Residents take stand against quarry

by Aidan Knight

A plan almost 20 years in the making may change the landscape of Bunyip North's Cannibal Creek, and the livelihood of those who live there.

Heidelberg Materials, a German multi-national formerly operating as Hanson, has entered the independent inquiry and public hearing stage of its roadmap to establish an open-pit granite site close to Mt Cannibal.

Planning to operate at the site for up to 75 years, the company bought 220 hectares spanning several properties gradually since 2007, including several multi-generational farming properties as well as the Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre.

The intention is to supply critical high-grade granite aggregate to address looming supply deficits for south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, projected to experience strong growth in housing and infrastructure over the next 75 years.

Since the company released its Environmental Effects Statement (EES), Cardinia Shire Council last week joined more than 200 locals opposing the project, on grounds of potential environmental and amenity impacts.

David Bywater, a beef farmer living near the foothills of where the quarry is proposed, is secretary of the Mount Cannibal and District Preservation Group, and warned the project could threaten farms, waterways, wildlife and the area's rural character.

He said residents had chosen to live in the area for its rural character and farming, not for a quarry.

"We didn't come here after Hanson got here, and decided to park ourselves next to them.

"There are 120 mitigations listed in the EES. When you add them all together, the cumulative effect means that is just the wrong place to put it.

"It doesn't bring any net gain for anyone in this environment," Mr Bywater said.
The proposed quarry site is located across prominent east-west ridges of Tynong Granite rising 145 to 150 metres above sea level, featuring natural granite boulder outcrops. Across the activity area, there are 20 identified Aboriginal archaeological places, and elevated ridges historically used as travelling sightlines for the local Bunurong peoples.
The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) stated if the quarry proceeded, these places will be altered, removing the sightlines and some trees as old as 400 years, many of which were habitats for native fauna.
The proponent has committed to working with BLCAC to establish a dedicated on-site "Bunurong forest garden" near the administration facility, and said it would use buffer zones to protect seven identified Aboriginal places from direct quarry impact, as well as mandating artefact salvage and cultural inductions for workers on-site.
One of Mr Bywater's strongest concerns is for equine activities, which were prominent in the area. Whether at the equestrian centre, one of three Olympic-level horse facilities in the state, or the Garfield North Community Centre, he is concerned about excavation noise levels affecting horses.
"When they're blasting or backing trucks up with alarms or crushing, the little kids are going to come off, or lose a horse, or have them run wild somewhere," he said, describing the potential scenarios as "mayhem."
Heidelberg Materials has committed to not remove or excavate the land where the equestrian centre is located, stating in the EES the property and adjacent No-Name Creek would serve as a protected ecological buffer. But, Mr Bywater argued there was no realistic way to prevent horses being spooked by sounds of blasting.
The developer committed to sending SMS alerts to subscribing horse owners around the area up to two days before planned blasting occurred, but Mr Bywater said some of the equine venues hosted large scale events attracting enthusiasts from across the state for competitions and rodeos.
Additional measures suggested by Heidelberg include modified charge sizes near receptors, enforced vibration limits, and restricting blasts exclusively to weekdays between 10am and 4pm.
The Gazette contacted Heidelberg Materials for comment but was told the company "considers it appropriate to address them (questions) through the independent process rather than through public comment at this stage".
An independent Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) will hold a directions hearing on November 4 to set procedural rules before formal public hearings run from November 30 to December 22.