Another Peninsula Link consortia (Southern Way) Surprise
In another Southern Way (the Peninsula Link consortia) surprise, asphalt supplier Boral has applied to the Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for approval for a temporary plant that will supply asphalt for the Peninsula Link project. The application dated December 2010 was advertised last week.
The proposed site is the Aiden Graham quarry in McClelland Drive Langwarrin which is in the Frankston green wedge. The application says the sand from the quarry will be used in the asphalt. An existing asphalt facility in Dandenong is owned by competitors Fulton Hogan.
The proposed plant would be commissioned by June 2011 with delivery of product timed for July 2011. The plants capacity is cited as a minimum of 100 tons a week available on demand by road builder Abi Group. The plant is anticipated to produce approx 400,000 tonnes of asphalt and will operate for approx 18 months.
Boral’s application to the EPA advises that “The Peninsula Link Project has commenced community consultation” and that “One on one” consultation will occur should any issues arise. The application also states that “At this stage no issues directly related to the proposed asphalt plant have been raised by the community”.
The construction material colossus employs approximately 10,000 people on about 500 sites around Australia. It produces and distributes asphalt from a number of locations in and around Melbourne including Pakenham and Dandenong. Its 2009/10 Annual report says that over the past 4 years, Boral had paid $435.5k as a result of work place safety prosecutions. In November 2009 it was prosecuted by the New South Wales EPA and ordered to pay a $58.5k fine and $23k in costs.
Boral are no strangers to public debate in the South East. In controversial circumstances former Minister for Planning Madden approved a bitumen handling facility at Stony Point, south of Hastings.
The proposal requires the approval of Frankston City Council. The EPA application advises that approval is “pending”. It was lodged the week ending 21/1/11.
The company claims that because the asphalt manufacturing process uses sand, it is an associated use of a quarry and is therefore permitted by the Graham Quarry’s zoning. Council officers are understood to be supportive of that proposition.
The Defenders of the South East Green Wedge are investigating the application.
There is a point of view that suggests that making asphalt is a manufacturing process that should occur in an appropriately zoned industrial location. If some concrete panel manufacturers and glass makers can't operate in green wedge quarries and others do, then those that do enjoy a benefit from operating on cheaper land and with lower logistic costs have a competative advantage. concerns have also been raised regarding the application’s timing given the project's long gestation.
Mayday wonders if Linking Melbourne Authority supremo Ken Mather's midas touch with ministers and his adroit footwork in applying the Major Transport Facilitation Bill will see this matter placed on statutory magic carpet as may also two monster highway services centres proposed for land already purchased in Baxter.
Links
Australia's Best Asphelt Plant opens in Dandenong (to service Eastlink) Vic Gov Presser 6/10/06)
The proposed site is the Aiden Graham quarry in McClelland Drive Langwarrin which is in the Frankston green wedge. The application says the sand from the quarry will be used in the asphalt. An existing asphalt facility in Dandenong is owned by competitors Fulton Hogan.
The proposed plant would be commissioned by June 2011 with delivery of product timed for July 2011. The plants capacity is cited as a minimum of 100 tons a week available on demand by road builder Abi Group. The plant is anticipated to produce approx 400,000 tonnes of asphalt and will operate for approx 18 months.
Boral’s application to the EPA advises that “The Peninsula Link Project has commenced community consultation” and that “One on one” consultation will occur should any issues arise. The application also states that “At this stage no issues directly related to the proposed asphalt plant have been raised by the community”.
The construction material colossus employs approximately 10,000 people on about 500 sites around Australia. It produces and distributes asphalt from a number of locations in and around Melbourne including Pakenham and Dandenong. Its 2009/10 Annual report says that over the past 4 years, Boral had paid $435.5k as a result of work place safety prosecutions. In November 2009 it was prosecuted by the New South Wales EPA and ordered to pay a $58.5k fine and $23k in costs.
Boral are no strangers to public debate in the South East. In controversial circumstances former Minister for Planning Madden approved a bitumen handling facility at Stony Point, south of Hastings.
The proposal requires the approval of Frankston City Council. The EPA application advises that approval is “pending”. It was lodged the week ending 21/1/11.
The company claims that because the asphalt manufacturing process uses sand, it is an associated use of a quarry and is therefore permitted by the Graham Quarry’s zoning. Council officers are understood to be supportive of that proposition.
The Defenders of the South East Green Wedge are investigating the application.
There is a point of view that suggests that making asphalt is a manufacturing process that should occur in an appropriately zoned industrial location. If some concrete panel manufacturers and glass makers can't operate in green wedge quarries and others do, then those that do enjoy a benefit from operating on cheaper land and with lower logistic costs have a competative advantage. concerns have also been raised regarding the application’s timing given the project's long gestation.
Mayday wonders if Linking Melbourne Authority supremo Ken Mather's midas touch with ministers and his adroit footwork in applying the Major Transport Facilitation Bill will see this matter placed on statutory magic carpet as may also two monster highway services centres proposed for land already purchased in Baxter.
Links
Australia's Best Asphelt Plant opens in Dandenong (to service Eastlink) Vic Gov Presser 6/10/06)