EIS 1373 Mulyan Quarry expansion : environmental impact statement M I IC) AB020 004 I Ceotral West EnviroNmeotal Services 24 Torulosa Way I Orange NSW 2800 ph(063' 614357 Facsimile (0636 14357 Mobile 019 982 773 I E-mail CWESa:cww.octec.org.au I I I T. J. BRYANT PTY. LTD. ACN 000 547 928 I I I MULYAN QUARRY EXPANSION I I JNVIRONMENTAL I IMPACT I STKfEMENT I .}AL OU I I I I I. 4i72 T.J.BRYANT PTY. LTD ACN 000 547 928 CENTRAL WEST ENVIRONMENTAL Incorporating BRYANT'S CONCRETE - BRYANT'S SERVICES QUARRIES 24 Torulosa Way P0 Box 156 Orange NSW 2800 Cowra NSW 2794 Phone: (063) 614 357 Facsimile: Quarry (063) 614 357 Glen Logan road Mobile: (019) 982 773 Cowra NSW 2794 E-mail: CWEScww.octec.org.au Phone: (063) 411 288 Contact: Mr Bruce Hansen Facsimile: (063) 422 354 Contact: Mr Tom Bryant ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNDiG AND ASSESSMENT REG 1994 FORM 2 Submission of environmental impact statement (EIS) Prepared under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Section 77 EIS prepared by Name Bruce A Hansen JP Qualifications Associate Diploma in Environmental Control Member of The Environment Institute of Australia Address 24 Torulosa Way, Orange NSW 2800 in respect of Development Application Applicant Name Ti. Bryant Pty. Ltd. Applicant address P.O. Box 156 COWRA NSW 2795 Land to be developed: address, lot no, DP/MPS, PT 51 GLEN LOGAN ROAD vollfol etc proposed DP 606136 development or E map(s) attached Environmental Impact Statement an environmental impact statement (EIS) is attached Certilkate _ I 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 information, materially mislead Signature _ f) Name BRUCE A. HANSEN Date 14AUJ F717 I I I SUMMARY This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared as a requirement under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and Regulation 1994, to accompany the Development Application by T.J. Bryant Pty. Ltd. for the expansion of their quarrying operation known as the Mulyan Quarry at Cowra in New South Wales. The EIS addresses the requirements of Schedule 2 of the regulation, the "Director's Requirements" and the "EIS Guideline - Extractive Industries Quarries". A number of I Government agencies have been consulted as to any additional matters which may be relevant. I The proposal involves the continued expansion of the existing quarry pits an increase in production levels and the opening up of a new pit in the northern part of the lease. T.J. I Bryant has operated the Mulyan Quarry for the past 27 years, providing sand, concrete gravel, road base and specialist filtration gravels and decorative stone both locally and throughout eastern Australia. Demand for the product (particularly filtration gravels) is I expected to rise over the next few years and the company must be able to ensure a reliable constant supply. I The resource consists of a quartzite gravel in a clay and sand matrix in approximate ratio of 50% gravel 40% sand and 10% clay. (sect. 2.1) U The material is extracted by a dozer without the need for blasting; it is then trucked to a washing and screening plant where it is separated into different sizes and qualities and stockpiled for sale. At present there is an oversupply of 25-45mm product so a cone I crusher will be added and the crushed stone re-screened to suitable sizes (sect 2.2 and 2.3). I The water from the screening plant is discharged into a sedimentation pond where it settles and is then recycled. Make up water if required is pumped from the Lachlan I River (40 megalitre licence). There is no discharge of water or sediment from the site. (sect. 2.4). All necessary infrastructure and utilities already exist on site (sect 2.5) Transport of products is by rigid trucks or semi-trailers and vehicle movements will vary I from an average of 10 per day up to 50 per day at maximum production (sect 2.7). The current hours of operation will not change due to expansion. (sect 2.8) The site is former farmland which has been cleared and quarried for the past 27 years. The only vegetation consists of a few scattered trees in the south of the site, 3 or 4 in the north of the site and some remnant roadside woodland along Glen Logan Road. The main species are Grey Box, Yellow Box and Tumble Down Red Gum. There are few Summary Page 1 I native understorey species on the site or the roadside apart from some water plants I which have established in the dams (sect 3.6.1.) The quarry sedimentation dams have created some habitat areas for fauna such as frogs, k lizards, tortoises and waterbirds however, the habitat is poor overall and only supports common adaptable species. No threatened species of plants or animals inhabit or are likely to inhabit the area and the operation will not significantly affect any threatened L species (sect 3.6.2.) 