Boundary Road Quarry - Environment Effect Statement

Hillview Quarries Pty Ltd proposes to extend a granite quarry that ceased operation in 1998. The proposal, if approved, is to expand the former pit within 121 Boundary Road into 115 Boundary Road, Dromana to support a quarry operation for approximately 70 years.

The project would also include a crushing plant, product handling and stockpiles, internal roads and ancillary facilities. Access is proposed to be via Boundary Road.

The Minister for Planning determined in May 2018 that the quarry will be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement (EES) process to be managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), given that the proposed project could have a range of significant effects on:

  • native vegetation and associated biodiversity values, including listed threatened species and communities; existing landscape values, amenity and land uses of the project area and those associated with the Arthurs Seat State Park;
  • groundwater and surface water and protected beneficial uses; and
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage values.

The project was also referred to the Australian Government under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It was determined in July 2018 that the project is a ‘controlled action’ requiring assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.

The EES process is accredited to assess impacts on matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act through the Bilateral (Assessment) Agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Victoria. The EES for the project will be undertaken in accordance with the bilateral agreement; there will be no separate assessment by the Commonwealth.

Council's role

The Shire is actively participating in a Technical Reference Group (TRG) which is chaired by DELWP. Through the TRG process, the Shire is providing feedback to the proponent and DELWP during the preparation of the EES.

Council has not yet formed a formal position on the proposal. Council acknowledges concerns raised by our community regarding the proposal and will raise issues brought to our attention at the appropriate time on the public’s behalf. Council will provide its position and raise community concerns through a formal submission when the Environment Effects Statement and associated technical studies are exhibited.

Importantly, the Shire Council does not have any decision-making powers with respect to this project. The decision on whether to approve the project rests entirely with the State and Federal Governments.

For more information about the EES process visit: planning.vic.gov.au/environmental-assessment

More information

Boundary Road Quarry project:

Telephone: 1300 407 690 or boundaryroad.com.au

Boundary Road Quarry EES:

Environment Assessment Unit, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)

Telephone: (03) 8392 5458 or (03) 8683 0958

planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/browse-projects/projects/boundary-road-quarry/overview

Statement from the Ross Trust and Hillview Quarries

10 December 2021

The Ross Trust and Hillview Quarries released a statement on 10 December 2021 announcing that:

“Today, we are announcing our intention to explore a rehabilitation option for the Boundary Road Quarry site as part of our ongoing EES and consistent with the prescriptive rehabilitation requirements mandated by the Victorian Government.

We are also announcing that we will no longer seek to re-establish a fully operational quarry for the site.

An EES is the established evidence-based Victorian Government process. The Ross Trust and Hillview Quarries remain committed to pursuing the EES with the specific purpose of finding the right and compliant rehabilitation plan to enable the best possible future use of this site. This is a legal requirement.

It means that as part of the EES process we can continue to work alongside the community, our stakeholders, and the state to explore a rehabilitation plan that will ensure the future uses of the site and the area for generations to come”.

You can read the full statement here.

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