Montrose Quarry Project

Project Overview

The Boral Montrose Quarry has provided the foundations for development and growth across the greater Melbourne metropolitan area for almost 70 years. A prime source of hard rock, the Montrose Quarry is located 32 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD.  

The 82.5 hectare site incorporates the quarry pit and processing area, the operations of both the Boral Montrose asphalt and concrete plants, and buffer zones which include examples of remnant eastern and southern forest.  

The quarry was first established in 1947 under permit no. E/47, issued under the Lilydale Planning Scheme. The quarry also operated under an Extractive Industry Work Authority 100 (WA100), issued under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990. This allows the operation of extractive activities at the site.  Montrose Quarry and adjoining Boral-owned land is a Special Use Zone (Extractive Industries) under State planning provisions.

Key Points

The proposed extension will increase the current extraction area by approximately 12.5 hectares. 

Boral is seeking to extend the existing extraction boundary to increase the life of the Montrose quarry by approximately 30 years. 

Modernised blast techniques and comprehensive site management plans have been developed for this new application. 

If successful, Boral will upgrade the intersection of Canterbury Road and Fussell Road to make it safer.

The project has considered how to avoid or minimise impacts associated with biodiversity, water management, air quality (dust), and noise.  

The current project design was developed using independent environmental assessments. 

FAQ

The extended pit shell and associated rehabilitation concepts will form part of a submission of a variation to the existing Work Plan and must satisfy any requirements prescribed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) - Regulatory Operations (RA) division.

The first step in the approval pathway is a referral to the Minister for Planning to decide if the project requires an Environmental Effects Statement (EES). Boral has referred the project and is waiting on a determination from the Minister. The determination will guide the future statutory approval pathway.

The proposal to expand the extraction boundary requires the following statutory approvals:

A Work Authority and Work Plan Variation under the Extractive Industries Development Act 1995 for the extended quarry operations.

A Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme and a planning permit under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

A Works Approval and Licence under the Environment Protection Act 1970 for the increased water discharge volumes associated with the quarry activities.

There will be opportunities for community to provide feedback during the application process.

View all