The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by Duggans Pty Ltd for the Catos Hill Quarry expansion in Huon Valley Municipality.
Duggans Pty Ltd proposes to increase extraction and processing of material at an existing level 2 activity. Extraction is proposed to increase from 125,000 cubic metres to 150,000 cubic metres per annum, using drilling and blasting. Processing is proposed to increase from 68,750 cubic metres to 150,000 cubic metres per annum, using crushing and screening.
The EPA Executive Director, Environmental Assessments, Martin Read, who made the determination under delegation from the EPA Board, concluded the proposed development can be managed in an environmentally sustainable and acceptable manner, with certain conditions. The Board requires these conditions to be included in any permit subsequently granted by the Huon Valley Council.
“Various environmental issues were considered by the Board in its assessment, particularly noise and dust emissions which can be managed with appropriate measures in place. To ensure this, conditions in the permit will impose noise emission limits and require effective control of dust emissions." Dr Read said.
No representations were received in relation to the permit application. Public consultation was open for 28 days from 3 June 2022.
The proposal was considered by the Executive Director in the context of the sustainable development objectives of the Resource Management and Planning System of Tasmania (RMPS), and in the context of the objectives of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control System (EMPCS) established by the EMPC Act.
The functions of the EPA are to administer and enforce the provisions of the EMPC Act, to further the RMPS and EMPCS objectives and, in particular, to use its best endeavours to protect the environment of Tasmania.
The Executive Director undertook the assessment of the proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles defined in Section 74 of the Act.
The Executive Director's environmental assessment report, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to the proponent and the Huon Valley Council.
The decision in relation to Duggans Pty Ltd, Catos Hill Quarry Capacity increase, Cradoc can be viewed on this website.