Trial over Hanson Glass House Mountains quarry now underway in Brisbane P&E court
By Sonia Isaacs
SUNSHINE Coast community group Save Our Glass House Mountains (SOGHM) says the community is closely watching as the Hanson quarry appeal proceeds in Brisbane’s Planning and Environment Court after the matter was listed for trial.
The hearing, which began on May 11, concerns Hanson’s proposal to expand quarry operations at its site near the Glass House Mountains.
The matter is being heard before Justice Kefford and is expected to run for two weeks as expert and community evidence is heard by the court.
SOGHM spokesperson Burnice Starkey, who attended the second and third days of the trial last week, said the court was currently working through evidentiary and administrative matters that would help frame the arguments to come.
Large volumes of written material from all parties have been formally tendered and allocated evidence numbers, with trolleys of documents wheeled into court.
SOGHM is being represented on a pro bono basis by McInnes Wilson Lawyers, who only recently became involved in the matter last month.
Several lay witness statements from local residents and community members opposing the quarry proposal have also been tendered before the court.
Ms Starkey said the statements reflected issues previously raised in the Sunshine Coast Council’s deemed refusal of the development application, including concerns about noise, vibration, blasting, dust, groundwater and environmental impacts in the Glass House Mountains area.
“These concerns are not new, but it is important that they are now properly part of the court record,” Ms Starkey said.
Hanson has also lodged expert reports supporting the proposal, arguing the quarry could operate within acceptable environmental and amenity limits while supplying construction materials and economic benefits to the region.
Contacted for comment, a Hanson spokesperson said the development application was currently subject to court proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.
sonia@gcnews.com.au