was identified to the west of the completed quarry area in an area fringing the swamps adjacent to Joadja Creek. Based on the distribution of archaeological sites throughout the Soapy Flat Reserve, I evidence of Aboriginal occupation within Portion 127 was not expected as the area is located away from water sources and does not contain deep surface sand deposits on I slightly elevated land where sites are usually found. However, in response from a request from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, an archaeological investigation ' was conducted by archaeologists Robert Paton and Stuart Huys in November 1994. A consultant from the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council, Mr Jimmy Davis, also participated in the field investigation and was involved in discussions regarding the I nature and scope of the proposed development. 1 3.10.2 Survey of Portion 127 The archaeological survey involved a total of 3 person days spent systematically walking all tracks, fences and areas where visibility allowed the ground surface to be I viewed. Areas with less visibility were also traversed and inspected in detail. Sediments from several test pits, which had been recently dug on the Project Site were inspected I in detail for archaeological material. Ground surface visibility conditions for the study were moderate to very good and I ranged between 20 per cent to 100 per cent. No Aboriginal archeological sites were located on Portion 127. Similarly no European 1 sites of archaeological significance were located during the field surveys. I IR.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 102 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY 40 Section 3- Existing Environment
3.11 ZONING, LAND OWNERSHIP AND LAND USE
3.11.1 Zoning
The Project Site is located within the Wingecarribee Shire, Parish of Jellore and County of Camden. Under provisions of the Wingecarribee Local Environment Plan (LEP), 1989, the Project Site is zoned Non-urban 1(a) Rural "A" Zone. Quarrying or extractive industry activities such as those proposed to continue are a permissible land use with Council Consent. Under Rural 'tA' Zoning, the objectives include as sub- clause (d):
"(d) to enable mining and extractive industry to occur in an environmentally acceptable manner."
The Illawarra Regional Environment Plan (REP) No. 1, 1986, also covers the Project Site. This planning instrument requires consideration of wildlife corridors in the preparation of LEP's and relevant development applications. Illawarra REP No. 1 also identifies the area centred on the existing quarrying operation as a resource of regional significance.
3.11.2 Land Ownership
Figure 3.9 presents the current land ownership surrounding and including the Project Site and the location of residences on the surrounding land. The Project Site comprises freehold land owned by Amgrow Pty Limited (Portion 127) and leased by the Applicant, and Crown Land within the Soapy Flat Reserve currently administered by the Department of Land and Water Conservation.
Table 3.5 presents the distance between the surrounding residences and the closest point of the proposed quarrying activities, processing plant and the completed quarry area. It is also noted that Residences A and B are 380 in and 300 m respectively from the proposed northern bund wall.
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LAND OWNERS
Crown Land
H. & J. Brethertor NN 2. & J. Price 11 D. Bolzan 84 N. & C. Wilkinson
V. -- - I ceD:n:ld:rrKte go I , A~7 C) A---- 0 G, Zi5siMI: P0,os -- LIP 8
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OF L R:Ic[c Leasehold LJ - i / 0 F. 0
74 0 Ilil] C SCALE -< -u 250 0 250 500 750 1000 1250n 0 0 Figure 3.9 C 0 LAND OWNERSHIP —I C,) ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 104 - EIS MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment
TABLE 3.5
Proximity of Surrounding Residences
Distance (m) to
Residence* Closest Point Processing Completed of Proposed Plant Quarry Area Quarry Area
A 1150 1280 400
B 1250 1140 400
C 2260 1370 1440
D 2360 1490 1560
E 2500 1600 1700
F 2600 1700 1940
G 2100 1260 1540
H 2000 1260 1560
I 1560 800 1120
J 1500 740 1100
K 1500 920 1300
L 1220 740 1100
M 1260 1100 1240
N 790 1 260 770
* Location shown on Figure 3.9
3.11.3 Project Site Land Use
The completed quarry area within P0 1989/4 is currently used by the Applicant solely for placement of tailings from the processing plant. The remainder of P0 1989/4 continues to operate effectively as a wildlife corridor (Lim, 1993). The land uses on Portion 127 comprise quarrying, sand processing and grazing. The grazing areas of the property have been pasture improved.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I • EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 105 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 3 - Existing Environment 1 3.11.4 Surrounding Land Use The principal land uses in the area surrounding the Project Site include nature conservation, grazing, and forestry in the Jellore State Forest. The natural bushland is I also used for recreational purposes, mainly horse-riding and recreational driving (4WD and trail bikes) primarily on weekends and during holiday periods. It is noted that I these uses are not consistent with the objectives of the Department of Conservation and Land Management (1993). I Nattai National Park lies to the north of the Project Site and there is a large area of vacant Crown Land to the west of the Project Site. Much of the area to the south has been sub-divided for rural residential use. Wombeyan Caves Road to the west of the 1 Project Site is used for access to rural properties and as a tourist road. The Mittagong area is now recognised as a "day trip" area from major population centres and carries a I proportion of tourist traffic, particularly on weekends and during holiday periods.
3.11.5 Future Land Use
The Department of Land and Water Conservation and their predecessor Departments 1 have had the responsibility to manage the 685 ha Soapy Flat Reserve on which the principal uses have been extractive industry, grazing and forestry. In a recent land I assessment of the entire Soapy Flat Reserve, the Department has recommended a range of land uses for the reserve. These land uses are identified in Figure 3.10. The principal change in land use influencing the Applicant's activities on the Project Site I would be the transfer of the land immediately to the west and south of the Project Site to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for nature conservation and environmental I protection. I 3.12 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE I 1 3.12.1 Setting ' The Project Site lies within the Wingecarribee Shire Local Government Area in south- eastern NSW. The Wingecarribee Shire covers an area of 2 689.01 km2. Mittagong is the closest major urban centre and is located approximately 12.5 km south-east of the Project Site. The Project Site is located in Collection District (CD) 200604 which I covers an area of 458.47 km2. ' Information presented in this section is drawn from the 1991 Census Data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
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PROPOSED FUTURE LAND USES
Etrccbon (& associateS purposes), Noture Consenotor1 & En roo.rne.nic Prrutecbon
EtrocUon, (Subject to tutue assessment) alum Canse'om, Environmental Protection, Forestry & Recreobon (pcsse) Nature Oonsemc on, EvO,nnnefltO1 Proteabon. SCALE Figure 3.10 v] ( ors fer to N.P wS.) 1000 Nature Conservation. Errv,rcnmenial c.tecton, 250 0 250 500 750 SOAPY FLAT RESERVE I I Porestry & Recreaton (passue) PROPOSED FUTURE Ora:inp & Envrormental ProtecSc LAND USE ------S- I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 107 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS [1 Section 3 - Existing Environment 1 3.12.2 Population
I The 1991 Census population statistics for Wingecarribee Shire, Mittagong Urban Centre and CD 200604 are presented in Table 3.6. I TABLE 3.6
I Population Characteristics
I Mittagong Urban CD 200604 Wingecarribee Shire Centre
1 Area (kui2) 2 689 18 458 Total Population 33 240 5 679 209
I Population Denity 12.4 313.41 0.40 (persons/km)
1 Persons over 15 years 24 818 4 299 147 I In Labour Force 14654 2532 94 Not in Labour Force 9 535 1 673 49
1 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (1991)
Approximately 17 per cent of the population of Wingecarribee Shire resides within the Mittagong Urban Centre, and only 0.63 per cent resides in CD 200604.
I Table 3.7 presents the population age characteristics for Wingecarribee Shire, Mittagong, CD 200604 and NSW. Most noticeable is the lower percentage in the retirement age group (65 plus) for CD 200604 in comparison with the Mittagong I Urban Centre, reflecting the trend for people to move activities from rural communities to towns with increasing age. Within CD 200604 only 4.2 per cent of the population is over 65 years of age. According to the Census, there were no persons in I CD 200604 between the ages of 50 and 54 years in 1991. However, there is a large proportion of young people. In 1991, 27.1 per cent of the population in CD 200604 was aged between 0 and 14 years, 20.1 per cent between 15 and 24 years and 25.7 per cent [1] between 25 and 39 years. These are above the NSW figures for these age groups. The age characteristics of the Wingecarribee Shire and Mittagong Urban Centre populations are similar to the NSW age characteristics.
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TABLE 3.7
Age Characteristics - % of Population
YEARS District 0-14 15-24 25-39 40-54 55-64 65 +
NSW 22.1 15.3 23.9 18.3 8.7 11.9
Wingecarribee Shire 25.2 14.0 21.6 18.0 9.0 12.1
Mittagong Urban 24.3 16.2 21.8 17.0 9.3 11.4 Centre
CD 200604 27.1 20.1 25.7 14.5 8.4 4.2
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (1991)
3.12.3 Employment
Table 3.8 presents relevant employment statistics for Wingecarribee Shire, Mittagong Urban Centre, CD 200604 and NSW.
Within Wingecarribee Shire and the Mittagong Urban Centre, community services is the major employment sector accounting for 19.2 per cent and 22 per cent of employment respectively. The wholesale/retail industry is the second largest employment sector. The wholesale/retail industry is the major employment industry for CD 200604 (22.5 per cent) indicating people living in the area but working in nearby centres, followed closely by agriculture and forestry (21.6 per cent). The mining industry employs the least number of persons. In 1991, 1.7 per cent of persons employed were involved in mining.
The manufacturing industry is relatively important for employment in the Wingecarribee Shire and the Mittagong Urban Centre.
