Glasshouse Quarry expansion could see an average of 1560 trucks on the road per week
By Sonia Isaacs
OPPONENTS of the Glasshouse Quarry expansion staged a peaceful protest outside the Sunshine Coast Council Chambers last Thursday, March 27, as councillors met for an ordinary meeting.
The advocacy group Save Our Glasshouse Mountains (SOGHM) organised the demonstration, drawing about 20 people. Spokesperson Megan Standring said the group aimed to maintain a visible presence at every council meeting until a decision was made on the development application. “The community of Glass House Mountains and the Sunshine Coast have been defending this area since 1989,” Ms Standring said. “We are here for the thousands who have said no to this quarry and to make sure all councillors understand what is happening in the Glasshouse area.”
Residents fear an increase in heavy truck traffic will worsen congestion, damage roads faster, and increase risks to pedestrians and cyclists.
At full capacity, the expansion could generate an average of 312 truck movements per weekday.
“Quarry operations and truck movements fluctuate based on customer demand to accommodate key and local projects,” a Heidelberg spokesperson said.
“For the full 1,200,000 tonnes per annum scenario, 156 truckloads would result in 312 truck movements—156 in and 156 out.”
The spokesperson noted that the 156 truckloads scenario assumes an average load of 28 tonnes, with truck loads ranging up to 40 tonnes.
Heidelberg defended the proposal, citing an independent Traffic and Pavement Impact Assessment by a Registered Professional Engineer, which found no significant increase in crash density or accident seriousness along the transport route.
“The assessment examined road efficiency, safety, and pavement impacts,” the spokesperson said.
“It recommended voluntary safety and amenity improvements that would benefit all road users and concluded that the expansion is unlikely to increase crash frequency or severity.”
The quarry supplies materials to council, builders, landscapers, and homeowners.
Heidelberg proposed an infrastructure agreement with Council, offering $5 million in upgrades to six intersections and 1.6km of the transport route.
“This is in addition to the existing and proposed pavement maintenance contributions Heidelberg has made,” the spokesperson said.
Regarding concerns over blasting, Heidelberg cited an expert report by Dr John Heilig of Heilig & Partners, which concluded quarry operations would not compromise Mt Coonowrin’s structural integrity.
“Vibration data from monitoring locations have been analysed,” the spokesperson said. “The results show vibration levels remain below the critical threshold.”
“Compliance with these critical vibration levels at Mount Coonowrin will ensure the effects of quarrying are negligible and without impact. In addition to these models, visual inspections comparing the Mount Coonowrin exposed surfaces over a period of ten years has also confirmed no changes that could be distinguished from the effects that might occur naturally.”
The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation assessed the report and issued an Environmental Authority, stating continued quarry operations would not impact the mountain’s geotechnical stability.