About the quarries
The Hanson Quarry has been operating in Lysterfield since 1979. The adjoining Boral Quarry has been operating since the 1920s.
The quarries produce high-demand construction materials such as concrete. Knox is the fourth most critical extractive resource location in Victoria and these quarries provide jobs and significant economic benefits for Knox residents.
Managing impact on residents
Potential noise, dust, blasting, hours of operation, road cleaning and rehabilitation are controlled by a ‘work authority’ issued by the state government agency, Earth Resources Victoria. Quarry operations must comply with the Earth Resources Victoria work authority conditions. Each quarry generally blasts midweek once a fortnight and the work authority set controls for the measurement, management and impact of blasts. Vibration from every blast and dust is measured from various locations.
Questions and concerns about quarry operations are best directed to the quarries or Earth Resources Victoria.
Potential expansion of the Hanson Quarry
Hanson have indicated that they wish to expand the current Wellington Road location to the area opposite the Napoleon Road intersection. This would extend the operating life of the quarry by five to ten years, with quarrying activities ending in 25 to 30 years. This quarry operates under a planning permit issued in 1999. The residential buffer currently approved by the Victorian Government is 400m. Council’s position is that any future buffer should come no closer than this to neighbouring residences.
Current status of the proposed expansion
Council has not yet received a planning permit application from Hanson. Hanson needs approval from the Victorian Government before they can submit a council planning permit.
Once the application is received and a preliminary assessment undertaken, Council will notify the public. We will continue to update this webpage as new information becomes available. View additional information for steps in the planning process.
Hanson has formed a Community Reference Group to refine its proposal.
There was a video-recorded community information session held on Wednesday 24 March 2021.
About the Extractive Industry Priorities List
In September 2020, the Hanson Quarry expansion was included on the State Government’s Extractive Industry Priority Projects List. The Minister for Planning takes this list into consideration when moving forward with applications. More information is available at Earth Resources Regulation. The webpage includes
- current projects on the Priority List
- details of approved projects
- information outlining decision implications
A key implication of the site being included on the Extractive Industry Priority Project listing, is that the applicant may request the Minister for Planning to ‘call in’ the planning application once it is lodged with Council. A ‘call in’ is when the Minister for Planning takes over the processing and decision on the application.
Here are the next steps if the Minister for Planning decides to 'call in’ the planning application:
- All Council processes will immediately cease and all information will be passed to the Minister.
- The public will be notified about the application
- The application will be determined by the Minister for Planning instead of Council
- The Minister for Planning makes a final decision to approve or refuse the application. There are no opportunities for VCAT Appeals.
Rehabilitation plan
The rehabilitation plan for the Hanson quarry, approved by the Victorian Government in 1994, requires residential areas to the north and west of the site to be blended with the established parkland to the south and east. This involves: developing residential areas creating parkland space including a lake in the mined quarry pit. Council also works with both quarry operators to protect and care for local wildlife, plants and trees.
Need help?
Contact Planning Services and we will get back to you.
Or call our Planning Services team on 9298 8125