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TABLE 3.8 I Employment in Major Industries
Mitta ,onl Urban I NSW Wingecarribee Shire CD 200604 I No. % No. % No. %
Agriculture! Forestry! 3.9 796 6.0 27 1.2 24 21.6 1 Hunting/ Fishing Mining 1.0 220 1.7 38 1.7 0 0.0
I Manufacturing 13.1 1 868 14.1 319 14.4 8 7.2 1 Wholesale/Retail 18.9 2 161 16.3 364 16.4 25 22.5 Community Services 17.0 2542 19.2 489 22.0 14 12.6
Recreational! 7.3 1 244 9.4 191 8.6 13 11.7 I Personal/Other 1 Construction 6.2 1 054 7.9 199 9.0 12 10.8 Financial/Property/ 12.7 1203 9.1 190 8.6 3 2.7 1 Business Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (1991)
I In 1991 there were 1 330 persons unemployed in Wingecarribee Shire, which accounted for 9 per cent of the labour force. The unemployment rate was slightly higher in Mittagong at 10.2 per cent and much lower in CD 200604, namely 3.2 per cent. The unemployment rates in Wingecarribee Shire, Mittagong and CD 200604 P were all below the State unemployment rate of 11.2 per cent for that time. L I 3.13 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK I 3.13.1 Road Network Access to the Project Site is via the Wombeyan Caves Road which is a State Main Road (MR 258). This road is sealed from High Range, approximately 4.5 km north- I west of the Project Site, to the intersection with the old Hume Highway, approximately 9.3 km south-east of the Project Site. The old Hume Highway provides access between Mittagong to the north, and Berrima to the south. There are a number of other sealed 1 and unsealed roads in the vicinity of the Project Site. Wombeyan Caves Road is a single lane, two way road with a 6 m wide pavement in good condition. The road has a 1 100 kph speed limit although trucks commonly travel at speeds between 80 kph and
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90 kph. The road provides access for a number of rural-residential properties fronting the road between the old Hume Highway and the Project Site. Most residences are set back between 80 m and 150 m from the edge of Wombeyan Caves Road. Wombeyan Caves Road and the old Hume Highway are the roads predominantly used by the existing quarry traffic. Virtually all trucks from the Project Site travel south along Wombeyan Caves Road to Mittagong. Approximately 20 per cent of trucks then travel south to Bowral and Moss Vale with the remaining 80 per cent turning left towards Mittagong. Greenhills Road is not used by quarry traffic except on occasions when there is a delivery to be made along Greenhills Road. The intersection between the site access road and Wombeyan Caves Road has excellent visibility in both directions. The sandy nature of the site access road causes small quantities of sand to be carried out onto Wombeyan Caves Road during or after wet periods.
3.13.2 Traffic Levels Traffic count data has been supplied by the Wingecarribee Shire Council for the Wombeyan Caves Road and the old Hume Highway. In 1994, the average annual daily traffic (AADT) level on Wombeyan Caves Road, approximately 1.5 km north-west of High Range and approximately 4.0 km north-west of the Project Site, was 201. South of the Project Site, 300 m east of the Greenhills Road intersection, the AADT in 1994 was 379. Near the old Hume Highway the 1990 AADT was 700 on the Wombeyan Caves Road. This is now estimated to be approximately 800. It is evident from these figures that traffic levels decrease substantially along Wombeyan Caves Road in a northerly direction. The AADT on the old Hume Highway, 3.3 km south-west of the Wombeyan Caves Road intersetion was 1 383 in 1989. Assuming a 3 per cent traffic increase, the AADT in 1994 would have been around 1420. Traffic levels increase substantially on the old Hume Highway in Mittagong. At the traffic lights on the old Hume Highway, the AADT was approximately 6 000 in 1994. Existing quarry traffic accounts for approximately 8 per cent of total traffic on Wombeyan Caves Road immediately south of the Project Site and approximately 2 per cent of the total traffic on the old Hume Highway between Wombeyan Caves Road and Mittagong. The trucks travelling to and from the Applicant's project would account for the greatest proportion of trucks travelling regularly along Wombeyan Caves Road. Other trucks include those transporting limestone from Wombeyan and stockfeed/stock floats travelling to district properties.
3.14 VISUAL ASPECTS The Project Site is not visible from Wombeyan Caves Road as it is shielded by a 400 m wide strip of native vegetation between the roadway and the Project Site. The northern boundary of the Project Site is partially visible from the rear of residences A and B. The views from these residences are obscured by the intervening vegetation.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MTTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 111 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS 1 Section 3 - Existing Environment The Project Site or any activities on the Project Site are not visible from any other ii residences. I 3.15 SERVICES I 3.15.1 Water
L~ All water for processing is drawn from the tailings dam, Dams 1 and 2 and the site bore which discharges into Dam 2. r~ Water for amenity purposes is supplied by tank water collected from building roofs I adjacent to the Processing Plant. 1 3.15.2 Electricity Power is supplied to the workshop and amenities by the Illawarra Electricity. Power supply for the processing plant, immediately adjacent to the Project Site, is supplied by I an on-site generator.
1 3.15.3 Telephone I The site buildings are serviced by three Telecom lines.
I 3.15.4 Sewage I Sewage disposal is by a Council-approved septic tank and absorption trench.
I 3.16 BUSHFIRE HAZARD The bushfire hazard for the Project Site has been assessed using the method first I described in Circular 74 to Councils (Department of Environment and Planning 1984b). I The Project Site falls into the Eastern Fire Zone of New South Wales which mainly experiences forest fires. The Project Site's potential fire hazard has been assessed by rating the two main factors influencing fire, vegetation (fuel and terrain (slope) and I their relative contributions to a potential fire. A hazard index of 3.9 and 1.7 for improved pasture and dry scierophyll forest (tablelands and slopes) respectively is 1 multiplied with a slope index of 1, that being a slope of 0 to 5 per cent. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 112 - EIS - MTTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 3- Existing Environment
Vegetation Hazard Index x Slope Index = Overall Hazard Score
3.9 x 1 = 3.9 (improved pasture) 1.7 x 1 = 1.7 (dry scierophyll forest)
The fire hazard is therefore ranked as being medium. These scores would be further reduced on Portion 127 as the land is largely cleared grazing land with the presence of Dams 1 and 2. The bushfire hazard on lands surrounding the project is assessed as medium, particularly the uncleared bushland to the east, west and south of the Project Site.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I L] I SECTION 4 I I ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS AND IMPACTS I I I I I PREAMBLE
This section describes the design and operational safeguards I together with the management and operating procedures that the Applicant either already has in place (and will continue) or would be adopted during the ongoing operation of the Mitta- I gong Sand Quarry'. The safeguards and procedures have been developed to ensure the area within and surrounding the Project Site is not adversely affected by the ongoing operation I of the quarry and that the level of impact meets specified criteria or reasonable community expectations.
This section also includes the predicted impacts of ongoing I quarrying activities upon the relevant components of the existing environment, that is once the various safeguards and procedures are adopted. Where considered appropriate, pro- U cedures for monitoring are also included. In line with the approach in Section 2, information is provided in this section on the processing plant and product I transportation since it is necessary for some aspects to address the cumulative impact of both the approved and I proposed activities. I [H EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARRY - 115 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts I 4.1 AIR QUALITY
I 4.1.1 Introduction
An assessment of the air quality aspects of the Applicant's existing and continued I operations has been based largely upon a qualitative assessment and observation of the effectiveness of existing controls in the context of acceptable industry practices and I the expectations of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). I I 4.1.2 Criteria for Impact Assessment
I 4.1.2.1 Introduction
I The EPA requires the assessment of impact of activities which may adversely air quality to be undertaken in accordance with a range of criteria related either to amenity or heath-related factors. In the case of dust, distinction is made between dust I particles that are sufficiently small and can remain airborne to enter lungs, and dust particles that are sufficiently large to readily fall out of the atmosphere and are I deposited on surfaces, e.g. window sills, parked cars, washing etc. The criteria that relate to other atmospheric pollutants are based principally upon the I health effects and concentration of the particular pollutants. I 4.1.2.2 Dust Deposition
Depositing dust (dust fall), though not affecting public health can, if present at sufficiently high levels, reduce the amenity of an area which is used for living, farming I and other activities to such an extent that they cease to be either enjoyable or viable. The principal effects contributing to this degradation of amenity include the presence of visible dust either in the air or on surfaces, and soiling of those surfaces and I materials.
In New South Wales in the past, the NSW EPA used an annual average of 4.0 g/m2/month as the level at which amenity was likely to be affected and to cause complaints of nuisance dust. More recently, the EPA adopted new amenity based I criteria for dust deposition. The new criteria are summarised in Table 4.1. I I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 116 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts
TABLE 4.1 NSW EPA Criteria for Dust Fallout
Maximum Acceptable Increase over Existing Dust Level Existing2Dust Level (g/m2/month) (g/m /month) Rural, Semi-Rural, Urban Residential/Suburban Commercial and Industrial
2 2 2
3 1 2
4 0 1
Note: If the existing dust level in any area is greater than 4 g/m2/month (i.e. 5 g/rn2/month) then no increase in dust fallout is acceptable as a result of any proposed dust emitting works.
The maximum acceptable increase in the mean annual dust deposition rate is 2 g/m2/month in those areas in which the existing rate of dust deposition does not exceed 2 g/m2/month. The criteria seek to limit the total dust deposition rate (the sum of the existing level and the increment due to a new development) to 4 g/m2/month in suburban residential areas and to 5 g/m2/month in rural, semi-rural and commercial and industrial areas. Based on the measured deposited dust levels at the Applicant's nearby landholding at Hurdle Ridge, a realistic criteria for the annual average dust deposition level would be approximately 3.5 g/m2/month.
4.1.2.3 Total Suspended Particulates
Health effects of atmospheric dust are generally related to the concentration of suspended particulates in the air as distinct from dust fallout. Suspended particulate matter includes dust, smoke, fog and fumes as well as pollen, micro-organisms, sea salt and secondary aerosols such as suiphates and nitrates and may be derived from a wide range of natural and man-made processes and activities. Suspended particulates are removed from the atmosphere primarily by rainfall and gravitational settling. The effects of inhaled particulates are related to the type of particles inhaled, particle sizes, the ability of the respiratory tract to capture and eliminate the particles and the reactivity of the particles with lung tissue. The current guideline value (based on advice from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)) for mean annual concentration of total suspended particulates (TSP) (0.1 to 50 pm in size) is 90 pg/rn3.
