A KARUAH quarry which will process and transport up to 1.5million tonnes of hard rock a year has been given the green light by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission.
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The commission released its findings on the Karuah East Quarry Project last Tuesday, June 17, agreeing with the NSW Department of Planning’s recommendation for approval.
The approval from the commission came after minor changes to the original application, lodged by Hunter Quarries, which included that the proponent complete a revised ‘‘infrastructure footprint’’.
‘‘The department’s assessment indicates the project is expected to comfortably comply with all relevant air quality criteria at all residential receivers under worst-case conditions,’’ the commission’s report said.
The Karuah East Quarry plans to churn out up to 1.5million tonnes a year of andesite, a volcanic rock-like material.
The amount is three times the limit of 500,000 tonnes a year at the existing Karuah Quarry to the immediate west.
It is expected the quarry will produce material for 20 years and employ 28 people.
The application was referred to the commission after more than 25 objections to it were received.
At a public meeting in May community members raised concerns about dust emissions, health and environmental concerns.
The commission said issues of land clearing, biodiversity and threatened plant populations had been ‘‘satisfactorily addressed by the proponent’’.
It further stated visual impact, heritage, noise and water had been addressed, but wanted adjacent roads strengthened to industrial quarry haul standards.
