Quarry operators are being urged to ensure they are complying with environmental laws ahead of a compliance crackdown kicking off in the state's south-west.
A new campaign by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) aims to ensure quarry operators are not extracting and processing materials beyond their legal limits in Albury, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, and surrounding LGAs in the Riverina Murray region.
NSW EPA Director of Field Operations Scott Kidd said the EPA received tip-offs about operators exceeding volume thresholds, which prompted the campaign.
"Quarry extraction limits are in place for a reason - the larger an industrial activity is, the greater its environmental risks are," Mr Kidd said.
"When quarries extract too much, they can cause excessive dust and noise impacts on nearby residents, as well potentially polluting nearby waterways and damaging local ecosystems.
"Many quarries are doing the right thing. Unfortunately, there are reckless operators ignoring environmental laws and financially benefiting, so we want to even the playing field for all operators.
"Our message is clear: know the extraction limits in your environment licence and stick to them. Quarry operators who extract more than their licenced limits can expect regulatory action over the coming months."
The compliance campaign will target the following LGAs: Berrigan, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Greater Hume Shire, Snowy Valleys Council, Cootamundra, West Wyalong, Temora, Junee, Gundagai, Federation, Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera, and Coolamon.
The EPA sets out volume limits for the extraction and processing of materials, as well as their transportation, in environment protection licences for each site.
