EIS 1251 ABO Statement of environmental effects for continued extraction of. decorative, special and road gravels from the existing

EIS 1251

ABO 19916

Statement of environmental effects for continued extraction of decorative, special and road gravels from the existing Cayonleigh pit prepared for J. and A. Mulready, Camaroo Lane,

Moss Vale

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aISiSLoxe1iFaLt(e1!

NSWDEPARThENT OF MU\ERAL RESOURCES

3 JAN 1997

Statement of Environmental Effects for Continued Extraction of Decorative, Special and Road

Gravels from the Existing Canyonleigh Pit

Date: 13th September, 1995

Prepared for: Prepared by:

J. and A. Mulready Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

Camaroo Lane Bradman Avenue

Moss Vale. 2577 Bowral. 2576

STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

This Statement of Environmental Effects has been prepared for J. and A Muiready, the operators of an existing quarry and the applicant for a Development Application for continued development, as follows:-

Area: Lot 3 DP 516824, Canyonleigh Road, Canyonleigh being Part Portion 33, Parish Belanglo, County Camden.

Operations: Extraction of bauxitic gravel by ripping, screening and stockpiling of various products and transport off-site as sold as decorative gravel, special products and road base for repair or construction of local roads.

The Statement was prepared by the undersigned and is dated the 13th September, 1995.

R. C. Nolan (B.Sc. Dip.Nat.Res.) 9 Bradman Avenue

Bowral. 2576

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^CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1 . 1 Background

1.2 Objectives of the Proposal 1.3 Consultations

QUARRY DESCRIPTION

2.1 Geography and Geology

2.2 Existing and Past Operations 2.3 Proposed Operations

EXISTIING ENVIRONMENT 3.1 Zoning

3.2 Land Use

3.3 Landform and Stability 3.4 Climate

3.5 Drainage 3.6 Air Quality 3.7 Noise

3.8 Fauna 3.9 Flora 3.10 Visibility 3.11 Traffic

3.13 Social and Cultural Aspects 3.14 Archaeology

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATING MEASURES 4.1 General

4.2 Zoning 4.3 Land Use

4.4 Landform and Stability 4.5 Climate

4.6 Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control 4.7 Air Quality

4.8 Noise 4.9 Fauna 4.10 Flora 4.11 Visibility 4.12 Traffic

4.13 Economic Aspects

4.14 Social and Cultural Aspects 4.15 Archaeology

4.16 Rehabilitation

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT REFERENCES

APPENDICES

I - Details of Consulation with Relevant Government Departments and Authorities.

II - History of Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit and Private Land Lease No. 1236 provided by J. and A. Muiready.

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

III - Photographs A, B and 1 to 11.

TABLES

1. Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit - Summary of Environmental Impacts.

FIGURES

Previous BHP Bauxite leases in the Moss Vale region (originally from BHP records)

Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit - Location Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit - Land Zoning

Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit - Agricultureal Land Classification

Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit - Intersection of Access Road with Canyonleigh Road

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1. INTRODUCTION 1 . 1 Background

The Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit initially was prospected by The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. (BHP) prior to 1939. Subsequently that company held a number of leases over deposits south of the Canyonleigh Road and supplied aluminous laterite for use as flux in their open-hearth, steel-making

furnaces at Newcastle and Port Kembla.

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Figure 1 locates all BHP previous bauxite leases in the vicinity of Moss Vale. Just south from Canyonleigh Road are shown Private Mining Leases (PML) 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 covered respectively by Private Land Leases 566, 3090, 555,

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556 and 3145.

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At the time of preparation of Figure 1 (8.5.62), BHP were mining in PML9 and a local contractor, Mr. F. Cross, had the contract to ?Tjfl?T and haul

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the bauxite to the railhead at Moss Vale for transport to the steelworks at Port Kembla.

In May, 1969, the then property owner, Mr. G. Prince was granted PLL1236

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over PML8 (see Appendix II). This, the current Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit, has been a source of decorative and road gravels since that time (15.5.69).

The current owner and operator (J. and A. Mulready) has operated the pit

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since 1979, i.e., for the past 16 years.

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In January, 1980, Teddington Pty. Ltd. acquired the lease. When the nearby Hume Highway was being upgraded to freeway conditions, Southern Highlands

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Quarries (the owner and operator of Exeter hard-rock quarry) had an agreement with the owner to supply material for Hoddles Crossing.

