Kariong recycling facility: Save Somersby group fights DA

A Somersby action group is warning of widespread “deadly silica dust” from a proposed multimillion-dollar recycling facility.

Save Somersby Group is opposing a construction recycling facility in Somersby

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A Somersby action group is warning of widespread “deadly silica dust” from a proposed multimillion-dollar recycling facility.

The group, Save Somersby, is calling on fellow Central Coast residents to oppose a development application for Kariong Sand and Soil Recycling Facility.

The DA has been earmarked as a State Significant Development by Planning NSW because of its potential to help the government reach it’s target of recycling 80 per cent of construction and demolition waste by 2021.

Map showing premises surrounding the subject site at 90 Gindurra Road Somersby.

The facility, proposed at 90 Gindurra Rd, will crush 200,000 tonnes of construction waste a year including soil, concrete, tiles and masonry, and asphalt.

A group of local residents has united against the proposal, saying it will result in silica dust in the air and drinking water supplies.

They said the facility would result in the destruction of local wildlife, noise from more than 100 trucks each day, smell and contaminated groundwater.

“We bought our homes here to stay for the rest of our lives,” a Save Somersby spokesman, who did not wish to be named, said.

Kariong Sand and soil recycling facility: Photo of the existing landscaping and building material storage area.

“If this gets approved, we won’t be able to sell our house and we also won't be able to live here. This silica dust has been labelled the new asbestos. If it’s flying across the Central Coast, it will affect all of our health. Shouldn’t that be enough on its own to say no to this proposal?

“It’s not just about property value; it’s about everybody’s health on the Coast.”

He said the biggest issue is that the DA is bordering residential properties, and is just 3km from Gosford.

“It’s our duty of care as locals to act,” he said. “We don’t want to be walking around in masks.”

Save Somersby is urging coast residents to lodge submissions against the proposal

A fellow member stated simply, “this DA has instantly devastated our property and made it unsaleable”.

“It’s already destroyed our equity, I’m destroyed … I can’t go anywhere,” he said. “No one will want to live near it. If it’s approved are we hung out to dry or is the State Government going to bail us out financially?”

The group met with a representative from the Department of Planning last week who advised them that due to the number of objections lodged, the final determination would be made by the Independent Planning Commission.

The expansion of the existing facility is expected to produce 11 jobs and inject almost $74 million into the Central Coast economy over the next 20 years.