We stand by the signs on the roadsides. We understand some people have jumped to the conclusion that we want the quarry to close, and said that the signs were incorrect.

Those people are wrong on both counts, and I’ll explain why.

Firstly, neither the signs say we want the quarry closed, nor have we ever said that at meetings, on our website or elsewhere. In fact, at the public meeting in Raymond Terrace we said “We support the ongoing operations of the Quarry, but only at a similar level to current. The need to access new reserves of rock as contained in the EIS is OK, to maintain current jobs and output”.

The signs are consistent with the consolidated feedback we received from residents, and Hanson’s EIS. The community concerns, from highest were: 24/7, the peak total number of trucks/day, the peak trucks/hr, and the total lack of any concessions, compromises or mitigation for the loss of amenity or safety, arising from the above.

Note that signs have been changed to avoid misinterpretation, but let me explain the facts that were listed as separate points:

• 844 trucks per day.
  From Appendix 8, Section 10 of the Traffic Impact Assessment, on page 18, it says:
  “…the following existing deliveries from the site during peak production periods;
  ¨ Peak daily deliveries of 170 deliveries per day.
  ¨ Peak hourly deliveries of 32 deliveries per day.”

  So taking 170 deliveries X 2 = 340 truck trips per day (vtpd) and a peak of 32 X 2 = 64 vehicle trips per hour (vtph). Note that these are peak at current levels. Later on the same page it says:
  “Summarising the proposed traffic generation increase as a result of this development will be;
  Daily Vehicles = 482 vtpd (quarry deliveries)+20 vtpd (employees)+22 vtpd (concrete batch plant)= 524 vtpd.
  However in terms of the peak hourly traffic generation the increase as a result of the development will be;
  Peak Hour Vehicles = 52 vtph (quarry) + 10 vtph (employees) + 4 vtph (concrete batch plant)
  = 66 vtph. (i.e. a total of 150 vtph (84 + 66) from the site)
  8 AM – 9 AM period = 52 vtph (quarry) + 4 vtph (concrete batch plant) = 56 vtph”.

  The above  proposed Increase figures are repeated in the Executive Summary at page 7, and have not been reduced to align with the the noise consultant’s report.
  The figures above are the increases, so to calculate the likely peak volume of trucks when operating at 1,500,000 tonne annually, firstly eliminate the employee vehicles (40) leaves 504 extra truck trips/day. Adding 340 + 504 = 844, which is on the signs. The EIS has made it quite difficult for the public to understand the true magnitude of what is proposed! Hanson has not modified its proposed traffic figures based on the noise criteria, and neither have we. Like us, the DPE is also very concerned about the discrepancies in the figures in the EIS.The Statement of Commitments (see section 7) of an EIS normally includes any restrictions that the proponent is willing to apply, and nothing is offered regarding limiting peak trucks/day, trucks/hr or night time trucks. Neither is anything offered to address or mitigate any of our concerns over social amenity or safety. Additionally, if the noise section figures had to be complied with, Hanson would have to reduce their trucks/day by any additional Martins Creek or other trucks that used the roads, to address any cumulative impact, and they certainly have not offered that.

• The sign that read 100 trucks/hour and 24/7 were two separate issues, separate lines and fonts. Both are true, but as it was being misinterpreted, the signs now just say:
  TRUCKS
  24/7.
• The 100 trucks per hour was to illustrate peaks and is also directly supported by the EIS. Table 2 on page 7 of the Executive Summary actually says “a total of 150 vtph (84 + 66) from the site”. The 150 includes employee vehicles which is found on pages 9 and 18 of Appendix 8, so the 84 becomes 64 trucks and the 66 increase becomes 56 trucks, giving a total of 110. That was rounded that down on the sign  to 100 trucks per hour, which actually understates what the peak traffic from the quarry is likely to be.
• 24/7 comes from Table 2 on page 20 of the main EIS document. Most activities including Sales and Dispatch which is what most people are most concerned about, is “24 hours any day“.

So the signs are correct, and we only have until the 9th April to lodge submissions.

Is yours in yet?