The EPA has recommended that the Minister for Environment not approve Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd’s proposed expansion of their Red Hill Quarry.
EPA Chairman Paul Vogel said that the proposal cannot meet the EPA’s environmental objectives.
‘Implementation of the proposal would lead to the destruction of six Aboriginal heritage sites that are of high significance to the Nyungah people of the Perth region,’ Dr Vogel said.
‘This would not meet the EPA’s objective to ensure that changes to the biophysical environment do not adversely affect historical and cultural associations,’ he said.
‘Another impediment to recommending approval is that visual impacts cannot be reduced sufficiently for this proposal.
‘Also, the EPA’s objective for landscape and landforms, to maintain their integrity, ecological functions and environmental values, cannot be met.
‘Finally, the impact to faunal assemblages and the loss of connectivity between habitats and the adjoining conservation reserves, especially in the western section of the proposal site, does not meet EPA objectives.’
The proponent has not fully implemented an existing approval for the Red Hill quarry and there is still opportunity to expand the quarry in an easterly direction in accordance with that approval.
As the EPA has recommended against approval Report 1381 does not include draft conditions. If the Minister, after considering appeals, makes a decision to allow the proposal to be implemented, the EPA recommends that the Minister consult the EPA as to the conditions and procedures to which the proposal should be subject.
EPA Report 1381 is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au. There is a two week public appeal period on the Report’s contents closing 14 February, 2011.
EPA Media contact: Charlie Maling, 6467 5415, 0400 866 450
