Following the news that the NSW Department of Planning has recommended Cleary Bros’ application to extend its sand mining operations at Gerroa for approval by the Minister, the Gerroa Environmental Protection Society (GEPS) is appealing to the Minister to make a change to the boundary to protect Aboriginal heritage sites.

“We are shocked that the recommendation enables the destruction of a number of significant Aboriginal sites,” says the Secretary of GEPS, Howard H Jones.

“One site in particular yielded nearly 4000 artefacts in preliminary investigations. It was described in the archaeological report as demonstrating ‘long-term intense occupation’ of Seven Mile Beach by Aboriginal people and as ‘a rare occurrence within the local region’ and of ‘high scientific significance but low historical value’.

“We consider the Plan to conserve only a small part of this archaeological site and consign the remainder to be destroyed by mining and salvage operations is irrational and wonder if there is any precedent for such an unorthodox heritage management strategy? 

“The protection of this site in its entirety would not impact greatly on the mine as it is located along one boundary of the proposed dredge pond and we urge the minister to vary the approval to protect the site in its entirety.”

Clearys first applied to extend its sand mining operations into adjacent cleared land in 2018, and welcomes the recommendation for approval which would allow operations to continue for at least another 15 years.  

“The process included wide consultation attracting feedback from stakeholders across the community,” says Steve Rogers, Managing Director and CEO, Cleary Bros.

“This consultation, combined with the extended assessment, afforded Cleary Bros the opportunity to enhance several important aspects of the proposal.

“One of these was with respect to the site’s cultural heritage. After the Traditional Owners of the land raised early concerns with the application, a dialogue began resulting in improvements to the proposed Aboriginal Heritage Management Plan and the conservation of specified areas, meeting the expectations of the Registered Aboriginal Parties, the Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council, and the then Biodiversity and Conservation Division of the DPE.”

The proposed dredge pond and operational area will occupy 15.4 hectares, compared to the current operation covering 27.5ha.

The area sought for approval through the modification incorporates approximately 1.2 million tonnes of fine sand, sought after by the building industry.