STOP HANSON ROWVILLE/LYSTERFIELD QUARRY EXPANSION APPLICATION FROM BEING APPROVED

My name is Giselle I am making this go fund me on behalf of my community, to help raise funds. To produce expert reports to fight the proposed development of the Hanson Quarry in Rowville/Lysterfield.

The Hanson Quarry is one of two open-cut hard rock quarries located on the southern side of 1140 Wellington Rd, Rowville/Lysterfield. Hanson took over from Pioneer concrete in 2000, and the site covers an area of approx. 162ha, and contains substantial reserves of high-quality stone comprising granodiorite and hornfells. These are extracted and processed on-site, and the quarry is located adjacent to Lysterfield State Park and Churchill National Park. 

At a time when Knox has less than 3% remnant native vegetation remaining, Hanson is seeking a work plan variation application from Earth Resources Regulation to extend the life of the quarry to the southwest of the site which includes sites of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. This is controlled by the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990. The Quarry operates under a planning permit issued in 1999, and will apply for a new Planning Permit Application to Knox City Council. (Which falls under the Planning & Environmental Act (1987) and should represents the interests of the community.

This area of the remnant bush was always intended as an extension of adjacent parkland and was subject to a Public Acquisition Overlay. On 28 May 2018, Knox Council supported the State Government’s proposal to remove the overlay thereby making possible the expansion of the quarry. This was done without informing residents. Also, the remnant bush and the likelihood of rare and endangered species was not considered. 

The Expansion of 400m Buffer distance will allow the Hanson quarry to encroach 550m closer to the residential houses and Church Hill National Park, (According to the EPA publication 1518 there is a buffer distance for quarries where blasting takes place – this is 500m.) The Quarry depth will increase by 15m, which will make the shielding of the benches and hills weaker which is an environmental time bomb digging a hole 15 Metres below sea level. As the current ground vibration is at 10mm/s and Air blast limits 120.00dba, while the current limit of extraction is already happening at 380m from the nearest resident. However, the current Australian standard is 5mm/s for ground vibration.

The proposed expansion has the potential to have many significant social and environmental impact, via the removal of 46.5 acres of natural green wedge land. Which will lead to loss of native animal wildlife, a huge loss of biodiversity as flora and fauna habitats are destroyed. Moreover, adjacent eco-systems are affected by noise, dust, pollution and contaminated water. 

As residents living in Rowville and Lysterfield, are significantly impacted by the 2 hard rock Quarries. (Boral and Hanson). As both quarries are located close to dense residential properties.

Many issues presenting concerns such as: Dust pollution, Noise pollution, Ground vibration, Air blasting, Rock crushing, Road damage, Alteration to the landscape, 

Especially when we have a Shopping Village, School Crossing, 3 Child care centres, Retirement Village, Mosque and other commuters that use Wellington Road. 

Do we really want to subject our kids to increased levels of dust, noise and vibrations?

Dust pollution: Save our community from major health risk (containing silicates) which can lead to complicated health problems long term (Asthma)

Noise pollution, Rock crushing going from 6am  till 10pm from Mon - Sat in a residential area.

Property Damage: Is one of the biggest concerns, people having to settle with cracks in their homes from weekly blasting

Multiple double-B trucks:  The daily barrage of dust, sludge and exhaust produced by hundreds of trucks back and forth on Wellington Rd, trucks burning fuel and emitting CO2 and other oxides that contribute to the formation of acid rain. Dangerous road conditions: trucks have been caught running red lights,  working at all hours of the day, and not forgetting working outside the designated hours of operations.

Open-cut mine: is an incredible eyesore, as it ruins the surrounding scenery.

Pits and quarries: disrupt the existing movement of surface water and groundwater; they interrupt natural water recharge and can lead to reduced quality of drinking water for residents and wildlife near or from a quarry site. 

Visual Impact: to our Landscape and countryside Township 

• Visual Impact on amenity: The existing and proposed quarry is visual from Wellington Road and the majority of the surrounding area of Rowville, Lysterfield, Scoresby, Upper Ferntree Gully. Wheelers Hill, Upwey, Doveton and Endeavour Hills by the topography and vegetation, impact that the landscape around the proposed development, is well noticeable due to the existing terrain and the dense vegetation being removed. The screening results in the visual assessment concluding that there is a significant impact on views as a result of the proposal there will be more of an impact.

