Linwood Quarry
Background
The Linwood Quarry is quite unique being cheek by jowl with residential development; although the “mine “predates the subdivisions of Marino, Hallet Cove and Seacliff Park. Based on a recent application back in 2018/19 to extend the Mine Licence (in process) and Community Consultation in 2019 it is clear that the Mine/Quarry has an expected life of up to 100 years! There has been a long series of campaigns lead by the community in relation to the Quarry activities related to dust , air pollution and health impacts. There was in fact an Asphalt Plant on the site with noxious fumes which the community rallied to successfully facilitate its closure. There has been ongoing monitoring and campaigning about the impacts of Blasting and dust within the community lead by the Association over 40+ years.
Whilst there have been significant improvements as a result of community pressures, led by the Association over the years, it is still important to continue to input into the long term operations and development of the Quarry. Boral have received awards for their site management and innovation.
The Linwood Quarry is quite unique being cheek by jowl with residential development; although the “mine “predates the subdivisions of Marino, Hallet Cove and Seacliff Park. Based on a recent application back in 2018/19 to extend the Mine Licence (in process) and Community Consultation in 2019 it is clear that the Mine/Quarry has an expected life of up to 100 years! There has been a long series of campaigns lead by the community in relation to the Quarry activities related to dust , air pollution and health impacts. There was in fact an Asphalt Plant on the site with noxious fumes which the community rallied to successfully facilitate its closure. There has been ongoing monitoring and campaigning about the impacts of Blasting and dust within the community lead by the Association over 40+ years.
Whilst there have been significant improvements as a result of community pressures, led by the Association over the years, it is still important to continue to input into the long term operations and development of the Quarry. Boral have received awards for their site management and innovation.
Joint Working Group ( JWG)
The Association has an ongoing commitment to ensure Quarry activities has the least amount of impact on nearby residents as possible. We liaise with Quarry management via their quarterly Joint Working Group ( JWG) Meetings and bring forward resident concerns to them. The JWG comprises: Boral, Dept of Mines, EPA, local residents from Hallet Cove, Marino, Association reps, Marion Coastal Ward Councilors, Marion Council officers, David Speirs, and Amanda Rishworth's Nominee.
The Joint Working Group has not met for nearly 12 months but we hope that something will happen soon.
Go to Boral Website here for latest news and terms of reference
The Association has an ongoing commitment to ensure Quarry activities has the least amount of impact on nearby residents as possible. We liaise with Quarry management via their quarterly Joint Working Group ( JWG) Meetings and bring forward resident concerns to them. The JWG comprises: Boral, Dept of Mines, EPA, local residents from Hallet Cove, Marino, Association reps, Marion Coastal Ward Councilors, Marion Council officers, David Speirs, and Amanda Rishworth's Nominee.
The Joint Working Group has not met for nearly 12 months but we hope that something will happen soon.
Go to Boral Website here for latest news and terms of reference
Blasting
As an operating quarry, Boral do undertake blasting approximately once a fortnight. The impact of this in terms of vibration is felt locally and the resultant dust plume can be seen and depending on the wind direction drift onto local residential areas. The evidence is usually a fine grey dust on external surfaces and if windows are open internal. Boral measure and record the vibration impacts as part of their statutory monitoring and they issue notice of the results after every blast day to those registered for Blast notices.( see below)
Boral will notify you via email when Linwood Quarry is blasting. If you wish to be added to the notifications fill in the form below. We'll also keep you informed of public meetings about quarry activities.
Dust Monitoring
Boral have a range of state of the art air monitors on the site and in conjunction with the EPA regularly report on the dust generated by operations relative to the background dust levels and weather. Generally they are understood to comply with the EPA requirements. However the experience by many residents is that the dust still impacts at a nuisance level.
Some residents are concerned about the small particulate dust size (unseen pm 2.5) which has proven to have serious health impacts in other industrial environments. Boral and the EPA are satisfied that the levels are within the current guidelines. However there is some anecdotal evidence that there may be a cluster of respiratory related ailments in the immediate community. However there is no substantiated evidence of this or the cause.
A productive meeting of this group and the EPA took place this year see Association record and EPA response
Because of the ongoing impacts of Dust the Association has lobbied the EPA and with the assistance of local member David Speirs and Marion Council, the EPA has agreed to relocate some of their monitors from Hallett Cove to Marino. These monitors are to be located on residential houses in Marino. Actual date and location is to be confirmed
As an operating quarry, Boral do undertake blasting approximately once a fortnight. The impact of this in terms of vibration is felt locally and the resultant dust plume can be seen and depending on the wind direction drift onto local residential areas. The evidence is usually a fine grey dust on external surfaces and if windows are open internal. Boral measure and record the vibration impacts as part of their statutory monitoring and they issue notice of the results after every blast day to those registered for Blast notices.( see below)
Boral will notify you via email when Linwood Quarry is blasting. If you wish to be added to the notifications fill in the form below. We'll also keep you informed of public meetings about quarry activities.
Dust Monitoring
Boral have a range of state of the art air monitors on the site and in conjunction with the EPA regularly report on the dust generated by operations relative to the background dust levels and weather. Generally they are understood to comply with the EPA requirements. However the experience by many residents is that the dust still impacts at a nuisance level.
