Martins Creek Quarry operator Daracon is surveying roads around the quarry as part of an environmental impact statement the company is preparing for the NSW Department of Planning.
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A member of the public posted a message on the Mercury’s website this week concerned about the recent activity of surveyors and line markers on Martins Creek Road.
There was concern that Daracon was preparing the road to permanently use as a freight route for trucks travelling to and from the quarry.
But a Daracon spokeswoman said yesterday that the capability of the road was being reviewed and a number of other technical reports were being compiled as part of the company’s report for the Department of Planning.
“We’ve offered to share the EIS subsection reports with the Martins Creek Quarry Community Consultative Committee as they are completed and the results of the current survey work will be part of that,” she said.
“Members of the public are welcome to contact Daracon with any inquiries regarding these activities or the application.”
Daracon wants to increase its output at the quarry from the existing 1991 limit of 300,000 tonnes per year to 1.5 million tonnes per year.
But Dungog Shire Council has opposed the plans.
Dungog council general manager Craig Deasey said he would not speculate about the contents of Daracon’s application to the Department of Planning.
“At the present moment, Martins Creek Road has a 12-tonne load limit, [and] the timber rail overpass bridge is the responsibility of the ARTC [Australian Rail Track Corporation], not council,” he said.
“It is a local road and has not been designed to accommodate significant heavy traffic movements.”
