RCKRA PROJECT BLASTING, VIBRATION & AIR BLAST OVERPRESSURE 

FACT SHEET  

What is Blasting? 

There are a few ways to extract ‘hard’ rock, but the most common and effective method is ‘controlled blasting’. As blasting is a very precise practice, each blast is designed and carried out by an independent third-party blast expert. 

A blast design is a carefully planned operation that involves drilling into the rock in a specified pattern, then placing a carefully calculated amount of explosive in the holes. The explosives are then detonated in a precise sequence, designed to maximise the efficiency of rock breakage while minimising noise, vibration and dust. One of the advantages of blasting is that it reduces the need to operate large heavy equipment to extract the rock, in turn reducing noise and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Depending on how close you live to a quarry, you may notice some short-term vibration or noise associated with blasting activities that typically last for around 4 seconds per blast. 

How is the community protected? 

Strict national safety regulations apply to protect neighbouring homes, buildings and public places from the potential effects of blasting. Blasting operations must adhere to prescribed limits stipulated by the relevant regulatory authority that are well below the vibration levels which could cause structural or cosmetic damage. Blasts are monitored at different locations with sensitive ground and air vibration equipment to ensure they remain within regulations. 

What was assessed for the RCKRA Project? 

An independent Blasting Assessment was conducted, which assessed potential blasting vibration and air-blast overpressure impacts and flyrock risk from the RCKRA Project. This assessment is based on analysis and modelling of vibration and air-blast overpressure impacts through predictive models established from 700 measurements of blasting impacts in areas surrounding the West Burleigh Quarry. 

The submitted assessment of blasting and vibration has been undertaken against the Queensland Government Noise and Vibration from Blasting Guideline (ESR/2016/2169 - Version 3.02) (Noise and Vibration Guideline).  

What Did It Find? 

The assessment undertaken demonstrates that: 

• Duration of disturbance at sensitive sites (such as nearby houses), including both ground vibration and air-blast overpressure effects, is typically no more than 4 seconds for each blast. 

• The frequency of occurrence of blasting will typically be twice per month, corresponding to a disturbance period of approximately 8 seconds per month, and 96 seconds per year. 

• To ensure potential vibration and air-blast overpressure impacts are effectively managed, additional measures will be implemented to manage blast impacts in areas that are closest to neighbouring houses. 

• Flyrock risk is shown to be effectively zero for all structures in all surrounding communities, for all blasting in all four operational phases of pit development. 

• With appropriate management measures, full compliance with the primary limits set out in the Noise and Vibration Guideline can be achieved for all phases of development. 

These required management measures are reflected in the submitted RCKRA Site Based Management Plan. 

Information Request Response findings 

The information request received from the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has been considered.  Further assessment in response to SARA’s request confirms that: 

• All blasts will be designed to comply with the proposed primary compliance levels.  

• The hours of blasting will be conducted between 10am and 5pm, which is less than what is considered acceptable in Council’s planning scheme. 

• Under a Blast Management Plan, every blast fired within the extraction pit of the RCKRA Project will be monitored at multiple locations to demonstrate compliance with specified environmental conditions, and Monitoring Reports will be included with blast design details to form individual Blast Reports. 

• A Blast Management Plan, regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, Mines, Manufacturing, Regional and Rural Development (DNRMMRRD) will be reviewed annually, and updated as necessary to always ensure full compliance with the site’s compliance limits.  

With the additional management measures included in the revised RKCRA Site-Based Management Plan, the assessment demonstrates that vibration and air impacts will remain well-managed and compliant throughout the life of the RCKRA Project. 

What This Means for the Community 

Strict operational conditions requires that every action be taken to reduce the vibration and air -blast overpressure effects from blasting and the identified on-going management measures will ensure that the RCKRA Project will not result in any unacceptable amenity impacts to nearby residential premises arising from operational blasting practices.  

Further details about Boral’s proposal 

The DA is viewable on Council's PD Online ref. COM/2025/101 here:  

https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-building/PD-Online