Don Burke Interviews John Graham 19/07/09
John was interviewed by Don Burke on his 2UE radio program early on  Sunday morning the 19th of July 2009.  Don & John talk about PFFormation Sand....the greatest sand in Sydney!

To listen to the interview click here. 
 

Recent Development Approved:

Hitchcock Road Sand Extraction Development
On 3rd February 2009 the Department of Planning approved this major project application.  The area between Hitchcock Road, Old Northern Road and Wisemans Ferry Road Maroota is now approved for sand extraction over the next 20 years.  There is no increase in operating hours or truck movements.

The conditions of approval include requirements to:

• Restrict the period of extraction to 20 years;

• Limit the depth of extraction to 2 metres above the wet weather high groundwater level;

• Limit the extraction of processed material to 400,000 tonnes per year;

• Limit the number of laden vehicles using the Wisemans Ferry Road access to 200 per day;

• Limit the number of laden trucks that may bring VENM to the site for processing to 20 per day;

• Prepare and implement Monitoring Programs for Noise and Air Quality to evaluate critical parameters and demonstrate compliance;

• Prepare and implement a comprehensive Water Management Plan for the project to monitor and manage surface and groundwater impacts.  The components of the Plan include:
       *  A site water balance
       *  Erosion and sediment control measures; and
       *  Groundwater monitoring

• Prepare and implement a Rehabilitation and Offset Management Plan to specify details of the site closure and rehabilitation works

• Maintain specified setbacks between the extraction area and adjoining land; and

• Prepare an environmental management strategy, submit annual reports and conduct environmental audits in accordance with standard practices.

Click here for a copy of the conditions of the project.

Click here to access the Department of Planning's website and the information related to this approval

Copies of the approved environmental strategy and reports as well as a summary of all monitoring results are now available.   Click on the following reports for copies.

Final Strategy Document

Final Air Quality Document

Final Noise Document V4

Final Water Document

Annual Environmental Management Report 2008-2009

Lot 1 DP 35538 Old Northern Road, Maroota
PF Formation lodged an extractive industries Development Application and EIS with Baulkham Hills Shire Council in June 2008 to complete the extraction on this property (Accurso's).  This is a small development of 42,000 tonnes and extraction would be completed within a 2 year time frame.  The screened material would be transferred to our main processing area in Lot 198 without using public roads so there will be no increase in road usage as a result of this development.

Click here for a copy of the EIS.

Baulkham Hill Shire Council's approved this development in June 2009.

Click here for a copy of the Conditions of Approval.

Proposed Developments:

Part Lot 2 DP 510812 and Part Lot 3 DP 567166, Old Northern Road, Maroota
PF Formation has commenced the process of obtaining development consent for an extension of the existing extraction area Old Northern Road, Maroota through Hornsby Shire Council.  The development Application was lodged in May 2009.

Click here for a copy of the Map of Extraction Area or Staging Plan.

PF Formation proposes to extract approximately 3.5 million tonnes of sand to RL 177 metres from approximately 11.8 metres in the above two lots in two stages over 20 years.  As per the existing development consent condition for sand extraction at part Lot 3 DP 567166, no more than an average of 35 truck loads would be removed from the extraction areas per day (averaged over one month).  Therefore, this quarry extension will not lead to an increase in approved daily truck movements.

PF Formation would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this development with any Maroota resident and consider any concerns we may be able to address in the approval process.  Please call either Peter Cummins or John Graham on 4566 8257 to discuss this matter by telephone or email us at peter@pfformation.com.au to arrange a suitable time for a meeting.

Click here for a link to Hornsby Shire Council website to see the status of the approval process and a copy of all reports including the EIS.  You will need to agree to the conditions and our approval number is DA578.

Community Liaison & Review Meetings
PF Formation has regular meetings to liaise and review it's operations with Councils, community representation and other government authorities.  The current community representatives are Marianne Scheumack, Shaunagh Hitchcock and Liz McAuley

If community have any concerns, please contact John Graham or Peter Cummins to discuss it with us.  If they are unwilling to raise them directly with  PF Formation they could advise their community representatives so they can raise them at these meetings.  The meetings are held bi-annually in May and November.  Copies of the minutes are detailed below. 

May 2009 Minutes

Nov 2009 Minutes

Major Tree Planting
Greening Australia have been seed collecting from PF Formation's site for several years.  10,000 seedlings were planted in Spring/Summer 2006.

The rehabilitated area is being closely monitored and our planting has progressed.

       2004 rehablilitated area                                   2006 rehabilitated area