The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by K Noble and A Wedd for Knaw Quarry, Dysart in the Southern Midlands.
The proposal is for a new level 2 quarry located on agricultural land, extracting up to 11,000 cubic metres (17,600 tonnes) per annum gravel. Of this volume up to 5,000 cubic metres may be crushed and screened. Blasting is not proposed.
The Executive Director, Environmental Assessments, Dr 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 Southern Midlands Council.
“Various environmental issues were considered by the Board in its assessment, particularly the potential for noise emissions to impact on nearby residences. This was addressed through the management measures put forward by the proponent and conditions restricting the quarry to daytime operations," Dr Read said.
One representation was received in relation to the permit application. The environmental issues raised in this representation included the potential for noise emissions from the proposal to impact their daily lives and health, impacts of dust from the proposed activity, and general site management such as storage of hydrocarbons and other liquids, general waste, and potential for refuelling to cause contamination. Public consultation was open for 14 days from 25 May 2022.
The proposal was considered by the Executive Director, Environmental Assessments 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 assessment of the proposal was undertaken 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 K Noble and A Wedd and Southern Midlands Council for their information.
The decision in relation to K Noble and Anita Wedd, Knaw Quarry can be viewed on this website.