Aslan Shand
Concerns that a large stockpile of sand on a property near Wards Landscaping on Myocum Road was radioactive, contaminated with heavy metals and was being turned into an illegal cement production site have been denied.
Michael Archibald, who owns the property, Archibalds Earth Moving and is the operator of Palmwoods quarry confirmed with The Echo that the he has conducted tests for both heavy metals and radioactivity and that the sand was not contaminated.
He has supplied the results to Byron Shire Council.
‘The sand was quarried from the Tandys Lane quarry under existing use rights.
‘That quarry is now closed,’ said Mr Archibald.
Council meanwhile have replied to Echo questions with, ‘The land is zoned for primary production (RU1) under the Byron Shire Local Environmental Plan 2014 and the stockpiling of excavated material, such as sand, can be considered an ancillary development for the purpose of agriculture.
No current plans
‘There has been speculation about a proposed concrete batching plant development on the property, but Council staff have found no plant is either operating, or under construction.’
Mr Archibald confirmed with The Echo that he is not currently planning cement production on that site but that if he were to in the future he would submit the appropriate development application as required.
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