Regulator limits over extracting at quarries

REBECCA CARLTON, Deputy Chief Inspector – North, Earth Resources Regulator, Resources Victoria, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Resources Victoria’s regulator is keeping a close eye on overextraction at quarries across the state.

This includes instances where operators are disturbing areas outside their quarry’s approved boundary and extracting materials in a way that is inconsistent with the site’s work plan.

The Earth Resources Regulator is using high resolution aerial imagery to identify sites where over-extraction may have occurred and will follow up with on-ground inspections.

Limits on extraction area, depth and pit slopes help ensure risks are appropriately managed. When a site is extracted beyond what has been approved there may be risks to the environment, infrastructure and the community that have not been appropriately addressed.

Extracting outside permitted areas may also require additional approvals and permits, as well as cultural heritage assessment. The site’s rehabilitation bond amount may also be impacted.

Quarry operators should check that their activities are consistent with their work authority and the site’s approved work plan.

If a site operates under the code of practice for small quarries, its work authority and the code will contain the information required.

Where over-extraction is identified, corrective action will be required, and sanctions may be imposed.

Over the last 12 months, the regulator has issued several remedial and stop work notices to address over-extraction. Notices have been issued for operators disturbing areas outside their quarry’s approved boundary, exceeding the maximum permissible area open within their quarry, digging deeper than allowed and creating pit slopes steeper than approved.

If you think that you may have over-extracted at your site, stop working in that area immediately and contact the Earth Resources Regulator for advice on the next steps.

Over extraction is one of Resources Victoria’s five compliance
priorities for in 2024-2025.

Information on what you can do to ensure your work authority is compliant can be found on our website. (See page 40 FAQ’s)

If you have questions, please contact errfeedback@deeca.vic.gov.au or on 0499 875 329.

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