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Media Release - Ministers Office Sydney: 27 April 2005 KNOWLES REFUSES SAND MINING PROPOSAL FOR KURNELL PENINSULA The Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Craig Knowles, today refused Rocla Pty Limited’s development application for a sand extraction proposal at Kurnell, citing concerns over the environment and public interest.
The proposal, which was a State significant development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, involved the extraction of approximately 4.5 million tonnes of sand and the production of sand products.
Mr Knowles said that the Kurnell Peninsula is a unique area with wetlands of international importance and national heritage significance.
“In such an ecologically important and sensitive area, it is vital that any activity is compatible with the environment and the expectations of the community,” Mr Knowles said.
Mr Knowles said the proposal is inconsistent with the aims and objectives of the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 17 – Kurnell Peninusula (SREP 17) which are to “conserve the natural environment of the Kurnell Peninsula and ensure that development is managed having regard to the environmental, cultural and economic significance of the area to the nation, State, region and locality.”
“I have received advice from the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR), that the proposal would have adverse impacts on the Peninsula.
“It would destroy a groundwater aquifer, remove one of the last remaining sand dunes on the Peninsula and pose an unacceptable risk to the ecosystems of the nearby Towra Point Nature Reserve,” Mr Knowles said.
During the public exhibition period, there was overwhelming opposition to the proposal. DIPNR received a total of 58 submissions from local government, community groups, landowners and the general public, all of which opposed the proposal.
“This also included a petition with over 8,600 signatures presented by Member for Miranda, Barry Collier,” said Mr Knowles.
“This decision reflects the strong community feeling against the proposal and is consistent with the Government’s commitment to phase out sand mining on the Kurnell Peninsula.
“I am satisfied that there are suitable alternatives to meet the demand for construction sand in Sydney in the short, medium and long term.”
DIPNR is currently preparing the Sydney Construction Materials Strategy, in consultation with relevant Government agencies, industry and community representatives, which will identify the most likely sources of construction sand to supply the Greater Sydney Region in the short to long-term.
“Completion of this Strategy will also allow the construction sand industry to develop existing and new sand resources with more direction and certainty,” said Mr Knowles.
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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