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The NSW EPA has also set guideline values for particulate matter less than I 10 microns in size (PM10) and suspended matter. PM10 refers to only those particles which are smaller than 10 microns.
I For concentrations of PM10, the NSW EPA has listed USEPA standards of 50 pg/rn3 as an annual mean and 150 pg/rn3 as a 24-hour maximum concentration in residential environments. The World Health Organisation (WHO) long term goal of 40 pg/rn3 has I been listed for mean annual concentrations of suspended matter. This goal is to be considered in conjunction with a goal of 60 pg/rn3 for mean annual concentrations of acid gases in the ambient air. I 1 4.1.3 Existing Operations Existing operations on the Project Site periodically cause the emission of particulates. However, the following controls are in place within the Project Site:
I
(i) the active haulroad between the active quarry site and the raw feed I stockpile adjacent to the processing area is watered with a 5 000 L water cart at a frequency that ensures generation of dust, particularly on hot windy days, is reduced to acceptable levels; I (ii) all earthmoving equipment is fitted with standard exhaust controls to I ensure acceptable levels of exhaust gases are discharged to the atmosphere; and
I (iii) all exhausts are directed away from the ground surface so as not to stir up dust.
It is noted that all processing on site is undertaken with water, and hence there is no opportunity for the generation of particulates throughout the processing of the sand. It I is also noted that the various activities on site are positioned adjacent to comparatively tall vegetation stands which assist in preventing both entrainment of dust and dispersal of dust generated by earthmoving equipment. I It is assessed that the quality of air in the vicinity of the Project Site is good and typical of rural areas.
I 4.1.4 Future Operations
4.1.4.1 Introduction
The Applicant proposes that future operations will be similar in form to those currently undertaken but at an increased production rate which would involve full-time rather than part-time activities.
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4.1.4.2 Proposed Operational Safeguards In addition to the safeguards outlined in Section 4.1.3 the Applicant intends to adopt the following safeguards throughout the remaining life of the project:
removal of soil would be undertaken when there is sufficient moisture within the soil materials to prevent excess generation of dust. Should it be necessary, the area of soil to be removed would be watered prior to stripping to ensure sufficient moisture was available to prevent excess dust generation;
shutdown provisions would be enforced with all quarrying equipment, particularly those stripping topsoil, should it become obvious that, irrespective of the application of water to control dust, unacceptable levels of dust are still being generated;
if required, temporary barriers, e.g. hay bales, would be positioned on the surface of tailings dams drying out prior to their revegetation; and
revegetation activities would be undertaken as soon as practicable after final landforms are prepared and the area covered with overburden and topsoil.
4.1.4.3 Assessment of Impact Based on experience at similar projects and with the adoption of the range of safeguards outlined above, it is assessed that the continued operation of the quarrying activities would not adversely affect local air quality around the Project Site. No monitoring of deposited or airborne dust is considered necessary at this stage of the operations. The need for future monitoring would be reviewed biennially.
4.2 SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT
4.2.1 Introduction Management of surface water within the Project Site is required to ensure that:
the quantity of water contaminated with suspended solids is minimised;
erosion is minimised;
sufficient of quantities of water are harvested on site for processing; and
the quality of the water leaving the Project Site does not adversely affect downstream water quality.
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4.2.2 Impact Assessment Criteria I The principal water quality criteria that are appropriate for assessing impacts on the a Project Site and the proposed levels of compliance set by the EPA are as follows; pH : 6.5 to 8.5 [1 Suspended Solids : <50 mg/L Grease and Oil : No visible grease and oil or contain more than I 10 mg/L grease and oil.
1 4.2.3 Existing Operations The principal controls in place at present that have been assessed as being effective I are:
upstream water near the south-western corner of Portion 127 is directed I around the active quarry cell (FM-i);
run-off from any disturbed area is directed to one or more dams where I any suspended solids have an opportunity to settle; I sumps contain accumulated run-off within active quarry areas. In some cells some accumulated water seeps into the underlying sandstone; and I all fuel tanks are bunded with the bunded area having a storage of at least 110 per cent of the volume of tanks it is surrounding.
I The above controls and the presence of Dams 1 and 2 (Figure 1.2), ensure that water 1 quality within the Borehole Creek tributary downstream is acceptable at all times. I 4.2.4 Future Operations 4.2.4.1 Potential Water Pollution Sources The following potential sources of water pollution have been identified within the I Project Site:
I run-off from disturbed areas, including components under construction e.g. Northern Bund Wall;
I run-off from soil stockpiles and new rehabilitated areas; 1 discharges of accumulated quarry water;
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tailings; and
fuel and oil spillages.
The principal contaminant in (i) to (iv) above is suspended solids.
4.2.4.2 Water Management Controls A range of water management controls have been incorporated into the ongoing operations to ensure water quality criteria are satisfied and sufficient water is available for use throughout the life of the operation:
(1) all upslope run-off from active quarry cells would be directed away from the cell and towards either Dam 1 or Dam 2 prior to relocation of Quarry Cells MC-1 or MC-2; and
it is noted that most of the disturbed areas would be within quarry cells and as such, little opportunity would be available for surface flow. Notwithstanding this situation, run-off from disturbed areas would be directed to a nearby sedimentation dam where appropriate. Details of the relevant sedimentation dams would be included in each Biennial Report for the project. During the first two years of operations the run-off controls required would be minimal. Silt fencing would be erected downslope from the northern bund wall. The track between Quarry Cell MC-1 and the northern part of the property would be kept to a minimum length and if necessary temporary mitre drains installed to avoid rilling along the road surface and the collection of sediment;
all soil stockpiles would be protected downslope with silt fencing throughout the duration of their stabilisation;
within each of the active quarry cells, the Applicant would maintain a sump at the lowest point. In the event that quarrying is programmed in the cell and the water would affect quarrying operations, the operator would:
preferentially use the water for road watering; and/or
pump the water to the active tailings cell or another quarry cell not in use at the time.
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(v) the pipeline conveying the tailings to the active tailings cell on I P0 1989/4 would continue to be positioned on Portion 127 as much as possible and it would be positioned in a shallow trench between Portion 1 127 and the active tailings cell; and (vi) all fuel storages would continue to be bunded as at present. I
4.2.4.3 Diversion of Borehole Creek Tributary The existing tributary of Borehole Creek that crosses the southern part of Portion 127 I occurs in an area that contains substantial quantities of friable sandstone. The quarry layout (Figure 2.4) and proposed extraction sequence has been designed to provide a long-term re-alignment of that section of the tributary present on Portion 127. I Figure 2.8 shows the final configuration of the dam in a new location approximately 200 m north of the existing Dams 1 and 2. I The final dam would essentially be constructed within Quarry Cells MC-1, MC-2, FM- 3 and FM-4. It is proposed that these cells would be progressively backfilled (only with overburden) throughout various stages of the project (see Table 2.4). During the early I stages of operation, when the tributary is diverted around the existing alignment, the cells would have a capacity to contain up to approximately 350 000 m3 of water. As the quarry proceeds, the capacity of the various cells would be reduced in volume. By I about Year 25, the storage volume would be in the order of 50 000 m3 to 60000 m3, a capacity comparable to the storage in the existing Dams 1 and 2.
4.2.4.4 Assessment of Impact I It is assessed that with the above point source controls in place, and the presence of the existing Dams 1 and 2 or the subsequent dams, the water quality downslope of the I Project Site is highly unlikely to be affected by on-site activities. The impact of the diversion of the Borehole Creek tributary is assessed in terms of the hydrological features of the catchment. D.J. Potter and Associates Pty Limited have I established the following hydrological characteristics of the tributary on Portion 127:
Peak Discharges 1:5 Year = 15.56 m3/s 1:20 Year = 27.75 m3/s 1:100 Year = 47.76 m3/s 1 The concentration time for the catchment is 73.4 minutes I Annual Yield Minimum 91 900 m3 Mean 238 500 m3
Median 264 600 m3 I Maximum 648 700 m3
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It is noted that annual evaporation losses and the Applicant's use of accumulated water for plant make-up water would account for at least 120 000 m3 per year. Furthermore, losses could also be expected to occur to groundwater. Based on these facts, a range of conclusions and assessments of impacts can be drawn:
(1) Under drought conditions, similar to those recently experienced, it is unlikely there would be any flow from Portion 127 throughout the life of the project.
Even under mean or median flow conditions, the volume of voids early in the life of the project would ensure that all run-off entering Portion 127 would be contained on Portion 127. Towards the end of the project when the capacity of the voids would decrease, it is likely that run-off from the Project Site would occur periodically, as is currently the case.
Under maximum annual yields it is assessed that water would flow through the cell system. The impact of such flows would depend largely upon the extent of revegetation/stabilisation achieved. Given the potential for such event is remote and the Applicant's proposals for progressive revegetation, the impact on downstream water quality would be negligible.
It is noted that although the overland flow would be contained on site, it is expected the current situation would be duplicated where ponded water seeps through the friable sandstones and seeps out on the western side of Portion 127.
4.2.4.5 Monitoring
The Applicant would continue to monitor water quality at locations SW-4 (Figure 3.5) for the duration of the project and at location SW-2 for the duration of the rehabilitation of P0 1989/4. Samples would be taken quarterly and following substantial rainfall events leading to noticeable changes in run-off volumes. The need to modify the monitoring programme would be assessed at the time of each Biennial Review.
4.3 SOIL MANAGEMENT
4.3.1 Introduction The soil resources on the Project Site need to be responsibly managed to ensure they are not eroded in their natural or stockpiled state and that they are available for rehabilitation of disturbed areas on the Project Site.
. R.W. CORKERY & CO. P[Y LiMITED EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 123 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I.Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts I 1 4.3.2 Soil Erosion Controls The following soil erosion controls are proposed, that is, in addition to the range of I water management controls previously discussed in Section 4.2:
(i) use of tracks on site would be minimised to assist in minimising bare I areas on site;
(ii) areas of soil without exotic pasture grasses and weeds would be isolated prior to transfer to P0 1989/4 to maximise their benefit when I transferred; and I (iii) areas of topsoil stripped at any one time would be contained to manageable areas.
