Tuesday, 18 November 2025

 Daniela DE MARTINO (Monbulk) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Planning regarding Boral Limited’s proposed expansion of the Montrose quarry. How will the community’s concerns around dust, particularly silica dust, noise, traffic, increased hours of operation and environmental impacts be taken into account as part of your assessment of the environmental effects statement referral for this proposal? Boral Limited has applied to expand the Montrose quarry by approximately 12.5 hectares, extending its operational life by an estimated 30 years and bringing the proposed boundary within approximately 500 metres of a primary school. It is already within just over a kilometre of two other primary schools. The incredibly close proximity of the proposed expansion to local schools and early childhood learning centres and residents, the removal of the ridge and bushland, which provide natural buffer zones from the dust and noise, as well as the environmental impacts of the proposed removal of bushland are worrying for us all. I share the local community’s concerns and strongly oppose Boral’s proposed expansion. I look forward to the minister’s response.