The Queensland State Government (State), the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (SCRC) and Barro Group all recognise the important part that quarry materials play in sustaining the communities need for essential infrastructure such as roads, rail lines, hospitals, schools and water and sewerage services.
Without such infrastructure communities cannot function effectively.
Fortunately, the State and SCRC have taken steps to research where quarry materials can be provided from, which is not an easy task, as the source must meet compatible geological, environmental and economic outcomes.
Given that there are very few locations that can meet these compatible outcomes criteria it is reassuring that the State and SCRC have moved to protect these essential resources for the community through legislation and planning scheme policies.
Beerburrum, a rich history of providing community resources
From its early days of providing farming produce followed by decades of valuable timber production quarrying has also been one of the key activities conducted in the Beerburrum area.
Beerburrum is not only a unique area it is special, from its environmental and cultural significance to the provision of key resources.
Resources provided from old quarry sites now forming key tourism features in national parks now need to be sourced from other quarries in less sensitive environments and growing community needs for essential infrastructure means that increased quarry production must occur.
Fortunately, the State and SCRC have planned for this and resource areas have been preserved and protected.
Burrum Quarry, the next step
For 40 years the State owned and operated the Burrum Quarry to support the needs of the timber industry.
More recently, recognising the communities increased need for quarry materials in the area the State made a decision that it was time to better utilise Burrum Quarry.
Having previously legislated the site as being of State Significance, in 2014 the State called for interest from companies who would be competent to extend the Burrum Quarry to meet its full and needed potential.
This is not an unusual process for the State as around 20% of Queensland’s quarry materials are won from State owned resources operated by private companies.
The States tender process is rigorous, the best outcome must be returned to all stakeholders, the State, the SCRC, and the community, both commercially and sustainably.
The State chose Barro Group as the company that was most capable of meeting their future objectives for the Burrum Quarry.
For 40 years, the State Government has operated the Burrum Quarry but in 2014 it made the decision to call for companies to better manage the Quarry, its output, its sustainability.
Steps vital to meet the massive growth on and near local boundaries.
By late 2014 It began an exhaustive, rigorous tendering process. That process ended at the door of Barro Group.
Barro Group is one of the nations’ leading extraction industry experts.