A conservation group will today stage a sixth protest against a proposed quarry expansion, highlighting ongoing community frustration over a two-year wait for the local council’s assessment.
Save Our Glass House Mountains members plan to present local survey results at the monthly Sunshine Coast Council Ordinary Meeting. The results show widespread community concern over dust, noise, truck movements, data integrity and potential impacts on heritage and the environment around the Glasshouse Quarry site.
The group has urged the council to act promptly, in line with community sentiment. Quarry operators Heidelberg Materials said they are working with the council on the matters, while the council said the expansion application is still undergoing thorough assessment to ensure compliance with planning and environmental regulations.
Council requested additional information from the operators – relating to noise and dust in early – in June. Two extensions have since been agreed to.
SOGHM issued a media release on Tuesday that stated the community was “still in limbo” two years after the application was submitted to increase the extraction rate at the site.
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
The group recently started a community door-knocking and survey action. Locals told them they were “disgusted” and the survey results will be handed to councillor Jenny Broderick today, when the group stages its sixth peaceful protest at the council meeting. SOGHM has also stated that it will attend every council ordinary meeting until a decision is made.
There are also plans for a ‘Community Declaration’ to be held at the Glass House Community Hall within weeks.
“Will this council represent its voters and recognise that the Glasshouse Quarry expansion should be denied, as is abundantly clear from the survey responses,” the group stated.
“Our community has waited two years for answers while our health, heritage and environment suffer. We will not stand by while Heidelberg profits at the expense of our wellbeing.
“The Glasshouse Mountains deserve protection, not exploitation.”
When asked about noise, dust and other issues, a Heidelberg Materials spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News the company was “working with Sunshine Coast Council on these matters” and that information was readily available on council’s development applications website.
The Department of Environment has granted environmental approval with strict provisions, while the quarry manager has previously told SCN the company is “committed to operating respectfully within the local community”.
Heidelberg Materials has applied to increase the extraction rate to more than a million tonnes per annum, by increasing the depth of the pit.
A council spokesperson told SCN that the application is still under assessment.
“An impact assessment development application for an expansion of the existing quarry at 22 Mount Beerwah Road, Glasshouse Mountains is being assessed by council.,” they said.
“Council remains committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent assessment process that balances the needs of industry, the community and the environment.
“It is essential that all aspects of the application are rigorously reviewed to ensure compliance with the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme and all other regulations and to address potential impacts on local infrastructure and residents.
“This application will be presented to a future Council Ordinary Meeting for a decision. At this stage, Council is unable to confirm which Council Ordinary meeting this will be.”
