Environmentalists dig in for Mornington Peninsula quarry battle
Plans for an enormous quarry adjacent to the pristine Arthurs Seat State Park have environmentalists up in arms. Here’s what’s being proposed for the popular landmark.
South East
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Environmentalists are digging in for a fight against plans for a huge quarry near the Arthurs Seat State Park, which they say will ruin the pristine bushland area.
The RE Ross Trust wants to reopen and expand the old Pioneer Quarry, clearing 38 ha of native vegetation, creating a 190m deep pit and extracting granite for up to 70 years.
Peninsula Preservation Group president Mark Fancett said the proposal was grossly inappropriate and the area was too precious to lose.
“It’s absolutely stunning and there’s waterfalls — it’s so hidden away,” he said.
“The enormity and duration of the proposal would be ruinous for Arthurs Seat — the iconic landmark of the peninsula.”
He said the Hillview Quarries pit, at Boundary Rd, Dromana, would be the size of Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens and dwarf the old quarry.
The project includes a crushing plant, product handling and stockpiles, internal roads and ancillary facilities.
Mr Fancett and others argue the quarry plan contradicts one of the Trust’s aims — support for environmental projects.
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Red Hill resident Michelle de la Coeur said destroying bushland to then donate money for the preservation of the environment “doesn’t make sense”.
Hillview’s website said the future of the Trust was in jeopardy due to diminishing rock reserves, but the project would enable them to operate well into this century.
“It will help meet growing demand for the materials we need to build the homes and roads our children will need,” it states.
“For nearly 50 years, the Trust has donated all of the profits it earns from quarrying to the Victorian community. Almost $110 million has been donated to children-at-risk, education, arts, culture and natural environment; some $10 million of this has been shared among community projects on the Peninsula.”
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning spokesman Michael Pollock said the plan would be considered under an Environmental Effects Statement expected to be available for public comment next year.
Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor David Gill said the council would not adopt a position until it considered the EES and related documents.
Hillview chief executive Paul Nitas did not respond to requests for comment before deadline.