Gravel quarry green light a step closer

The City of Albany is set to conditionally approve a proposal to construct a gravel quarry in King River at a development and infrastructure services committee meeting tomorrow tonight.

The proposal, located on Bon Accord Road, has received 91 public submissions, with 89 objecting or raising concerns.

The officer recommendation includes 31 conditions that are aimed at alleviating public concerns, but if approved by the committee, it will still need to be passed at this month’s ordinary council meeting.

“Staff recommend that council approve the proposed development, subject to conditions, which are considered to mitigate the concerns raised through the public advertising process,” the officer report states.

Conditions relate to a range of issues including Aboriginal heritage, health regulations and vehicle access among others.

“The Aboriginal Heritage Directorate of the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage advise developers to undertake due diligence using the Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Guidelines to assess the risk of the proposal in regards to Aboriginal heritage,” the report states.

“No blasting of material is permitted as part of extraction operations, unless a separate written approval has been obtained from the City of Albany.

“Development is required to comply with all relevant health regulations. In particular, regards should be paid to dust management and noise regulations.

“No direct access to or from the site by heavy vehicles associated with the extractive operation is permitted via Bon Accord Road.”

Meanwhile, the council is set refuse a proposal for the development of a lime pit in Nullaki.

The application aims to extract 20,000 tonnes of lime a year, with scope to increase to 50,000 tonnes in the future.

The officer report indicates the proposal does not comply with local planning schemes.

“While the proposal is broadly compliant with the City of Albany Extractive Industries and Mining Local Planning Policy, it is considered that the proposal is not consistent with the objectives and provisions of conservation zone CZ1, as contained within Local Planning Scheme No.1,” the report stated.