Lake Nowergup Vicinity - limestone quarry

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL - Thursday, 18 November 2010]
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Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Robyn McSweeney

LAKE NOWERGUP VICINITY — LIMESTONE QUARRY

972. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Planning:
I refer to proposals to develop a limestone quarry close to Lake Nowergup.
(1) Is the minister aware that WA Limestone already has a huge quarry only three kilometres south at Flynn
Drive, Neerabup, in an industrial estate that is zoned to allow a concrete batching plant?
(2) Is the minister aware that it is estimated that there is enough limestone at that existing site to last the
company another 20 years?
(3) Is the minister aware of a large deposit of higher quality limestone one kilometre east, over the valley
ridge, where some 15 quarries already operate?
(4) Is the minister aware of community concerns that this proposal to establish a quarry near Lake
Nowergup is a step towards establishing a batching plant and eventually a concrete plant at this location
even though the current zoning does not permit industrial uses at this location?
(5) Has the minister been advised that the valley is mostly loamy soil, which is why agriculture has thrived
there for the past 90 years?

Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes. The Minister for Planning is aware that WA Limestone holds a number of tenements and freehold
landholdings in the metropolitan limestone resource areas, including a quarry at Flynn Drive.
(2) The amount of limestone required to service the Perth metropolitan area will require the development of
additional sites.
(3) This question should be addressed to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum.
Hon Norman Moore interjected.

Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY: I notice that Hon Lynn MacLaren does not like what Hon Norman Moore says.

Hon Norman Moore: Hon Lynn MacLaren misrepresents what I say, so I would not want to say anything.

Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY: The answer continues —
(4) The Minister for Planning is aware of community concerns. The metropolitan region scheme zoning for
the subject lot is rural, and extractive industries and concrete batching plants may be permitted in this
zone under the MRS, having regard to state planning policy 2.4, basic raw materials. The Western
Australian Planning Commission approved the development application for the quarry and concrete
batching plant at its meeting on 26 October 2010, reference 3050215-1.
(5) The valley and limestone ridges both have long histories as agricultural production areas and extractive
industry sites for limestone. Raw materials from the area have played a significant role in the
development of the north metropolitan corridor.