Council’s quarry lease plan raises trucking safety concerns

A growing number of locals are concerned about a possible increase in heavy truck usage due to Sunshine Coast Council’s intentions regarding the Dulong and Image Flat Quarries, according to a resident. 

Council is seeking Expressions of Interest to lease the quarry sites to a suitably qualified commercial operator. 

“At the end of the EOI process, Council has the option to either continue to operate the Image Flat and Dulong quarry sites or to lease the quarries to a commercial operator,” a Council spokesperson said.

However a statement from David Prior of Image Flat Road, on behalf of other concerned residents, raises safety concerns. 

“Sadly, Council has shown little concern for the public or the obvious safety issues over the years in this matter,” he said.

“There is no denying (this) will greatly increase the heavy truck usage on the main ‘residential’ roads between the two quarries.  This requires navigating the serious S bends down the range, passing small medical centres, a local shopping centre, a newly established child daycare centre, a disability rehabilitation centre, a roundabout with a public bus stop, and numerous school bus services.

“Should Council proceed with this course of action, they are taking a very big safety gamble at the public’s expense.”

Mr Prior said the effective usefulness of the quarries had all but passed.  This was evidenced by Council’s own assessment that they are no longer viable to operate.   

“However, Council has now embarked on a last-ditch attempt to gouge some final revenue from what has been a worthy enterprise and good servant to the community in the past, but now becomes a very real safety risk to the community it once served. Now is the time for Council to act creatively and find a way to close these tired old sites requiring them to take on responsibility and the challenges ahead in relation to the foregoing safety issues.”

Council’s Group Executive of Built Infrastructure Scott Taylor said he understood there was community apprehension regarding future quarrying activities in Dulong and Image Flat.

“Since January, Council has been listening to the concerns raised by the community and has facilitated the formation of a Quarry Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG). The SLG aims to connect community representatives and stakeholders to inform interested parties of the EOI process and any changes to quarry operations that may result from an EOI, if successful,” Mr Taylor said.

“Until current arrangements change, Sunshine Coast Council will continue quarrying at Image Flat Quarry and Dulong Quarry in order to provide access to high-grade materials that enable Council to deliver infrastructure to the region in a cost-effective manner.”

A council spokesperson said heavy vehicles did not require permission to access the local road network when complying with the general access vehicle conditions set by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator or existing regulatory signage. 

“This system ensures over-size or over-mass vehicles are not granted access to unsuitable routes where they may pose a risk to public safety or damage road infrastructure. Council is committed to road safety and advises that the Quarry team conduct safety discussions and inductions for all drivers to the quarry.”

The spokesperson said traffic investigations were underway on Sherwell and Image Flat Roads to gain greater insight into current vehicle volumes and speeds.  The quarries have been operational for about 50 years.  Council uses rock products for 2597km of sealed roads and 474km of unsealed roads.

Div 10 Cr David Law said his position had been clear from the outset.

“When this was considered by Council at the December 2022 Ordinary Meeting I voted against the decision to make an expression of interest to the private sector for the operations of the quarries.

“I have attended the public meetings with the local community to provide information and hear the concerns first-hand from them. I will continue to provide my full support to the community to ensure the best outcome and to support this. I chair the stakeholder liaison group for the local residents of the quarries to engage with the council executives leading the expression of interest process.”