Hillview Quarries Pty Ltd proposes to extend a granite quarry that ceased operation in 1998. The proposal, if approved, is to expand the former pit within 121 Boundary Road into 115 Boundary Road, Dromana to support a quarry operation for approximately 70 years.

The project would also include a crushing plant, product handling and stockpiles, internal roads and ancillary facilities. Access is proposed to be via Boundary Road.

The Minister for Planning determined in May 2018 that the quarry will be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement (EES) process to be managed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), given that the proposed project could have a range of significant effects on:

• native vegetation and associated biodiversity values, including listed threatened species and communities; existing landscape values, amenity and land uses of the project area and those associated with the Arthurs Seat State Park;
• groundwater and surface water and protected beneficial uses; and
• Aboriginal cultural heritage values.

The project was also referred to the Australian Government under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It was determined in July 2018 that the project is a ‘controlled action’ requiring assessment and approval under the EPBC Act.

The EES process is accredited to assess impacts on matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act through the Bilateral (Assessment) Agreement between the Commonwealth and the State of Victoria. The EES for the project will be undertaken in accordance with the bilateral agreement; there will be no separate assessment by the Commonwealth.