The delegate of the Board of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by GR & AM Whitely for Meander Shale Quarry Intensification in Meander Valley Council.
The proposal involves intensifying extraction and processing activities at the existing Meander Shale Quarry from 20,000 to 30,000 cubic metres per year. The proposal will result in increased time of equipment operation and in transport movements to and from the quarry. There will be no change to the extractive area, stockpiles, blasting, hours of operation limits or the main equipment used at the site.
All material will be taken from the existing approved extraction area within ML 1107P/M, which was assessed by the EPA in 2022.
Public consultation was open for 18 days from 1 November 2025. No representations were made in relation to the proposal.
The Board's delegate has considered the relevant issues and determined that the proposal can be managed in an environmentally sustainable manner, with conditions imposed. Key conditions include requirements for control of dust emissions from the site and the covering of vehicles transporting quarry material. Operating hours and noise emission limits in accordance with the Quarry Code of Practice (EPA, 2017) are imposed to ensure operations do not cause environmental nuisance. Management of stormwater and surface water monitoring will continue to occur at the sediment settling ponds to ensure water quality parameters are within acceptable ranges, and any significant changes to water quality are identified.
The Board's delegate undertook assessment of the proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles in Section 74 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994.
This decision and all assessment documents can be viewed on the EPA website at GR and AM Whiteley, Meander Shale Quarry Intensification, Reiffers Road, Meander | EPA Tasmania.
ENDS.
Published on:
24/12/2025