Quarry requests more time to respond to government queries
CALLS for community submissions into the proposed Glasshouse quarry expansion will be delayed until the new year.
Hanson successfully applied for an extension to respond to state and local government queries triggered by their application to increase rock extraction rates at its Glasshouse quarry.
Initially lodged in July, the development application seeks a material change of use that proposes to double current extraction rates to 1.2 million tonnes annually.
The application has prompted some debate within the community over matters including potential truck movements and the impact on local roads.
Hanson has now been granted until March 8, 2024 to respond to Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
The extension will also push out the community submission process, allowing local residents and groups more time to galvanise considered responses to the proposal.
Save our Glasshouse Mountains (SOGM) spokesperson Megan Standring said she was pleased to learn of the extension, adding she felt this indicated Hanson were taking the community impact seriously.
“I don’t think Hanson were aware of the impact on our community,” she said.
“And with the indisputable reaction of the local community and the far reaching community, saying no to mining, I think Hanson underestimated the power of the people.”
A council spokesperson said that while they were unable to confirm an exact time frame for the public notification process, the process would only commence once the information and referral stage ends.
“The timing will depend on when Council receives the information response from the applicant,” the spokesperson said.
“When the notification process commences, the applicant will be required to place a public notice on the property, notify adjoining land owners and place a notice in a newspaper generally circulating in the locality (either on-line or hard copy) for a period of 15 business days.”
When contacted by GC&M News, a Hanson spokesperson confirmed technical experts engaged by the company required more time to complete their work and encouraged members of the community to speak directly with the company via email or website.
“We are pleased the Council and the State Government agreed to our request for more time,” the spokesperson said.
“We look forward to providing the response to the information requests in the New Year.” Details can be viewed on Council’s Development.i website: Reference: MCU23/0197.