J. and A. Mulready acquired PLL1236 plus the land surface encompassing that lease, the previously extracted area on PML9 and the pit's access track from Canyonleigh Road in December, 1990. They "registered" the existing

quarry under State Environmental Planning Policy No.37 - Continued Mines and Extractive Industries (SEPP 37) and now seek Development Approval for continuation of the quarry which has now operated continuously for 26 years.

This Statement of Environmental Effects accompanies the Development Applica- tion by J. and A. Mulready. The statement:-

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

BAUXITE - MOSS VALE

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defines the objectives of the development describes the existing environment

assesses the impact of the development on the existing environment describes the means of eliminating or minimising any adverse

impacts, and

finally, justifies the development in terms of its environmental, economic and social effects.

1.2 Objectives of the Proposal

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The quarry produces decorative gravels (e.g., red gravel for driveways), special clays (e.g., filter material for waste disposal areas) and products

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with various sizing for local road base. The demand for each product varies considerably, as does total annual production.

Past annual production has ranged up to 5000 tonnes but production normally is about 1000 tonnes of product. The operator estimates that 35,000 - 40,000m3 (63,000 - 72,000 tonnes) of gravel plus additional fill material exist within the current pit and its planned extensions (see Photograph B and overlay).

Therefore, application has been made for up to 5000 tonnes production per annum over the next 20 years.

1.3 Consultations

During preparation of this Statement, consultations were held with officers

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of the relevant Government Authorities. Details of the consultations and of the environmental factors of concern are provided in Appendix I.

The nearest residence to the quarry is 800m away. There are four residences within one kilometre of the quarry and/or the access road but all of them are as close or are closer to Canyonleigh Road than they are to the quarry access road. The proposed continuation of the quarry will have no additional ' impact on the residents' environment and consultation with them, by the

writer, was not considered necessary.

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2. QUARRY DESCRIPTION

2.1 GeoraDhv and Geolo

Figure 2 shows the geography of the quarry site, of the access road and of the surrounding rural land. Photograph A, taken from the air and looking northward across the current pit to Canyonleigh Road, was recorded in August, 1995. It shows the result of rehabilitation of the previous pit on PML9, clearly visible in 1979 when the base map for Figure 2 was prepared.

The quarry on PMLB is accessible to Canyonleigh Road via 0.8km of privately owned unsealed road.

Extraction is occurring on a low hill totally surrounded by native trees.

Surface contours on Figure 2 indicate that extraction generally commenced and has remained within the 760m (ASL) contour. The pit has extended downward for 8 or more metres and the floor currently is at about 752-755m ASL. As

the pit extended laterally, all overburden was piled around the total extraction area so that, as visible in the range of Photographs 1 - 7, it forms an

embankment of at least 3m above the eastern quarry floor and up to 5m in the west.

Becauseof the overburden embankments there is no drainage from the pit.

Drainage from the general area including the access road is via a south- westward flowing creek, through a neighbour's substantial dam (area at least 400Gm2) and eventually to Long Swamp Creek, at more than 2km from the site.

The surface geology of the area is described by Gobert (1974) as Tertiary basalt with patches of lateritic gravel. The basalt unconformably overlays Triassic Wianamatta Shale which, as revealed in water bores, is deeply weathered to clay near Canyonleigh Road. The quarry area is one of the

"aluminous laterites" deposits described by Gobert as appearing "to have originated by lateritisation in-situ of Tertiary basalt". She describes this, part of the Elismore Trig Station deposit, as "an upper pisolitic zone and a lower laterised basalt, with high silica content". Thickness of the total deposit ranges from 4 - 10m.

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2.2 Existing and Past Operations

Photograph A shows the extent of the current pit and the rehabilitated area of previous extraction by BHP on PML9 to the north.

In the existing pit, extraction occurs either in the western resources of gravel or in the shallower eastern resources of fill material (Photograph ^L+).

When lateral extension of the pit is necessary, to expose additional gravel resources (Photograph B) the existing trees will be removed, stockpiled and harvested for local firewood. The overburden will then be removed and stockpiled to form an embankment at the western end of the pit.

Product is extracted by ripping with a D7 or D8 bulldozer. If necessary the aggregated material is "walked-over" to reduce its size for screening.

Oversize or unbreakable large boulders are pushed aside for possible sale to landscapers or for use in rehabilitation. (Some are visible on the extreme left of Photograph 2). The broken material, much of which is loose pisolites (balls pea sized or larger), usually is loaded onto a screen by a rubber-tyred Volvo 4300 Front End Loader or similar machine. Normally, a stationary non-powered screen is used. Only when special product sizes are required is a portable screening plant, powered by a diesel motor and associated hydraulics, brought to the pit. The various products are stockpiled temporarily ready for transport to the customer.

Those stockpiles, comprising various sizes of material with 1.8 Relative Density, are relatively resistant to erosion and retain their original moisture. The operator has advised that samples taken over significant periods confirm the retention of about 11% moisture. The stockpiles do not remain for more than a few months; the quarry operates mainly on demand and only when a product is ordered is it produced. The quarry does not operate continuously, except over periods of up to 7 days to meet major contracts.

Productis transported, when necessary, in the pit by 6 wheel trucks with 12 tonne capacity. From the pit, product material is transported by the operator's or the customer's trucks along the 0.8km access road to

Canyonleigh Road and thence via Council or RTA roads to market. Usually 25 tonne capacity trucks are used off-site.

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2.3 Proposed Operations

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The Development Application seeks the production of up to 5,000 tonnes of various products per year for the next 20 years; a total production of 100,000 tonnes. That production will require the removal (pushing-aside) of

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approximately 2500m' of overburden and then extraction, screening and transport of approximately 55,000 m3 of product. Total production over 20 years

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represents approximately 2200 truck loads.

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Like other quarries which produce specialised products (e.g., red gravel for the Sydney landscape market) access to the quarry sometimes is required

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very early in the day. Currently, trucks transport product at any time between 5am and 7pm on Mondays to Saturdays. Similar access is required in the future.

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As previously mentioned, the quarry does not operate continuously but, effectively, operates only to produce products as required by order or by tender. At the maximum proposed production of 5000 tonnes per year it is likely that the quarry will need to operate only for about 60 days.

However, because of the specialised nature of much of the market, access

for extraction is necessary for 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. Therefore, the application allows for future extraction between 7am and 5pm on Mondays to Saturdays.

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

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_3. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Zoning

Figure 3, from Shire of Wingecarribee Local Environmental Plan 1989, shows all the vicinity of the quarry to be zoned Rural 1(a) which allows Extractive Industry with development consent.

The figure also includes three slightly misplaced areas of "Land containing Extractive Materials" which were defined in the Gobert (1974) assessment of construction material resources in the Shire. The easternmost two of those areas represent PML9, now ceased extraction and rehabilitated, and PML8.

3.2 Land Use

During at least 26 years and probably for nearly 50 years, the area in or adjacent to the existing quarry has been used for Extractive Industry.

The site of the present quarry has been assessed by the Department of Agriculture (Hindle et al., 1987) as Land Class 5 - "Lands not suited to

agriculture, or suited only to rough grazing. Agricultural production, if any, is very low" (Figure 4).

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The laterite areas are surrounded by areas of basalt overlying Wianamatta Shale. The derived soils provide Class 3 agricultural land - "Lands well

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suited to pasture improvement and associated pasture management practices".

The area of PML9 which has been rehabilitated by the current operator could, with further husbandry, be similar agricultural land, i.e., the Class 5

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land before extraction ultimately may become suitable for grazing.

The current land use is that most suited for the area, particularly as any trees which will have to be removed can be replaced readily; regrowth occurs vigorously in areas disturbed during extraction of bauxite.

3.3 Landform and Stabili

The quarry site comprises laterite on a low hill. That site and material is eminently stable and resistant to erosion.

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3.4 Climate

The nearest weather station is approximately 20km to the north-east in the Moss Vale-Eowral area. There the mean monthly rainfall ranges from about 40mm in July to nearly 120mm in March and totals about 950mm for a year.

Temperatures range from below freezing to about 40°C. Winds predominantly are from the west during winter and are mainly easterlies during summer. Dry summer and autumn westerly or north-westerly winds occasionally exceed

30km/hr; other winds tend to be light and variable.

At Canyonleigh, similar but slightly drier conditions would be expected.

