Chatwin takes a hard stand

By Paul Dunlop
CARDINIA Shire councillor Ed Chatwin has fired another salvo at plans to expand the Mount Shamrock quarry in Pakenham.
In a repeat of previous criticisms, Cr Chatwin claimed the expansion would result in “economic and environmental buggery”.
Speaking at the council’s 18 September meeting, Cr Chatwin said the effects of the expansion would be calamitous.
His comments caused consternation among some colleagues, who said his outburst was out of order.
But the Ranges Ward representative made no apology for his stance, continuing a position he took on the issue before he was elected to council in November.
Cr Chatwin expressed disappointment in State Planning Minister Rob Hulls, who recently recommended that the Readymix quarry be extended on the provision that the traditional custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri tribe, approve a consent to disturb motion.
Cr Chatwin claimed Mr Hulls’ decision favoured big business.
He accused the state Labor government of being “totally without understanding of the rights of man”.
Cr Chatwin also said the Opposition had not done enough to stop the expansion.
He described the Liberal Party as a “sorry set of no hopers”.
Cr Chatwin’s comments continue what has been a longrunning saga over the Readymix quarry’s bid to expand.
Minister Hulls’ decision in favour of the extension followed an independent panel assessment of an environmental effects statement (EES) for the proposal.
The EES evaluated several aspects of the quarry extension, including the impact on local wildlife and land stability, before recommending that it be approved subject to conditions.
Spokeswoman for Mr Hulls Claire Miller previously told the Gazette that the Minister had recommended extending the quarry, but would not be issuing a planning permit until Readymix received consent from the Wurundjeri people.
The Wurundjeri are still considering their position.
Extending the hard rock quarry in Mt Shamrock Road would allow a further 20 million tonnes of basalt to be extracted over the next 20 years.
Readymix officials have said the extension would be a huge economic boost for the region.
Also at council’s September meeting, councillor Bill Pearson was appointed as the Cardinia representative to the newly formed Mount Shamrock Quarry extension environmental review committee.
The committee’s role will be to review the environmental performance of the operators of the quarry against regulations and permit conditions.
Cr Pearson said he took his appointment very seriously and would endeavour to represent the views of residents.