Residents of Spencers Brook and Mokine have come out in force to fight against trucks using Spencers Brook Road when leaving the quarry when the item was re-introduced to the Shire of Northam council last Wednesday night.
Read more: Decision made on quarry route
Council has previously denied the landowners application to transport freight carrying rocks along the road but instead proposed transporting it through their property.
According to the applicant it will cost $200,000 to construct the private road.
Following the decision by council the applicant lodged an application for review with the State Administrative Tribunal.
A mediation hearing was held in August between staff, elected members, the landowner, applicant and their consultant involving a site inspection of the property and the originally proposed haul route.
Council has been requested to reconsider their decision regarding the development.
In a report given by the applicant there are four freight options considered; the applicants preferred route of Spencers Brook Road, councils preferred transport route through the property and via Northam-York Road, Spencers Brook and Timmer Road, or Newcastle Road via the Northam townsite.
During the council forum meeting on Wednesday, October 10 residents gave statements to councilors regarding the unsafe nature of the route through Spencers Brook.
Councilor Rob Tinetti said his worry was not having a slip lane for trucks to turn left on to Great Eastern Highway from Spencers Brook road.
Executive Manager Development Services Chadd Hunt said the issue was taken to Main Roads but they said it complied with their standards.
Councillor Julie Williams asked if residents could go to Main Roads themselves to address their concerns.
Shire of Northam chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said in his experience it was not likely that Main Roads would change their mind.
“Whether we choose to accept Main Road’s advice is up to council,” he said.
“It is up to council to make a decision.
“The State Administrative Tribunal said council has the chance to revisit the application but if not it will go through their process and be out of our hands.”
Mr Whiteaker told councillors that as the application is about planning, a decision needs to be made based on facts.
“Council can’t make a decision based on opinion,” he said,
“There needs to be some backing and basis and you need to follow planning concerns and considerations.”
Mr Hunt said it is staffs recommendation that council modify their approval to delete three clauses and modify six others.
Under the recommendation the transport route will be along Spencers Brook Road.
If council follow staffs advice heavy vehicles will be required to drive at a reduced speed limit of 80km/h on Spencers Brook Road, 60 km/h through the Spencers Brook townsite and a maximum speed of 50 km/h near the intersection of Trimmer Road.
Council will vote on the recommendation at a council meeting on Wednesday, October 17.
To see the full list of conditions for the quarry see the Shire of Northam website.