3.5 Drainag

Within the existing quarry an attempt has been made to collect water in a

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storage dam (Photograph 5). However, the porous nature, even of the fine fill material in the eastern part of the pit, makes water retention difficult

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even in that clay-lined dam. Elsewhere, and particularly in the western portion, where pisolitic bauxite is prevalent, all water falling and

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accumulating in the pit rapidly drains through the pit floor. There, it probably becomes a minor part of the aquifer within the underlying basalt.

Surface drainage outside the quarry cannot enter the pit because surface elevation decreases away from it and/or because of the surrounding embank- ments of overburden. As previously described (Section 2.1) drainage from the access road is via a creek which passes through a neighbour's dam before eventually reaching Long Swamp Creek about 2km from the site.

3.6 Air Quality

The quarry area is a typical rural site free from any industrial pollution and generally not affected by rural activities. The surrounding area

predominantly is grazing land and little of the area is cultivated. The stand of native trees left around the quarry effectively prevents egress of any dust generated in the quarry.

When operating, the quarry generates little dust. All the products produced have relative high contents of iron. The operator advised a

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Relative Density of 1.8 for most products. Also, as previously mentioned, the products usually retain a moisture of about 11%. Only the finest sizes of such moist, relatively heavy products are likely to become airborne.

The operator has experienced significant dust in the pit only when screening products of less than 20mm.

Dust is generated on the unsealed access road during dry periods. As shown in ?hotograph A, that road is bordered to the east by natural trees for virtually its total length.

3.7 Noise

When the quarry is not operating, the general site experiences background noise levels typical of rural areas. Near the Canyonleigh Road and at

most of the nearby residents, noise levels would be increased by the traffic noise generated by up to 400 vehicles passing each day.

When the quarry is operating, noise is generated in the pit by a 87 or

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88 dozer ripping material, by a Front End Loader (e.g., Volvo 4300 rubber tyred) gathering material and loading onto stationary screens and by

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occasional 12 tonne trucks. When special products are prepared, the noise from a motorisedmoveable screen is included.

All the in-pit equipment is shielded from the surrounding area by embankments of at least 3m and up to 5m plus stands of native trees at least 20 metres wide. As the nearest residences are at least 700m from the pit and less than 400m from Canyonleigh Road, it is most unlikely that residents can hear the quarry operations or that its noise impact is any greater than that of passing vehicles.

Trucks leaving the quarry are shielded from the east by up to 200m of natural bushland and lOm of topographic rise for most of the 0.8km trip to Canyonleigh Road. The trucks pass within lOOm of a residence as they near the main

road but that residence is also within lOOm of Canyonleigh Road.

3.8 Fauna

The native fauna most evident on the quarry site are wombats. Their burrows

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are very prevalent in the natural surrounding soils and in the embankments

of overburden. It appears that their habitat comprises the soft, fine

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overburden material whether it exists naturally or whether it has been stockpiled for later rehabilitation. They also have burrowed into the rehabilitated areas of PML9.

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Other native animals such as wallabies, predators such as foxes and hares

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and many bird species have been observed by the operator over many years.

No rare faunal species are known in the area or have been reported in other

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quarry areas south of Long Swamp Creek. The area has been subjected to quarrying, for at least 26 years, without any unusual species being seen.

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The area, although tree covered, is isolated by about one km of cleared rural land from the Long Swamp Creek - Emu Creek natural wildlife corridor.

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^{3.9 Flora}

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The quarry site originally was covered with native trees, with an understorey of native shrubs and some flowering groundcovers. Only on the actual quarry

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site has that natural vegetation been removed.

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No rare flora are known or considered likely to exist in the quarry area.

Prior to extraction the surface was described by Gobert (1974) as "a gently ' undulating hill covered with loose pisolites. Low scarps formed by well

cemented pisolitic material occur in the west and south-west side of the outcrop". Such a description conforms with classification of the area as Class 5 by the Department of Agriculture (Hindle et al., 1987).

It is seen in the existing quarry that the natural vegetation regenerates _C.

readily in disturbed areas. The rehabilitation plan allows for

regeneration of the previous bushland during and following future extraction.

3.10 Visibility

The quarry pit is surrounded by embankments at least 3m high plus banks

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of natural timber at least 20 metres wide. The pit is between the approximate reduced levels of 755-760, at least lOm above the nearest residences.

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The aerial photograph (Photograph A) provides the only possible view of

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of the quarry and of any in-pit operations.

