The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has recommended that a quarry in state’s southwest be approved with conditions.
The state’s EPA recommended GM Giacci’s proposal for a limestone quarry from land at Binningup Road subject to conditions that restrict operating hours, noise and dust emissions, and impacts to visual amenity.
“The EPA has recommended conditions which should ensure the proposal is complete by the time of potential development west of the proposal area and has proposed conditions to minimise impacts to any sensitive receptor to within health standards,” EPA chair Professor Matthew Tonts said.
“In addition, a condition which requires real-time dust monitoring and a management plan has also been recommended.”
Professor Tonts said the EPA had asked the quarry proponent consider impacts to future residential developments in the region as well as a human health risk assessment of the dust.
The proposed limestone quarry would be located 640 metres south-east of the Binningup township and 25km north of Bunbury.
It is the latest stage of a long-running environmental impact assessment process which began three years ago.
Conditions included in the EPA’s report and recommendations to the Minister for Environment, include limiting work at the 26ha site to 7am-6pm Monday to Friday and 7am-12pm Saturdays. The proponent would also be required to ensure no more than 4ha was being actively excavated at any one time.
Prof Tonts said the independent EPA had assessed air quality and social surroundings as key environmental factors, however potential impacts to flora and vegetation, inland waters, terrestrial fauna, and greenhouse gas emissions were also considered.
The EPA’s report to the WA Environment Minister is now open for a three-week public appeal period, closing March 28, 2024. The Environment Minister will make the final decision on the proposal.
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