About the quarries
The Hanson Quarry has been operating in Lysterfield since 1979. The adjoining Boral Quarry has been operating since the 1920s.
The quarries produce high-demand construction materials such as concrete. These quarry sites are the fourth most critical extractive resource location in Victoria. They provide jobs and significant economic benefits for Knox residents.
The Hanson Quarry operates under the Authority of a Planning Permit, with the latest permit issued in 1999. The Boral Quarry operates under an Act of State Parliament.
Managing impact on residents
Knox City Council is responsible for the enforcement of planning permit requirements.
Day-to-day operations such as noise, dust, blasting, hours of operation, road cleaning and rehabilitation are controlled by a ‘work authority’ issued by the state government agency, Earth Resources Victoria. Quarry operations must comply with the Earth Resources Victoria work authority conditions. Each quarry generally blasts midweek once a fortnight and the work authority sets controls for the measurement, management and impact of blasts. Vibration from every blast and dust is measured from various locations. You can access this monitoring data on the Hanson Quarry website.
State Government regulator the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for the enforcement of regulations regarding emissions from the site, including dust.
Questions and concerns
Contact the quarries directly first if you have questions or concerns about quarry operations.
You can also lodge a complaint with Earth Resources Australia or report emissions to the EPA.
Potential expansion of the Hanson Quarry
Hanson have indicated that they wish to expand the existing quarry towards the south of the property. This would extend the operating life of the quarry by 5 to 10 years, with quarrying activities potentially ending in 25 to 30 years. The residential buffer currently approved by the Victorian Government is 400 metres. Council’s position is that any future buffer should come no closer than this to neighbouring residences.
Current status of the proposed expansion
Council has not yet received a planning permit application from Hanson for an expansion. Hanson needs approval from the Victorian Government in the form of a work authority before they can submit a council planning permit.
Should an expansion proposal progress to the planning permit stage, the scale of the project would likely trigger assessment and determination by the Minister for Planning in the state government, rather than Council.
For further information you can watch the video-recorded community information session held on Wednesday 24 March 2021.
Stay up to date on new information as it becomes available by:
- checking this web page for updates
- joining Hanson's Community Reference Group.
Rehabilitation plan
The rehabilitation plan for the Hanson quarry, approved by the Victorian Government in 1994, requires residential areas to the north and west of the site to be blended with the established parkland to the south and east. This involves developing residential areas and creating parkland space including a lake in the mined quarry pit. Implementation of the rehabilitation plan will require further regulatory approvals, and its aspirations are not reflected in the approved planning frameworks that currently apply to the site. Council also works with both quarry operators to protect and care for local wildlife, plants and trees.
Access planning permits
Need help?
Contact Planning Services and we will get back to you.
Or call our Planning Services team on 9298 8125.