I 4.3.3 Soil Stockpiling Practices 1 Whenever possible, the Applicant proposes to transfer topsoil directly onto areas requiring revegetation. As previously discussed in Section 2.12, it is proposed to directly transfer the topsoil, subsoil and biomass from areas on Portion 127 not I affected by pasture grasses and weeds, onto P0 1989/4. Elsewhere on Portion 127, the Applicant would endeavour to transfer topsoil to recently formed areas. The need to transfer subsoil would depend largely upon the nature of the overburden on the final I land surface. I The Applicant would adopt two approaches to soil stockpiling, relating principally to the duration of storage. It is proposed that short-term storage of topsoil would occur adjacent to areas requiring rehabilitation. Details of such storages would be set out in the relevant Biennial Review. It is noted that no temporary soil storages are proposed I in the next two years. Any soil that needs to be stored long-term, because of the lack I of areas to rehabilitate at the time of stripping, would be placed in a soil storage area near the north-eastern corner of the Project Site. The soils would not be stored in the drainage line and they would not exceed 1.5 m in height. At the completion of each I soil stripping campaign in which soil is placed in the storage area, the soil would be seeded with a cover crop appropriate to the season and lightly fertilised.
4.3.4 Assessment of Impact I The approaches to soil erosion control, water management and soil stockpiling would ensure the impact of the Applicant's proposal on the soil resources would be I negligible. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 124 - EIS - MITFAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts
4.4 GROUNDWATER
4.4.1 Introduction The continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry could have two potential impacts on the groundwater requirements, mainly within the Project Site and upon other bores surrounding the Applicant's own bore immediately to the north of Dam 2 (Figure 3.6).
4.4.2 Project Site Groundwater The regional groundwater table lies within approximately 26 in of the existing surface and between 10 in and 12 in below the proposed limit of quarrying. Notwithstanding this occurrence, it is likely, as is currently the case, that a locally perched water table would occur in the vicinity of the final dam.
4.4.3 Surrounding Bores Figure 3.6 shows that the surrounding bores occur at least 1 km from the Applicant's bore on Portion 127 and then they are invariably down gradient. It is assessed, based on the negligible drawdown results discussed in Section 3.6, that the Applicant's pumping would not cause any significant or noticeable zone of depression around their bore and hence cause any variations to the standing water level in the surrounding bores. Notwithstanding this assessment, it is proposed to ensure this assessment is correct once substantial pumping rates are regularly being achieved. In order to achieve this, a programme to monitor water levels at the three closest wells would commence once the annual pumping rate of 200 ML is achieved over a period of three months.
4.5 ECOLOGY
4.5.1 Flora
4.5.1.1 Safeguards The principal safeguards associated with the continued quarry operations on P0 1989/4 relate to effective rehabilitation and retention of as many natural areas of the identified rare and endangered plant species. The approach to achieving effective rehabilitation has previously been reviewed in Section 2.12. In addition to the various safeguards involved in the rehabilitation programme, e.g. weed controls, the Applicant intends to incorporate a practically- based research component into the rehabilitation activities to endeavour to achieve a greater level of understanding of the various rare and endangered species in the Soapy Flat Reserve.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 125 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I.Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts I 1 4.5.1.2 Assessment of Impact The decision to confine continued quarrying operations to the freehold land adjacent to the Soapy Flat Reserve is assessed as important in ensuring further activities within the reserve do not threaten the rare and endangered species within the reserve. I Furthermore, the planned rehabilitation of P0 1989/4 and the associated research programme would ensure there are few, if any, long lasting impacts of the past I extraction activities within P0 1989/4. I I 4.5.2 Fauna 1 4.5.2.1 Safeguards The safeguards proposed for the flora equally apply to ensure the fauna on the Project Site and its surrounds are not adversely affected by the Applicant's continued I operation. Additional safeguards recommended by Lim (1995) include: I (i) maintain as many logs as possible from land clearing - for reptile I habitats; (ii) planting of Allocasuarina, nectar and blossom producing species in rehabilitation areas to favour parrots and nectar-feeding birds; and
' (iii) prior to any land clearing within Portion 127, Wombats should be removed from active holes.
4.5.2.2 Assessment of Impact I Table 4.2 summarises the results of the Seven-Point Test undertaken by Lim (1995) on the Schedule 12 fauna potentially affected by the continued operations of the Mittagong Sand Quarry. I Lim (1995) also established that the known Koala trees (Eucalyptus punctata and E. tereticomis) although present on the Project Site are not sufficiently abundant to warrant a Koala Management Plan. I The proposed re-establishment of the dry sclerophyll open forest within P0 1989/4 I would assist in maintaining the wildlife corridors identified in the Soapy Flat area. I t R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 126 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY 10 Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts
TABLE 4.2
Seven Point Test of Significance - Mittagong Sand Quarry
Test Component Response Relating to the Project Site
The extent of modification or The majority of the vegetation on the Project Site has removal of habitat, in relation to the been previously cleared and is of low habitat value. The same habitat type in the locality remaining dry sclerophyll communities and small swamplands occur commonly on the Moss Vale Plateau.
The sensitivity of the species of It is considered unlikely that any endangered fauna would fauna to removal or modification of be sensitive to the proposal, given that the Large Bent- its habitat. wing Bat has a wide distribution, is migratory and forages above the canopy over long distances. Given no further clearing of Portion,165 isproposed, the potential habitat of the Greater Bróadnosed Bat and the Large-eared Pied Bat would not he affected.
The ti/ne required to regenerate There is no habitat on the Project Site essential or critical critical habitat, name/v the whole or for the survival of any endangered fauna. The long-term any part of the habitat which is rehabilitation programme should more than compensate essential for the survival of that for any loss of dry sclerophyll forest within the Project species of fauna. Site.
The effect on the ability, of the fauna The proposal to continue the Mittagong Sand Quarry population to recover, including would not have a detrimental impact on local native interactions between the subject land fauna populations, including the rare and vulnerable bats and adjacent habitat that may given the extensive areas of dry sclerophyll forest and influence the population beyond the woodland adjacent to the study area. area proposed for development.
Any proposal to ameliorate the The proposals to retain resting and roosting trees for impact. endangered bats and birds, retain remnant tree clump particules near the boundary with adjoining land, consideration of wildlife corridors and progressive rehabilitation would assist in amelioration of any impact on local native fauna.
Whet her the land is cuirently being It is understood, the land is not being assessed for assessed for wilderness by the wilderness under the Wilderness Act, 1987. Director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the Wilderness Act, 1987.
Any adverse effect on the survival of It is a conclusion of Lim (1995) that the proposed that species of endangered fauna or development on the Project Site is unlikely to adversely of populations of that fauna. affect the survival of endangered fauna, namely the species of rare and vulnerable bats, and that a Fauna Impact Statement is not required.
R.W. CORKERY & Co. PTY LIMITED I EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 127 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 4 - Safeguards and hnpacts I 4.6 NOISE 4.6.1 Introduction I An assessment of the continued operations on the noise climate around the Project Site has been undertaken by Wilkinson Murray Pty Limited, Acoustic Consultants of Sydney. This sub-section reviews the criteria the Environment Protection Authority I recommends to assess the impact of noise generating activities. The impact of both the existing and proposed operations are assessed together with the safeguards the Applicant would adopt to ensure noise from the continued operation does not cause adverse impacts.
4.6.2 Guidelines for Assessing Noise Impact
I 4.6.2.1 Approach to Guidelines The guidelines used to assess the impact of both the existing and proposed continued I operations within the Project Site are drawn from the Environmental Noise Manual prepared by the EPA. The EPA's principal aim in controlling environmental noise is to minimise the occurrence of offensive noise in the community. I To be both effective and equitable, the EPA accepts that the determination and application of environmental noise control measures must take into account many I factors including the: I variation in response between individuals to any noise; I inherently noisy characteristics of many activities; circumstances within which the noise occurs;
I 0 technical and economic feasibility for noise control; and I social worth of the activity. The EPA has developed a framework of environmental noise objectives to provide a I basis for consistency, equity and effectiveness in the application of control measures whilst retaining the capacity for discretion in specific circumstances. The EPA's broad F1 environmental noise objectives are two-fold: that noise from any single source does not intrude greatly above the I prevailing background noise level; and that the background noise level does not exceed the level appropriate for I the particular locality and land-use.
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Social surveys have indicated that noise from any particular source would be audible to many people in the community when that noise (LA10) exceeds the background level (L) by more than 5 dB(A). The noise may have characteristics which are pleasant or unpleasant to the listener.
Thus, when considering the environmental consequence of noise from a specific source, for areas generally with low existing background noise, any increase above the background noise which exceeds 5 dB(A) at the facade of a residence may be offensive. This increase is determined as the difference between the LA10 value at the receptor with the intrusive noise occurring and the LAc value determined in its absence. Again in the interests of equity, this 5 dB(A) applies in neutral atmospheric conditions, that is, no wind or temperature inversions.
To assist in balancing the individual and community, effects and benefits arising from various activities, the EPA has issued a schedule of recommended background noise levels for various land-use categories. An extract from the schedule relating to various residential classifications appears in Table 4.3.
TABLE 4.3 EPA Recommended Outdoor Background Noise Levels
Recommended Limit - LA90 Zoning Description Period Acceptable Maximum
Residences in Rural Day 45 dB(A) 50 dB(A) Areas Night 35 dB(A) 40 dB(A)
Residential Areas Day 45 dB(A) 50 dB(A) Night 35 dB(A) 40 dB(A)
Note: * For Monday to Saturday, "day" is defined at 7.00 am to 10.00 pm
The EPA's objective is for the LA background noise levels not to exceed the specified "acceptable" limit. Where the recommended "acceptable" level is not achievable (for technical or economic reasons), then the lowest level achievable may be permitted, provided the resultant LAc , noise levels at the receptors do not exceed the relevant "maximum" noise level limit.
