Proposed Sand Quarry – Bobs Farm Port Stephens, NSW

Martens was engaged to conduct a geotechnical and acid sulfate soils assessment for a proposed sand quarry at Bobs Farm, NSW.

Martens was engaged to conduct a geotechnical and acid sulfate soils assessment for a proposed sand quarry at Bobs Farm, NSW.

The proposed quarry is to be located approximately 28km north east of Newcastle and 5km south of Port Stephens, at the northern end of the Stockton Bight Dunal system. Targeted quarry materials include high quality low grade metamorphic volcaniclastic rock and low grade metamorphic mudstone, sandstone and shale. Folding of the lithological sequence and faults have tilted the original bedding within the rock by up to approximately 70°.

Project scope included:

• Geotechnical assessment, including on-site geomorphological mapping, drilling of boreholes up to 13m depth and field testing
• Hydrogeological assessment, including groundwater well installation and level monitoring
• Site stability assessment associated with the proposed works (SLIDE modelling analysis)
• Provision of recommendations for safe and economic soil extraction and for soil erosion and sediment transport management requirements
• Acid Sulfate Soils (ASS) assessment, including preparation of an ASS management plan
• Assessment of impacts on potential resources by soil conditions including salinity, dispersivity and acidity
• Assessment of mitigation and management options to limit, control and abate impacts on surrounding land use and environment