It was a full house in the Paterson School of Arts Hall last night, standing room only.
After intros from official attendees; Dept Planning, Daracon, EPA, Dungog Shire, Dept Premier & Cabnet and Maitland State MP. Howard Reed Director of Resource Assessment from NSW Department of Planning opened by explaining the process and told the audience that the determination of the project would go through the independent Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC).
He advised he had visited and met with Daracon and quarry staff, Martins Creek residents and other relevant community groups. The meeting was then opened to the floor for community to ask questions and lodge their concerns.
During the evening a gentleman in the audience moved a motion "that the community reject any expansion of Martins Creek Quarry and demand the Government and Dungog Shire Council regulate existing consents" The motion was seconded and then overwhelmingly passed in favor by a show of hands from the audience.
At the end of the evening Howard Reed stated he was now well aware that the community was resolute an forthright in their views and he would have to take that with him back to Sydney.
Here below were just a few of the comments collected from the crowd attesting to the current impacts, the lack of consultation and known future impacts that would occur from an expansion of the facility;