151 objections to Bobs Farm Sand Quarry – What happens next?

Thanks to an extraordinary community response, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure received 151 objections to the proposed Bobs Farm Sand Quarry — Newcastle Sand's application to extract up to 530,000 tonnes of sand a year for 10 years at 3631 Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm.

Every submission mattered. Whether you lodged a detailed technical objection or simply explained your personal concerns, you have helped ensure that community views on traffic, safety, environmental impacts and local amenity are formally considered during the assessment.

What happens next? The applicant must now review submissions received from the community, government agencies and other stakeholders and prepare a Response to Submissions report addressing the issues raised during the exhibition period.

There is no fixed timeframe for this stage. Depending on the issues raised and whether further studies or investigations are required, the process can take many months.

The numbers matter for more than the record. Where a State significant development application attracts 50 or more unique public objections, it is determined by the independent Planning Commission rather than under departmental delegation. On the number of objections reported, this proposal is well past the ‘50’ threshold. The Commission's process ordinarily includes a public meeting at which residents can speak, so there is likely to be a further opportunity to be heard.

STCA will continue to monitor the application and let the community know when there are significant developments.

More information: see STCA’s Facebook post here