• Church Hill National Park is part of an important link to our Township's history, and must be protected from destruction.

• "the importance of the fauna and flora" visual and tourism aspects of the area should be protected.

Map of Expansion South West of the site, which borders Churchill National Park:

This campaign is seeking vital support from the community and the public to raise funds in the engagement of:

• 1) Environmental Engineer $250 per hr for 6 hrs for reading and assessing  documents plus (4 hrs for preparing draft assessment report) Preparation of expert witness statement in format required by VCAT $5,000
• 2) Ecologist  Assessment $3,000
• 3) Legal Planner $2,500
• 4) Ground Water Surveyor 
• 5) Geotechnical advice $2500.00
• 6) Social Impact 
• 7) Hydrology Expert $2,000
• 8) VCAT fees. $870.80
• Most of all bring awareness to the community, regarding the expansion of Hanson Quarry into sensitive environmental Green Wedge area.
• 
  

PROCESS FOR WORK PLAN VARIATION 

Hanson Quarry has submitted an application for a work plan variation, to Earth Resources Regulations.

ERR assesses the variation to determine if it meets legislative requirements

Once a  statutory endorsement of the work plan variation by Earth Resources – it is up to the applicant to then apply for a council planning permit at Knox City Council.

If there is potential detriment the council advertise the planning submission

•  This is the key process through which community members can lodge their concerns 

Following granting of a council planning permit – the work plan variation is then able to be approved through ERR

If a planning permit is refused, the work plan variation cannot be approved. 

Whether or not the planning permit is granted of the planning permit can be challenged through VCAT – by either side which would defer any final approval from ERR.

Homes near open-cut mine violently shake without warning | A Current Affair

Who am I ?

My name is Giselle Esparon, my family and myself have been living in Rowville for the past 23 years and enjoy living so close to this beautiful countryside township. From conservation and heritage sites to tourism and recreation the green wedge land surrounding Rowville and Lysterfield, provides many opportunities to explore and enjoy. It is important to consider the community's health needs, both now and in the future. When planning for the long-term use of this land, which supports precious biodiversity. This has to be stopped to protect our community, and sensitive flora and fauna.

How can you help? Together we can stop this expansion from happening!

1. Sign the Petition on Change.org and share it with your friends on social media 

https://www.change.org/p/richard-wynne-stop-hanson-rowville-lysterfield-quarry-expansion-proposal-to-the-south-west-of-the-site?cs_tk=Ag6o8ymHYwc_QxxN4F8AAXicyyvNyQEABF8BvGapbqfffYeyX-2zQ50BNyg%3D&utm_campaign=b3d78346084749a0bf93266cb7249f36&utm_content=initial_v0_0_1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=recruit_sign_digest&utm_term=cs

2. Social Media

• Follow the campaign on Facebook and share posts with your friends

3. Rowville & Lysterfield Residents

If you are a Rowville & Lysterfield resident, email your local Councillor, the Mayor and CEO.

Note: Hanson Quarry will apply for a council planning permit, and the Council needs to support the community. 

Mayor Lisa Cooper -  Scott Ward - [email protected] 

Deputy Mayor Cr Susan Laukens - Friberg Ward - [email protected] 

Tony Doyle - CEO - [email protected] 

Cr Nicole Seymour - Tirhatuan Ward  - [email protected] 

Cr Jude Dwight - Chandler Ward - [email protected] 

Cr Sorina Grasso - Dinsdale Ward - [email protected]

Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch -  Collier Ward [email protected] 

Cr Yvonne Allred -  Baird Ward - [email protected] 

Cr Meagan Baker - Dobson Ward - 

Cr Darren Pearce, Taylor Ward - [email protected] 

4. State MP's

The following state MP's are the local representatives for the community and are aware of the campaign.  For more information, 

Kim Wells MP - State Member of Parliament for Rowville.

Tien Kieu MP - South East Metropolitan Region. 

Alan Tudge MP -Federal Member for Aston - [email protected]

I wish to express sincere gratitude to the following organisations and individuals who have and are currently supporting this campaign: 

Rowville & Lysterfield Residents,  the public for your sincere support.

A Special thanks to A Current Affair - For telling our story, in support to fight for our rights.

