Ratepayers ignored by Shire and The Government over sand extraction

 We expect questions to be asked in the Victorian Parliament about reasons for the public being ignored by Bass Coast Council and the State Government over impacts of sand extraction operations, despite clear consultation requirements set out in the Regional Sand Extraction Strategy, Lang Lang to Grantville

Shire planning officers have not enforced permit provisions on a sand extraction site being prepared in Stanley Road, Grantville. Bulldozer cuts removing native vegetation have been made right down into the Bass River, creating potential erosion and pollution problems particularly for platypus and blackfish. Council officers are aware of the importance of the vegetation on the site, part of an identified wildlife corridor and which forms part of the only remaining riparian forest on the Bass River.


Continuous site clearing at all hours is causing noise pollution for residents and has displaced native wildlife including wombats, koalas and Lace Monitors. The sand extraction operators and the Department of Minerals and Energy have set up a Grantville Quarries Reference Group, but all details of meetings are kept secret and no minutes are distributed despite a requirement for an Environment Review Committee to engage with the local community.

As one company has demonstrated no intention to comply with its permit conditions, its permit should be withdrawn and a new application made. We have asked for the situation to be reviewed.


Comments

  1. freerangerDecember 15, 2023 at 11:35 PM

    It's outrageous that permit conditions have not been enforced and that the Regional Sand Extraction Strategy has been dumped by Council.

    ReplyDelete

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