The Environment Protection Authority says a quarry expansion can be managed in sustainable way

The state’s environmental watchdog has given the green light for a Northern Midlands quarry to significantly increase its mining capability. SEE WHAT IT MEANS >>

• Rethink aquaculture so all Tasmanians can thrive
• Minister dodges committee probe after parliamentary ‘lie’

THE state’s environmental watchdog has given the green light for a Northern Midlands quarry to significantly increase its mining capability.

The Environment Protection Authority this week concluded an assessment of a proposal by DN Hughes for the intensification and expansion of the Western Junction Quarry in the Northern Midlands council area.

The proposal by DN Hughes is to increase extraction and processing rates at the existing Level 2 quarry to 312,500 cubic metres per year, and to gradually move extraction into a new area on the southern side of the existing operation.

The development would need council approval for it to go ahead.

Plans for Western Junction Quarry expansion

EPA Board Chair Warren Jones said the Board deemed the development could be managed in an environmentally sustainable and acceptable manner.

“Various environmental issues were considered by the Board in its assessment, particularly noise emissions, blasting impacts and air emissions,” Mr Jones said.

“The EPA requires that a noise survey be conducted once operations commence in the new pit to confirm the noise assessment predictions.

“In addition, a suite of conditions are imposed relating to blasting to ensure that Launceston Airport and other sensitive receptors are notified of blasting, and that appropriate blast design and monitoring occurs.”

The proposal was referred to the Board in April 2019, and public consultation was open for a 28 day period from May last year.

Four representations were received in relation to the permit application. The environmental issues raised in the representations were aviation safety, dust emissions and protection of wastewater treatment infrastructure.