David Limbrick MP - June 23, 2020, met with our community group to listen to the many concerns about the expansion of the nearby Hanson quarry.

On a regular basis we feel tremors from the blasting, which we believe is responsible for damages to our properties. There is also large amounts of dust and noise that we are concerned may be causing health problems. 

In Parliament, David Limbrick had requested independent checks on dust and noise, along with a request to the minister to meet us to hear our concerns.

Kim Wells MP - State Member of Parliament for Rowville - Acknowledge a petition that has not been tabled in Parliament. But had received this petition from frustrated constituents who reside near the Hanson and Boral quarries in Rowville. This petition has over 1000 signatures and aims to prevent the Hanson Lysterfield quarry extension application from being approved. 

https://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/?IW_INDEX=Hansard-2018-1&IW_FIELD_TEXT=SpeechIdKey%20CONTAINS%20(17-09-2020_assembly_2009171281)%20AND%20OrderId%20CONTAINS%20(0)&LDMS=Y

Rowville Lysterfield Community News : Thank you for supporting a strong sense of community concerns to express our viewpoints and stay abreast of local events.

Letter to the Editor: by  Peter Bernardo & family:

https://rlcnews.com.au/letters-to-the-editor-stop-lysterfields-hanson-quarry-expansion/

Dr Graeme Lorimer: I would like to sincerely thank Dr Graeme Lorimer, what an honour to receive advice from such a legend, so knowledgeable and reputable. Getting us in contact with a reputable Ecologist in Victoria.  

Luke: from Melbourne Environment for all your advice and getting us in contact with the best Environmental Engineer.

Marcel Schopfer: A big thank you to Marcel with all your IT helping skills, which is much appreciated.

THE HANSON ROWVILLE/LYSTERFIELD QUARRY EXPANSION AS SHOWN ON GOOGLE EARTH

The rapid and aggressive expansion of the Hanson Quarry can be seen on Google Earth history. It has encroached next to sensitive land users and Churchill National Park:

• Churchill National Park and Lysterfield Park take in much of the southern side of the Lysterfield Hills and form a valuable link between the Dandenong Valley and the Dandenong Ranges. The South West to where they want to extend, is 35Km from CBD.
• It's an important Ecology Link
• These parks are a haven for native birds, mammals and reptiles, and provide great recreational opportunities.
• It has unique vegetation, 150 years old in this urban environment this does not happen often. Site 82. Lysterfield Park Part of a public park with eucalypt plantations and areas of native vegetation. 
• if you arrive early or leave at dusk, you may catch a glimpse of a wallaby or kangaroo. Echidnas are also common, foraging around in the daytime looking for ants and grubs in the ground and under the bark of trees.
• Churchill Parks are an especially significant area for an amazing variety of birdlife. A total of 172 species has been recorded in the parks. The birds are attracted by the different types of food and environments; woodlands, forest, the lake and grassy open spaces.
• Some of these birds include; parrots, honeyeaters, wrens, thornbills, grebes, cockatoos and even the migratory Japanese Snipe. Parrots and Bell Miners 
• The site is known habitat for Powerful Owl (I have seen on a few occasions)and Speckled Warbler, which are both threatened in Victoria;
• Wedge tale Eagle, that live over the Hanson Quarry, and fly over Heany Park Scouts and the Ridge, could result in a habitat loss due to the Expansion.  Other rare or threatened fauna that have been recorded within the park
• We have forest bats, a lot of different frogs and a great variety of reptiles and snakes. All that live in the forest and the Churchill National Park where the Hanson Quarry wants to Extend.
• All these different wildlife corridor help support, some of the unique species around the park 
• Walking trails lead up to our lookout, that led up to Trig's Point. As this site thousands of years ago was used as an advantage point by the Aboriginal communities.
• The Park is ideal for outdoor activities such as mountain biking and there are two biking trails within the park; the State Mountain Bike Course and the Lysterfield Park Mountain Bike Trails – both of which cover a total of 20kms.
• The Hanson Quarry has Millions in assets, it can continue its work at their other extractive resource projects without this destructive new Extension. 

click on the link below which shows the flora and fauna 

• 
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1xdQywu3o80YIRYXYKzhQL3Z1NashUd6Fu3YdVbUl5Wj2i86xXLCbp12o&v=maUrzqLgdis&feature=youtu.be