Northern Metropolitan Region
Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (13:01): (1055) My constituency question is for the Minister for Planning, and I wish to ask again about the proposed quarry in Beveridge North West. Residents in my electorate are very concerned about the quarry proposal and the potential negative impacts on the community and the environment it will have. If approved, the proposed quarry will be located less than a kilometre from a residential area and will cause significant dust and noise pollution, reduced health and wellbeing, traffic chaos, catchment and watertable pollution and significant downstream impacts on the Merri Creek. I asked the minister over 12 months ago to make sure that they conducted a full environmental assessment of the quarry before making a decision. Since then there have been no updates about the quarry, and residents are worried you will make a decision without listening to their concerns. Minister, can I ask that you provide an update on when you will make a decision about the quarry in Beveridge North West, and will it be based on a full environmental assessment of the impacts of the quarry?