Two NSW government departments are in opposition over the rehabilitation plans for the Bell Quarry.
The development application before Lithgow council is a plan to rehabilitate the old quarry off Sandham Road in Newnes Junction by trucking in tonnes of waste from Sydney. The D/A is open for submissions until March 20.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) supports the application, while the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) - much to the residents' action group's relief - is against the proposal.
Both are preparing formal submissions with all the documents expected to be made public during the planning assessment phase of the project.
A senior officer from the Office of Environment and Heritage said approximately 0.4 hectares of the proposed D/A to rehabilitate the defunct Bell Quarry encroaches into the Blue Mountains National Park and as a result, the Office of Environment and Heritage (NPWS) was approached for comment on the submission.
"OEH’s submission indicated in principle support for rehabilitation of areas of the national park that have been impacted by the quarry’s past operations, and the restoration of a stable landform but subject to strict conditions to ensure the natural values of the adjoining park and world heritage area are maintained and enhanced," the senior officer said.
"This included a number of recommendations around the proposed works and ongoing management and monitoring of weeds, pathogens, surface and ground water run-off and fencing that OEH consider important conditions of consent should council and the Western Joint Regional Planning Panel approve the DA."
The Gazette has seen correspondence from the EPA in the Central West region which shows they "do not support the application" to see 1.2 million cubic metres of clean fill generated from earthworks Projects across Sydney into the site. Their formal submission will be made this week.
Residents have expressed concerns about the noise, dust, traffic and safety issues related to the application.
