Historically the Sancrox quarry has had permission to produce up to 450,000 tonne per annum. The quarry currently produces some 185,000tpa.

Under the proposal, up to 750,000 tonnes of material would be extracted per year, over 30 years, which will be used for roads, construction and infrastructure and local projects such as the proposed orbital road.

An expanded quarry will cover an area of 48.61 hectares.

Chris Munro says his concerns relate to impacts on existing koala populations, tourism, noise including the quarry operating 24 hours.

He says an expanded quarry had the potential to impact a far wider area than the immediate Sancrox area.

"Is Port Macquarie going down the path of being known for this mega quarry or as a place that attracts tourism because of its family-friendly environment," he said.

"Is this a place where you would like to live?

"People are moving to Port Macquarie, Thrumster, Sovereign Hills because it is a family place.

"As well, I have concerns about the future of the koala corridor, part of which runs through my property.

"There are already pressures on the local koala population for feed trees and water," he said.

But Hanson says an independent consultant's biodiversity assessment report found no direct evidence - sightings or aural recognition of male calls - of koala on the proposed site.

"While indirect evidence of koala activity was recorded in the form of some old, unconfirmed tree-trunk scratches and scats collected at one of the plots, the results of the assessment indicate that koala activity on the site is low," Hanson said.

"Additionally, Hanson liaised with the Billabong Koala Zoo during the early stages of preparing the EIS.

"Following various consultations, Hanson has identified a range of mitigation measures associated with the project proposal.

"These are detailed in the environmental impact statement (EIS) and address environmental matters including, air, noise and vibration, traffic, water, biodiversity, heritage (both Aboriginal and European), visual, socio-economic, and waste.

Mr Munro pointed to the significant amount of money raised for the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital as evidence of where the koala ranked in the world's consciousness.

Another concern was the level of community consultation over the proposal, Mr Munro said.

"If there was community consultation, I would be raising doubts about its effectiveness," he said.

"I'd like to know when, where and how that consultation took place.

"There's also concerns that the information circulating for the quarry application is too large (1529 pages)."

Mr Munro said the potential loss of water from rainfall in the area with the EIS indicating the quarry would capture an estimated 40-80 megalitres per year of rainfall.

He was concerned the expanded quarry would reduce water availability to the existing koala population and have an impacting on much-needed koala feed trees.

He says that would indicate that this amount of rainfall would not flow into the local streams and rivers.

Hanson pointed to the water assessment component of the EIS where it says the proposed project demonstrates that there will be surplus water from rainfall capture which will be returned to local waterways under a water monitoring program.

Hanson also says rehabilitation works will be completed in line with industry standards.

It plans to "rehabilitate the site to a self-sustaining, stable condition, which is revegetated with native endemic plant species".

"Once established, this would provide a habitat suitable for native plants and fauna," Hanson said.

"Our community consultation group - the Sancrox Quarry Extension Project Community Consultative Committee - met on November 7, 2019 and has been working with and communicating with local community representatives.

Mr Munro says residents do not oppose the existing quarry and its five days a week operation.

"Everyone I've spoken with is happy to see the quarry to continue at its current levels," he said.

"This project, if it goes ahead, will only see an increase of around 10 jobs."

For further information or online assistance contact Melissa Anderson at the department of planning, industry and environment on 8275 1392. You can also go to the website.

The Sancrox quarry proposal is likely to be on the agenda when Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meets on Wednesday December 11.

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