Quarry bid alarm for new resort
THE Department of State Growth and the owner of a quarry of “state and regional significance” have both expressed fears a proposed ecotourism precinct would be right in the firing line of blasted rock.
Thai developer Aran Development Pty Ltd plans to build a three-precinct ecotourism resort on a 103ha block at 18 Downhams Rd, Risdon Vale, featuring a “high-end” hotel of up to 150 beds, 49 two and three-bedroom cabins, 100-seat cafe, recreation centre and “landscape” vineyard.
The development requires the creation of a specific area plan (SAP) under the Clarence Council planning scheme, the final version of which is before the Tasmanian Planning Commission for consideration.
The SAP in its current form has been opposed by both State Growth and Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd, owners of the Flagstaff Gully dolerite quarry at Lindisfarne, which say they are concerned about the situation of the hotel, especially amid fears it would constrict the quarry’s operations.
In its submission to council, State Growth said the 50ha quarry, which is awaiting EPA approval to expand its annual output from 262,500 cubic metres to 375,000 cubic metres is a “strategic resource with a life span beyond 100 years”.
“At its closest point, Precinct C of the subject site and the mining lease have a separation of approximately 820m,” the submission said.
“Blasting is required to extract the dolerite. The quarry’s mining direction is progressing westwards above the historic pit. As such, blast direction has the potential to detonate towards the subject site. Based on the development indicated on the masterplan, the hotel would be closest to the quarry operations, and most likely to be impacted by blasting.”
State Growth, which also expressed concerns about the proximity of the development to a private timber reserve at 429 Flagstaff Gully Rd, proposed an amendment that 5ha in the southern portion of Aran’s masterplan be restricted from sensitive uses such as visitor accommodation.
State Growth’s submission was supported by Hanson, which expressed concern in its submission the “amenity expectations of the future eco-development operators has the potential to compromise the sustainability of the quarry”. But council declined to make changes in response to the submissions before finalising the SAP for consideration by the commission, noting they had either been addressed by existing regulations or could be addressed at a later date.