Linwood Quarry

BORAL PUBLIC  INFORMATION SESSIONS

They've  made some great progress on  plans to secure the Boral Linwood Quarry as a long-term source of building and construction materials supporting Adelaide’s growth and development. 

We attended the information session on the night of the 25th July. It was a well run and presented session, it was most informative. It really gave us a sense of how massive this undertaking is ..... 180 years!!!

We acknowledge the efforts Boral have made over the last few years to make this complex juxtaposition work as well as it does, there can be very few examples of  "mines" so close to residential areas. As we know not everyone is happy and there will always be issues, but the Boral team appear to have set a high standard in terms of mitigation and communication.

Some of the key issues in the presentation of note from our perspective: 

• The  time lapse 3D animation was great and really showed how it will all happen.
• The remediation images didn't really inspire as well as the animation. Those who attended agreed that the screen planting, whilst important to not impeded the key views for Hallet Cove residents , needed to be more extensive in terms of width ie much more dense if it would be effective as a screen at all levels. (5-10m wide). It also needs to be considered on the western boundary as well.
• Further tree screening is required to the Eastern edge- Ocean Boulevard rather than or as well as the new haul road.
• New Haul Road -We note that Boral are lobbying DPTI to include a left turn lane at the Majors Road Junction for ease of egress in that direction. This is a shame as we should discourage the left hand turn for the future benefit of Brighton Road. The focus should be on Majors road/South Road ( and the potential future slip road onto the expressway). We noted that Boral would be using more B-doubles which would have to go on Majors road,. This will reduce the traffic on Brighton Road. However the smaller trucks and concrete mixers may still choose to head towards Brighton road; with or without the left turn lane?
• The question about which stage the remediation of the Lime pit/old asphalt plant site ( NW corner ) would take place; stage 1 or 2? Our immediate thoughts were stage 1 to get the greening happening sooner rather than later, this would seem more sustainable for the overburden management? The main consideration regardless of timing is the impact on local residents which would need to be managed regardless of the stage. More importantly the end use of the resultant land which would likely be put on the market? That would have a bearing on the communities support/indulgence for the 10  years of work to happen sooner rather than later? Clearly housing would be an option, open space? or golf course extension? We don't believe there is enough information on the proposal to make any informed decision about which stage. Certainly such a decision would require a specific targeted consultation process of the people most impacted by the proposal.

Overall a good process. There is a long approval process to go through on the new mining activities and the community will have more opportunity to input before work commences. We hope to be able to share the presentation material wider in due course.

Geological & Seismic activity by others
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 is 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.

You can check out when these tests will be occurring on their monthly schedule (here) we will update regularly.

Any residents who may “feel” the effects of the work being conducted are invited to email brett.dodd2@defence.gov.au
with dates and times. This information will allow them to examine conditions of the day to assist in developing information on the impacts of weather patterns as well.

 Brett's contact details are on the schedule 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
 
Joint Working Group
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 the quarterly Joint Working Group ( JWG) Meetings and bring forward resident concerns to them. The JWG comprises local residents from Hallet Cove, Marino, Marino Residents Association reps, Marion Coastal Ward Councilors, Marion Council officers, David Speirs, and Amanda Rishworth's Nominee.

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.

As a member of the Association we will notify you via email when Linwood Quarry is blasting and when there are public meetings about the quarry activities.

Linwood Quarry Easterly Extension Proposal
In the latest newsletter from Boral they discuss the proposals for extending the mine to the East.

Southern End of Quarry
In a recent letter Boral are interested in feedback on:

1. Blasting and vibration                
2. Dust emissions                                
3. Noise            
4. Visual appearance                     
5. Rehabilitation/Flora Fauna            
6. Traffic and transport

They are interested in community views about what the southern end of the quarry pit should look like once there is approval to focus operations in the east.

We encourage you to go to the feedback form on their website to provide your input.

Information Links
Boral Minutes of the Joint Working Group  22-11-2018
Boral "about Linwood" here