Trucks leaving the quarry are only visible from the west until they pass a substantial stand of trees at about 200m from Canyonleigh Road.

3.11 Traffic

Wingecarribee Council records show about 400 vehicle trips per day along Canyonleigh Road, past the intersection with the quarry access road. About 9% of those vehicle trips were by commercial vehicles.

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In the recent past, production from the quarry required an average of approximately 5 truckloads of product on Canyonleigh Road each day. Those

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vehicle trips (truckloadsx2) would have been included in the Shire's traffic counts, probably as commercial vehicles.

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In the future, additional truck trips from the quarry will, on average, be no more than previously and, at maximum production will not be more than an additional 10 vehicle trips (to and fro) per day.

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The intersection of the quarry access road and Canyonleigh Road is illustrated on Figure 5. The access road includes a 15m long section in which trucks

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can park while the driver closes or opens the gate. The intersection required to confirm with RTA standards has been determined as Type A, based on

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average daily trips (AADT) on Canyonleigh Road of about 40 - 60 vehicles per hour and less than 10 trucks per hour turning on to Canyonleigh Road.

Figure 5 shows that visibility to the east and west for trucks turning

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onto the main road are respectively 200m and 300m.

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3.12 Economic Aspects

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The existing quarry produces special materials for the landscaping and waste disposal industries and material which has been blended to enhance

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the quality of other road base materials. Although it competes in the general market for road base, its most important products are unique to this quarry. No other quarry operating in the Shire can produce the

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pisolitic material for driveways, the filter material for waste disposal or a road base material with its compactible but free-draining properties.

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The quarry directly employs about 8 persons. It provides material for local roads and, therefore, it indirectly supports Shire employees on road construction or maintenance programmes. It sells decorative gravels outside the Shire, to Sydney, Wollongong,Nowra and further south but returns and spends its income within the Shire.

3.13 Social and Cultural Aspects

The existing quarry has operated for approximately 26 years but quarrying of bauxite in that locality probably has been carried out during the last 50 years.

Initially, the bauxite quarries provided a necessary flux material to the steel-making open-hearths at Port Kembla Steelworks. More recently, it

has supplied special products to the landscaping and waste disposal industries, materials which are not available except from this quarry.

The quarry is located on lateritic material which is not suited to agricul- tural use and is most suited for extraction of useful material.

3.14 Archaeology

The quarry site is a naturally timbered area, now isolated from the

surrounding rural areas cleared of most vegetation. It includes no prominent rock outcrops, cliffs or caves and is at least 1km from permanent streams.

It is not considered to be a location on which Aboriginal Sites are likely to have existed.

The existing quarry covers an area of approximately 300m x lOOm, say, 30,000m2 or 3ha. The proposed extensions have a maximum area of 0.5ha in which

the original landform has been partially disturbed during gathering and stockpiling of the under-storey vegetation.

Although it is most unlikely that Aboriginal sites existed on the quarry site and/or have survived the previous quarry operations, it has been arranged for the Regional Aboriginal Sites officer from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to inspect the area prior to any quarry extension.

His report will be appended.

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The area has been quarried, probably, for, more than 50 years. There are no discernible items of European Heritage except the quarry itself.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATING MEASURES

4.1 General

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The environmental features described in Section 3 - Existing Environment - have been assessed relative to Section 2.3 - Proposed Operations. Consulta- tion with the relevant Government Authorities was part of that assessment.

This section discusses the significant impacts of the proposed operations and the measures necessary to eliminate or minimise any environmental impacts.

4.2 Zoning

The quarry site is zoned Rural 1(A) on which Extractive Industry is allowable with Development Consent. Additionally, the site was identified by Gobert (1974) as containing resources required for the construction industry and, therefore, worthy of "preservation" from competing land uses.

4.3 Land Use

The quarry operates in an area not suitable for general agricultural purposes, in harmony with surrounding grazing properties.

Quarrying is the most suitable land-use for such an area.

4.4 Landform and Stabilit

The site and the nature of the lateritic material make it eminently stable.

The landform assists surface drainage away from the quarry and prevents the site being visible to other than passing aeroplanes.

4.5 Climate

No adverse impacts are likely because of either the normal or any unusual climate patterns. Heavy rain and high wind speeds will not deleteriously

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4.6 Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control

The lateritic bauxite drains exceptionally well and, because it mainly

consists of iron compounds, is not readily eroded. Therefore sediment control is not a problem.

