Hanson Glasshouse Quarry proposes to double production

The company behind a Sunshine Coast hinterland quarry has revealed how it would double production to 1.2 million tonnes per annum if it gains approval.

A drone shot of the Glasshouse Quarry. Picture: contributed

The company behind a major Sunshine Coast quarry has applied to double its production in response to rising demand off the back of population growth.

Hanson Construction Materials has been at the helm of the hard rock quarry at 22 Mount Beerwah Rd, Glass House Mountains since 2003 but the quarry has operated since the 1980s.

The company has lodged an impact-assessable application with Sunshine Coast Council to increase production to 1.2 million tonnes over two stages.

The application has proposed to relocate the processing plant to a central location and increase the depth of extraction.

The company is proposing to move their processing plant to a more central location. Picture: contributed

The quarry currently invests more than $60m into the community by employing Sunshine Coast residents, contractors and service providers, documents stated.

Hanson Glasshouse Quarry manager Chris Wilson said the need for infrastructure and materials has increased alongside the growth of the Sunshine Coast population.

Mr Wilson said the changes would not increase the existing extraction area footprint.

“This ensures no additional vegetation clearing occurs over and above that which has already been approved for the existing quarry,” Mr Wilson said.

A drone shot of the Glasshouse Quarry. Picture: contributed

“Securing the operational future of the existing quarry will allow us to keep up with the demand for quarry products, which are essential for small residential projects through to major state and council infrastructure programs.”

The development has also asked for approval to extend its blasting operations to 9am to 5pm on Mondays and Fridays, and other operations from 6am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Existing approved hours outline drilling and blasting to operate from 9am to 3pm from Monday to Friday.

Certain operations have been permitted to run no later than 4pm on Saturdays and no trucks have been permitted to work at the site prior to 6am.

Mr Wilson said the changes will comply with existing noise, vibration and air quality requirements.

“Multiple expert reports, conducted over several years, conclude there is no impact to the Glasshouse Mountains from our operations,” Mr Wilson said.

“Hanson is committed to operating respectfully within the local community to minimise impacts from our operations to the greatest extent possible.”

A couple, who wished to remain anonymous, had lived about a kilometre away from the quarry for about 20 years and were concerned about the impact the expansion could have.

“Currently, there is a proposed expansion in productivity … raising concerns among long-time residents like me who have cherished the Glasshouse Mountains as our home for the past two decades,” they said.

“We fear that this expansion will further harm our local natural wonders and compromise their ecological balance.”

The couple called for the community to raise awareness.

“We acknowledge the need for quarries to build roads to our homes, but we also believe that we can find a balance between development and preservation,” they said.

They said a community group would be formed in response to the application.