It can take 10 - 15 years to bring a greenfield hard rock quarry site from planning, approval and construction stages to full production.    

The timeframes required to develop the two strategic landholdings, complete significant capital works programs and establish operations mean we must put forward this development application now to ensure:  

• the continuity of aggregate supply in the southern Gold Coast area;   

• there is an overburden solution for the RCKRA Project to assist with the minimising the extent of vegetation clearing and associated impacts on environmental values; and  

• there is a timely solution Boral can implement to rehabilitate the West Burleigh quarry void once quarry activities cease.  

Therefore, timing of an approval is critical to ensure that these two strategic infrastructure projects are positioned to assist and support the ongoing and significant growth forecast for the Gold Coast over the next 20 – 30 years.  

If the project does not proceed, the absence of aggregate supply in the southern region would translate into reduced competition and the need to source raw aggregates for required construction materials from quarries situated in the northern part of the City. As a result, this would lead to:  

• over 31,000 additional trucks and heavy vehicles annually on the M1 that must move through M1 Exit 38 (Yatala North), Exit 41 (Yalata South) and Exit 45 (Ormeau) to access the southern Gold Coast; and   

• 1.88 million kilometres of unforeseen wear and tear on the road network.   

The flowthrough effects of this scenario mean longer transport times, increased material costs and as a result, a direct impact on housing costs and affordability.