A medium-sized stone quarry near Tylden is set to triple in size after a dramatic Macedon Ranges council decision, which included unusually emotional councillors, two objectors wearing dressing gowns and another storming out during the debate.
Quarry operator Fulton Hogan’s application to expand was approved with a raft of revised conditions after lengthy discussions, including claims that the council had brought the matter forward in an attempt to stymie opposition.
Chief executive Peter Johnston urged the gallery to remain respectful after one objector took aim at planners before leaving the chamber.
Another was warned by mayor Graham Hackett after twice interjecting, while Cr John Connor delivered an impassioned defence of the company and its role as a corporate citizen.
Cr John Letchford pointed out the quarry had been operating for 90 years.
‘‘All of a sudden there’s issues with dust?’’ he said.
Council officers had recommended that councillors endorse Fulton Hogan’s application to increase its footprint from eight to 28 hectares, and allow up to 500,000 tonnes of stone to be extracted per year.
An amended motion limiting extraction to 300,000 tonnes and restricting sales to between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, was eventually passed by a vote of 4-3.
Objectors from Forest Street, Woodend, donned dressing gowns and put on a brief play to demonstrate their concerns about the proposed early hours and fears about Woodend becoming a ‘‘mining town’’.
Others spoke of traffic problems and possible damage to roads caused by truck traffic.
Representatives of multi-million dollar thoroughbred farm Woodside Park, which overlooks the quarry, told councillors quarry dust would render much of their land useless.
‘‘Our business is already affected,’’ owner Mark Rowsthorn said. ‘‘Visibility is often poor, with dust blowing through the paddocks.
‘‘We can’t have young baby foals subjected to the kind of dust that will be emitted. It’s a matter of whether we can sell or move out.’’
A Fulton Hogan spokesman said the quarry’s dust suppression measures comply with strict requirements and were regularly inspected by the Environment Protection Authority.
‘‘To date, there’s been no complaints,’’ he said, adding the expansion was more about longevity than scale.
Cr Roger Jukes said he believed the amended motion was a ‘‘happy medium’’.
