... Most community members surveyed had no experience of previous quarry

ONE ASPECT of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) with which community members have taken issue is the community perception survey that was said to have been undertaken on February 17, in which 20 people were interviewed in an area spanning Golden Sunrise to Bengal Beach. According to the EIA, the respondents were employees of tourism enterprises who did not live in the area and were unaware of the previous quarry operation.

According to the EIA,“Many were new owners as only five (25 per cent) were living in the area at the time of operation of the previous quarry.”

Between 2001 and 2007, sections of Rio Bueno were mined by Argentine engineering and construction company Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles S.A. Approximately two million tonnes of limestone from the site was used for the construction of the Queens Highway leg of the North Coast Highway.

The EIA also pointed out that there would be serious occupational hazards for workers at the quarry, who would be exposed to high noise and dust levels during site-preparation activities, and that the potential for accidents on any construction site was high, given the use of heavy equipment and machinery.

In terms of air quality, the scientists said that there were no specific mass-based emission limits for quarry operations, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (Air Quality) Regulations, so “no direct comparison can be made with the emission rates for the proposed quarry operation at Bengal”.

It said that rock blasting was expected to occur, resulting in fragments of rock being propelled into the air by explosions on-site, which could create hazards if they are propelled into nearby residences.

“Fumes (toxic and non-toxic) are released into the atmosphere as a result of using explosives for blasting. Residences may be temporarily affected by dust and fumes within 100 metres. Deposited dust may affect local residents as cars, homes, or any surface may have visible deposition,” the document stated.

A standalone archaeological impact assessment has not been presented by the developers.