Rain falling outside the quarry drains away from it because it is on a topographic high.

Rain falling within the pit is readily absorbed by the porous pisolite material.

Erosion of the in-pit material and of temporary stockpiles is virtually non- existent. Stockpiles appear to provide their own relatively impervious surfaces which retain inherent moisture at about 11% and, similarly, prevent erosion.

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Oils and greases spilt within the pit can be a problem because of the very absorptive nature of the material. Consequently no oil or fuel is stored

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on-site. No major services are carried out on-site and fuelling is done only using 20L drums. A work shed is being erected at the north-eastern corner of the disturbed area, out of the extraction pit. When erected,

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that shed will be the fuelling point for all machinery and then the area will be suitably mounded to control any minor spills.

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A tank fed septic tank is being installed to control sewage.

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4.7 Air Quality

The quarry generates minimal dust because of its Relative Density (1.8)

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and moisture content (11%). Only the very fine fractions, when being screened, stockpiled or loaded for transport, generate significant concentrations

of visible dust.

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Stands of trees, more than 20 metres wide, surround the quarry and provide

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barriers to any dust emanating from the quarry operations.

Similarly, trees shield most of the access road to the east. In dry periods the operator waters the unsealed access road to minimise any dust pollution, mainly to the east because of strong westerly or north-westerly winds.

4.8 Noise

Noise generated in the quarry is shielded from residences by 3 - 5m of

embankments, stands of trees and at least 0.8km of distance. It is unlikely that in-pit operations are heard at the nearest residences which are much closer to vehicle noises on Canyonleigh Road.

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Noise from trucks transporting material would impact only on those residences which are also close to Canyonleigh Road and where background noise levels also are above normal values for rural areas.

4.9 Fauna

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No rare faunal species are known. The main native species, the wombat,

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appears to be as suited to the quarried areas as to the undisturbed areas.

4.10 Flora

No rare floral species are known or considered likely, considering the long-term disturbance of the general quarrying area. Experience has shown that all native species rapidly regenerate naturally and the rehabilitation plan takes advantage of that natural regeneration.

4.11 Visibility

The quarry is only visible from the air.

Trucks leaving the quarry site are shielded from the east until they approach Canyonleigh Road.

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4.12 Traffic

Proposed operations in the quarry will generate, at the most, up to 20

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vehicle trips per day. Currently about 10 of those vehicle trips are included in Shire counts for Canyonleigh Road.

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Based on road counts and the expected number of quarry vehicles entering Canyonleigh Road, the existing Type A intersection meets RTA specifications.

4.13 Economic Aspects

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The existing quarry provides some materials not available elsewhere in the Shire. It also provides material useful as base material for local roads or for blending with other local products.

The quarry has operated for 26 years and, although its products are no

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longer required in the Port Kembla steel industry, it remains an economic benefit to the community.

4.14 Social and Cultural Aspects

The quarry is a social benefit in the community because it provides material not available from other sources. It also markets a significant proportion

1

of its products outside the Shire and, therefore, generates outside income which it mostly spends in the Shire.

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The quarry has virtually no environmental effect on the community and therefore, no impact on the cultural aspects of the community.

4.15 Archaeology

Although the quarry and any proposed areas of extension are unlikely

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to have any Aboriginal Heritage significance, the Regional Aboriginal Sites officer from the National Parks and Wildlife Service will assess

I

^{the area.}

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4.16 Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation has been carried out on ?ML9, the area previously extracted.

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

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¹⁶

The operator of the Canyonleigh Bauxite Pit carried out that successful

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rehabilitation to an undulating grassed surface with occasional native trees and a small dam (see Photographs 10 and 11).

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Under the conditions of PLL 1236, the holder and the operator of the quarry

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must maintain shallow batters and rehabilitate themas soon as possible.

At present a bond of $5000 ensures rehabilitation if extraction ceases

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at any time.

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The rehabilitation plan is the same as for the previous area. As areas cease to be disturbed (e.g., on Photograph 3) they will be gently contoured, topped with overburden material, seeded with native grass and with native

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trees and shrub species.

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It is estimated that about 4,000 tonnes (2200m3) of overburden is stockpiled around the quarry pit. That amount is sufficient to provide at least 0.15m of "topsoil" to rehabilitation areas.

