Boral Quarries Petrie (Whiteside)
788 Dayboro Road
Whiteside QLD 4503
Australia
About Us
Boral Limited is an ASX listed company and one of Australia's largest building and construction materials suppliers. In Queensland, Boral Construction Materials operates more than 100 sites including 20 quarries, 62 concrete batching plants, and 16 asphalt plants, with operations in major centres from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
Over the past decade Boral has demonstrated a clear commitment to sustainable development and the ability to lift and sustain performance to a level of industry best practice.
Boral’s sustainability initiatives are prioritised to direct resources where the greatest value can be delivered for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities. Focus is on delivering best practice safety management, responsible environmental management, sustainable product development and value-creating partnerships.
This is evident through the external recognition that Boral has received including a number of awards for its Environmental and Community partnerships:
2021 (incl 2020 due to Covid) CCAA Innovation Awards - Environmental Innovation Award
Boral Australia - Concrete Qld - Electronic Silo Over-Pressure Detection & Prevention - Winner
2021 CCAA Innovation Awards - Health & Safety Innovation Award
Boral Australia - Logistics Qld - National Heavy Vehicle Accident Investigation & Standardisation - Highly Commended
2019 CCAA Qld 2019 Innovation Awards - Health & Safety Innovation Award
Boral Australia - Logistics QLD - A New Drawbar Design for Truck and Dog Tipper Trailers - Winner
2018 CCAA Innovation Awards - Health & Safety Innovation Award
Boral Logistics - Truck Body Prop – Winner
2018 CCAA Innovation Awards - Environmental Innovation Award
Boral Quarries - Electrical Efficiency Improvements in Quarry Operations - Highly Commended
2017 CCAA Innovation Awards – Health & Safety Innovation Award
Petrie Quarry - Respirable Dust Management Program – Highly Commended
2016 CCAA Innovation Awards - Environmental Innovation Award
Ormeau Quarry – Innovative Stormwater Management System – Highly Commended
2016 CCAA Innovation Awards - Community Leadership Award
Redlynch Quarry – Community Partnership for Improved Traffic Safety – Highly Commended
2015 CCAA Innovation Awards - Community Leadership Award
Ormeau Quarry - Long-Term Community Relationship Initiatives – Winner
2014 CCAA Innovation Awards - Community Leadership Award
Indigenous Cultural Heritage Program - Highly Commended
Site History, Geology & Ownership
Petrie Quarry (Queensland) - Site History
Petrie Quarry is located approximately 30kms northwest of Brisbane and 13kms northwest of Petrie on Dayboro Road and is within the Moreton Bay Regional Council.
The locality was initially developed for predominantly rural grazing purposes, before being rapidly re-developed into smaller acreage allotments and residential subdivisions. This redevelopment was largely due to improved road transport, which provided a fast and convenient means of access to the ever expanding suburban areas based around the northern satellite business centre of Strathpine.
The quarry is situated on a 134 hectare freehold property, of which only around 35 hectares has been disturbed for quarry pit and infrastructure development. The balance of the site is currently used as buffer zone, part of which has been enhanced with extensive tree planting.
Geology
Petrie Quarry is sited within the Rocksberg Greenstone Belt, which is late Devonian to early Carboniferous in age (330-400 million years old). The greenstone formed as a series of basaltic units which have since been regionally metamorphosed. The greenstone produces strong, durable products suitable for use as concrete, asphalt aggregate, and as road base.
Site Ownership
Boral Resources, through its then subsidiary, BMG Resources, acquired the freehold of the site in 1986.
Approvals
Following the then Pine Rivers Shire Council (PRSC) consent approval in February 1990, a detailed engineering design was undertaken, which covered the water management system, plant and stockpile area, onsite road works and upgrades to Dayboro Road infrastructure / services and the truck wheel wash.
State Planning Policy - Protection of Extractive Resources
The significance of the quarry site to the State has been established by its designation as a key Resource Area under the State Planning Policy 2/07 – Protection of Extractive Resources.
Key Resource Areas (KRAs) are locations across Queensland that have been found to contain important extractive materials such as sand, gravel and rock. These materials are the major ingredients used for building our homes, hospitals, schools and factories, as well as the supporting infrastructure of roads, railways, ports, and water supply systems.
KRA encompasses:
- the extractive resource and on-site processing area;
- the associated transport route, usually a road haulage route;
- a separation area around the resource and processing area and the transport route.
KRAs will be protected from incompatible land uses through the development assessment by ensuring development in the KRA is compatible with the extraction, processing and transport of extractive materials to markets.
A State Planning Policy (SPP) is a statutory planning instrument prepared under the Sustainable Planning Act (SPA).
