Formal submissions on the proposed Bobs Farm sand mine have now been made public showing that of the nearly 300 submissions, not one was made in support for the proposed development.
Submissions were opened to the public late last year and closed 1 February. Nearly 300 submissions were made by residents, community groups, and government organisations raising concerns over the proposed project.
READ: 2NURFM Hunter News | Bobs Farm Sand Mine Details Released, Public Submissions Welcome
The majority of those who made submissions objected to the proposal, with the remainder giving comments of concern or criticism.
Many of the website submissions called on the sand mine proposal to be scrapped. Among those calls is the criticism of Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington who says the message was loud and clear.
"The community's submissions have joined with government departments, community groups and P&Cs all opposing the sand mine," she said.
"With the level of concern now being expressed, I'm asking the developer to pack up his bags and walk away."
The development application was also scrutinised by the Department of Planning over inconsistencies in the stated size of the proposed mine. In the application, three conflicting sizes of 47.5, 52.5, and 52.96 hectares were given.
"The development application is flawed. It's the wrong development in the wrong place and nobody wants to see it happen," Kate Washington said.
Businesses including Irukandji Shark & Ray Enoucnters and Port Stephens made objections, while a number of government agencies also made submissions opposing the proposal.
Hunter Water raised concern over the depth below the water table the mine would excavate sand, while Bob's Farm Public School said it did not want the volume of trucks traveling by the school.
Now that submissions have been finalised, the proponent must assess the submissions before the Department of Planning begins reviewing the proposal for the final determination.
Developer Tattersall-Lander downplayed the early criticisms against the mine, saying the proposal was not as bad as was being made out.
All of the public submissions are now available online at the Department of Planning and Environment website.
The submissions can be viewed here.
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| The proposed sand mine at Bob's Farm received no public submissions supporting the application. |
