Oliver Holm, DPE executive director, Resources Assessment and Compliance
Shaunti Kiehl’s letter Quarry that was accuses The Byron Shire Echo of being ‘fed rubbish’ by the Department of Planning and Environment over the rehabilitation of the Broken Head Quarry – but it’s not the case.
The writer’s concerns about the lack of topsoil and deep gullies that prevent planting new vegetation are directly addressed in the Enforceable Undertaking that requires land-forming works.
This includes the removal of the gullies, and soil preparation prior to replanting. The rehabilitation of the quarry will also reduce risk of dirty water runoff from the quarry as vegetation and ground cover become established.
The owners of the Broken Head Quarry have agreed to an Enforceable Undertaking to convert their exhausted site into bushland by mid-2019 and our compliance officers will be on the ground to ensure the owners fulfil their responsibilities.
Enforceable Undertakings are written, legally binding agreements that bring about swift, clear and measurable results for the community.
We fully understand the community concerns about this quarry and that’s why this is such a positive environmental outcome secured through a clear and enforceable mechanism.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
