The developer behind three proposed quarries in the Hilltops Council local government area (LGA) says the project will reduce the amount of truck movements near Rye Park and Boorowa.
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The Australian Resource Development Group's Dr Justin Meleo said the project comprises of five quarries in total, three in Hilltops and two in the Yass Valley LGA, with materials to be sourced for the Rye Park Wind Farm Project (RPWFP).
"The Quarries Project aims to reduce the number of truck movements currently approved to transport quarry materials required to construct the Rye Park Wind Farm Project," Dr Meleo said.
"This would be achieved through the establishment of five, small, short-term, strategically-located quarry pits located within or close to the RPWFP.
"If approved, these quarries would only supply the RPWFP, and be closed and rehabilitated once construction is complete."
Dr Meleo said the Quarries Project would provide 'significant safety and amenity benefits' to the local community.
"The full quantity of quarry materials required by the RPWFP would not need to be sourced from multiple existing quarries located more than 100km from the RPWF Project and transported significant distances via the townships of Boorowa and Rye Park," he said.
"Each of the proposed quarries would be significantly smaller in size and purpose to a typical regional quarry resource that would have a much larger footprint of disturbance, operational life, customer base and market."
According to ARDG, if approved, the project would see a reduction in the number of truck movements associated with haulage of quarry materials:
- 99 per cent reduction through Boorowa (from 42,992 to 468)
- 97 per cent reduction along Rye Park Road between Boorowa and Rye Park (from 42,524 to 1,260)
- 70 per cent reduction through Rye Park (from 41,264 to 12,247)
- 60 per cent reduction along Dalton Road south of Rye Park (30,745 to 12,247)
- 81 per cent reduction through the main RPWF entrance on Dalton Road (from 30,745 to 5,753)
Dr Meleo said additional benefits would include improved road safety and reduced road damage due to a reduction in the haulage distance; a lower carbon footprint and continued use of local businesses for provision of services critical to site establishment, operation and rehabilitation.
"These services include surveying, engineering support, civil design, civil contracting, fencing, landscaping, fuel supply and ancillary services," he said.
A number of residents and councillors raised concerns about the Quarries Project at the July meeting of Hilltops Council.
Councillor Tony Wallace said he believed the issue around truck movements in Rye Park was not 'adequately addressed' by ARDG.
He also questioned why the three quarry proposals had been submitted as three different development applications.
Dr Meleo said the submission of separate development applications (DA) was made in accordance with provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
"Since 2019, ARDG has undertaken detailed field investigations and been actively engaged with both Councils and relevant state government authorities to develop the Quarries Project to ensure that it meets all statutory planning and environmental requirements," he said.
"The decision by ARDG to submit separate DAs reflects the limited opportunities for accessing geology deemed suited to the production of quarry materials, and which are also located within or in close proximity to the central and northern sections of the RPWFP.
"ARDG has a successful track record of developing on and near-site quarry operations to support the development of wind farms in NSW.
"These quarry operations have delivered significant benefits to nearby communities, primarily through the reduction of truck haulage on the surrounding public road network.
"ARDG looks forward to delivering similar benefits to the communities in and around the RPWFP."