Fulton Hogan has received a work variation approval from the Victorian Earth Resources Regulator for a granite quarry in Tynong North, 63km southeast of Melbourne.
Fulton Hogan applied to alter its operating hours to reduce the number of trucks on the roads during peak hours.
The variation, however, will not alter any existing conditions relating to blasting or excavation.
The approval came in line with the state’s Big Build campaign, as Fulton Hogan continues to support projects such as the Monash Freeway and M80 Ring Road upgrades, as well as Victoria’s level crossing removal program.
Earth Resources Regulator executive director Anthony Hurst said the Regulator had ramped up approvals in the past two years, and the state would need to work together to back them up.
“Earth Resources Regulation is continuing to assess a high number of applications to lift production at quarries around Melbourne and across regional areas,” Hurst said.
“We encourage quarry operators and local residents to work closely together to keep each other well informed about quarry operations and community activities.
“Our inspectors will continue to monitor quarry activities to ensure compliance and protect public safety and local environments.”
The Regulator reported that it assessed 40 work plans and changes to quarries in the 2021 financial year and 39 of them were approved.
This was important as the state recorded its highest level of extractive production in more than a decade.
Quarry production increased by 25 per cent in the six years to June 2020, exceeding 63 million tonnes of sand, rock and gravel for the first time.
Further to such production, $19.6 billion has been invested in the extractive industry between the 2021-22 and 2023-24 financial years.
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