1 The site is fairly flat with only 2% slope. It is 310 - 320m above sea level. Soils in the area are mainly non-calcic brown soils and red brown earths2. (Sect 3.1 and 3.3) I An open stone artefact scatter site was discovered during the archaeological survey for the proposed quarry extensions. The quarry has been redesigned so that this site will not be disturbed. Monitoring by a qualified person will occur during topsoil removal in I areas identified as potentially sensitive and if artefacts are found work will cease in that area until advice can be obtained from the NPWS. Given these constraints the Cowra I Local Aboriginal Land Council has no objection to the proposal. No items or sites of European heritage significance are known to occur on the site. I The quarry is located in a rural area on the edge of town. The view from the nearest residences is not spoiled by the quarry (sect 3.8 photos 6 and 7) but tree planting will I provide thrther screening in the future. Noise levels are typical of rural areas and the quarry does not exceed Environment I Protection Authority guidelines (sect 3.10). Because the quarry is a wet screening process there is no problem of dust from the plant I (sect 3.9) The quarry has operated for many years without problem due to the responsible I management of the site and the safeguards employed by the operators to protect the environment. With the expansion, numerous additional safeguards will be put in place to ensure that this continues to be the case and that the quarry meets current standards. Amongst these are safeguards to prevent water, noise and air pollution (sect 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4) to ensure proper soil management and prevention of erosion (sect 4.5). To improve visual aspects of the project (sect 4.6) to improve the habitat and biological diversity of the area (sect 4.7) to ensure the aboriginal heritage of the area is protected (sect 4.8) and I ensure roads are used safely (sect 4.9). At the end of the quany's life the area will be rehabilitated as a wetland and farming I area. The proposed expansion does not affront the principles of Ecologically Sustainable I Development (sect 6.0). I I The Mulyan Quarry has been operating for many years with minimum impact on the I environment, providing jobs and useful products to the community. The evidence herein indicates that provided all the safeguards are implemented there will not be any significant impact on the environment. The restoration and rehabilitation of the area I will enhance the ecological integrity of the area over time. I The EIS concludes that the expansion of the quarry is justified environmentally, economically and socially. I I I I I I I El I I I I I I Summary Page 3 L H CONTENTS Page Page I EIS Certificate 3.4.3 Precipitation 15 3.4.4 Wind 15 Summary Sito S3 1 3.5 Water Resources 15 3.6 Ecology 16 I Section 1 Introduction 1 3.6.1 Flora 16 3.6.2 Fauna 17 1.1 Background to the Proposal 1 3.7 Archaeology & Heritage 19 H 1.2 The Proponent 1 3.7.1 Aboriginal Heritage 19 1.3 Approval Process 2 3.7.2 European Heritage 19 1.4 Objectives of the Development 2 3.8 Visual Characteristics 20 3.9 Air Quality 20 I 3.10 Existing Noise Climate 21 Section 2 Description of the Development 3 3. 10. 1 Assessment Procedures 21 3.10.2 Results 22 I 2.1 The Resource 3 3.11 Transportation 23 2.2 The Quarrying Operations 4 3.11.1 Road Network 23 2.2.1 Concept 4 3.1 1.2 Traffic Volume 24 F 2.2.2 Site Preparation and Management 4 3.11.3 Road Safety 24 2.2.3 Method of Extraction 4 3.11.4 Rail 25 2.3 Processing Operations 5 3.12 Land Status 25 2.3.1 Method 5 3.12.1 Ownership 25 H 2.3.2Products 7 3.12.2Zoning 25 2.3.3 Loading and Despatch 7 3.12.3 Surrounding Land Use 25 2.4 Water Management 7 I I 2.4.1 Introduction 7 Section 4 Environmental Safeguards 2.4.2 Water supply 7 & Impacts 27 2.4.3 Water Treatment and Recycling 8 2.5 Utilities and Infrastructure 8 4.1 Introduction I I 2.5.1 Sewerage 8 27 2.5.2 Electricity 8 4.2 Water Quality & Management 27 2.5.3 Telephone 8 4.2.1 Water Treatment and Recycling 27 I 2.5.4 Buildings and Amenities 8 43 Noise 29 2.5.5 Waste Disposal 9 4.3.1 Operational Noise 29 2.6 Safety and Security 9 4.3.2 Traffic Noise 30 2.6.