Lismore City Council to determine Blakebrook Quarry future

Lismore City Council could move to lease Blakebrook Quarry to a private entity after being “plagued” by “compliance and financial issues” during its operational life.

The future of Blakebrook Quarry will be discussed at the Lismore City Council meeting on Tuesday (September 13), with councillors questioning staff about any intentions to lease the ratepayer asset to the private sector.

A motion to be briefed on the matter has been tabled after a workshop on September 6 - ahead of a commercial in confidence matter appearing in the confidential matters of council’s business paper.

Council staff will provide a briefing to councillors regarding Blakebrook Quarry, particularly issues regarding compliance, staffing, updating of the compliance register and any proposals to lease or sell the quarry.

A view over Blakebrook Quarry.

The Blakebrook Quarry is a major council asset which has been plagued by compliance and financial issues during its operational life, according to council documents.

But Ms Ekins said that after a geological survey revealed 13 million tonnes of basalt at the quarry, it was crucial to retain public ownership of the site because it is a profitable business for council to maintain road networks across the LGA.

“Not only ownership, but we need to manage it appropriately,” she said.

“We’ve been approved by Transport for NSW to (maintain) the state roads.

“So when a state road is due for repair and stuff, we’ve got the expertise, we’ve got the people on the ground, the teams and we’ve got access to the materials.

“It’s one of our major businesses … if you maintain roads, it makes sense to own the product.

“Because otherwise you have to purchase it from the market at whatever price the market’s offering, whereas if we own it it’s affordable for us to continue to maintain the roads.”

General manager John Walker confirmed councillors were given a briefing on Blakebrook Quarry and an item is included in Tuesday’s meeting agenda.

“It is councillors who will make decisions on the quarry’s future, not the general manager. Her (Ms Ekins) comments on our qualifications to maintain roads is irrelevant.”