Daracon’s plan to expand the Martins Creek Quarry and extract an additional 1.1 million tonnes of material has revealed further details.
Daracon had previously confirmed they had appealed to the Land and Environment Court. It is possible a conference to find a resolution could occur before a hearing in the court, according to a council media release.
Daracon had previously stated they expected the process with the Land and Environment Court to take six to eight months
In a statement to 2HD Newcastle, the company confirmed they were seeking the application to be redetermined after it was initially proposed for approval.
“Daracon has filed an appeal with the Land and Environment Court against the Independent Planning Commission’s decision to refuse the State significant development application regarding the Martin’s Creek Quarry,” they told 2HD Newcastle.
“In filing the appeal, Daracon is asking the Land and Environment Court to redetermine the DA, which was recommended for approval by the Department of Planning and Environment.”
Recently, the Dungog Shire Council held an Extraordinary General Meeting to determine its position.
READ MORE:
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- Daracon hopes to achieve expansion five years in the making
- Appeal made over Martins Creek quarry refusal
In the Mayor Message released after the meeting, Dungog Shire Council mayor John Connors said the councillors have resolved to become a party to the proceedings.
“The decision is that council is going to participate in the proceedings and take the position that it has taken to date before the Independent Planning Commission,” he said.
“(That position) is dominantly opposing the transport of material by road, apart from local deliveries, and submitting that the materials should be transported by rail, particularly as there is an existing rail spur into the site.”
It comes after the application for the development was considered and refused for consent by the Independent Planning Commission earlier this year.
Daracon has made several revisions to the project to incorporate community and departmental feedback. This included revising its proposal from 1.5 million to 1.1 million tonnes, reducing road transport volumes, refining operational hours, and reducing disturbance footprint with a shorter approval term.