Friends of Minnamurra River Inc (FOMR) has launched a Go Fund Me page to raise $25,000 to fight the decision to allow sandmining on land around Dunmore House.

In November, the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved Boral’s application to modify its sandmining operations at Dunmore, by opening two new pits across the highway.

FOMR says the approval was based mainly on economic grounds, given the demand for high quality sand by the construction industry.

“We are considering a number of options to challenge the IPC decision, and have still to decide which direction we will take,” says FOMR Chair, Will Chyra.

“The intent is to get the decision overturned, and as a result Boral would have to ultimately apply for a new development application and go through the current, tightened environmental legislation.”

As the expansion proposal was a modification of its original DA, it was assessed under the environmental legislation that applied in 1998.

“Even the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment concedes that the sand mines will destroy the local environment, and yet this destruction of landscapes many thousands of years old is for mines that will have a life of only three to four years,” says Mr Chyra.

At its December Meeting, Kiama Council resolved to write to the Federal Minister of Environment, Sussan Ley to outline its concern that there may be a potential breach to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in relation to the approvals granted.

Both Kiama and Shellharbour Councils opposed the modification proposal, as did the Member for Kiama Gareth Ward.

Approached for comment, a spokesperson for Boral said, “The decision relied on thorough and rigorous studies on the proposal as compiled by experienced and qualified experts, having regard to relevant state and local government assessment criteria, and environmental protection controls.

“Boral's strong track record in responsible environmental management of our operations at Dunmore will continue via a series of management plans stipulated in the conditions of consent.

“We acknowledge concerns raised by the community during the assessment and appreciate this feedback.

“We will continue to work with the community to ensure we meet or exceed all of our planning conditions, as we have for many years at our existing operations.”