The EPA considers proposal for Donalds Road Quarry, Roger River West

​The Environment Protection Authority has concluded its assessment of a proposal by Cresswell's Transport Pty Ltd for Donalds Road Quarry, off Donalds Road, Roger River West in Circular Head.

The proposal is to construct and operate a new quarry that will extract and process a maximum of 20,000 cubic metres (approximately 32,000 tonnes) of dolomite each year. Source rock will be extracted using drill and blast techniques with an expected 2 to 3 blasts per year. The proposed quarry will operate on an intermittent campaign style basis with extractive activities occurring only during the drier months, i.e., between November and April.

The EPA Manager, Assessments, Helen Mulligan who made the determination under delegation from the EPA Board, concluded that 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 Circular Head Council.

“Various environmental issues were considered in the assessment, particularly surface water and groundwater quality. These were addressed through specific measures including the management and discharge of quarry wastewater, installation of groundwater monitoring bores, and a comprehensive surface water and groundwater monitoring program. These measures are reflected in the environmental conditions to be imposed," Ms Mulligan said.

Public consultation was open for 14 days from 7 September 2024. No representations were received in relation to the proposal.

The proposal was considered by the Board's delegate 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 Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA).

The functions of the Board are to administer and enforce the provisions of EMPCA, to further the RMPS and EMPCS objectives and, in particular, to use its best endeavours to protect the environment of Tasmania.

The Manager, Assessments, undertook assessment of the proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles defined in Section 74 of the Act.

The environmental assessment report, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to​ Cresswell's Transport Pty Ltd and Circular Head Council.

​The decision in relation to Cresswell's Transport, Donalds Road Quarry, Roger River West​ can be viewed on this website.

Published on: 31/10/2024