Some residents are concerned about the small particulate dust size (unseen pm 2.5) which has proven to have serious health impacts in other industrial environments. Boral and the EPA are satisfied that the levels are within the current guidelines. However there is some anecdotal evidence that there may be a cluster of respiratory related ailments in the immediate community. However there is no substantiated evidence of this or the cause.
A productive meeting of this group and the EPA took place this year see Association record and EPA response
Because of the ongoing impacts of Dust the Association has lobbied the EPA and with the assistance of local member David Speirs and Marion Council, the EPA has agreed to relocate some of their monitors from Hallett Cove to Marino. These monitors are to be located on residential houses in Marino. Actual date and location is to be confirmed
New Haul Road
As part of the Sale and Redevelopment of the cement Hill Site there is an agreement for the existing Quarry access road from Oceans Boulevard to be diverted south through the Quarry to Majors Road /Lonsdale Highway junction with traffic light control. This will improve the amenity of the existing and proposed residential development and relieve pressure on Brighton Road from heavy trucks..
Despite an announcement in May/June it was about to proceed Boral under COVID-19 measures, has put off any financial commitment to the new Haul road till later in the 2020, we are still awaiting a revised start date? This is a critical part of the DPA sign off process for the new Seacliff Park Housing development and has a long history of on again off again antics, with little or no reason given. Let’s hope the 2 parties can reach an agreement soon and work can commence.
As part of the Sale and Redevelopment of the cement Hill Site there is an agreement for the existing Quarry access road from Oceans Boulevard to be diverted south through the Quarry to Majors Road /Lonsdale Highway junction with traffic light control. This will improve the amenity of the existing and proposed residential development and relieve pressure on Brighton Road from heavy trucks..
Despite an announcement in May/June it was about to proceed Boral under COVID-19 measures, has put off any financial commitment to the new Haul road till later in the 2020, we are still awaiting a revised start date? This is a critical part of the DPA sign off process for the new Seacliff Park Housing development and has a long history of on again off again antics, with little or no reason given. Let’s hope the 2 parties can reach an agreement soon and work can commence.
Boral News
We understand their website is to be revamped as it is well out of date. There is currently only the May 2020 community newsletter
From our recent discussions in September 2020 with the Boral team, it would appear that operations are continuing as normal during Covid-19. They are continuing to trial alternative methods to effectively manage the dust nuisance. The new mine extension application process continues. Boral made a submission in March 2020 to the Department of Mines in response to the previous consultation and public submissions process in 2019. The Mines website has this document June 2020 which is a detailed response to the public submissions.
For more information on the eastern extension of the mine as proposed in 2019 visit our article here. And see Dept Mines website
If you are experiencing any issues feel free to contact Boral Anna Whybird Stakeholder Relations Manager on 0411 311 256 anna.whybird@boral.com.au and cc 5049communicator@gmail.com.
We understand their website is to be revamped as it is well out of date. There is currently only the May 2020 community newsletter
From our recent discussions in September 2020 with the Boral team, it would appear that operations are continuing as normal during Covid-19. They are continuing to trial alternative methods to effectively manage the dust nuisance. The new mine extension application process continues. Boral made a submission in March 2020 to the Department of Mines in response to the previous consultation and public submissions process in 2019. The Mines website has this document June 2020 which is a detailed response to the public submissions.
For more information on the eastern extension of the mine as proposed in 2019 visit our article here. And see Dept Mines website
If you are experiencing any issues feel free to contact Boral Anna Whybird Stakeholder Relations Manager on 0411 311 256 anna.whybird@boral.com.au and cc 5049communicator@gmail.com.
Geological & Seismic activity
Many residents in our coastal area have been concerned by the sounds of seismic rumblings and bangs in recent times .Linwood Quarry inform us in advance of their dates and times of blasting in the quarry. We have discovered through discussions with Boral and local knowledgeable residents that the loud noises and rumbles occurring outside these dates are most likely to be created when the Port Wakefield Army Barrack's firing range are conducting exercises. The impacts are transmitted through the shared geological strata and air borne noise depending on weather conditions.
We have been in contact with Port Wakefield and they are more than happy to share their firing schedule with us.
Any residents who may feel the effects of the work being conducted are invited to email Brett Dodd brett.dodd2@defence.gov.au with dates and times. Their website here
This information will allow them to examine conditions of the day to assist in developing information on the impacts of weather patterns as well.
Hopefully this may allay any concerns on those days. That is not to say that there are natural rumbles in our area here are some sites from knowledgeable local residents that provide information on earthquake/seismic activity
Earthquake monitoring network
The South Australian seismic network
Many residents in our coastal area have been concerned by the sounds of seismic rumblings and bangs in recent times .Linwood Quarry inform us in advance of their dates and times of blasting in the quarry. We have discovered through discussions with Boral and local knowledgeable residents that the loud noises and rumbles occurring outside these dates are most likely to be created when the Port Wakefield Army Barrack's firing range are conducting exercises. The impacts are transmitted through the shared geological strata and air borne noise depending on weather conditions.
We have been in contact with Port Wakefield and they are more than happy to share their firing schedule with us.
Any residents who may feel the effects of the work being conducted are invited to email Brett Dodd brett.dodd2@defence.gov.au with dates and times. Their website here
This information will allow them to examine conditions of the day to assist in developing information on the impacts of weather patterns as well.
Hopefully this may allay any concerns on those days. That is not to say that there are natural rumbles in our area here are some sites from knowledgeable local residents that provide information on earthquake/seismic activity
Earthquake monitoring network
The South Australian seismic network
