The vote to renew a development approval for an existing limestone quarry in Herron has been postponed after Mandurah councillors were torn over the controversial decision.
Council deferred the matter to seek further briefing, with several councillors commenting on the weight of the decision and the possibly it would affect the next generation living in the area.
If approved, the proposed quarry would operate six days a week between 7am and 5pm, for the next two decades.
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Operating since 1981, the Old Coast Road quarry continued to operate intermittently until June 2004.
During this period of operation, historical documents have suggested no planning approval was granted.
In 2006, applicant PMR Quarries Pty Ltd, trading as WA Limestone, logged a formal application to extract 60,000 cubic metres of limestone annually and process the material onsite for a 20 year period.
Concerns over environmental impacts, inconsistency with the intent and objectives of the Rural and Rural Residential zones, and the potential adverse effect to surrounding residents through noise, dust and vibrations led councillors to refuse the proposal in June 2006.
At the time, the proposal received 74 submissions opposing the quarry.
The application was brought to council a second time in 2008, which was refused again.
Following the refusal, the applicant sought a review of the decision to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT).
The SAT granted conditional approval for the proposed development in June 2010.
Approval was issued for an eight year period in the form of two consecutive four-year terms.
The City of Mandurah conducted a review of the operation after the first four years, which uncovered a satisfactory result and allowed the consecutive term to commence.
The approval expired in June 2018.
In a report presented to elected representatives at their November 13 meeting, the City of Mandurah’s sustainable communities officers recommended they grant approval for the continuation of the quarry.
Officers recommended the 20 year period be broken down into four consecutive five year periods, on the basis that a full review of compliance of conditions was undertaken every five years.
After some debate over the future of the development, mayor Rhys Williams suggested his fellow councillors adjourn the agenda item to their next sitting to provide an opportunity to receive further information on the topic.
Mr Williams suggested the postponement because the development was in a “highly sensitive area” and there were “some shades of grey” that he wanted to seek clarity over.
North Ward councillor Peter Jackson agreed with the mayor’s idea to receive further briefing on the matter.
“I wouldn’t want a quarry in my backyard. Twenty years seems like a really long time to commit to something,” Mr Jackson said.
Deputy mayor Caroline Knight also highlighted complications with the proposal and council’s upcoming decision.
“It’s going to be a hard decision, whether we make it now or in two weeks,” she said.
Mandurah council’s next official meeting will be held on November 27.
Follow Caitlyn Rintoul on Twitter via @caitlynrintoul.
