By Corey Everitt
The council has declared no more mines until the bypass is complete in a scathing objection that expresses ‘strong dissatisfaction’ with the State Government’s proposed expansion of sand mining in Lang Lang.
This is the first address of the council regarding the proposed Strategic Extractive Resource Area (SERA), planned to rezone large sections of the small coastal town of Lang Lang to accommodate an expansion of sand mining.
The consultation period ended on 18 November which Cardinia Shire Council did not meet as this was during the caretaker period for the council elections.
The council said this choice of time was ‘concerning’ as no resident had a local representative to refer to on the matter.
Despite an extended deadline, this was not a ‘reasonable amount of time’ for the community.
The submission, adopted by councillors at the meeting on Monday 16 December, says the State Government extended a deadline for the council to 6 December which was achieved by the council but there was still not enough time for councillors to consider the submission.
Now formally adopted, the 50-page submission objects to the draft planning amendment ‘until all issues in this submission are properly addressed’ as ‘fundamental gaps’ exist in the proposed SERA.
The motion endorsed Mayor Kowarzik to write to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to express ‘strong dissatisfaction’ and demand the process cease until ‘appropriate due diligence’ is conducted in a renewed consultation.
The council summarises 29 requests, among them is the demand for the diversion of trucks from the centre of town with the Lang Lang Bypass.
The council calls for the bypass to be ‘constructed’ before any ‘new or expanded’ quarry is approved.
“We acknowledge the Government’s requirement for more local sand to deliver on your Big Build agenda, but that must not come at increased risk to our community,’’ Cardinia Shire CEO, Carol Jeffs said.
“The council must act to protect our community and if the Government’s amendment was to proceed in its current form there is no doubt that the increased number of quarry trucks – and particularly the B-double and B-triple trucks – using the Lang Lang town centre will increase the danger to residents, in particular young children and seniors, as well as the noise, dust and damage to roads.”
An average of 40 to 50 trucks drive through McDonald’s Track every hour, according to council analysis, that is a truck every 1.2 minutes. 20 to 30 trucks drive through Westernport Road every hour.
The bypass has been identified in planning provisions for ‘18 years’, the submission said, and will be a 2-3 year project split between two stages.
It also detailed how the council has been trying to leverage funding for the bypass from existing quarries where they have had to ‘aggressively negotiate’ with each operator where enforcing these permit conditions has been ‘difficult’ due to old, pre-Cardinia Shire permits and a ‘lack of support’ from VCAT.
The council does have existing funds for the bypass, the submission calls for the State Government to fund the rest of the total $40 million projected cost and to acquire the rest of the land still needed.
“We have been disappointed by the lack of response from the Government to date regarding the need for the truck bypass,” Mayor Kowarzik said.
“The State Government’s new proposal to expand the sand mine and add to truck traffic means the time to act is now.’’
The draft SERA proposal stipulates that any new or extended quarry that is more than 250 metres from sensitive land uses will be exempt from notice and review.
The council opposes this measure, requesting that the community and the council’s ability to review mining proposals be ensured.
The lack of a ‘necessary strategic justification’ within the draft for this measure is ‘particularly concerning’, the submission states.
The submission requests the specific overlay for mining west of South Gippsland/Bass Highway is ‘not applied’ due to its potential ecological impact on the internationally-recognised Western Port Bay, as well as the site being subject to inundation, future sea level rise and as a potential area for renewable energy.
This joins calls made from such groups as the Western Port Biosphere Foundation, the submission says ‘detailed investigations’ must be conducted and publicised on mining’s potential impacts.
Further environmental requests were made on limiting quarries within an Environmental Significant Overlay, including on an existing quarry. Further assessments are called for impacts on flora and fauna and biolinks.
The submission also reiterates concerns made by residents around potential impacts to groundwater.
Lang Lang District Business and Community Group (LLDBCG) President Peter Smith said the group ‘unequivocally’ supports the council in their call for the SERA to be re-exhibited and for holding the State Government accountable.
“This is one of very few times in the 144-year history of Lang Lang that its future has faced a major threat, and our State Government decides to remove a critical stakeholder from the full consultation process,” Smith said.
“The situation continues to create stress and heartache for many in the local Lang Lang and district population.
“We understand that council personnel have worked tirelessly to get the submission up at short notice and for that, the LLDBCG is sincerely grateful.”
Cr Paton moved an alternate motion to include two more recommendations which directed the council to seek answers from the Planning Minister regarding impacts on land values, future community infrastructure and the drift of mining dust, as well as the plans for rehabilitation post-mining and any mining royalties collected by the State Government.
This motion was carried by the council.
