Residents’ concerns to send White Rock Quarry expansion plan back to miner Hanson for more information

The Horsnell Gully quarry’s contentious expansion has hit a halt, as the local community report a hidden cave – known only to climbers – on the miner’s property.

Quarry expansion plans at Horsnell Gully await “more information” from the miner, the state government says.

In response to community concerns about air quality, noise, traffic, plants, animals, cultural heritage, visual amenity and rehabilitation, the government informed Hanson Australia that more information was required.

“The Mining Department will issue a formal Request for Information in the coming fortnight detailing the further information and clarification required,” a spokesman said. “These documents will be publicly available for the community to scrutinise.”

The Sunday Mail revealed the residents’ concerns as part of the launch of the Green Zone campaign.

The revelation comes as Residents Against White Rock Quarry prepare to hold their public meeting Thursday night at Burnside Community Centre.

Politicians from all parties have agreed to attend along with mayors from Burnside and Adelaide Hills councils.

The cave on the northern face of the hill residents call Mount Skye at Horsnell Gully, within the area of the proposed expansion of Hanson's White Rock Quarry. Picture: Demetrios (Jim) Bastiras

Kaurna elder Jeffery Newchurch has been invited to speak alongside politicians and residents.

Hanson is not expected to attend but the company has issued a statement: “Hanson values engaging with stakeholders to better understand their views in relation to the future development of the site,” a spokeswoman said.

“This includes engaging Traditional Owners regarding the cultural heritage of the site and the proposal.

“Stakeholder feedback to date has resulted in a number of additional mitigation strategies being developed to ensure that feedback has been addressed, where appropriate. We remain committed to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders, including Traditional Owners.”

A cave on the miner’s property, known to rock climbers as “The Bachelor Pad”, may have cultural heritage significance. But there is no mention of the site in the Mine Operational Plan for the expansion.

Residents Against White Rock Quarry chairman Demetrios (Jim) Bastiras of Skye with his daughter Artemis, 2, in Horsnell Gully Conservation Park, Mount Skye in background, quarry to the right in May 2021. Picture: Michael Marschall

Residents group leader, Demetrios (Jim) Bastiras of Skye, has visited the cave and was amazed at what he saw.

He spotted what looked like a red ochre painting of a waterbird and now believes that the site deserves cultural heritage assessment.

“When an area is this special, it makes your heart flutter,” Mr Bastiras said.

“And yet the community that rightfully owns this area, in the true sense, gets completely ignored in the expansion process.”

The cave on the northern face of the hill residents call Mount Skye at Horsnell Gully, within the area of the proposed expansion of Hanson's White Rock Quarry. Supplied. Picture: Demetrios (Jim) Bastiras

Greens MLC Robert Simms will move a motion in the upper house on Thursday, calling on the government to reject the expansion plan and also amend the EPA guidelines introducing minimum separation distances between mining activity and residents.

He also plans to introduce a private member’s Bill to strengthen the consultation requirements for private mines such as White Rock Quarry. The mine extracts general fill, concrete aggregate and road base.

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