The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by AG & BJ Riley for Nook Quarry Expansion in Kentish. The proposal was referred to the Board in October 2022.
The proposal involves an increase in production at Nook Quarry from 50,000 m3 of material extracted and crushed per year up to a maximum of 150,000 m3. An increased frequency in blasting is likely to be required. The quarry will also be expanded to the north beyond the extent of the current approval, effectively doubling the area of the quarry.
The Chair of the EPA Board, Andrew Paul, said that the 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 Kentish Council.
“Various environmental issues were considered in the assessment, including noise, dust and natural values. Conditions have been imposed to require the management of noise and vibrations, management of dust, and to provide for the exclusion of areas of vegetation from development." Andrew Paul said.
Public consultation was open for a 28-day period from 15 November 2022 with one representation received during this period. The representation raised concerns that the proposal would impact the potential for houses to be developed on private lots nearby.
The proposal was considered by the Board 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 Board 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 the AG & BJ Riley, and the Kentish Council.
The decision in relation to Riley Quarry Products, Nook Quarry Expansion, Gravel Pit Road, Nook, Sheffield can be viewed on this website.