Sand mining giant Boral has responded to a protest held at Minnamurra opposing their expansion in the area.
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On Sunday, hundreds attended a rally at James Oates Reserve to denounce plans by the company to expand its Dunmore Lakes mine and dig two new pits (5A and 5B) - the latter would be within around 180 metres of the river wetlands.
Boral has since released a statement to reassure the community no sand would be extracted from the river nor its immediate surrounds; no trees would be removed from the site without approval from the Department of Planning; and impacts on biodiversity would be minimised.
"Water in the extraction ponds will be kept clean and maintained at a high quality, the proposal has been designed to eliminate the possibility of pond water interacting with the river, even in the worst flood events," a spokesman said.
"Independent ecological surveys commissioned as part of the planning process were used to design the extraction areas so that impacts on biodiversity are minimised ... the area will be re-surveyed prior to quarrying.
"No trees will be removed from the site until the Department of Planning is satisfied that the biodiversity impacts have been fully addressed in line with legislative requirements, which means that endangered ecological communities will be protected in perpetuity."
Both Kiama and Shellharbour Councils believe the project would pose risks of significant environmental damage.
While Independent MP Justin Field and the Gerroa Environmental Protection Society have offered to work with the company to find an alternative location.
The plans are currently before the Department of Planning.