The Problem: Double Standards in Quarry Regulation

The proposed planning scheme continues an unfair system where council-run quarries operate under different rules than private quarries. This affects our community directly, particularly around the Dulong Quarry and Image Flat operations.

For information about how to complete the online submission form or sending a postal submission see: General Submission Guide.

Current Situation

Council-run quarries (like Dulong and Image Flat) are classified as “Community Facilities”
This means they are “accepted development” requiring no public consultation for changes or expansions
Private quarries in the Rural Zone must go through impact assessment and public consultation
This double standard undermines community trust and bypasses proper environmental oversight

Why This Matters to Our Community

Environmental Impact

Quarries affect air quality through dust and emissions
Heavy truck traffic damages local roads and creates safety hazards
Noise pollution impacts nearby residents and tourism operations
Water table and drainage patterns can be altered
Cumulative environmental effects are not properly assessed

Community Rights

Residents deserve a voice in decisions affecting their neighbourhood
Lack of transparency prevents proper scrutiny of operations
No opportunity to raise concerns about expansions or operational changes
Community input could help identify better practices and mitigation measures

Economic Fairness

Private operators face stricter regulations and higher costs
Creates an uneven playing field in the extractive industry
Council operations may not be held to the same environmental standards

What You Can Include in Your Submission

Key Points to Make

1. Demand Equal Treatment “I request that all quarry operations, regardless of ownership, be subject to the same planning processes, environmental assessments, and community consultation requirements.”

2. Require Public Consultation “Council-run quarries should not be exempt from public consultation when expanding operations, changing processes, or increasing capacity.”

3. Strengthen Environmental Assessment “All quarry operations should undergo regular environmental impact assessments, including cumulative impact studies that consider the combined effect of multiple operations in the region.”

4. Improve Transparency “The community has a right to know about planned changes to quarry operations that may affect local amenity, traffic, air quality, or environmental values.”

5. Establish Monitoring and Reporting “Regular monitoring of air quality, noise levels, water quality, and road impacts should be mandatory for all quarries, with results made publicly available.”

Specific Issues to Address

Traffic and Safety

Heavy truck movements on narrow rural roads
Road damage and maintenance costs
Safety risks to residents, cyclists, and tourists
Impact on school bus routes and pedestrian safety

Environmental Concerns

Dust affecting neighbouring properties and businesses
Potential water contamination or drainage issues
Impact on native vegetation and wildlife corridors
Visual impact on scenic landscapes

Tourism and Economic Impact

Noise and dust affecting tourism experiences
Impact on property values
Conflict with the area’s “clean and green” image
Effect on agri-tourism and nature-based businesses

Community Amenity

Noise during operational hours
Impact on peaceful rural lifestyle
Effect on outdoor recreational activities
Loss of rural character

Sample Submission Focused on Quarry Issues (…but please do your own in your own words)

Subject: Submission on Proposed Planning Scheme – Equal Treatment for All Quarry Operations

Dear Council,

I am writing as a [resident/property owner/business owner] in [your location] to express serious concerns about the proposed planning scheme’s treatment of extractive industries, particularly quarries.

THE CORE PROBLEM:

The proposed scheme perpetuates an unfair double standard where council-operated quarries like Dulong and Image Flat are classified as “Community Facilities” with accepted development rights, while private quarries must undergo impact assessment and public consultation. This is fundamentally unfair and undermines democratic principles.

MY SPECIFIC CONCERNS:

1. LACK OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Council-run quarries can expand or modify operations without any requirement for public input. This denies the community basic democratic rights to have a say in developments that directly affect us.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Without mandatory environmental assessments, we cannot ensure council quarries meet the same environmental standards as private operations. This creates risks for air quality, water resources, and natural habitats.

3. TRANSPARENCY DEFICIT

The current system operates behind closed doors. Residents have no way to know about planned changes, raise concerns, or suggest improvements to operations.

4. CUMULATIVE IMPACT IGNORED

Multiple quarry operations in our area create combined effects on traffic, dust, noise, and environmental systems that are never properly assessed or managed.

WHAT I REQUEST:

1. EQUAL TREATMENT: Apply identical planning processes to all quarry operations regardless of ownership.

2. MANDATORY CONSULTATION: Require public consultation for any significant changes to quarry operations, including expansions, equipment changes, or operational modifications.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT: Mandate regular environmental impact assessments and monitoring for all quarries, with public reporting of results.

4. CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Require studies of the combined effect of all extractive operations in the Blackall Range area.

5. COMMUNITY LIAISON: Establish formal community liaison committees for all major quarry operations to ensure ongoing dialogue between operators and affected residents.

PERSONAL IMPACT:

[Include specific examples of how quarry operations have affected you personally – dust on your property, noise issues, traffic concerns, impact on your business, etc.] e.g. The Blackall Range is valued for its natural beauty, clean environment, and peaceful rural character. These values should not be compromised by a planning system that provides different rules for different operators.

I urge Council to create a level playing field that ensures all quarry operations are subject to proper environmental oversight and community consultation.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name, address, and contact details]

Additional Evidence You Can Include

Documentation

Photos of dust, truck damage to roads, or visual impacts
Records of noise complaints or concerns raised with Council
Traffic counts or observations of heavy vehicle movements
Evidence of property damage or amenity impacts

Research References

Environmental studies from other regions showing quarry impacts
Road safety data related to heavy vehicle traffic
Tourism industry research on environmental amenity expectations
Property value studies from areas near extractive industries

Community Support

Letters from neighbours sharing similar concerns
Petitions or group statements (though individual submissions carry more weight)
Business impact statements from local tourism or agriculture operations
Support letters from community organisations

Technical Terms to Use

Planning Language:

“Accepted development” vs “Impact assessable development”
“Community Facilities” classification
“Rural Zone” requirements
“Environmental impact assessment”
“Cumulative impact”

Environmental Terms:

“Air quality monitoring”
“Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)”
“Noise contours”
“Water table impacts”
“Rehabilitation bonds”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t:

Attack Council staff personally
Make unsupported claims about health impacts
Suggest shutting down existing lawful operations
Use only emotional arguments without factual basis
Copy someone else’s submission word-for-word

Do:

Focus on the unfair planning process, not individual operations
Provide specific examples and evidence
Suggest reasonable solutions
Acknowledge legitimate needs for construction materials
Maintain a respectful, professional tone

Building Community Support

Before You Submit

Talk to neighbours about shared concerns
Contact local community associations (MADCA, Montville Village Association)
Attend community meetings
Document issues with photos and records
Research similar issues in other areas

Coordination Strategies

While each submission should be individual, you can coordinate on key messages
Share factual information and research among neighbours
Consider timing submissions throughout the consultation period

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about quarries – it’s about:

Democratic participation in decisions affecting our community
Environmental protection for future generations
Fair planning processes that treat all operators equally
Preserving our rural character and lifestyle
Ensuring sustainable development that respects community values

What Happens Next?

After submissions close on 19 September 2025:

Council reviews all submissions on quarry issues
A consultation report summarises community concerns
Council may revise the planning scheme based on feedback
The issue may require further community consultation
Final adoption of the planning scheme by Council

Key Message

Equal treatment under planning law is a fundamental principle of fairness. Council operations should not be exempt from the same environmental oversight and community consultation required of private operators.

Your submission can help ensure this principle is reflected in the final planning scheme.

Deadline: Friday, 19 September 2025

For general submission information and contact details, refer to the main community submission guide.

Community Guide: A Quarry Focused Submission Guide for Blackall Range Residents