Lithgow City councillors have voiced their opposition to the Austen Quarry extension in Little Hartley, voting unanimously to submit to the Department of Planning and Environment and lobby MP Paul Toole in regards to the proposed increased truck movements and operating hours at the quarry.
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Hy-Tec Industries, the operator of Austen Quarry, is seeking to extend truck loading hours to support an increase in product transported from the quarry, from 1.1 to 1.6 million tonnes per annum.
Trucks are allowed to load product from 5am to 10pm. Hy-Tec Industries is now seeking a 4am start.
Council staff had already made a submission to the Department of Planning opposing the plan before the issue was debated in council on April 23.
“Council has concerns that the works on Jenolan Caves Road and Glenroy Bridge will have long term structural effects and will require ongoing maintenance or upkeep to continue to reduce potential noise impacts,” a report from council stated.
Rosemary Barber, one of the owners of Glenroy Cottages and Camping, spoke at the council meeting. She said trucks travelling to the quarry, which adjoins her property, already wake up guests before dawn.
“If you’re woken up at 4.30am every morning with a loud bang clanging next to you, that’s what it’s like living next to Glenroy Bridge,” she said.
“It’s not just us at Glenroy, it’s all the people over the mountains that have to put up with empty rattling quarry trucks at unearthly hours.”
Cr Wayne McAndrew said he supported the council staff’s position.
“I can recall when this matter went through some years back and they were fairly generous conditions given then, and supported by this council. And I think they go too far,” he said.
Cr Ray Thompson said he could not support the extension to loading hours.
“It was with a heavy heart that I voted on that proposal back then, to start at 5am.”
The Department of Planning and Environment is considering Hy-Tec’s proposal as a State Significant Development.
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