An SPP outlines the state's policy on matters of state interest in planning and development.
An SPP nominates the state's interests in planning and development and now these are to be dealt with in planning instruments, council, development assessment proceessees and in designating land for community infrastructure.
Whiteside Key Resource Area - KRA58
Local Government Area: Moreton Bay Regional Council
Location: The Whiteside deposit is located about 13 kilometres west of Petrie, north of Lake Samsonvale (see Link to Map: Whiteside Key Resource Area - KRA58 below).
Transport Route: The transport of materials from the eastern quarry is onto Dunlop Lane and then the Dayboro Road. Transport from the western quarry is directly onto the Dayboro Road.
Supporting the Local Community
Koala Fodder Plantations on Quarry Buffer Land
The first koala fodder plantation on Petrie quarry buffer land was created to provide local koala carers associated with the Koala Action Pine Rivers and Moreton Bay Koala Rescue with feed for injured and/or orphaned koalas in the area.
Excess koala food from the plantation supplies the Australian Wildlife Hospital and koalas housed at Australia Zoo.
Another benefit is that leaf (naturally grown koala food) is not being taken from the bush ensuring our wild koalas do not lose out by having their food trees harvested.
The Launch of the Koala Fodder Plantation
The launch of the koala fodder plantation was one of various initiatives at the Petrie Quarry which commenced in May 2002.
Hon Peter Dutton MP and Councillor Graeme Ashworth from the then Pine Rivers Shire Council (PRSC) officially launched the koala fodder plantation. Vanda Grabowski of KAPR assisted with her extensive knowledge of koalas and their feeding requirements.
The Pine Rivers community teamed up with local koala care organisations and planted a large eucalypt nursery in the grounds of the Petrie Quarry. Around 1200 eucalypts donated by Council were planted. 65 volunteers participated in this initial planting and launch.
New Koala Fodder Plantation
In 2011, Boral engaged a consultant 'Naturecall' to assist in establishing a new koala fodder plantation so the existing plantation can eventually be phased out and can become part of the natural habitat within the quarry buffer land. Boral asked for input from the Koala Fodder Plantation Committee members (including koala carers and Australia Zoo) in the planning of this new plantation, to ensure the new plantation meets everyone's needs and includes improvements.
Powerlink Easement
Powerlink granted Boral a co-use of the power easement to establish a new koala fodder plantation. The intention for this project is to replace the existing fodder plantation in a new area to increase the amount of fodder.
Boral will maintain the fodder trees at all times to a height prescribed by Powerlink, ensuring a save environment within the power easement.
Boral believes that the co-use of the easement for a Koala fodder plantation is an appropriate and beneficial use of land, which would otherwise remain vacant and require maintenance by Powerlink.
Koala Fence and Underpass
In September 2009, Boral has implemented Koala Safety initiatives by building koala exclusion fencing and furnishing an underpass under Dayboro Road, where it crosses with a wildlife corridor. The fence stretches approximately 1km on both sides of the road, directing native fauna towards the underpass, allowing safe crossing to the other side.
Rehabilitation of the Land
A large proportion of the site was cleared many years ago for grazing purposes.
Boral developed a comprehensive landscape and rehabilitation plan to enhance existing wooded areas and reafforest cleared areas.
The main aims of the rehabilitation project include:
- improving native vegetation surrounding the operational areas of the quarry; and
- improving fauna habitat, specifically koala habitat on the site; the koala fodder plantations are part of Boral’s overall rehabilitation strategy for the quarry.
Initial plantings were undertaken as a priority in order to screen the plant and quarry operations from the neighbouring residences and passing traffic on Dayboro and Adsetts Roads.
The landscape and rehabilitation plan was also designed to address the needs of the resident and migrating Koala population, which is widespread throughout the district.
Initial planting was carried out in 1992/3 followed by additional planting of some 14,000 trees following a bush fire in 1994/5.
To date approximately 100,000 trees have been planted over the life of the operation.
Saratoga Breeding Program
Boral in partnership with the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) commenced a fish-breeding program in 2003. A joint initiative to fish Saratoga under licence and release them in site water management dams at the Petrie Quarry; after breeding was confirmed, social fishing days were introduced to catch the Saratoga and transport them back to Lake Samsonvale for re-stocking purposes.
Community Liaison Groups
Boral recognises the importance of stakeholder engagement to sustainable development of the business. At key quarry sites a significant commitment has been made to effectively engage with stakeholders using the Boral "community liaison group model".
Stakeholders with an immediate interest or control over the quarry and or neighbouring land are coalesced to form the community liaison group. Typically members include: neighbours, representatives of local government, environmental heritage protection, community representatives, councillors and Boral representatives.
