Planner wants sand mine DA extended too

Steve Connelly, Partnership Principal, Planners North. 

I saw your article about ‘Opponents of sand mining at Lennox Head say an existing mine operator in the area has “snuck in” a proposal for a massive expansion just before Christmas to avoid public scrutiny.’

I just thought I would let you know we are more than happy for the exhibition to be extended. In fact, we too were a little surprised that the exhibition is programmed for over the Christmas break. We were anticipating that exhibition would not have commenced until school went back.

I also saw that you said ‘… not all councillors were aware of the DA’s lodgement, including Cr Jeff Johnson, whose ward covers Lennox Head and who was first made aware of the plan by Echonetdaily.’

Just for the record, I emailed all the councillors on November 27 saying, ‘I write to advise that late last week I lodged a Development Application and Environmental Impact Statement with Ballina Shire Council for a project know as ‘McGEARY’S SAND QUARRY AND FUTURE RECREATION PRECINCT’. This DA seeks approval for two existing quarries to be expanded by deepening the existing pits, extending the footprint and operating the land use as a single quarry. It is estimated that 1.9 million m³ (or 3,610,000 tonnes) can be extracted from the consolidated quarry over a period of 30 years. The proposed maximum extraction rate is 160,000 m³ (or 304,000 tonnes) per annum. However, it is anticipated that this quantum of extraction will rarely be achieved, and the average rate will be more in the order of 64,000 m³-70,000m³ (or 120,000-133,000 tonnes) per annum.’

‘This proposal caused much local discussion when we first mooted it as part of our consultation with persons living in the locality. Accordingly, I expect that you may receive inquiry about this matter now that it has been formally lodged. Please find attached an executive summary describing the development. A full copy of the EIS can be downloaded from this link.’