Oxenford quarry expansion opposed by residents concerned by dust particles and blasting

Residents worried by dust from a Gold Coast quarry have been made an unusual offer by state authorities.

RESIDENTS concerned by dust pollution and fearing blasting could continue at an Oxenford Quarry for 28 years beyond a scheduled shutdown are being offered monitoring equipment by the Department of Environment and Science.

Worried residents fear for their health as rock blasting is potentially set to continue.

Signs near the site advise the public that the Nucrush Quarry at Oxenford will continue blasting until 2050, despite neighbours being told work was scheduled to stop on February 15, 2022.

The Oxenford quarry on the Gold Coast may continue works for the next 28 years. Photograph: David Chatfield.

GOLD COAST QUARRY EXPANSION: RESIDENTS BRIEFED ON PLANS BEFORE COUNCIL

Nucrush was given from 1992 until 2017 to complete quarry works, which was then extended for an additional five years.

According to a representative from the Residents Against the Oxenford Quarry Expansion, there was no official application process for extension, and that instead it happened via “delegated authority, passed by council authorities”.

Recently, concerned citizens met with Cr Donna Gates and Cr William Owen-Jones to discuss concerns about the expansion, but claim they were met with “deflections”.

Concerned resident Barb Monteath put questions regarding the new signage and objections by more than 500 locals.

“In a nutshell what they (the council) appeared to be saying is that it has to go to the state department to answer some of residents’ questions,” she said.

“We won’t know the outcome (of the proposed expansion) until mid year.

Trucks at the Oxenford quarry.

“If it goes in their favour and the 500-plus opposers want to take the matter further, (we need to) be prepared for a costly exercise.

“To get this matter in court we opposing residents would have to fund the court costs and lawyers ourselves as a group.”
Cr Owen-Jones said the application for expansion would be assessed “shortly” by council officers who were currently awaiting a response from the state.

“During this current assessment phase councillors are required to be careful to not show a bias,” he said.

“During the public notification period I delivered to almost a thousand houses two letters with details of the key areas of concern.

“I have followed up with a third letter, letterboxed to residents, confirming the current status.”

He said he was unable to be “honest and forthright” or state a personal view regarding the status of the proposal to expand the quarry but said he had read the submissions from locals.

Flyer for the Oxenford quarry application which proposes blasting works continue for almost another three decades.

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“There is a process that we have to follow, and we are right in the middle of that process. Not everyone likes, or wants to appreciate that is the case,” he said.

“Having said that, I fully intend to be able to represent the views of residents by being able to be in the room to make a decision when that time comes.”

An objection submission filed by resident Tony Potter specified the potential damages caused by the proposed haulage route, traffic impact on major road access, a lack of road safety analysis affecting Tamborine Oxenford Road, Gaven Arterial Road and Maudsland Road, the impact on school bus routes, residential areas and more.

Oxenford Quarry expansion plans.

“This route encompasses four health facilities, two community centres, a childcare centre, three outdoor play areas, four separate parklands, a vulnerable bridge, a fuel station, eight restaurants, a church, seven shops, 200 houses and has 16 regular buses and a further eight school buses,” said Mr Potter.

“All of the above is happening within the 100m sensitive corridor around the main haulage route used by approximately 290 large haulage trucks per day.”

The objection also detailed the vulnerability of the John Muntz Bridge, which had been closed three times in 10 years by floods and, according to the report, was compromised by the size and number of trucks hauling what equated to 825,000 tonnes last year.

Flooding on the Northern Gold Coast. Flooded roads block access to the quarry at Oxenford. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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“Fine dust particles released from quarries and associated vehicles from a quarry of this magnitude really need to be considered,” Mr Potter said.

In response to residents’ concerns, the Department of Environment and Science was developing a depositional dust monitoring program.

“As part of that, we are looking for appropriate and representative locations for monitoring,” said a spokesman.

The department wanted to hear from residents who would be willing to have a monitor placed at their home and could provide a secure location where the equipment would not be tampered with.

Residents could email [e-mail]