Pioneer Quarry in Dromana ditched in new blow to infrastructure program

Plans to resurrect a Mornington Peninsula quarry have been dumped in a massive blow to the state’s infrastructure program already hit by material shortages.

Victoria’s multi-billion dollar building blitz faces new cost pressures after plans to resurrect an old Mornington Peninsula quarry were dumped.

The decision to abandon the reopening of the Pioneer Quarry site in Dromana was made by philanthropic group the Ross Trust, which owns the land as well as another operational quarry down the road it uses to fund charities.

The Trust said it had no choice but to walk away from the new venture, which would have replaced the current quarry once it ran out of rock, due to an at-times “vitriolic” campaign that even targeted its donation recipients.

An environmental effects statement had been prepared for the Dromana land, in order to unearth 40 million tonnes of material.

The Ross Trust said it had no choice but to abandon plans to resurrect the Dromana quarry. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

This process will now be shifted to how the land can be rehabilitated for future use instead.

The decision to ditch a new source of materials used for roads, homes and schools is a massive blow for the state’s infrastructure program due to statewide material shortages already putting pressure on costs.

But it is a big win for community activists who opposed the plan due to concerns about vegetation removal.

Chair or the Ross Trust, Jeremy Kirkwood, said some of the action taken by individuals had crossed the line, however.

“Our work is being undermined by sometimes threatening, dangerous, vitriolic and misleading behaviour,” he said.

“We cannot allow our staff, grantees, and supporters to continue to be exposed to this.

“It’s not right and it needs to stop.

“We will no longer stand silent and have the good name, reputations, legacy and work of the Ross Trust tarnished through misinformation and attacks on us and our grantees, who have become the target of such personal attacks.”

Mr Kirkwood said the group had begun discussion with the state about the shift to rehabilitation, which would still require major works due to a 140-metre pit and unstable ground.

Ditching the project will put more pressure on materials shortages and costs on the state’s big builds. Picture: Craig Hughes

It was also in talks with the government about how the decision would “impact on the state’s broader requirements for resources and materials to build the roads, schools, and tourist attractions that it needs as we look to economic recovery”.

The Ross Trust has distributed $142 million from quarrying profits since it was set up, including $20m for education and groups tackling social disadvantage on the peninsula.

It will try to plug that hole once the current Hillview Quarries operation shuts, in five to eight years.

Chief executive of Hillview Quarries, Paul Nitas, said there had been no new quarry developed in 30 years and the state was approaching a tipping point.

“Materials now have to be trucked further on roads, with some quarries operating 24/7. We have been ringing the bell on this for eight to ten years,” he said.

Locally sourced granite from the Hillview operation has been used to renovate the Peninsula Hot Springs, the Mount Martha Marina, the Portsea pub and Peninsula Link.

Dr Mark Fancett, president of the Peninsula Preservation Group, rejected claims by Trust chairman Jeremy Kirkwood that the campaign had overstepped the mark.

“This was a grassroots campaign that simply pointed out the hypocrisy of an environmental charity becoming a mining developer. We acted ethically and responsibly at all times – the Trust just didn’t like us pointing out uncomfortable truths.”

Originally published as Pioneer Quarry in Dromana ditched in new blow to infrastructure program