AN application to extend a development approval for the Mount Cotton Barro quarry has been refused by council.
Barro Group general manager for Queensland Ian Ridoutt said the decision would be challenged in court.
He said it was a strange decision given a recommendation by council officers for the extension and project to continue.
Mr Ridoutt said he would ask for work to continue while the court matter was heard.
Council on Wednesday refused an application from the quarry operator to extend the development approval for a material change of use at the site.
Mayor Karen Williams said the refusal was in line with community expectations and she would ask the state government to make decisions on projects in key resource areas, like the quarry, not council.
“KRAs are declared by the state government to protect these critical resources of state significance to support the state’s economic growth,” she said. “But under state planning processes it is up to council to make decisions about development in KRAs, which puts us in a difficult position.”
In 2013, then deputy premier Jeff Seeney approved an extension that had been refused by council.
A report considered by council on Wednesday said about 14 hectares of the site were disturbed prior to the original application.
The quarry proposed in the original application would disturb an additional 52 hectares of the site, leaving a balance of approximately 175 hectares of land..
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Mr Ridoutt said the project was under way, with works occurring on access roads and basins.
“All that we have asked for is that the project be given, by council, the currency time period that is specified in the current planning act,” he said.
“It is disappointing for the people currently working on site, the contractors that have equipment working on site to now find that the project is on hold while our appeal is heard in court, however we will be asking the court to consider letting these people work on during the proceedings.”
Mr Ridoutt said Redlands struggled to attract businesses and council had voted against the continuation of a business that had operated in the city for 50 years and could continue to extract from the site for another 50.
“Our business supports the construction materials needs of the local community and employs local people.
“...Councillors seem to miss the point that the project will also deliver one of the biggest privately funded environmental projects in the Redlands, a 430-acre property for environmental purposes and the establishment of about 50,000 koala food trees.”
Cr Julie Talty said many people would be unaware of the development and would wish to be consulted.
“This is a win for the local community and provides the opportunity for a fresh application to be lodged so new residents in the area can have their say about the proposal,” she said.
“As a local resident and the local councillor I have heard the concerns of residents and I hope the applicant takes the opportunity to submit a new application that allows the community to have their say.
“The quarry does provide economic and employment opportunities but there needs to be a balance that provides these opportunities while at the same time protecting all that we love about Mount Cotton and the Redlands.”
