A central Victorian council is seeking alternative locations to source gravel for its 3000km road network after it scrapped a proposed site in response to community opposition.
The Northern Grampians Shire Council recently withdrew a planning permit application to establish a new gravel quarry in the Victorian town of Carapooee, 105km west of the Victorian regional city of Bendigo.
Testing had shown the site had an abundance of material that could have replaced the nearby existing Mine Lane Quarry, which will cease operation soon because it is unable to meet demand.
However, following consultation with residents in close proximity to the proposed Stuart Mill Quarry, the council decided to no longer pursue the site.
The council now needs to find a new location that would minimise impact on residents, while providing enough locally sourced gravel to construct and maintain more than 3000 kilometres of local roads and bridges in the shire.
“The proposed site was in quite a populated area. You’ve got rural living and lifestyle houses not far from it, and there was some concern from the residents about dust and noise,” councillor Tony Driscoll told Quarry.
“We hear what residents are telling us and agree that other sites would be more appropriate; the decision needs to be fair and equitable. That is why after much deliberation we have withdrawn the planning permit application.
“There is still a need to focus on reducing construction and cartage costs so that the community is provided with a road network that provides value for money. This needs to be done with consideration to local residents living in the vicinity of these quarries.”
The council is currently undertaking a trial of gravel material sourced from a registered quarry in the St Arnaud area up to 20km away, and early results indicate it could be a secure future source.
Further investigations have also shown “good initial indications” of quality gravel sources in and around the northern areas of the shire.
Driscoll said the council traditionally operated its own quarries to reduce costs, and would look to do so going forward.
Local authorities are also encouraging landowners with a gravel resource who are open to the possibility of it being used as quarry to contact the council.