Nicks Readymix gets approval to expand to Buckley Dr, Monkland

After 1220 days in development limbo, the well known family business has been given the green light to grow its Gympie operation with a second site.

Iconic Bruce Highway business Nick’s Ready Mix has been given approval to expand and open a new batching plant and transport depot at Monkland, more than three years after it lodged the application. Photo Renee Pilcher / The Gympie Times

A three-year slog through the planning process has finally ended in a win for Nick’s Readymix, which has been given the green light to expand its operations to Monkland.

The Inglewood Hill business perched on the side of the Mary River applied to expand on to a vacant block at Buckley Dr, Monkland in April 2018.

Plans included the construction of a concrete batching plant capable of churning out 36,000 tonnes a year and a transport depot.

The development would be built over four stages, with the last not starting until at least four years after any approval was secured.

That approval finally came late in August, bringing the company’s application to a head after 1220 days in development limbo.

The company had lodged its development application in April 2018.

Gympie Regional Council’s planning department gave it the tick of approval under delegation.

Directors Jason and Melissa Buckley had to clear several hurdles during the process, which included not only assessment by the council but also the State Government.

The company will be building the expansion at a vacant block at Monkland.

Both government bodies asked for further information several times.

Almost three dozen conditions have been imposed on the development by the council.

The expansion will include a concrete batching plant capable of churning out 36,000 tonnes each year and a transport depot open all hours.

No more than 40 trucks will be able to access the new site each day.

The batching plant can only run 5am-4pm weekdays, and 5am-midday Saturday.

The transport depot can be open all hours.

A 3m high acoustic fence must be built on the block’s northern and western sides to limit noise, and Buckley Rd will have to be extended.