THE Moree Plains Shire Council has approved a development application for the establishment of a quarry for the supply of gravel and sand to a number of local construction projects and the applicant’s concrete and aggregate business.
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Johnstone’s Concrete and Quarries started operations for the Moree Bypass project, independent of the DA process, as permitted under Section 94 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 which provides exemptions for public infrastructure works.
Council’s director of planning and development, Lester Rodgers, said the DA was subject to a comprehensive peer review which gave consideration to all relevant legislation and key issues including traffic, noise and dust impacts.
The council also considered a number of written submissions from the residents of adjoining and affected properties and provided recommendations to address issues of noise with purpose-built acoustic mounds, limiting truck movements to ensure minimal pavement damage to roads, and restricting hours of extraction to prevent impacts on local amenities.
In considering the application, the council was conscious that gravel is a restricted resource and in short supply within the shire, and transporting gravel from outside the shire adds additional costs to local construction.
This approval is for local development and is independent of the Moree Bypass works being carried out on behalf of the Roads and Maritime Services under the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs).