The proposed clearing of vegetation around a hinterland quarry is on hold after the federal government ruled that the plan required further environmental assessment.
Quarry operator Cordwell Resources applied in 2023 to clear more than eight hectares of vegetation at its Kin Kin extraction site.
It requested that the federal Environment Minister determine if its proposal required assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
“For the abundance of caution and to provide the proponent with certainty up to May 2033, the clearing of vegetation as a consequence of the ongoing operation of Kin Kin Quarry is being referred,” the referral application said.
A notice from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water dated July 17 stated the proposed action – “to construct and operate an expansion to the existing hard-rock Kin Kin Quarry” – is a “controlled action”.
“The project will require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed,” it said.
“The project will be assessed by public environment report.”
The material submitted with the EPBC referral acknowledged the land proposed to be cleared includes habitat for koalas and possibly grey-headed flying foxes and greater gliders, and two endangered tree species.
Noosa Council – which provided a submission outlining “serious concerns” with the application – welcomed the department’s decision.
“This decision acknowledges the likely significant impact on listed threatened species and ecological communities and requires the applicant to undertake a new application process, including further environmental assessment and public consultation,” Mayor Frank Wilkie said.
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He said the outcome reflected strong advocacy and submissions from the community, as well as from local, state and federal government representatives.
“It is a step towards ensuring that environmental values and community concerns are given the consideration they deserve,” he said.
Advocacy group Save Noosa Hinterland – which organised a petition opposing the proposed vegetation clearing – also heralded the decision.
“The federal Environment Minister has declared the Kin Kin Quarry expansion a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act, determining the proposal is likely to have a significant impact on listed threatened species and ecological communities,” it posted on social media.
“This means the proposal cannot proceed without full federal environmental assessment. The assessment required will be a public environment report.
“It’s a direct result of your voices, your submissions and your determination to protect our environment.
“However, it’s not over. We’ve since learned that the disturbance area has grown from 9.64 hectares to 15.3 hectares of habitat critical to the survival of the koala.
“We must submit to the public comment periods as they emerge and fight for strong, fit-for-purpose terms of reference for the environmental assessment. This first stage will be over the next 20 business days.
“This is a massive step forward and we want to thank everyone who has supported us in these efforts. The assessment process will span many months and require input from the community along the way.”
The variation request submitted by Cordwell Resources on June 19, which enlarges the proposed disturbance area to 15.3 hectares, outlines why the revision was made.
“This change to the disturbance footprint has been incorporated to ensure the proposed action appropriately captures the expected disturbance area, and provides flexibility in the event that the disturbance footprint is revised,” it stated.
The council had no assessment role regarding the vegetation clearing application.
The quarry was approved in July 1987 subject to conditions. Under the planning legislation there is no ability for this approval to be revoked or changed (without the owners’ agreement) until 2033.
The conditions require the quarry to operate in accordance with an approved Quarry Management Plan, which includes a number of requirements that address on-site operations.
“Kin Kin Quarry has been operated by various companies since commencement, including Noosa Shire Council, Ready Mix and the Neilsens Group,” the EPBC referral summary stated.
“The proponent (Cordwell) acquired the operation, by way of a lease, in May 2019. The lease expires in May 2033.”
Cordwell Resources was contacted for comment.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
