WHEN details of a quarry proposed for Sassafras reached Elza and Cliff Maynard their reaction was one of disbelief.
As they learned more their focus shifted to stopping the project.
The proposal is for a basalt quarry of up to 195,000 tonnes per year on a 12-hectare site.
The development site is at Sassafras on a property owned by proponent Lynch Civil Contractors.
While the Maynards, who live in North Nowra, own property near the proposed quarry, it’s their family connection to Sassafras and love of its environment that fuelled their objection.
Mrs Maynard’s father, James Sturgiss, who was a major in the Light Horse, was an original owner of most of Sassafras and members of the family have been custodians for about 100 years.
Major Sturgiss had a mountain in the area named after him and was responsible for the gazetting of an unknown species of rare mallee tree in the region e.sturgissiana, ettrema mallee.
The Maynards understand it is the owner’s right to pursue the proposal, however believe it would lead to a catastrophic impact on the flora, fauna and ambience of Sassafras.
“It’s a magnificent place but with trucks, noise, dust and blasting it could impact on everyone who lives there,” Mr Maynard said.
“We have no problem, and can understand people wanting to live in the area but don’t consider it fair that a few people should profit at the detriment of others.
“If this went ahead it would have a negative impact on property values and the lifestyles of those who live there or wish to live in the area and own property at Sassafras.”
Mrs Maynard said once her father passed away the land was left to the family as a sanctuary - a place to get away from it all.
“My father had such a love for the area it would break my heart if something like this were to go ahead here,” she said.
“People have bought land there because of the peace and quiet - I think a quarry would destroy that,” Mrs Maynard said.
A development application for the quarry was lodged late last year. Shoalhaven City Council’s development manager Robert Russell said council had received submissions from what was probably a significant proportion of residents in the area.
He said council was awaiting correspondence from the proponent after various State Government departments requested further assessment.
“We’ve sent those requests back to the applicant and are currently awaiting them to address those outstanding issues.
“It’s possible they’ll have to do a fair bit more work.
“Council has a live application before it and we’ll be setting a time period for a response so it doesn’t go on endlessly.
“We’ll be writing to the applicant specifying that they should respond in a set period of time.
“That period of time hasn’t been determined yet but could be three to six months depending on the degree of the assessments they’ve got to do.”
He said he was receiving inquiries about the progress of the application.
“If there’s going to be a lengthy delay we will write to the residents to inform them of the situation.”
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