Cement plant’s bid to operate 24/7 is an ‘abuse’

A BID by a high impact industry to operate non-stop in Brisbane’s inner north has devastated residents who described it as a “total disregard for thousands that live in the area”.

Neilsens concrete batching plant has applied to Council to extend its hours of operations.

A WINDSOR concrete plant’s push to operate 24 hours a day has angered residents and failed to gain the local councillor’s support.

In a development application submitted to Brisbane City Council last month, the operators of the Neilsen’s Plant at 71 LeGeyt St, Windsor, have requested a condition amendment to the hours of operations.

They request that “condition 61 be deleted, therefore allowing 24/7 operations to occur”.

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Neighbouring residents who contacted City North News were angry at the “offensiveness of the intended extended hours” and possible health impacts.

Maria Rodrigues said the application was another level of “community abuse by the company” and “total disregard for thousands that live in the area with the need for peace and quiet”.

Site map from applicant submission to Council

Resident Kelly Ryan said the community was “devastated that anyone can possibly think this is OK”.

“They currently have the restriction of 6 days a week from 6am to 6pm weekdays and 6am to 3pm on Saturdays. They seek 24/7 operating licence to service the inner city construction like Queens Wharf and the new airport runway. The impact this will have on our community is massive.”

Ms Ryan said due to the noise from the concrete plants, she had to install double glazing on windows in her home “as they start their plant up at around 4am”.

“The truck reversing noise goes non-stop and the noise is extremely invasive. Our property is constantly covered in concrete dust and we have serious concerns about our health.”

She said the potential for the alterations to have further impacts on pedestrians and cyclists was also a concern.

“The irony is that the Council are spending a fortune on the North Bne Bikeway along McDonald Road and at the same time considering granting 24/7 access to the concrete plants which means extensive traffic along this route endangering cyclists,” Ms Ryan said.

“We are devastated that anyone can possibly think this is OK. To sacrifice residents for the sake of their own gain. If granted, this 24/7 operation will be disastrous to so many in the areas of Windsor and Albion.”

Neilsens concrete batching plant operations at Windsor.

Neilsens concrete batching plant at Windsor has applied for extended hours of operations

Cr David McLachlan (Hamilton Ward) said community “already endured enough with the current operations” and that he was opposed to the 24/7 proposal.

“The majority of issues that local residents raise with me about the concrete plants are in relation to the impact of heavy vehicles through local streets — for raw materials inbound and the finished concrete outbound — and the spillage of wet concrete that quickly hardens, creating risks for motorists and cyclists on our roads,” he said.

The Neilsen Group CEO Mario Panuccio said the Group had applied to conduct “highly limited activity on the Windsor site, which includes receiving some materials outside of our current operational hours to reduce the impact of delivery vehicles on local traffic at peak hour times”.

“To be clear, we have not applied for approval to conduct full operations 24/7 at the site,” he said.

“All activities applied for have been analysed by experts to ensure compliance to all legislative limits.”

Neilsens concrete dispatch application operating hours changes

Have your say on the application

Resident concerns.

• truck reversing noise
• plant noise starting at 4am
• properties covered in concrete dust
• serious health concerns

What the applicant says

Neilsens cement plant operating air quality report 2018