The fight to stop a Sunshine Coast hinterland quarry from expanding is heating up, with more than 100 community members rallying at the weekend to voice their concerns over the proposal.
Mayoral hopefuls joined divisional candidates Jenny Broderick, Kristy Taylor-Rose and Stan Nawrocki at Sunday’s meeting at Glass House Mountains to field questions from the crowd.
Hanson submitted a proposal to Sunshine Coast Council last year, seeking to double extraction volume from 600,000 tonnes to 1.2 million tonnes per year.
Council asked for more information, which Hanson must supply before March 8.
Save Our Glass House Mountains campaign co-creator Megan Standring said that while she was happy with the turnout and passion of supporters, there was still more work to do.
“There was a little bit of disappointment from me in regard to the candidates not giving their opinion on the quarry, but I understand the legalities in that,” she said.
“I think there was a big consensus in the room that if we knew what we know today this quarry would not be approved, so we just need to keep working hard. One step at a time.”
Save Our Glass House Mountains has raised concerns around environmental effects, increased noise and impacts on tourism as potential problems from the plan to expand the quarry.
But last month quarry manager Chris Wilson told Sunshine Coast News the company was conscious of the site’s surrounds and the people who live and work nearby.
“Hanson is committed to operating respectfully within the local community,” he said.
“This includes a continued commitment to regular and open communication with neighbours and local residents.”
Related story: Conservation group escalates efforts to halt quarry expansion
He said the quarry was a crucial service to the region.
“The Glasshouse Quarry is an important part of the supply chain for the growing construction industry on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
Ms Standring said Hanson had until March 8 to respond to state and local government queries on the application before public consultation would open.
“We’re actually going to start having submission workshops and get people coming together,” she said.
“We want to encourage people to really work out why they personally don’t want this expansion, and to stand up for what they believe in.
“I’m not an activist, I’m just a normal farming person that loves the Glass House Mountains, and I want to protect them.”
A Facebook group opposing the plans, Save Our Glass House Mountains, has more than 2500 members.
The mayoral candidates in attendance on Sunday were Wayne Parcell, Jason O’Pray, Rosanna Natoli, Ashley Robinson and Min Swan. SCN understands Michael Burgess was unwell.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
