Common Objections

Kamerunga will have one more attraction if the proposed sand mine is given the go-ahead. It already has a landfill site, high tension pylons and a newly-constructed communications tower. If you don't want this latest "attraction" to ruin the area's appeal, act now by lodging an objection.

Some typical objections to the sand mine development (depending on your location or opinion) may include:

1. Noise
   Noise from the mine site itself or from the trucks travelling to and from the site.
2. Dust
   Dust from the mine site itself or from the trucks travelling to and from the site.
3. Health Concerns
   Health issues may arise from the fine particles of silica in the dust (ie. silicosis, asthma, dust allergies...)
4. Location
   The proposed mine site's location is:
   1. too close to the nearest resident (20 meters)
   2. too close to residental housing (200 meters)
   3. too close to a school (350 meters)
   4. too close to Freshwater Creek and Barron River
5. Cairns Plan
   The provision for such a mine is:
   1. outside the Extractive Industry Zone according to the Cairns Plan
   2. outside the Extractive Industry Haul Routes according to the Cairns Plan
6. Traffic Hazards
   Trucks must use a road bordering Peace Lutheran College which represents additional hazards to students.
7. Loss of Amenity
   This area has a nice, rural aspect and the Freshwater Creek is a popular tourist/recreational area. This mine will detract from the area's rural beauty.
8. Loss of Agricultural Land
   Conversion of cane fields to open-cut sand mining represents a direct loss of good agricultural land.
9. Acid Sulphate Soils
   The mine will be located in a zone known to contain potential acid sulphate soils. Unless very carefully managed, run-off from this site has potential to harm marine life, especially in the Freshwater Creek.
10. Tourism
    Cairns relies heavily on tourism dollars. Development of this nature in the middle of the suburbs won't help the aesthetics of the city (from the ground or the air).