The objectives of community liaison groups are to:
- facilitate open communication: creates a forum for discussion and exchange of information on topics related to the Boral quarry and our neighbours;
- create a forum to raise issues: acts as a "structured" communication link between Boral, the community and other stakeholders;
- provide an opportunity to influence operations: assists in identifying and addressing local issues and concerns relating to the Boral quarry and our neighbours;
- identify opportunities to partner with Boral on community projects: builds relationships between Boral, the community and stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Petrie Quarry Liaison Group
The first Petrie Quarry Liaison Group meeting was held in August 2005 at the Heritage Museum located at the North Pine Country Park, Dayboro Road.
Minutes of Petrie Quarry Liaison Group meetings
Major achievements
Major achievements of the Petrie Community Liaison Group include:
- installation of speed radar signs
- road maintenance
- Transport Code of Conduct
- Koala Fodder Plantation
- Koala Fence and Underpass
Sustainable Management
Sustainable Management & Industry Best Practice
Boral’s sustainability initiatives are prioritised to direct resources where the greatest value can be delivered for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities. Focus is on delivering best practice safety management, responsible environmental management, sustainable product development and value-creating partnerships.
The Objectives of Boral's Construction Materials (Qld/NT) Regional Environmental Action Plan are:
- Compliance and Management
Ensure all sites are managed and maintained in accordance with statutory environmental and planning requirements. - Stakeholder Perception
Committed to open, constructive engagement with communities surrounding our operations in enhancing local community relationships by proactively managing environmental impacts and improving operational image. Build mutually beneficial relationships with the local community and other interested community members, groups and organisations. This objective also aims to improve relationships with other external bodies including political, regulators and customers. - Land Management
Manage vegetation on all sites to statutory requirements ensuring land and resources are not sterilised. Ensure extractive industry sites are rehabilitated to industry best practice. - Eco Efficiency & Carbon Emission Reduction
Improve efficiency through implementation and promotion of sustainable work practices. The objective targets are the key areas of energy, greenhouse, and water, and meeting our mandatory reporting requirements.
To manage our Environmental responsibilities in Queensland and NT, Boral has developed an Environmental Management System (EMS), providing a framework to assist operational teams to comply with Industry Best Practice and environmental standards. This system elates to issues around air and water quality, as well as waste, land and spill management. The EMS is reviewed each year to align with Boral's Regional Business Units Environmental Action Plans (EAP).
Petrie Quarry Sustainable Practices
- Fully enclosed crushing plant, designed to minimise noise and dust emissions from the quarrying process;
- Site water management is a key component of the quarry operations. We have successfully operated a closed water management circuit for all surface water on site.
The site utilises on-site catchment dams to capture and treat water. Water is recycled for on-site uses such as dust suppression and wheel wash activities.
To date, we have had no need for town water for the quarry operation or any water discharges from site. The success of the system has resulted in high standards of water quality, attracting a variety of aquatic and bird life to our site water retention dams. - Wheel wash process that all trucks must use before leaving the site. This process minimises the potential for sediment and dust to leave the quarry;
- Boral established a Community Liaison Group for the Petrie Quarry in August 2005. Members include representatives of government agencies, Council, community groups, residents and neighbours. It creates a forum for open communication, to raise issues, influence operations, and foster a good relationship with our stakeholders.
- Community Engagement Activities at Petrie quarry started in 2002 and have involved the local CREEC Centre, - Pine Rivers Fish Management Association, local Heritage Museum, Koala Fodder Plantation and a Management Committee, and Conservation Volunteers Australia.
- Transport Code of Conduct - in response to increased community concerns regarding truck driver behaviour at some of our sites, Boral responded with a state-wide initiative, the Extractive Industry – Road Transport Code of Conduct (RTCC). The Code of Conduct is supported by the Regional General Manager and reiterates expectations Boral has of their drivers carting to and from their quarries. The code was rolled out first in 2009 and again in 2011 throughout Queensland.
- Boral signed a Cultural Heritage Agreement with the Gubbi Gubbi people for the Petrie Quarry on 6 November 2006. This agreement ensures that Boral will be able to discharge its ‘Duty of Care’ under the Aboriginal Cultural heritage Act 2003. All on-site staff has undergone a cultural heritage induction as part of the agreement so that they are aware of what to do in the event that an item of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is found. Boral appointed a staff member as the Cultural Heritage Coordinator (CHC) for the site. The CHC is responsible for communicating any issues of cultural heritage to the appointed representative from the Gubbi Gubbi. Boral believe these Agreements are a significant commitment to an important issue in our community.