The LA background levels recorded on the Project Site have previously been discussed in Section 3.7.
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4.6.2.2 Construction Noise I The EPA recommends for short-term construction activities, particularly those such as the construction of bund walls whose objective is to reduce long-term noises levels, the F following noise level restrictions:
I . Construction period of less than 4 weeks. The LA!0 level in any 15 minute period must most exceed the background LAc level by more than I Construction periods of between 4 and 26 weeks. The LA!0 level in any 15 minute period must not exceed the background LA level by more than 10 dB(A). I 4.6.2.3 Operational Noise I Based on the measured background levels and the above approach to setting guidelines to assess noise impact, Wilkinson Murray have suggested the goals at the I three residences where background levels were measured should he:
Jyndara" (J) 36 dB(A) I "Longmead" (E) 37 dB(A) "Wombaroo" (A) 38 dB(A)
4.6.2.4 Transport Noise Although the transportation of products is an approved activity not subject to further approvals, this sub-section reviews the noise levels currently generated and for comparative purposes, provides predicted noise levels throughout the projected life of the project. The goal used by the EPA to assess road traffic noise depends on the road classification. Wombeyan Caves Road is classified as a main road, therefore the appropriate EPA goal for existing operations for non arterial roads is LAb (18 hour) = I S5dB(A). However, for roads with intermittent or low traffic flow, the LAeq goal used by the EPA I for existing situations in rural areas is 55 dB(A) for daytime. This is assessed over an appropriate time period, normally the period of heavier traffic, and, in this instance, a 1 hour period is considered appropriate. In addition, it is considered that, for the I night-time period, a goal 10 dB(A) lower of 45 dB(A) is appropriate and an interim goal of 50 dB(A) is appropriate for the early morning (6.00 am to 7.00 am) period and I also the evening (7.00 pm to 10.00 pm) period.
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Although loading commences at 6.00 am, some trucks occasionally arrive at the quarry between 5.00 am and 6.00 am. Existing LA (1 hour) noise levels are generally below these noise level goals therefore the appropriate noise level goals are summarised as follows:
5.00 am to 6.00 am 45 dB(A) 6.00 am to 7.00 am 50 dB(A) 7.00 am to 7.00 pm 55 dB(A) 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm 50 dB(A)
4.6.3 Existing Operations Wilkinson Murray measured the noise levels generated by existing operations at the three nominated residences (Figure 3.5) and established the following:
"tJyndara" (J) - with a wind blowing gently towards the residence from the quarry, audible quarry noise was estimated to be approximately 37 dB(A);
"Longmead" (E) - quarry related activities were not audible at this location. The readout indicated that on occasions during unfavourable weather conditions the quarry was audible; and
"Wombaroo" (A) - quarry operations were inaudible. A noise test on a
bulldozer positioned 500 in from the residence produced a LA10 noise level of 41 dB(A).
Based on the above measurements, Wilkinson Murray assessed that existing operations were operating within the nominated guidelines.
4.6.4 Proposed Safeguards The Applicant is to implement the following design and operational safeguards throughout the remaining life of the project to ensure acceptable noises levels are experienced at surrounding residences.
Diesel Generators All diesel generators on site would he further enclosed to achieve the following noise reduction:
Frequency (Hz) 63 125 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k Noise reduction d(B) 5 6 7 8 10 10 1010
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It is proposed that this reduction would be achieved with a combination of I increased cladding surrounding the diesel generators and improved noise - reduction of the exhaust system.
Northern Bund Wall
I An earth bund approximately 800 m long would be constructed near the northern boundary of the Project Site (Figure 2.1) principally to assist in reducing noise levels at Residences A and B to the north. Wilkinson Murray Pty I Limited have established that, for the bund wall to be effective, the top of the wall would need to occur at a height of between 825 m and 826 m AHD. This would be achieved by the construction of a wall between 2.5 m and 6.0 m high with a central section of the bund increased in height by up to a further 4 m. Figure 4.1 shows the location, dimensions and cross-sections of the bund wall. I 4.6.5 Assessment of Future Impacts I 4.6.5.1 Construction Noise Wilkinson Murray predict that for the four week construction period, the LA10 noise level at Residences A and B would be approximately 45 dB(A) or 8 dB(A) less than for the criteria nominated in Section 4.6.2.2.
4.6.5.2 Operational Noise Wilkinson Murray assessed future noise levels under three typical scenarios throughout the life of the project. Predictions were made for the following three scenarios at six residential locations surrounding the Project Site.
Scenario 1: Year 2 includes surface level rehabilitation activities within P0 1989/4 and quarrying towards the southern boundary of Portion 127.
Scenario 2: Year 4 - includes quarrying operations near the southern side of Portion 127 for the majority of quarrying time I (without rehabilitation activities on P0 1989/4).
. Scenario 3: Year 25 - includes surface extraction operations near the I northern limit of quarrying on Portion 127.
Table 4.4 lists the predicted noise levels arising from the detailed computer assessment of likely noise levels under neutral atmospheric conditions at the six nominated residences. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 132 - EIS - MITAGONG SAND QUARR Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts Shrubs on Northern Face c
/ / 724 bo OoOoo 000 72/
* 21 T
LA B' - Barrier Fence
22m
2m SECTION A-A Barrier Fence
Lq ;1I _
SECTION 8-B' i 2m i Barrier Fence
30m
SECTION C-C' SCALE Figure 4.1 50 0 50 700 750 200,,, NORTHERN BUND WALL
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TABLE 4.4 S Predicted Noise Levels I Noise Level Predicted Noise Levels dB(A) Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 dB(A) Location Goal Year 2 Year 4 Year 25 I A 38 41 41 42 C 36 29 28 29 I 36 29 28 29 I J 36 29 29 29 L 37 34 34 34 N 37 38 39 39
I The predicted noise levels indicate that the noise level goals are met or show a marginal exceedance of 1 dB(A) to 2 dB(A) at all the residential receivers with the exception of Residence A where an exceedance of up to 3 dB(A) to 4 dB(A) is I predicted.
I These marginal exceedances are placed in perspective by Wilkinson Murray who explains that the assessment process requires that the typical worst case quarry noise levels are compared to the repeatable minimum background LA9O noise level on which I the noise levels are based. Although possible, the occurrence of these two scenarios is only likely to occur up to 10 per cent of the time. For the vast majority of the time (>90 per cent) it is likely that background noise levels will be significantly higher and quarry noises levels would be significantly lower resulting in the quarry being inaudible. In addition, no further practicable noise control measures would reduce the predicted noise levels.
Table 4.5 presents the likely noise levels for Scenario 2 at the nominated residences in I the event of unfavourable weather conditions e.g. a temperature inversion or gentle winds blowing towards a residence. Wilkinson Murray qualify the results in Table 4.5 S by indicating that the frequency of such unfavourable conditions is comparatively low. For a daytime quarry operation temperature inversions may occur on average 20 per cent of early mornings for approximately 2 hours. For a 10 hour quarry operation this is equivalent to approximately 4 per cent of the overall quarry operating hours. In I addition, gentle winds (0.5 m/s to 3.0 m/s) may occur for 20 per cent of the time within any one quadrant. Assuming 25 per cent of the time for each quadrant results in I a total of 5 per cent of the quarry operating hours. Although it is considered important to present the increase in noise levels which may occur as a result of unfavourable weather conditions since the total duration is less I than 10 per cent of the time, the overall impact is considered to be negligible. R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 134 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts
TABLE 4.5 Predicted Noise Levels Under Unfavourable Conditions*
Predicted Noise Levels Goal dB(A) Location dB(A) Neutral Unfavourable
A 38 41 47 C 36 28 37 I 36 28 38 J 36 29 37 L 37 34 43 N 37 39 43
* For Scenario 2
4.6.5.3 Assessment of Road Traffic Noise
Along Wombeyan Caves Road between the site entrance and the old Hume Highway, there are a number of properties typically set back 100 m to 200 m. In a typically busy hour, up to 8 trucks could be loaded and despatched and it is assumed that a further 4 truck arrivals would occur resulting in a total of 12 movements. This could include the early morning 6.00 am to 7.00 am period. It is also possible that up to 4 trucks may typically arrive in the 5.00 am to 6.00 am period to commence loading at 6.00 am.
At a distance of 100 m the predicted LAeq (1 hour) noise level for 4 truck movements in the 5.00 am to 6.00 am period is predicted as 43 dB(A). This meets the goal for the night- time period.
There is one property located approximately 30 m from the road. The predicted LACq (1 hour) noise level during a typical busy hour with 12 movements is predicted as 53 dB(A). This meets the goal for the daytime but shows an exceedance of 3 dB(A) for the early morning (6.00 am to 7.00 am) and evening (7.00 pm to 10 00 pm) periods. To meet this noise level goal, the number of truck movements would need to be restricted to 6 per hour. This is considered to be an average number of truck movements per hour.
For the 5.00 am to 6.00 am period, the number of trucks would be restricted to 2 trucks per hour to meet the night-time noise level goal. This again is considered to be an average number of truck movements for this time period.
Although some impact is expected during busy periods considering it is only one property that is affected to this degree, the overall impact of truck noise on Wombeyan Caves Road is considered negligible.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED Li EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 135 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Section 4 - Safeguards and Impacts I 4.7 VISIBILITY The Project Site is well located to limit the visibility of the activities on the Project Site. The principal area where visual safeguards would be required would be near the I northern boundary of the Project Site. It is proposed that the northern bund wall would be landscaped and be accompanied by a tree screen to further reduce visual impact of the bund wall itself (see Figure 4.1). With such a treatment of the northern I boundary of the Project Site and the retention of the surrounding native bushland, the visual impact of the continued quarrying operations would be negligible. This relates I also to motorists/tourists travelling along Wombeyan Caves Road to the Caves.
flL 4.8 SURROUNDING LANDOWNERS AND LAND USE The surrounding landowners would become aware of ongoing operation of the quarry Li through occasional audible noise levels and the continued generation of truck traffic along the roads. However, all matters relating to air, water and noise would be contained with acceptable levels and the continued use of the surrounding properties I would not be adversely affected. The continued use of Portion 127 would not adversely affect the nature conservation I use of the land to the south and west.