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Although the operator plans to rehabilitate non-mining areas as soon as practical, the nature of the deposit precludes much rehabilitation until late in the life of the deposit. As discussed in Sections 2.2 and 2.3

I

and shown in Photographs 1 to 7, various marketable products are obtained from different sections of the existing pit.

When possible, rehabilitation will continue under the professional guidance of Mr. Greg Stone of Woodlands Vegetation, a local expert on native seeds.

The existing bushland obviously regenerates readily (some of it will have to be removed when overburden stockpiles are employed in rehabilitation) but Mr. Stone will provide advice as to the timing of disbursement of collected seeds.

On completion of rehabilitation of the deposit it will have the general configuration of the areas previously rehabilitated, i.e., of gentle undulations, grass cover, native trees with the whole area free draining as is the present pit.

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

I ^{0 17}

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

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We have assessed the likely environmental impacts of the quarry activities on the existing environment. In doing so, we have considered any adverse impacts relative to the quarry's economic and social benefits. We conclude

I

that continuation of the existing quarry is well justified.

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The environment of the quarry is well suited for Extraction Industry.

The quarry is within an area which probably has been mined for at least

I

50 years, the land is more suited for quarrying than cultivation, is not visible to any residents or passers-by, is very well drained and all sediment,

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sewage or oil spills are controlled. Surrounding embankments and natural tree screens minimise noise and dust levels away from the pit.

The environmental impacts are summarised in Table 1. The only adverse impacts on nearby residents are the sight and sound of trucks as they near Canyonleigh Road but those residents can see and hear all the 400 vehicles per day on that road; the additional impact is insignificant.

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Some of the products produced at the quarry are not available elsewhere.

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Although most of those special products are sold outside the Shire they are of economic benefit to the community. Within the Shire, the quarry

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products are used for decorative landscaping and as road base, sometimes as an essential component in a blended product.

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The quarry has operated for 26 years, the past 16 years under the guidance of the present owners and operators. The quarry has been well planned

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and well managed in order to minimise its environmental impacts and the community's awareness of its existence.

6. REFERENCES

Department of Planning (DP) 1993. Extractive Resources - Guidelines

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on implementation and use of SEPP37 - Continued Mines and Extractive Industries.

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Gobert, V. 1974. A Geological Assessment of the Construction Material Resources of the Mittagong-Moss Vale Area. Geol. Surv. N.S.W. Report

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GS1974/120

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

NPWS to assess

Positive benefit Some products not obtainable else- where

Nil Longterm existence

providing some unique products

Positive benefit Successful rehabili- tation demonstrated on nearby extraction area

12.Economic Nil

-

^positive

aspects benefit

13.Social and Nil cultural

14.Archaeology Most unlikely

15.Rehabilitation Nil- positive benefit

TABLE I - CANYONLEIGH BAUXITE PIT - SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

FACTOR LIKELY IMPACT CONTROL MEASURE RESULTING IMPACT REMARKS

1.Zoning Nil None required Nil

2.1-and use Nil Nil Most suitable

3.1-andform and Nil Nil

stability

4.Climate None likely Existing embank- Nil ments and tree

screens

5.Drainage None likely Pit self-drains. Nil No drainage into

erosion and Access road drains or out of pit

sediment to natural water-

control course

6.Air quality Minimal Existing embank- None likely Product is moist

ments and tree and heavy - only

screens fine sizes

7.Noise

8. Fauna

9.Flora

10 .Visibility

Unlikely from Embankments around Minimal quarry - minor pit and tree

from access road screens

Nil Nil

Nil Nil

Minimal Only short view Minimal of trucks on access

road

Traffic level Minor already exists

generate dust

Residents more affected by road traffic

Natural bush

regenerates readily

Quarry can be seen only from the air

ll.Traffic Minor

Nolan & Associates Ply. Ltd.

In

Hindle, J.?., Nott, N.J. Chrichton, J.R. 1987: Illawarra Region -

Agricultural Land Classificaiton Study - Department Agriculture,AgricuJ-tUral Land Bulletin +.

Roads and Traffic Authority, 1992. Traffic Volumes and Supplementary Data.

PENDIX I - DETAILS OF CONSULTATION WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AUTHORITIES.

