Rye Park Quarries Project
ARDG's Rye Park Quarries Project comprises three quarries in Hilltops Local Government Area (LGA) and two quarries in Yass Valley LGA. The Quarries Project aims to reduce the number of already-approved truck movements for the transport of quarry materials required to construct the Rye Park Wind Farm Project (RPWFP). This would be achieved through the establishment of five, small, short-term, strategically-located quarry pits located within or close to the RPWFP. Each of the proposed quarries would be significantly smaller in size and purpose to a typical regional quarry that would have a much larger footprint of disturbance, operational life, customer base and market. If approved, these quarries would only supply quarry materials to the RPWFP. They would be closed and rehabilitated once construction of the wind farm is complete.
Significant safety and amenity benefits would be provided by ARDG’s Quarries Project to the local community, given that the full quantity of quarry materials required by the RPWFP would not need to be sourced from multiple existing quarries (located > 100 km by road from the RPWF Project main site entrance) and transported significant distances via the townships of Boorowa and Rye Park. In addition, the RPWFP would benefit through a significant reduction in transportation and road maintenance costs, given quarry materials would be sourced on-site or in close proximity (2 km) to the main site entrance.
Since 2019, ARDG has undertaken detailed resource and environmental investigations, and been actively engaged with both Councils and relevant state government authorities, to develop the Quarries Project in a manner that ensures it meets all statutory planning and environmental requirements. The submission by ARDG of separate Development Applications (DAs) for each quarry located on separate land parcels, was made in accordance with provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and as such, the DAs were accepted by both Councils. Hilltops Council formally approved the DA's for the Barrackville, Eden Brae and Fairburn quarries on 25 August 2021. Yass Valley Council formally approved the DA's for Echo No.1 and Echo No.2 quarries on 8 September 2021.
Key benefits of ARDG’s Quarries Project to the local community include the following forecast reductions in the number of two-way truck movements if all quarry materials were to be sourced from ARDG's quarries:
Additional benefits include:
ARDG has a proven track record of responsibly developing and safely operating on- and near-site quarry operations to support the development of wind farms in NSW. These quarry operations have delivered significant benefits to wind farm projects and nearby communities, primarily through the reduction of truck haulage on the public road network. ARDG looks forward to delivering similar benefits to the Rye Park Wind Farm Project and the local community.
Information regarding the RPWF Project can be accessed via this link
Significant safety and amenity benefits would be provided by ARDG’s Quarries Project to the local community, given that the full quantity of quarry materials required by the RPWFP would not need to be sourced from multiple existing quarries (located > 100 km by road from the RPWF Project main site entrance) and transported significant distances via the townships of Boorowa and Rye Park. In addition, the RPWFP would benefit through a significant reduction in transportation and road maintenance costs, given quarry materials would be sourced on-site or in close proximity (2 km) to the main site entrance.
Since 2019, ARDG has undertaken detailed resource and environmental investigations, and been actively engaged with both Councils and relevant state government authorities, to develop the Quarries Project in a manner that ensures it meets all statutory planning and environmental requirements. The submission by ARDG of separate Development Applications (DAs) for each quarry located on separate land parcels, was made in accordance with provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and as such, the DAs were accepted by both Councils. Hilltops Council formally approved the DA's for the Barrackville, Eden Brae and Fairburn quarries on 25 August 2021. Yass Valley Council formally approved the DA's for Echo No.1 and Echo No.2 quarries on 8 September 2021.
Key benefits of ARDG’s Quarries Project to the local community include the following forecast reductions in the number of two-way truck movements if all quarry materials were to be sourced from ARDG's quarries:
- 99 per cent reduction through Boorowa (from 42,992 to 468).
- 97 per cent reduction along Rye Park Road between Boorowa and Rye Park (from 42,524 to 1,260).
- 70 per cent reduction through Rye Park (from 41,264 to 12,247).
- 60 per cent reduction along Dalton Road south of Rye Park (30,745 to 12,247).
- 81 per cent reduction through the main RPWF entrance on Dalton Road (from 30,745 to 5,753).
Additional benefits include:
- Improved road safety and reduced road damage as a result of a 94 per cent reduction in the total distance travelled on the local and regional road network by trucks hauling quarry materials.
- A substantially lower carbon footprint of the RPWFP (forecast reduction in emissions of approximately 3,800 tonnes CO2-e), based on the forecast reduction in haulage distance on the public road network.
- Continued use of local businesses for provision of services critical to site establishment, operation and rehabilitation. These services include surveying, engineering support, civil design, civil contracting, fencing, landscaping, fuel supply and ancillary services (e.g. worker accommodation, meals etc).
ARDG has a proven track record of responsibly developing and safely operating on- and near-site quarry operations to support the development of wind farms in NSW. These quarry operations have delivered significant benefits to wind farm projects and nearby communities, primarily through the reduction of truck haulage on the public road network. ARDG looks forward to delivering similar benefits to the Rye Park Wind Farm Project and the local community.
Information regarding the RPWF Project can be accessed via this link