I 4.9 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING The assessed socio-economic impacts of the continued operation of the Mittagong I Sand Quarry are as follows:
1 continued employment for the Applicant's on-site work-force and drivers transporting products from the Project Site;
I the financial contributions by the Applicant and employees to the local, I State and national economies; the supply of a cost-competitive raw material for the continued development of the Southern Highlands;
the amenity of the area would not be adversely affected by the continued I operation of the quarry, principally because it is well shielded visually from Wombeyan Caves Road; and
I the continued operation of trucks on Wombeyan Caves Road is likewise assessed not to have an adverse social impact given the comparatively I low numbers of trucks involved. I - R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
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4.10 TRANSPORTATION The Applicant proposes to continue to direct product trucks to travel along Wombeyan Caves Road to Mittagong and hence to market destinations. It is proposed to seal the Site Access Road from Wombeyan Caves Road to the weighbridge within 12 months of the receipt of a consent for the continued operation. The traffic associated with the continued operations on-site would represent the following proportions of total traffic on the local road network:
Wombeyan Caves Road 6 per cent to 40 per cent (near Greenhills Road) Wombeyan Caves Road 3 per cent to 20 per cent (near Old Hume Highway) Old Hume Highway 2 per cent to 12 per cent
It is noted that the maximum levels would only occur on a few days each year.
4.11 ARCHAEOLOGY The observed/predicted absence of Pre-European archaeological sites within Portion 127 would result in no adverse impact on local aboriginal culture. In the unlikely event throughout the life of the project that any artefacts are found the National Parks and Wildlife Service would be notified.
4.12 BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT The Applicant is conscious of the need to ensure adequate bushfire controls are adopted so that:
their own operation is safeguarded; and
their activities do not increase the potential for bushfires in areas adjacent to the Project Site.
All mobile equipment would continue to be fitted with spark arrestors and fire extinguishers. The on-site water-cart would also be available for fire fighting purposes. In addition to maintaining the above safeguards, the Applicant would liaise regularly with the local Bushfire Controller and trustees of the various parcels of Crown Land around the Project Site.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I • I I I SECTION 5 I I EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL I I I r I a 1mm I I This section concludes the document with an evaluation of the proposed continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry. I This evaluation firstly justifies the proposed extension in terms of the biophysical, economic and social considerations. It also assesses the proposal in the context of the principles of ecologically sustainable development. This section concludes 1 with an outline of the consequences of not proceeding with I the development. I I I I I IS - MITrAGONG SAND QUARRY - 139 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Section 5 - Evaluation of the Proposal
5.1 JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL
5.1.1 Introduction I Schedule 2(3) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994 requires this document to justify the ongoing operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry.
5.1.2 Biophysical Considerations I The Mittagong Sand Quarry involving the extraction of sand and white firing shale and the processing of ripped friable sandstone, would be adequately safeguarded during and after the operation to ensure the environment in and around the Mittagong area I would not be adversely affected. Although some impacts would occur, it has been determined that the level of these I impacts falls within specified criteria or acceptable community expectations. The predicted impacts the proposal would have on the local environment and the I justification of those impacts are set out below:
(i) The diversion of the Borehole Creek tributary and surface water on-site I would be managed to avoid or limit any adverse impacts on nearby i watercourses. The clearing of vegetation on Portion 127 would be inevitable for the proposed continued operation, however, the planned safeguard measures I and rehabilitation programme would ensure minimal adverse impacts on rare or endangered flora and fauna species. The rehabilitation programme would assist in maintaining wildlife corridors in the Soapy I Flat area and would provide valuable data on the propagation of specific rare species.
Dust generation from the proposed quarry extension would be managed in an environmentally responsible manner so as to maintain deposited I dust levels well below EPA's air quality criteria. Appropriate air quality safeguards would be adopted to ensure minimal impact on air quality.
I The activities on the Project Site and associated product transportation would continue to be audible from time to time, however, the noise I levels would be comparable to existing noise levels from all sources.
(v) The ongoing transportation of sand and shale products from the I Mittagong Sand Quarry would continue to have a slight impact on traffic levels on Wombeyan Caves Road, however, impact would be minimised I with the adoption of safeguards.
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It is assessed that surrounding residents would be aware of on-site activities from time to time. However, the likely impacts are justified in that they are of a comparatively low level and carefully safeguarded against in the design of the quarry extension and associated quarrying activities. The safeguards and control measures are outlined in Section 4 of this document.
5.1.3 Economic Considerations As a result of the ongoing operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry there would be significant benefits earned by the Applicant, its shareholders and employees, as well as by the local community, State and Federal Governments.
Mittagong and District
continued employment of the Applicant's on-site workforce and drivers transporting products from the Project Site.
The creation of four additional full-time jobs would be possible with the ongoing operation of the quarry.
Financial contributions by the Applicant and employees to the local economy would continue.
A cost competitive supply of high quality sand and shale products to the Southern Highlands would continue.
New South Wales
The New South Wales Government would benefit directly from the continued long-term employment of the Applicant's existing workforce and the associated payroll tax and other charges and flow-ons.
A cost competitive supply of high quality sand products to the New South Wales construction industry would be maintained.
A cost competitive supply of high quality (98 per cent silica content) for the glass-making industry and white-firing shale for the brick manufacturing industry would eventuate.
Australia
(i) Australia would also benefit from the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry in the form of income tax and corporate income tax.
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5.1.4 Social Considerations
The principal social considerations that would arise from the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry would be as follows: I
Guarantee of long-term direct employment of the existing workforce on- site and the creation of additional full-time jobs would eventuate.
Maintenance of existing indirect employment levels and increased employment for truck drivers would eventuate.
Boosting local services through continued expenditure by the Applicant, contractors and employees.
a (iv) Rehabilitation of Crown Land which may otherwise not eventuate.
1 5.2 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY
5.2.1 Introduction
Schedule 2(5) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, requires the justification of the proposal in terms of the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD is a concept which can be defined as I development which uses, conserves and enhances the community's resources in such a way that ecological processes are maintained and present and future quality of life can be improved. An alternative definition is a development which aims to meet the needs I of Australian's today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future I generations.
Quarrying and associated processing industries are major sources of Australia's export income and contribute substantially to the natural well-being of Australians. Quarrying is also important for regional development and employment. However, exploration, I quarrying and raw material processing activities do involve some degree of environmental disturbance. In the context of ESD, the issue of whether environmental I impacts are irreversible or affect long term ecological sustainability is important. For this reason it is the overall objective of the ESD process to ensure compatability between quarrying and the environment. Because quarrying involves the extraction of I non-renewable resources, the first step towards achieving ESD involves ensuring I efficient use of the resources and therefore achieving maximum resource utilisation. R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 142 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARR Section 5 - Evaluation of the Proposal
5.2.2 Principles of ESD As defined under Schedule 2(8) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, ESD consists of four principles which are interrelated. The four principles include:
the precautionary principle;
the principle of inter-generational equity;
the principle of the conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity; and
the principle for the improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources.
The Precautionary Principle
This principle is defined as 'where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. In the application of the precautionary principle, public and private decisions should be guided by:
careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment; and
an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options" (IGAE, 1992).
To satisfy this principle of ESD emphasis must be placed on anticipation and prevention of environmental damage, rather than reacting to it. For this purpose, the Applicant has engaged numerous specialist consultants during the preparation of this Statement to examine the existing environment, predict possible impacts and recommend safeguards in order to ensure that the level of impact satisfies statutory requirements or reasonable community expectations. Environmental safeguards, as discussed in Section 4 of this document, are measures that have been planned with a comprehensive knowledge of the existing environment and an appreciation of the potential impacts, to prevent environmental degradation. Throughout the development of the proposal the Applicant and their consultants have adopted an anticipatory approach to risk, particularly the risk of irreversible ecological damage, by undertaking an appropriate level of research and baseline studies and environmental evaluation. It is noted that the Applicant's decision to avoid further extraction on P0 1989/4 until the rare and endangered plants can be successfully propagated is consistent with the objectives of the precautionary principle of ESD.
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Inter-Generational Equity
The definition of this ESD principle is "the present generation should ensure that the I health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations" (IGAE, 1992). I This principle includes both intra-generational (within generations) equity and inter- generational (between generations) equity. Equity within generations requires that the economic and social benefits of the I development be distributed appropriately among all members of the community. The project and particularly the safeguards with respect to water, flora, fauna, air, noise, I visibility and soil management have been designed to ensure that no part of the community would be unacceptably disadvantaged. I The non-material well-being or "quality of life" of residents of the Mittagong area would continue to be maintained throughout and beyond the life of the project through implementation of safeguard measures to mitigate any environmental impacts I and progressive rehabilitation programmes. The Applicant's proposal has been so planned to ensure the efficient recovery of sand I and shale and the production of a range of high quality sand products. The sand products produced on-site have a wide range of uses in the construction and building industry. The sand is idealy suited for use in pre-mixed concrete and concrete I products such as masonary bricks. The coarse sand products are used for filter sands and horticulture and the finer products are used for plaster and mortars. The sand I produced on-site is also suitable for use in glass manufacture. Oversized sandstone is usable in road construction. The shale present on parts of the Project Site can be used I in road construction, clay brick manufacture or as selected fill. The products used in the construction of roads, concrete pavement and infrastructure benefit the local and wider population. Infrastructure, such as roads which typically I have a life of 50 to 100 years or longer, benefit both present and future generations. Likewise the bricks manufactured from shale, to be extracted on the Project Site, would benefit the local and wider population through use in construction or renovation I of buildings. The conversion of construction materials into finished infrastructure is both a process of value adding and a long-term investment in the materials.