Department of Planning - V. Thompson previously had advised that there

I

was no need to consult with that department as the appropriate guidelines are provided in their publication "Extractive Resources - State

Environmental Planning Policy No. 37 - Continued Mines and Extractive

I

Resources - Guidelines on Implementation and Use".

Environmental Planning Authority - Mr. R. Albury's main concern was for rehabilitation of disturbed areas as soon as practical and for adequate control of sedimentation from the operating pit.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) - Consulted Mr. R. Wellington,

I

(Aborigial Site officer) of the Nowra Office and Mr. A. Grinberg (Reonal Archaeologist) of the zone office at Queanbeyan and provided

them with the relevant documentation. It was arranged for them to assess the quarry, particularly the proposed extension although

I

Aboriginal Heritage items are most unlikely in the area.

Conservation and Land Management (CALM) - Consulted Mr. S. Dayman

I

(Soil Conservationist) at Moss Vale and provided photographs and figures for his assessment. CALM have a standard list of requirements and that has been addressed.

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^5. Sydney Water - Consulted Mr. K. Lambkin (Environmental Officer - Catchment Services) who required details of any drainage of sediment

I

or sewage from the operating pit or drainage from the access road and means of preventing any oil or fuel spills. The rehabilitation plan is of interest as it will control any long-term dispersal of sedimenta-

I

tion from the vicinity of the pit.

6. Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) - Consulted Ms. D. Graham (Traffic Engineering officer) at Wollongong. Canyonleigh Road is a Council and

I

not a Main Road. However, RTA is interested in details of the

intersection of the quarry access road with Canyonleigh Road. Traffic counts are available for sections of Canyonleigh Road.

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^7. Department of Agriculture - Consulted Mr. J. Dymock (Environmental officer) at Goulburn. Their concerns are for adequate rehabilitation and eventual use of the land as demonstrated on the previous extraction

I

area immediately to the north of the current pit.

8. Wingecarribee Bush Fire Control - Consulted personally with Mr. G.

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Barnett (Chief Fire Control Officer) at Bowral. There is little risk from bush or grass fires and the quarry operations are unlikely to

be a bush fire hazard.

I

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

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COMMENTS

PRIVATM LANDS LEASE NO. 1236 (AcT 1924)

As requested, here are details oC iho grant date and owner1IlI) of Ihe lease since its issue in 1969.

Grant.nd on 15-5-1969 to George Ited1y Prince.

MInister approved the transfer of the lease to Teddington Pty Limited on 9-1-1980 (recorded 22-1-1980).

(3) Minister approved the transfer of the lease in Edmund John Muiready and Margaret Anne Hulreaqy on 6-12-1990 (recorded 11-12-1990).

I.

APPENDIX III

I

PHOTOGRAPHS OF CANYONLEIGH BAUXITE FIT

I

A Aerial view of the current quarry and access road to Canyonleigh Road, August, 1995.

•

^B. Aerial view of the current quarry, dated 1.8.1995, with two overlays showing:-

I

areas of resources of ^fill material or road gravel areas to be extended for removal of gravel resources.

I

Within the current quarry - looking eastward over a temporary product stockpile, a water storage dam to a 3m embankment of overburden on

I

which natural bush regeneration is obvious. Here, the floor is under- lain only by resources of fill material.

Within the current quarry - looking westward over the area of gravel resources. Proposed extension areas are ahead and to the right. On the quarry floor are temporary piles of screened product. To the

I

left is a 3m(+) embankment of overburden, on which natural regeneration has occurred, available for rehabilitation.

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^3. Within the current quarry - looking northward and showing a re-contoured embankment prepared for revegetation.

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^4. Looking southward showing gravel resources approximately to the right of the front end loader and resources of fill material to the left.

Note the significant embankment of overburden available for eventual

I

rehabilitation.

5. Looking north-westward form the storage dam to the recontoured bank prepared for revegetation.

I

^6. Similar to No.5 but looking more westward. Note that embankments 3 - Sm high and natural timber completely surround the quarry.

Looking eastward from the gravel resources; shows temporary stock- piles of various products and deeper extraction in this area. That part of the pit in the photograph is approximately 300m long (west to east) and 60m wide (north to south).

Shows natural regeneration of vegetation in overburden.

Shows natural regeneration of vegetation in an area of gravel resources.

Rehabilitated surface of PML9, looking east to west.

Rehabilitated surface of PML9, looking west to east.

Nolan & Associates Pty. Ltd.

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