The Independent Planning Commission has approved the expansion of Brandy Hill quarry despite concerns about noise, dust and the loss of koala habitat.
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Construction materials company Hanson had sought to more than double the quarry's annual output and expand the hours of operation, with rock processing 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Nearby residents raised concerns about the project's adverse impact on the lives of those living near the quarry.
Residents Phil and Leslie Moore told the Newcastle Herald last month that the project would dig into the quality of their lives and decimate about 52 hectares of prime koala habitat.
Ron Land from Port Stephens Koalas said the project would lead to the demise of koalas in the area.
"The proposed development will impact directly not only on the ability of koalas to survive here, but also our ability to release koalas that have been rehabilitated back into their home range," he said.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington had called for the project to the removed from the state government's fast-track approval process due to concerns about its social and environmental impacts.
"The approval is an indictment on the Berejiklian Government and its woefully inadequate environmental laws," Ms Washington said on Friday.
"Despite the Black Summer Bushfires and the recent koala inquiry findings, the Berejiklian Government fast-tracked this project for approval and now 52 hectares of koala habitat will be bulldozed."
"Koalas in Port Stephens are already endangered, so this decision is a cruel and heartless blow. It's clear the Berejiklian Government has learnt nothing from the Black Summer Bushfires. As far as they're concerned, it's business as usual when it comes to land clearing, and a national icon will be wiped out as a result."
"This decision confirms that the Biodiversity Conservation Act introduced by the Berejiklian Government is unable to prevent the extinction of koalas in NSW before 2015."
The project was referred to the Commission after the Department of Planning received 169 objections.
The commission acknowledged in its determination that the quarry's expansion would have social impacts on the surrounding community.
But it said it had sought to mitigate these with strict conditions on the quarry's operation.
It described these conditions as "reasonable when balanced against the benefits of the project."
The commission said it agreed with the Department of Planning's assessment and did not support the proposed hours of operation for processing and transport due to adverse impacts on local amenity through the evening and night time periods.
It acknowledged extensive rural residential development had occurred around the quarry since it was originally approved in 1983.
In addition to the restrictions recommended by the Department of Planning, the commission found that the increase in heavy vehicle traffic associated with the quarry expansion posed a safety risk on Brandy Hill Drive.
In order to mitigate this impact, the commission imposed a condition that requires six bus bays and a shared pathway, to be constructed in Brandy Hill Drive prior to any increase in production.
It also found truck movements prior to 6am would unreasonably impact the well-being of residents living along the haulage routes.
The commission imposed a condition to further restrict trucks from entering the site prior to 6am and that the applicant be required to implement management measures to prevent trucks travelling on the haulage routes before this time.
The applicant must also screen the surrounding residential area from surrounding residents.
"This will help preserve the area's rural character, as well as separate noise-generating activities from residential receptors and assist in maintaining vegetation and biodiversity values," the commission said.
A statement on the Brandy Hill and Seaham Action Group website said the commission had basically endorsed the recommendations from the Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment with some improvements in favour of the community.
"There will be many disappointments for the community, but also many for Hanson, so perhaps there is some balance," the statement said.
"Clearly, without the efforts of so many community members, the outcome would have been much worse, so I thank you all."
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