Mh Conservation of Biological Diversity and EcoIoiical Interitv
Biological diversity or biodiversity is defined as the variety of life forms and is usually considered at three levels; genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. I Ecosystem integrity describes the condition of an ecosystem that is relatively unaltered from its natural state. For the purposes of this assessment biodiversity is considered
I both on the Project Site, and where appropriate, beyond the Project Site.
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Although minor impacts would occur on a local scale, the Applicant's specialist consultants consider that in both the short and long term, the biodiversity of the Project Site and surrounding area would be conserved, maintained and even enhanced. Given the Applicant's proposed adoption of recommendations to minimise impact and a progressive rehabilitation program using flora species native to the area, including various rare and endangered plant species, biodiversity and ecological integrity of the area long-term would be maintained. Of notable contribution to the ecological integrity of the area is the proposed final landform including a dam containing two islands and associated shallow wetlands which would provide wildlife habitat for birdlife and other wetland species.
In addition, the re-establishment of the dry scierophyll open forest within P0 1989/4 would assist in maintaining the wildlife corridors of the Soapy Flat area.
Improved Valuation and Pricing of Environmental Resources
This principle involves consideration of the materials proposed to be quarried and the surrounding environmental resources (e.g. air, water, land and living things) which may be affected. The valuation and pricing of the quarried and processed materials comprises the cost of processing and manufacture, rehabilitation costs, profit, delivery costs and the final cost to the customer.
Those other environmental resources which the quarry would use are to be valued and the cost borne by the Applicant. The cost of using the environmental resources is seen as the cost incurred to protect and prevent pollution of air, water, noise and local amenity. The value placed by the Applicant on the environmental resources, other than the extracted resource, is evident in the extent of research, planning and design of environmental safeguards and measures to proven irreversible damage of these resources.
5.2.3 Conclusion
The ongoing operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry as presented within this document, has been designed to assist in the continued extraction of one of the State's resources in both an efficient and environmentally responsible manner, and thereby ensure the short and long term well-being of the community and compatability of the development with the environment. The approach taken in planning the proposal has been multi-disciplinary, with foresight, community involvement and extensive consultation with professionals and various Government Authorities. It has been assessed that the proposal is socially desirable and would produce sand and shale for use in the construction industry, and manufacture of glass and bricks without compromising the quality of life for current or future generations, biological diversity or ecological integrity.
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5.3 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE I DEVELOPMENT Schedule 2(3)(a) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, I requires this document to address the consequences of not proceeding with the ongoing operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry. The consequences of not proceeding I are manifold and include:
(i) the loss of a viable quarrying project which has been of considerable I economic value to the Mittagong area, the Shire of Wingecarribee, New - South Wales and Australia;
(ii) the loss of 3 existing full-time jobs, 4 part-time jobs and the potential for 1 4 additional full-time positions;
(iii) the loss of indirect jobs created by the project such as truck drivers I involved in product transportation;
the potential for the Applicant's proposed expansion into the Sydney market would not eventuate; I consumers of Mittagong Sand Quarry products in the Southern Highlands would have to source their requirements elsewhere, possibly I from more distant suppliers with a higher transport cost component;
U (vi) the contribution to supply of sand and shale products from the Mittagong Quarry to the Sydney area, where sand and shale resources I are dwindling, would not eventuate; (vii) the creation of a large wetland/lake system suitable for aquatic wildlife I and migratory bird habitat would not eventuate;
I (viii) the opportunity to restore a free-draining landform on P0 1989/4 would not eventuate; I (ix) research into the rehabilitation of disturbed areas using threatened plant species would not necessarily continue; and
(x) the minor potential impacts on the local environment would not I eventuate.
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5.4 CONCLUSION The Applicant's proposal to continue to operate the Mittagong Sand Quarry has been carefully planned to ensure that potential environmental problems that could arise are safeguarded against, are contained to acceptable levels, and are of negligible impact. The Applicant's awareness of environmental management requirements and planned commitment to the implementation of the identified controls would assist in ensuring that the ongoing operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry would proceed in a manner that would not adversely affect the local environment. The continued operation of the quarry in accordance with the plans set out in this document, would enable the positive socio-economic benefits for the Mittagong area to continue whilst responsible environmental management procedures are implemented.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED a I I I I I I I [1 I I I REFERENCES I I I I I I I I
ES - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 149 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I.References I
ANNE CLEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LIMITED (1995) I "Flora Report : Private Land (Portion 127) at Soapy Flat via Mittagong: Rocla I Quany Products". Prepared for Rocla Quarry Products. ANNE CLEMENTS AND ASSOCIATES PTY LIMITED (1993) "Flora Report: Crown Land (P01989/4) at Soapy Flat via Mittagong: Rocla I Quany Products". Prepared for Rocla Quarry Products. DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT (1993) I "Soapy Flat Reserve Crown Land Assessment". Land Assessment Branch, Sydney, Goulburn Area Office, Southern Region.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING (1984b). "Planning in Fire Prone Areas. Circular Letter to Councils No 74. Department of I Environment and Planning, 24 October 1984 IGAE, (1992) I Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Environment.
I LIM (1995) 'A Fauna Suivey of Mittagong Sand Quany, Rocla Quany Products". Prepared for I Rocla Quarry Products. LIM (1993) I 'An Assessment of a Wildlife Corridor within Soapy Flat Reseive, via Mittagong". Prepared for Rocla Quarry Products.
I ROBERT PATON ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES PTY LIMITED, (1994) 'An Archaeological Investigation of a Proposed Sand Extraction Operation at Portion 127, Soapy Flat near Berrima, New South Wales". Prepared for Rocla I Quarry Products.
SPACKMAN, (1992) Position Paper - "Construction Sand Resources of the Sydney Region, Geological I Survey of New South Wales". Department of Mineral Resources. WILKINSON MURRAY PTY LIMITED (1995) II Mittagong Sand Quany Noise Assessment. Prepared for Rocla Quarry Products. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED A I I I [ I [1 I I 1 I APPENDICES a I I A Ii I [I I I I I 1 I p APPENDIX 1 I I I REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING I FOR THE I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT S TA TEMENT I I I IS - MI1TAGONG SAND QUARRY - 155 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Appendi 1 - Department of Planning I New South Wales Government I Department of Planning
I Remington Centre 175 liverpool Street. Sydney 2000 F- Box 3927 G.P.O. Sydney 2001 RW Corkery & Co. Pty. Ltd. DX. 15 Sydney I Geological and Environmental Consultants P0 Box 80 Telephone :(02) 391 2000 ExI: 2087 ORANGE NSW 2800 I Fax No. :(02) 391 2111 Contaci: P. Weiner I Our Reterence MAN W94/002 10/001 I Your Retorence: Dear Sir,
I Sand Extraction On Portion 127 and, Lot 163 and Part Lot 165, DP 257186 (Soapy Flat Reserve), Parish Jellore, County Camden, Wingecarribee Council
El Thank you for your letter of 1 December, 1994 indicating that you are consulting with the Director with regard to the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the I above development If development consent is required for the proposal and it is a designated development within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, an EIS must accompany the developmenf application to Wingecarribee Council. The I EIS shall be prepared in accordance with clause 51 of the Regulation (see Attachment No. 1) and shall bear a certificate required by clause 50 of the Regulation.
I Attachment No. 2 is a guide to the type of information most likely to be relevant to the development you propose; not all of the matters raised therein may be appropriate for I consideration in the EIS for your proposal; equally, the guide is not exhaustive. In addition, pursuant to clause 52 of the Regulation, the Director requires that the I following matters be specifically addressed in the EIS: A Full I)escription Of The Development (Schedule 2 - 4(a))
I D A discussion of the: * arrangements for transporting sand to market. I access arrangements to the extraction Site. sequencing of extraction on both Crown land (Soapy Flat Reserve) and private land I at Portion 127. I I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 156 - EIS - MFTAGONG SAND QUARR• Appendix 1 - Department of Planning
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expected traffic volume increases arising from the proposal on Council and State (RTA) roads. * methods used to extract sand and backfill voids. anticipated hours of operation. * availability of topsoil for rehabilitation purposes.
A General Description Of The Environment (Schedule 2 - 4(b))
U A discussion of the environmental performance from the existing operations in relation to current licences and approvals issued by the Environmental Protection Authority and other agencies. U A discussion of the environment of adjacent lands including the identification of State Forest's uses of the same access roads. U An assessment of the soil properties including an analysis of the potential for soils to erode and cause siltation of watercourses. U An analysis of the friable sandstone to assess the presence of any dissolved silicates. U The preparation of a 1:10,000 scale vegetation map of the affected areas incorporating a and other pattern analysis, where appropriate, for Phyllota hwnifuaa, Persoonia glaucans, rare flora. LII An analysis of the bushfIre hazards. U A visual analysis from public and private points on lands potentially within view of the extraction operations. U The results of an archaeological survey to identify any Aboriginal artefacts. U Identification of any Crown lands.
The Likely Impact Of The Development On The Environment (Schedule 2 - 4(c))
U Consideration of the economic and social impacts of the proposal including: the primary economic costs and benefits of the proposal. fiscal impacts to the expenditure and revenue of Council. the economic costs and benefits of the feasible alternatives. O A consideration of the likely environmental impacts from the expanded operation on the: air quality particularly from dust created by extraction operations and transport of product. acoustic climate of the nearest residents to the proposal. losses of plant and animal habitats and significant corridors. * surface water quality of receiving creeks, and other water courses with particular regard to sediment loads and the potential to cause increased rates of sedimentation. scenic amenity with particular regard to views from the tourist route of Wombcyan Caves Road.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED S - MITrAGONG SAND QUARRY - 157 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Appendix 1 - Department of Planning fl L i heritage values particularly with regard to items identified in the Aboriginal archaeological survey.
