A TWENTY-seven Rosa Brook people met last Wednesday at Rosa Brook Hall to discuss action against a proposed gravel extraction operation on neighbouring property.
The proposed gravel pit over 100 acres of Kevin and Shirley Silverthorne’s land at Lot 154, Rosa Brook, would be used for extracting gravel by earthmovers Catalano’s in stages of five blocks of 12 acres.
The contract is for five years but the neighbours fear this could be extended as long as 20, all located 50 to 100m from their homes.
Blain Road resident and retiree Deanne Bailey hopes to start a petition against the proposal, and is contacting Augusta-Margaret River Shire Councillors to express the residents’ concerns.
The group fears the proposed pit will create noise pollution from a stone crushing machine from 6am to 6pm six days a week (magnified by a valley), create dust in summer that might set off allergies, lead to disease in a nearby vineyard, put a local bed and breakfast operation out of business, risk the environment of the neighbouring National Park, and spoil the visual amenity.
“Our lives are going to be destroyed,” Mrs Bailey said.
“One resident who had experienced a small pit several years ago described how the bipping of the trucks was unbelievable.
“Most gravel pits are in areas surrounded by large scale farms, not amongst small landholders’ homes.
“Catalano’s said noise levels will be above the accepted level, (while) the ‘bipp’ noise of reversing trucks is not measured in the noise measurement scale.”
Ms Bailey visited a shire gravel pit last week and was horrified at the idea of having a similar operation next door, surrounded by other residences.
Grape grower and neighbour Geoff Threlfall feared his grapes would be covered by dust, and expressed concern for the potential dust contamination of drinking water and dams.
Another concern is safety, with a very vision-limited corner at Blain Road and Rosa Brook Road for 26 trucks to turn on.
The proponents, however, say they are within their rights, that the noise will not be constant, and that the gravel could be used by the shire for road works.
“Rosa Brook families encourage sympathetic families to call their local councillors to show their disgust and to sign the petitions at IGA, Rosa Brook Store and Kim’s Meats.”
The group met with shire planning and development services director Geoff Broad on Monday on site.