Building a Stronger Future – Our Enhanced Proposal
We've strengthened our plans to deliver greater environmental safeguards, community benefits, and long-term value for the Gold Coast.
Quarry Industry
What It Is and Why It Matters
Quarries produce aggregates—materials like stone, sand, and gravel. These are essential for making everyday construction products, including concrete, asphalt, bricks, and road surfaces. Aggregates are also directly for things like road base and landscaping.
Why Are Aggregates Important?
Aggregates, such as stone, sand, and gravel, are the basic materials used to build almost everything in our communities. They form the foundation of homes, schools, hospitals, roads, railways and other essential infrastructure. Across Australia, more than 200 million tonnes of quarry materials are used each year. This works out to roughly 8 tonnes of aggregates per person, needed to support the construction and maintenance of the places where we live, work, and travel.
How Much Do We Use?
Building a new home: Constructing a typical single residential dwelling requires about 110 tonnes of aggregates and around 53 cubic metres of concrete. These essential materials form the foundation, structural elements, and finishing components of the home.
Constructing a two-lane highway (1 km): Building one kilometre of a standard two-lane highway demands about 140,000 tonnes of aggregates, equivalent to about 400 truckloads. This volume highlights the critical role aggregates play in supporting infrastructure projects of all scales.
Other Uses
Aggregates also support:
Rail ballast
Drainage systems
Landscaping
Erosion control and retaining walls
Why Quarries Are Local
Locating quarries close to where materials are needed:
Reduces transport costs and emissions
Minimises traffic congestion
Keeps building costs down
Transport can make up 35% of the delivered cost of aggregates—so proximity matters.
Our Environmental Commitment
As part of the Reedy Creek Key Resource Area Project (RCKRA Project), approximately 160 hectares of land will be permanently protected for conservation. This land will be protected through an environmental covenant, which legally prevents it from being used for quarry expansion or future housing development. The covenant ensures the area remains dedicated to long-term environmental protection.
Community Benefits
Quarries contribute more to local communities than just supplying essential construction materials for local projects. They also play an important role in supporting jobs and regional economies.
Jobs: The quarrying industry provides around 10,000 direct jobs and a further 80,000 indirect jobs across Australia, many in regional areas
Strict Standards: Quarry operations must meet rigorous planning, environmental, and safety requirements. These regulations are designed to minimise impacts on nearby communities and ensure the land is used responsibly.