A Description of Measures Proposed To Mitigate Any Adverse Effects (Schedule 2- 4(d)) 1 U Measures proposed to be taken to: . mitigate any fiscal and social impacts. I prevent erosion of natural drainage lines including providing details of an integrated soil and water management plan. . rehabilitate and stabilise areas subject to extraction. I protect any rare flora. . control bushfires including the preparation of a bushfire management plan. I landscape the site to mitigate any visual impacts and losses to plant and animal habitats including details of plant species, sowing and planting schedule, and the identification of persons responsible for environmental management I protect against contamination of surface and ground waters from oil and petroleum spills. . achieve acceptable air quality at the extraction site and along the access and I transport roadways. * achieve acceptable noise levels from both extraction and product transport operations. I deal with items of Aboriginal significance. I Consultations U The results of consultations with: * Department of Conservation and Land Management; Environment Protection Authority; . Department of Water Resources; I National Parks and Wildlife Service; . Water Board; I Department of Mineral Resources; State Forests; and I . Roads and Traffic Authority 5. In preparing your EIS you should approach Wingecarribee Couicil and take into account I any comments Council considers may apply to its determination of the proposal. I I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 158 - EIS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY AppendL 1 - Department of Plannin
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6. Should you require any further information regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. D. Mullins Acting Manager Assessments and Major Hazards Branch As Delegate for the Director
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I IWIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 159 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Appendix I - Department of Plannin' I APPENDIX 1 MITFAGONG SAND QUARRY - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Correspondence from Department of Planning F] Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s) Description of the Development I • product transportation; 2.5 • access arrangements; 2.2 • sequence of extraction on Crown and private land; 2.4.3 I • expected traffic volumes on Council and State Roads; 2.5.2 • extraction and backfihling methods; 2.4, 2.6 • hours of operation; [1 2.8 • availability of topsoil for rehabilitation. 3.4 Description of the Environment I • environmental perforniance of existing operations; 1.6.10 • environment of adjacent lands; Plate A • soil properties and erosion potential; 3.4 I • presence of dissolved silicates in friable sandstone; Not Relevant • vegetation map of affected areas; Figure 3.7 • bushfire hazard; 3.16 • visual analysis from public and private points; 3.14 • archaeological survey results; 3.10 • identification of Crown Lands. 2.2, 3.11 1 Impact on the Environment • economic and social impacts; 4.9 • air quality impacts; 4.1 • acoustic climate of nearest residences; 4.6 • water quality of receiving creeks/water bodies; 4.2 • scenic amenity from Wombeyan Caves Road; 4.7 • archaeology. 4.11 Mitigation Measures • mitigation of social and fiscal impacts; 4.9 • soil and water management plan; 4.2, 4.3 • rehabilitation; 2.12 I • protection of rare flora; 2.12 • bushfire management plan; 4.12 • landscaping to mitigate any visual impact; 2.4, 4.7 • persons responsible for environmental management; Quarry Manager • safeguards against oil/petroleum contamination of soil and water; 2.7.3, 4.2 • acceptable air quality I - site and access roads; 4.1 • acceptable noise levels - extraction and transportation; 4.6 • safeguards for items of Aboriginal significance. 4.11 Consultation • Results of consultation with CaLM, EPA, DWR NPWS, Water Board, DMR, State Forests, RTA and Wingecarribee Council. Appen ix 2
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I I I I I I I I I 1 I APPENDIX 2 I I I I SUMMARY OF RELEVANT ISSUES RAISED I BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND THEIR COVERAGE IN THE EIS I I I I QS - MITrAGONG SAND QUARRY - 163 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Appendix 2 - Government Authorities
APPENDIX 2 MIYFAGONG SAND QUARRY - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement Page 1 of 3
Authority Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s)
ENVIRONMENT Effluent quality restrictions due to sensitive nature 4.2 PROTECTION of waters of Joadja Creek AUTHORITY (Protected Waters Class F). Sediment control structures, catch dams. 4.2, 4.3
Bunded storage for fuels and greases. 2.7.3, 4.2.4.2
Environmental Management Plan required. 1.8
Installation and maintenance of dust suppression Not Required equipment. Noise assessment detailing abatement works. 4.6
Statutory pollution control approval of any pollution When required control works.
DEPARTMENT OF No specific requirements WATER RESOURCES
SYDNEY WATER Quantities, and proposed management and of 4.2 chemicals, fuels and oils to avoid/contain spillages. Soil and water management - during development 4.2, 4.3 and operation. Design criteria, location and maintenance of soil and 4.2, 4.3 water management structures. Untreated contaminated water must not be 4.2 discharged off-site. Detail potential contingent events and safeguards/ 4.2 procedures to avoid/minimise impacts on Borehole Creek water quality. Baseline water quality data, water quality monitoring 3.6.1 programme and reporting procedures for Borehole Creek and contingency plan if water quality problem arises. Consultation with relevant authorities regarding Appendix 2 compliance with statutory and pollution controls.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED 1 ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 164 - EIS - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRS Appendix 2 - Government Authorities I
APPENDIX 2 MITFAGONG SAND QUARRY - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement - Cont'd Page 2 of 3
Authority Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s)
DEPARTMENT OF Accurate site survey - existing contours and final 2.1, 2.12, 3.1 CONSERVATION landform. AND LAND MANAGEMENT Grade of final landform should be similar to existing 2.12 (Where natural grades. practicable) Maximisation of nature conservation value of 2.12 established wetlands or dam. Staging of extraction and rehabilitation. 2.4, 2.12
Re-establishment of threatened/endangered species, 2.12 ongoing field trials and availability of results to CaLM.
Surficial sands not to be removed from site but used Outise area of in re-propagation of vegetation. Application Minimise topsoil/surlicial sand stockpiling, 2.4, 2.12, 4.3 appropriate stockpile volumes and heights, silt-stop fencing, placement away from drainage lines and use of stockpiled material for topsoiling as soon as possible.
Feasibility of mining the area of Crown Road, Not Considered alternative access, drainage and final landform. Appropriate
Diversion of clean' water away from site and 4.2 confinement of dirty' water. Contour ripping of areas to be rehabilitated, 2.12 topsoiling, hay mulching, seeding and slow release fertilisers (if necessary). Minimum width requirements for wildlife corridor, No quarrying planned long term appropriateness of quarrying this area and rehabilitation methods. Method and source of material for rehabilitating 2.12 areapreviously held by Permissive Occupancy 1979/11. Rehabilitation of Crown Land (Permissive 2.12 Occupancy 1979/11) and assessment of relocation of dam wall to freehold land and other options.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I - MITTAGONG SAND QUARRY - 165 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS Appendix 2 - Government Authorities
1 APPENDIX 2 MITFAGONG SAND QUARRY - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement - Cont'd H Page 3 of 3 Authority Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s)
DEPARTMENT OF Fencing of the area. Not envisaged 1 CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT - Range of materials to be won, timcframe for 2.3, 2.4 I Cont'd different stages and high and low demand scenarios.
NSW NATIONAL Flora survey by recognised expert, vegetation map 3.9.2 I PARKS AND and assessment of impacts on flora. WILDLIFE SERVICE Management plan for the endangered species 2.12 Phvllota huinifusa - distribution, degree of I disturbance, current propagation and re- establishment works, problems and ongoing rehabilitation monitoring programme.
[] Fauna survey by recognised expert. 7 point test if 3.9.3 endangered fauna recorded.
1 Habitat fragmentation and connectivity (regional 3.9.3 context) and impact on potential wildlife corridor.
1 Impact on adjacent proposed Jellore Nature 4.5, 4.8 Reserve.
I Fire management plan. 4.12 I Minimisation of ecological impact. 4.5
I WINGECARRIBEE No specific requirements SHIRE COUNCIL I I [I I
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I • I I I I 1 I I I I I 1 APPENDIX 3 I I I I ENERGY STA TEMENT I I I I *IS - MIUAGONG SAND QUARRY - 169 - ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS I Appendix 3 - Eneji Statement I ENERGY STATEMENT
This Energy Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the I Office of Energy and provides a concise assessment of the impact the continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry on energy resources, particulaiy liquid fuels
1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION I The continued operation of the Mittagong Sand Quarry would involve the extraction of almost eight million tonnes of friable sandstone capable of yielding almost I million tonnes of well graded concrete sand. The sandstone (and interbeds of white firing shale) is extracted by ripping and pushing into stockpiles for subsequent loading and transport to the on-site processing plant. I The plant washes the sand and produces both an oversize and undersize product (tailings). I All mobile equipment involved in quarrying and the processing plant is powered by diesel fuel. A limited quanity of electrical power is available on site for lighting etc. The sand products produced on site, together with the shale, are transported from the Project Site in highway trucks and trailers.
I 2.0 ENERGY REQUIREMENTS I 2.1 Quarrying I The Applicant estimates that the current fuel usage for the ripping, loading and transportation of friable sandstone to the processing plant would account for approximately 0.4 litres of diesel per tonne of raw feed.
2.2 Processing I The generation of electrical power on site with a diesel generator is achieved with the use of approximately 65 litres of diesel per hour. This equates to approximately 0.8 I litres per tonne of raw feed.
2.3 Product Transportation The Applicant has assessed that the weighted average distance trucks travel with the I sand/shale products is approximately 120 km. This is likely to increase to levels approaching 200 km as production levels increase. Based on the average truck load of sand (weighing 25 t) over a distance of 120 km, approximately 2.4 litres per tonne of I product delivered would be consumed.
I I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED ROCLA QUARRY PRODUCTS - 170 - E!S - MITTAGONGSANDQUARR AppendLx 3 - Energy Statement
2.4 Total Fuel Usage The quarrying, processing, and transportation of sand would generate a final usage of approximately 3.6 litres per tonne of sand.
3.0 JUSTIFICATION OF FUEL USAGE
3.1 Quarrying The method of quarrying used is the most effective and feasible method of recovering the friable sandstone resources.
3.2 Processing The Applicant's efforts to date, to connect electrical power to the Project Site to operate the processing plant have identified that the cost to supply power to the Project Site is prohibitive.
3.3 Transportation The average travel distance of 120 km is typical of raw material sources beyond the outer suburbs of Sydney that are increasingly supplying construction materials for Sydney's continued growth. No feasible alternative form of transport is available for the market network supplied.
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I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED