The Ross Trust has announced its quarry business, Hillview Quarries, will not be developing the former Pioneer Quarry site in Dromana, Victoria, opting instead to rehabilitate.
The philanthropic charity had been working to re-establish Pioneer Quarry as Hillview’s namesake site approaches the end of its life, 850 metres away.
But some increasingly negative campaigning against Pioneer’s redevelopment was impacting on the perception of the Trust’s community work and the decision has been made to make rehabilitation of the site the priority.
Hillview Quarry has provided brown and grey granite to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula for 53 years, by the will of Ross Trust founder Roy Everard Ross.
These resources have been used to build and renovate the Peninsula Hot Springs, the Martha Cove Marina, the Portsea Pub, Peninsula Link, and the current Sorrento Ferry Terminal upgrade.
The Trust uses the proceeds from various infrastructure projects to fund a range of local amenities, including roads, tourism attractions, council buildings, gardens, and housing for the Peninsula’s growing communities.
While the Pioneer Quarry will not proceed, to preserve the Peninsula’s remaining vegetation, Hillview chief executive officer Paul Nitas said the rehabilitation will still require the land to be reformed to some extent.
“The footprint of the Boundary Road site will change. Its landscape, while picturesque, is not all undisturbed natural and native bushland,” Nitas said.
“Rehabilitating it to be safe, stable, and to meet the full legislative requirements for use for generations to come will require substantial work.”
A joint statement from the Trust and Hillview said it was disappointed with the outcome but the two entities remain optimistic they can continue to build their local community.
“The Ross Trust and Hillview Quarries have long valued their relationship with the communities they work in and the people they work with,” they stated.
“They are excited for what the future holds and look forward to working with the community, stakeholders, and government in delivering a bright future for the Mornington Peninsula.”
The Trust and Hillview have supported the community with more than $142 million in grants over the years, including 5000 grants to 2000 organisations. This has included $20 million to education disadvantage and social justice projects on the Mornington Peninsula.
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