Tarcutta neighbours fight against quarry plans

The quarry is to extract 50,000 cubic metres of gravel from a Mates Gully Road property to form road base and building pads at two other businesses operated by the applicants, the owners of recycling company Carbon Mate. 

MJM Consulting Engineers town planner Stephanie Anderson spoke on behalf of the applicants at Monday night’s council meeting, stating both specified sites at Gregadoo and Bomen were accessible from the subject site.

But Doug Clarke, whose house is just 1.2km from where the quarry is proposed, fears his property, Waroona, will be contaminated by run-off. 

Mr Clarke is infuriated at making several formal objections to council, which he feels have not been adequately addressed in a revised report. 

He pointed to the issue of dust as an example. The initial report indicated the two kilometre track would be watered using one tank, but a second report detailed it would be watered using the 22 dams on Deloraine, licensed for stock and domestic use.

Mr Clarke said biosolids dumped at the site by the owners was an ongoing issue and rejected Cr Greg Conkey’s view that biosolids were not a council matter. 

“It stinks like hell, especially at night,” Mr Clarke said. 

“If Wagga council thinks this is not their responsibility, they haven’t heard of the chain of responsibility.”

Mr Clarke added dust on feed posed a problem to grazing cattle.

Claudette Woodhouse, who has two properties that will be affected by the proposed quarry, fears the development would further erode nearby creeks and gullies.

“It’s a very difficult situation,” she said. 

“We usually live and let live, but they (haven’t done that).”

Mrs Woodhouse added the native water rat could disappear if water is contaminated.

Cr Paul Funnell was one of three councillors to vote against the proposal on Monday night.

“It’s a case of ensuring the correct procedures are put in place and adhered to,” he said.

“Once it is done, you can’t reverse it. I want to make sure there’s absolutely no ambiguity before it goes ahead.”

Cr Garry Hiscock said it was a “very strong report and was made to protect the interest of people who live out there” before the matter was carried. A final decision will be made in a fortnight.