Controversial Brisbane quarry blast strongest in years
A blast at a westside quarry last month was the strongest in years, residents say, as Council prepares to blast again tomorrow.
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A blast at the controversial Mt Coot-tha Quarry last month was the strongest in years, a resident who has been fighting the operation claims.
His claims come as the quarry operator told neighbours to prepare for another blast tomorrow (July 9).
Bardon resident Phil Best said the June 18 detonation was well above normal levels.
He said another, on September 6 last year, was nearly three times stronger than Council claimed.
It was also more than double the allowed maximum for the quarry and four times the Department of Environment and Science limit, Mr Best said.
However, Council has consistently denied his claims and said it operated within legal limits.
“The quarry has announced their second blast this year, so it is clear that they are totally ignoring all of our evidence and material,’’ he said.
“The June 18 blast this year (12.1mm/second) is the strongest for several years and far exceeds the allowable normal maximums.
“The previous highest blast (on August 3, 2016) was 10.4mm/second. The normally allowed maximum is 5mm/second.
“The quarry has refused to do blast vibration monitoring in homes and has never once measured their noise levels, even though our evidence indicated gross violations.’’
Mr Best estimated it was costing Brisbane residents $15 million for every year the quarry was kept going due to rising rehabilitation and other costs.
The Mt Coot-tha Protection Alliance and local state Greens MP Michael Berkman said the quarry could potentially be converted into a world-class botanical garden.
Council’s field services section told residents this week that another blast was planned between 10.30am and 2pm on July 9.
“Technical issues or unsatisfactory weather conditions could cause delays or vary the time of shot on the day, or postponement of the blast,’’ it told residents.
Council has previously said the quarry conducted a maximum of two blasts per month, with each blast lasting less than 0.6 of a second.
Dust from blast drifts over homes
No rehabilitation plan for quarry
“Blasts are monitored by an independent blasting expert for compliance at multiple locations, including at residential property boundaries,’’ it said.
A Council spokeswoman said all blasts were monitored, independently, at several places, and carried out under State Government guidelines.
The material from the quarry was used for council works and generated valuable material used on Brisbane roads.
“Council is subject to regular inspections and audits by the Department of Environment and Science and we have demonstrated full compliance on an ongoing basis,’’ Council said previously.
“Mt Coot-tha Quarry is still in its operating phase and will remain in operation while it
continues to deliver significant value or until the reserves are depleted.
“During this time, Council remains committed to operating the quarry in accordance with the conditions of its environmental authority and being mindful of the community.
“Following the completion of extraction activities, Council intends to rehabilitate the site in a
responsible manner.
“The future use of the site is yet to be determined, but will involve consultation with the community.’’
Mr Berkman said Council could not “keep pretending this isn’t an issue for the local community’’.
“The quarry is a real hazard to locals’ health and wellbeing - and what’s more, it’s a missed opportunity to rehabilitate this space into something we could all enjoy like community gardens, a lake, a park and more walking tracks,’’ he said.
“Council still has no timeline for closure or rehabilitation plan, and they haven’t once asked the local community what they’d actually like to see happen here.
“From my community forums and surveys on this issue, residents have said loud and clear that they want the quarry closed by 2025, which is consistent with the council’s commitment in the Mt Coot-tha neighbourhood plan.
“I’m once again calling on Council to listen to these residents, close the quarry by 2025 and draft and begin implementing a rehabilitation plan by the end of this year.”
Mr Berkman has launched a petition to close and rehabilitate the quarry.