Quarry extension receives planning go-ahead
Date published: 14 June 2016
A proposed extension of a quarry at Nome in Townsville’s south is set to proceed.
The Townsville City Council’s Planning and Development Committee today backed a planning staff recommendation to approve a development application to extend the quarry, which is nearing the end of its life.
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the extension would assist with the supply of rock material for local roads and building projects including future upgrades of the South Access Corridor.
“An extension to an existing operation with strong controls in place to manage any impacts is preferable to going through the process of establishing a totally new quarry somewhere else,” Cr Hill said.
“The quarry at Nome has been operating since the late 1970s, but requires a new approval to extract rock from adjoining areas within the quarry precinct.
“What is being proposed is essentially a continuation of what is already occurring on the site, and with less than a 5% increase in traffic.
“Council is highly aware of concerns that have been raised in the local area and has conditioned the approval to ensure that potential impacts such as traffic, dust, noise and stormwater run-off are appropriately addressed.
“Blasting will not be permitted as part of the quarry’s operation which will also allay some local concerns.”
The quarry’s owner, Nome Gravel Pit Pty Ltd, proposes to extend quarrying operations over two parcels of adjoining land and extract up to a maximum of 200,000 tonnes of material annually.
Approval conditions also require the developer to fully seal Barnham Rd and upgrade the intersection at Bentley Drive.
An area of land to the eastern and northern boundaries of the property will be retained as a buffer to adjoining properties.
Extraction activities at the quarry will also be subject to conditions from State agencies.
Today’s recommendation to approve the quarry extension will go to the full council meeting on June 28 for consideration.
