The Proposal

The Neilsen Group is proposing to establish sand and gravel extraction operations on their Bald Hills land holdings, which are identified in State and Council plans as a major resource of sand and gravel. Extracted material will be processed at the Brendale plant and transported via the Johnstone Road access point.

In 2008, the project team undertook consultations with adjoining residents and other community members. This consultation involved face to face discussions and meetings as well as design workshops in which local residents had the opportunity to influence the design of proposed extraction operations.

 

In response to community input and comment, the project team developed a staged approach to the sand and gravel extraction. The proposal involves many impact mitigation measures including:

  • Establishing native vegetation buffers of approximately 150 metres between the adjoining school, local residences and the river. Buffers will comprise approximately one quarter of the total area.  
  • Establishing 3 – 4 metre mounds with planting across the site
  • Working in sections across the site, starting at the river 
  • After the extraction of each section, a process of revegetation will commence
  • Extraction of each section is estimated to take up to 3 years (depending on area of excavation and depth of resource, and based on current and projected demand), with the whole extraction process taking up to 10-12 years (based on current and projected demand)
  • No ponding or wet working
  • Limited vehicle access - three vehicles are required to work the site
  • Access and haulage via existing river crossing to Brendale processing plant and via Johnstone Road, Brendale

Please Note: In the maps below, the northern rail line is labelled Strathpine Road. The site is bounded by properties along Gympie Road, properties along Linkfield Road, the South Pine Rover and the northern rail line.

Stage 1
  • Buffer around boundary and river established prior to commencement of extraction operations
  • 3-4 metre mounding and planting estabslihed around excavation areas as additional buffer
  • 18.2 hectares to be worked

 

 

Stage 2

  • Rehabilitation of Stage 1 sites
  • 3-4 metre mounding and planting established around excavation areas as additional buffer
  • 12.2 hecatres to be worked
  • Northern areas (2C) to be worked in school holidays only

 

 

 Stage 3

  • Rehabilitation of Stage 2 sites
  • 3-4 metre mounding and planting established around excavation areas as additional buffer
  • 11 hectares to be worked
  • Northern area (3C) to be worked in school holidays only

 

 

 Stage 4

  • Rehabilitation of Stage 3 sites
  • 3-4 metre mounding and planting established around excavation areas as additional buffer
  • 7.5 hectares to be worked
  • Northern area to be worked in school holidays only
  • Rehabilitation of Stage 4 site on completion of extraction

 

Managing Impacts

The proposal for the sand and gravel extraction will be assessed by Brisbane City Council, under the Integrated Planning Act (IPA). The documentation is submitted to Council via a development application (DA). A number of reports will be submitted with this DA including:

  • Planning Report
  • Ecological Report
  • Flooding & Stormwater Report
  • Economic Needs Assessment
  • Extraction Plan (engineering plans)
  • Environment Management Plan
  • Rehabilitation Strategy
  • Noise Report
  • Resource Assessment
  • Acid Sulphate Soils Report
  • Visual Impact Assessment
  • Community Consultation Report

Once the DA is lodged, these reports will be available online via http://pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au (go to application enquiry).

Managing impacts is an ongoing process and Neilsens are proposing to set up Community Reference Groups through which buffer design, technical information and ideas for management of impacts will be discussed.

 

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