Quarry set to get go ahead

The contentious development has been in the public arena for months, with residents turning to people power protests in an effort to have it rejected.

After two discussion forums and modifications to the original development application,   Bathurst Regional Council’s department of environmental planning and building services will recommend the project be given the green light at Wednesday’s ordinary monthly meeting.

However, there is a strict stipulation that if council does decide to approve the quarry, work must not start until a construction certificate has been issued.

Phill Hotham from Hothams Sand, Soil and Gravel told the Western Advocate the recommendation to pass the quarry vindicated their “every effort to do the right thing”.

“All along we’ve had nothing to hide and thankfully it now looks like common sense will prevail,” he said. 

According to the report to council, the development is for an extractive industry at Lot 3, Napoleon Reef Road, Napoleon Reef.

It involves extraction of up to a maximum of 30,000 cubic metres per year of hard rock materials (derived from siltstone and bedrock) for use in road construction, roadworks and other civil works.

Extraction would be within a maximum area of 230 metres x 80 metres, to a maximum depth of 10 metres.

“The development includes extending an existing all-weather access track from Napoleon Reef Road and construction of a public road (currently unformed council road) from Napoleon Reef Road to the property boundary,” the report states.

“The application was originally notified to 12 adjoining and adjacent property owners and a significant number of submissions were received. 

“As outlined in this report, the proposed development complies with the applicable standards and it is therefore recommended that approval be granted.”