Daracon expected to submit DA for Martins Creek Quarry

The quarry has  been put under the microscope in recent months, with Hunter councils raising concerns at the impacts of a reported planned increase of the mine’s annual extraction from 500,000 to 1.5 million tonnes, and extended operating hours.

On Thursday, a closed-doors meeting was held with  stakeholders including representatives from Dungong, Maitland and Port Stephens councils.

One of those was Port Stephens manager of development services, Mike McIntosh, and at last night’s council meeting  he revealed the construction company had said  it would submit a development application for the increase.

Councillors  joined neighbours in Dungog and Maitland last night  in expressing their concern at the increase, with  Ken Jordan saying he had been told Port Stephens residents were “sick of the massive amount of truck movements”.

“The amount of trucks that will be going through if this increase goes ahead is going to be destroying our roads,” he said.

The council moved a motion to write to the Environmental Protection Authority to seek clarification on the company’s environmental licences.   

That motion was drafted before the Thursday meeting, and Mr McIntosh described it as  a “call to arms” from Dungog Council.

Last week,  the Newcastle Herald reported residents in Paterson and Bolwarra were worried that even more trucks would be using the roads if the application was  approved.

They are already coping with up to 600 truck movements six days a week that start as early as 5am.