JANDRA Quarry at Possum Brush will increase its production rate and provide more jobs after the Department of Planning and Environment approved its modification application.
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The new approval will allow Holcim Pty Ltd's quarry to:
- increase the amount of hard rock produced from 250,000 tonnes to 490,000 tonnes per year
- extend the quarry's life for another 30 years, until 2045
- undertake asphalt production, operating up to 24-hours-per-day, in response to demand created by road infrastructure projects
- recycle concrete materials generated at Holcim's regional concrete batching plants
- increase blasting from one to a maximum of two blasts per month
- construct a new heavy vehicle access road at the quarry to better manage truck movements
A spokesperson from the department said the increase in production would create six new jobs including three truck-driver roles and three full-time quarry positions.
"Increasing production at Jandra will mean there's a greater availability of hard rock materials and asphalt for the local and regional market, making the pricing more competitive," the spokesperson said.
"It also means crucial State infrastructure projects like the Pacific Highway upgrade may be constructed more quickly and efficiently.
"Potential impacts on the environment, noise levels and operational hours have been considered carefully and addressed by the department in the conditions of consent.
"Holcim must also address issues associated with clearing an additional 1.28 hectares of native vegetation by either providing a biodiversity offset or by entering into a biobanking agreement under the Threatened Species Conservation Act.
"The department has also requested quarterly noise impact monitoring for the first two years of each of the three stages of the modification development. Noise monitoring will continue annually thereafter."
To view the complete assessment of Jandra Quarry modification proposal visit the department's website http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6630