Findings about the Tomerong Quarry unearthed by the South Coast Register last week have raised more questions than answers for local residents.
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The quarry had illegally imported more than a thousand tonnes of fly ash, a carcinogenic material, and Shoalhaven City Council issued fines accordingly.
Worried for their health, residents wanted to know if the fly ash had been removed from the quarry.
“The Environmental Protection Authority understands that all of the coal ash was processed at the premises with quarry material to make road making materials and has been removed from the premises,” a spokesperson said.
“The EPA permits its use in road making activities when blended with other materials to strict conditions.”
The EPA neither confirmed nor denied the material was transported safely to the next location.
Questions the EPA and council failed to answer are below:
What has the EPA done to investigate the damage this material may have wreaked on the surrounding environment, and the implications for the people who live in proximity to the quarry?
From your investigations, are you aware if the fly ash has leaked into streams or nearby water courses?
If this hasn't been investigated, would the EPA be willing to investigate?
Did the EPA make efforts to inform the public about the material when investigations were taking place, and if not, why has this information been kept from residents?
Regarding water quality, council did refer the South Coast Register to the NSW Office of Water, and Department of Land and Water, who take samples from silt traps on the quarry and Tomerong creek downstream from quarry.
Meanwhile the Tomerong Community Forum will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 19 at 7.30pm, to look at the way forward including environmental and legal options and hope to have EPA, council representatives, Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock and Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton attending.
“We want answers,” community spokesman Peter Allison said.