BMI Group denies TC Alfred Mount Gravatt quarry pollution claims

A homegrown billionaire’s quarry company has denied claims huge erosion during Sunday’s deluge caused contamination in a Brisbane koala hotspot.

The owners of a southern Brisbane quarry badly damaged in Sunday’s overnight deluge have denied residents’ claims that contaminated soil and water was released into one of the city’s best koala habitats.

A huge hole appeared in the earth wall of the BMI Group facility at Mt Gravatt, causing several tree falls, and Pine Mountain Rd near the Whites Hill Nature Reserve was closed.

The reserve has one of Brisbane’s most vibrant koala populations, as well as being home to wallabies and other native animals.

But BMI, owned by homegrown property and resource recovery billionaire Balfour Irvine, scotched claims of contamination and denied the incident amounted to a quarry collapse.

“As a direct result of Cyclone Alfred, our site at Pine Mountain Rd received in excess of 400mm of rain in a relatively short period,’’ BMI chief executive David Evans said.

“We were advised on Monday by a neighbour that an overtopping of our stormwater containment pond had occurred and the flows associated with that overtopping have caused erosion in that area.

Flood erosion at the Mt Gravatt quarry.

“The quarry wall has not collapsed, but a part of it has been eroded by the water flow.

“Water within the pond is regularly tested and in the most recent test the parameters tested were within safe release limits.

“It is not contaminated as is being suggested in social media.

“No waste is accepted and only clean earthen fill is placed within the void to remediate the site.’’

Mr Evans said senior management immediately contacted Brisbane City Council after becoming aware of the incident to discuss cleaning up a concrete-lined drain and adjacent Salvin Creek.

“Given the high moisture conditions it may be a few days before we can safely get into the area to commence the clean up, removal of excess sediment and subsequent remediation of that part of the stormwater containment pond wall,’’ Mr Evans said.

“BMI will work with Brisbane City Council and the Department of Environment Tourism, Science and Innovation to achieve a best-practice outcome in the most expedient manner.’’

The company began draining and treating acidic, contaminated water at the site almost a decade ago after problems with thrillseekers illegally swimming there.

Since then it has been partially filled with soil and rocks.

In 2008, BMI received council approval for residential infill development of about half of the 38ha site, which was put on the market five years ago via agents Ray White.

Pine Mountain Rd Quarry produced hard rock from 1964 to 1991 under the operation of Boral before being sold to BMI Group in 2013.

Originally published as BMI Group denies TC Alfred Mount Gravatt quarry pollution claims