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Statutory approvals for sand quarrying operations

Statutory approvals for sand quarrying operations

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SECTOR

Manufacturing

SOLUTIONS

Approvals, compliance and impact assessment

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Have a complex site or closure challenge?

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Zoe Smith

Senior Associate Environmental Scientist

Overview

Senversa was engaged by a manufacturing company to coordinate and deliver statutory approvals in support of recommencing sand quarrying operations. The previous planning permit and Work Authority for the site had lapsed, necessitating a new Work Plan Application to Earth Resources Regulator (ERR) for endorsement as the first statutory approval step for the revised quarry plan. The revised plan aims to guide client to rehabilitate the land post-quarry that satisfies ERR requirements and protect significant ecological values identified at the site.

Scope

Senversa’s scope includes overarching project management, client and stakeholder liaison, and coordination of technical studies and statutory documents required for the Work Plan Application. This involves reviewing and contemporising previously commissioned studies to reflect the revised quarry plan and current regulatory requirements. Key tasks include convening a new meeting to brief referral agencies and inform the scope of technical studies, and managing the sequencing of assessments to ensure dependencies are addressed.

Senversa is currently coordinating and reviewing the following specialist assessments: Groundwater Impact Assessment, Surface Water Impact Assessment, Geotechnical Risk Assessment and Air Quality/Noise Impact Assessment, Biodiversity Impact Assessment, Community Heritage Assessment and Community Engagement Plan. As part of the Work Plan, Senversa will also prepare the Drawing Sets, Risk Assessment and Management Plan, Rehabilitation Plan, and the Work Plan Summary Report, ensuring all deliverables align with ERR guidelines and regulatory expectations. Senversa will manage the collation and submission of all supporting documentation of the Work Plan.

Challenge

Significant challenges addressed during the project include the need to revise and sequence technical studies to reflect the new quarry plan, manage dependencies between assessments, and coordinate input from multiple specialist consultants. The requirement to protect endangered vegetation communities while maximising resource extraction added complexity to the planning and approvals process. Additional challenges included aligning legacy studies with current regulatory requirements, managing stakeholder engagement, and ensuring timely delivery of all documentation to meet statutory timeframes.

Outcome

Senversa’s engagement is delivering a comprehensive and coordinated approach to securing statutory approvals for the recommencement of quarrying at the site.

The project outcomes include the preparation and submission of a robust Work Plan Application, supported by contemporary technical studies and statutory documents that address the revised quarry plan’s environmental and community considerations.

Key outcomes include the integration of updated groundwater and surface water assessments to inform pit design, water management, and rehabilitation strategies; a revised Geotechnical Risk Assessment to address the increased depth and altered quarry footprint; and the contemporisation of biodiversity, air quality, noise, and community engagement plans to reflect current regulatory frameworks and stakeholder expectations. The Risk Assessment and Management Plan and Rehabilitation Plan provide a clear framework for managing operational, environmental, and post-closure risks, ensuring compliance with ERR guidelines and best practice standards.