Bobs Farm residents are outraged after a fiery community consultation meeting with developer Tattersall Lander, over a proposal to build a sand mine 15 metres below the water table.
Around 40 people heard company director, Bob Lander reveal key points of the project, which will see 36 hectares of land cleared and result in 180 truck movements a day between the hours of 7am to 6pm.
There's concern about the effects on threatened species living on the land, with a 24.5-hectare void to be left after extraction takes place.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has vowed to oppose the venture and says residents at the meeting were appalled by what they heard.
"Initially there was a sense of disbelief in the room at the information that was being presented," she explained, "but then it became betrayal - how could anyone think it's okay to dig up ancient sand dunes to 15 metres below the water table and then leave a 24-hectare void?"
The MP is concerned trucks will be passing the 100-year-old Bobs Farm Public school every three minutes, posing air quality hazards and driving families away from the area.
"This proposal is an abomination. Alongside my community, I will be opposing this venture every step of the way."
Tattersall Lander intends to file final submissions to the Department of Planning by Christmas, at which point the full details will go live on the Department's website.
It's understood following approval, the sand mine could be up and running in three years.
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| Image: mprnews.org |
