Residents in Lake Macquarie are voicing significant apprehension about a proposed expansion of the long-standing Teralba quarry, operated by concrete provider Metromix. The company's plan to extend its operations has sparked fears about increased dust, structural vibrations, and potential damage to heritage-listed properties in the surrounding area.
Revised Proposal Still Too Close for Comfort
Metromix initially sought to expand its extraction area by 43.7 hectares to the south and east of its current site, which would have brought the quarry's boundary to within 245 metres of homes on James and Myrtle Streets. Following community consultation, including a letterbox drop and a public meeting at Teralba Public School on September 26, the company revised its plan.
The new proposal reduces the expansion by 6.6 hectares, which would now place the quarry approximately 500 metres from the nearest property line. Despite this concession, locals remain deeply concerned.
Community Hopes for a Compromise
Adam Devcich, a spokesman for the Teralba residents, confirmed that between 40 and 50 people attended a subsequent meeting at Club Macquarie on Monday night. He emphasised that the community does not seek the quarry's closure but is advocating for a further downsizing of the project.
"The residents are very concerned," Mr Devcich stated. "A lot of that area is a heritage conservation area, so a lot of these homes are on piers, so there's concerns about that being affected." He suggested potential solutions, such as limiting the expansion to the south only, avoiding the eastern direction where vibration is more keenly felt.
Metromix's manager of quarries, Teralba Mo Yunusa, affirmed the company's commitment to collaboration. "After hearing their concerns, we went back and revised the proposed area... That was us listening to the community and doing what we can to try and find a happy medium," Mr Yunusa told the Newcastle Herald.
Economic Stakes and Next Steps
The quarry, operational since 1964 and under Metromix's ownership since 1986, is a critical local employer. The company warns that the current site only has reserves for another three and a half years. The expansion is pitched as essential to secure its operations for the next three decades, supporting local jobs and supplying concrete for major projects like the MI extension and the Billy's Lookout estate.
Mr Yunusa indicated that any further reduction in the expansion land would have a "significant impact" on the business. The proposal is classified as a state-significant development, requiring approval from the NSW government. Metromix is currently conducting assessments and aims to submit its Environmental Impact Statement to NSW Planning in February.
The company has stated it is not seeking to alter its existing conditions of consent, which restrict blasting to between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, and cap extraction at 1.2 million tonnes per year.
