WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED
Heidelberg Materials Australia (formerly Hanson Construction Materials) is proposing to establish a large-scale granite quarry in Bunyip North. HMA owns more than 1,100 acres off Tonimbuk, Sanders and Michell Roads.
The proposal would involve extracting approximately two million tonnes of granite each year, with quarrying continuing for 75-100 years.
The project would include a large open quarry pit, processing and crushing facilities, overburden and product stockpiles, water management infrastructure and other associated facilities.
The quarry would operate through drilling and blasting, with extracted granite crushed and processed on site before being transported by heavy vehicles.
The site is under 400 metres from Mount Cannibal
Reserve.
Granite naturally contains crystalline silica, and activities such as drilling, blasting and crushing can release fine respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust into the air.
When inhaled, these microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and, with sufficient exposure, cause permanent lung scarring known as silicosis. Respirable crystalline silica exposure is also associated with an increased risk of lung cancer and other serious health
conditions.
At full production, the project is expected to generate more than 500 truck movements each day, with quarry traffic entering and leaving via the Princes Highway at Tonimbuk Road/Hope Street.
The proposed quarry would involve the permanent removal of vegetation and habitat, changes to the landscape, interception of groundwater and management of water within the quarry site.
The site is currently in a green wedge zone with an
environmentally significant overlay.
The site is also part of Cardinia Shire Council’s Biolink Plan and is home to two significant biolinks, including priority and future biolink corridors.
Current EES schedule
3 September — Online pre-exhibition event
7 September — EES exhibition commences
17 September — Exhibition event
20 October — Exhibition closes
4 November — Directions Hearing
30 November–22 December — Public Hearing
What's at stake if HANSON get their way!
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2 million tonnes of Granite per year trucked along Tonimbuk Road onto Princes Highway, that's around 550 truck movements daily over the next 70-100 years!
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Blasting, crushing, machinery and truck movements, generating constant noise and dangerous dust particulate matter which can cause Silicosis! All this within a site that is just 20 metres from long established Homes and just 360 metres from State Significant Mount Cannibal reserve.
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A Quarry the size of Brew Rd, Mount Shamrock and Tynong North Quarries combined on land equal to the size of Melbourne CBD.
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A fence around the entire Quarry site denying Wildlife access through their established Bio-link corridors!
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Irrevocable changes to Ground Water levels and Surface Water flow into established farm dams!
OUR Community action so far has resulted in...
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Many hundreds of signatures petitioning the Minister for Planning that concluded in a full Environment Effects Statement (EES) being required.
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A Change.org petition that has been signed by over 1000 people and counting.
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Politicians being lobbied at both State & Federal level and us receiving acknowledgement both publicly and privately that they believe this Quarry proposal is in the wrong location!
How can I help
STOP HANSON?
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DONATE Now - We need funding urgently, to finance Legal representation and make this a fairer FIGHT!
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Get SIGNING - Our Change.org petition & get all of your friends and family that love this pristine area to sign as well.
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Start WRITING - to Local & Federal Politicians, and your Local Council, don't let them second guess how you feel about this proposal in your Community, make sure they know exactly how you feel!
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Attend MEETINGS - As we are representing YOUR community, we welcome input from all community members, Contact Us for next scheduled meeting time.
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Get INFORMED - Read our Facebook, Blog & Instagram updates.
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Get LOUD & Get ANNOYING - Method of your Choice!
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PURCHASE products from the online Shop.....
Read our Blog articles here...
