Status
On this page:
Background
Proponent: Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd (formerly Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd)
Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd (HMA) is proposing to establish and operate a granite quarry on a greenfield freehold site in Bunyip North.
The project site comprises about 280 hectares. The quarry is proposed to operate for 75 years, with an ultimate pit footprint of about 70 hectares and a maximum pit depth of about 140 metres below natural surface.
The project would also include crushing plant, product handling and stockpiles, internal roads and ancillary facilities. Access is proposed to be via Bunyip-Tonimbuk Road, from the Prince Freeway, which may also require upgrade as part of the project.
The proponent commenced their EES during 2017. The EES has been placed hold several times by the proponent since EES commencement for multiple reasons, including the local 2019 bushfires. The proponent requested to recommence EES preparation during April 2024 and continues to undertake EES studies. The project is now known as Bunyip North Quarry.
Public review and Inquiry
Exhibition
The environment effects statement is to be publicly exhibited for comment for 30 business days from Monday 7 September 2026 to 11.59pm on Monday 19 October 2026.
The following documents are also being exhibited together with the EES; a draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA), an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria Development Licence.
To view and download these items please go to the Bunyip North Quarry EES.
Submissions
Submissions on the EES, draft PSA, EPA Victoria Development Licence can be made through Engage Victoria platform at the link below.
Make a submission on Engage Victoria
Inquiry
The Bunyip North Quarry EES Inquiry is currently being appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider the environmental effects of the project.
Dates for the directions hearing and Inquiry are not confirmed as yet by Planning Panels Victoria but are likely to be:
- Directions hearing on 4 November 2026
- Public hearing commencing the week of 30 November 2026.
Information regarding the Inquiry process can be found on the Engage Victoria platform, including the EES Inquiry Terms of Reference.
EES preparation
Scoping requirements
The Scoping Requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were on public exhibition between 19 July 2017 to 9 August 2017.
After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final Scoping Requirements in September 2017.
Consultation plan
HMA has prepared a communication and consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.
HMA have recently updated their consultation plan as part of their recent recommencement of their EES preparation. The updated version is available here:
Previous versions are also accessible at the links below:
Technical Reference Group
The department has convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group at the request of the Minister for Planning to advise the department and the proponent on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies and documentation, as well as co-ordination of the EES process with other statutory processes for the project.
The organisations represented on the Technical Reference group are:
- First Peoples – State Relations
- Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DEECA) – Planning and Environment Assessment
- Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DEECA) – Natural Environment Programs
- Environment Protection Authority
- Heritage Victoria
- Cardinia Shire Council
- DEECA – Resources Victoria
- Melbourne Water
- Southern Rural Water
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) – Transport Services
- DTP – State Planning Services
Technical Reference Group representatives are supported by technical experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.
Minister's decision on referral
On 22 November 2015 the Minister for Planning required HMA (then Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd) to prepare an environment effects statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project. The referral decision (reasons and statement of decision) are provided below.
The project was referred under the name Bunyip North Granite Quarry. Now the EES project is referred to as Bunyip North Quarry.
The EES is being undertaken as an accredited process set out in the bilateral agreement under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It will have to assess the relevant matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth decision that the project is a ‘controlled action’ requesting approval under the EPBC Act.
More information
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.
Proposed Bunyip North Quarry queries:
Heidelberg Material Australia Pty Ltd
☎ Phone: (03) 9274 3700 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm)
Website: Bunyip North Quarry Project | EES Overview
✉ Email: community.bunyipnorth@aus.heidlebergmaterials.com
EES process queries:
Impact Assessment Unit
✉ Email: environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 07/09/26