The Tasmanian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has considered a proposal for a change to processing capacity by B.C. McConnon & J.L. McConnon for McConnon’s Quarry.
Located at Buckland in Glamorgan Spring Bay, McConnon’s Quarry is an existing Level 2 rock and gravel quarry, located 9km north of the Buckland township.
The proposal involves the addition of a mechanical screen and crushing plant to existing quarry operations and an increase in the maximum materials handling and processing limit from under 1000 cubic metres to 12,500 cubic metres (approximately 20,000 tonnes) per annum.
Currently there has been no increase in extraction quantity proposed.
The executive director for Environmental Assessments, Dr Martin Read, who made the determination under delegation from the EPA Board, concluded 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 Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
“Various environmental issues, including expected increases in noise and dust emissions, were considered by the Board in its assessment,” Read said.
“These were addressed through management measures put forward by the proponent, including maintaining operating hours consistent with the Quarry Code of Practice and covering all vehicles exiting the site that are transporting excavated materials. These measures are reflected in the environmental conditions to be imposed.”
The assessment commenced on 16 November 2021 and became open for public comment for fourteen days from 25 June 2022 onwards. During this time no representations agains the assessment were made.
Considered by the Executive Director 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 EMPC Act, the assessment of the proposal, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to the proponent and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council for their information.