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The Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group can confirm that Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has approved the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) exhibition schedule for the proposed Heidelberg Materials Australia (Hanson Construction Materials) Bunyip North Quarry.

We are extremely disappointed by this decision, particularly after our request to the Planning Minister to delay the process until 2027.
 

A process of this significance should not be rushed through an election period.

The timing is deeply concerning.

A project of this scale and significance should not be compressed into the final months of a parliamentary term, overlapping with a Victorian election and caretaker period — a time when opportunities for meaningful engagement with government and proper public scrutiny are inevitably constrained.

Under the approved schedule, the Directions Hearing on 4 November will take place during the caretaker period, while public hearings will extend through November and December.

If there is a change of government, responsibility for this process could pass from one Planning Minister to another midway through this critical stage of assessment.

For a project of this scale, complexity and potential longevity, our community deserves a process free from the unnecessary uncertainty created by an election and a possible change of government.

20 years to prepare. Less than 21 days’ notice for our community.

The proponent has had approximately 20 years to develop this project and prepare its environmental assessments.

Our community has been given less than 21 days’ notice that the EES will go on public exhibition.

That imbalance is unacceptable.

This is an enormous, long-term proposal with potential consequences for local roads and traffic, residents, agriculture, water, biodiversity, amenity and the surrounding environment — potentially for generations.

Our community needs sufficient time to properly examine the EES, seek expert advice where necessary, understand the evidence and prepare informed submissions.

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 can you do? Tell them this is unacceptable.

While we wait for the EES to be released on Monday, we are strongly urging residents to contact Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny and Planning Panels Victoria.

Ask them to postpone the Bunyip North Quarry public hearings until 2027.

The election should be over. A government should be established. And a process of this significance should be able to proceed without the uncertainty of caretaker conventions or the possibility of a change of government midway through proceedings.

Tell them our community deserves a fair, transparent and properly considered process — not one rushed through an election period.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny:
sonya.kilkenny@parliament.vic.gov.au | 9773 2727

Planning Panels Victoria:
office@planningpanels.vic.gov.au | 5381 9457

Please contact them. Be factual. Be clear. And be specific about what you are asking for.

Bunyip North is the wrong location — and our community deserves a fair opportunity to demonstrate why.