Proposed Quarry
Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd and their predecessors have operated a quarry near Skeleton Hill for 22 years. Unfortunately, this far less obtrusive site is in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park. This wasn't always the case, as the quarry existed long before the NP was proclaimed. However Parks Victoria have allowed Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd to continue the quarry in the NP for a number of years. 
In accordance with the Management Plan for the NP, Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd lease on the existing quarry site has now expired.
Unfortunately for the people of Chiltern and every other individual who values the contribution Skeleton Hill makes to our landscape, Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd has chosen the hill as an alternative site for the quarry.
In terms of visual impact, the Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd proposed new quarry site on the western ridge and slopes of Skeleton Hill is undoubtedly the worst possible location that could have been chosen.
The dominance of the landscape, clearly visible from a tourist-oriented town and the fact that it abuts the NP makes the site visually, socially as well as ecologically sensitive. Whatever the rationale behind the closing down of the existing smaller, far less obvious quarrying operation just inside the NP, clearly, shifting it 300 metres to a location immediately on the other side of the NP boundary fence will achieve nothing.
On the contrary, a quarry perched on top of Skeleton Hill will confront NP visitors who have for many years, previously passed by the existing quarry site, largely unaware of its presence. In fact, the western protuberance of Skeleton Hill would be a wonderful addition to the NP, rather than allowing it to be turned into a quarry.
To make matters worse, the proposed quarry site is slap-bang in the middle of the Chiltern Biolink. This government- sponsored project seeks to build habitat corridors through privately owned land linking the various sections of the Chiltern-Mt.Pilot NP. Skeleton Hill forms the boundary of one of these sections. It is difficult to see how a large quarry could be considered to be compatible with the objectives of the biolink.
Unfortunately, Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd has failed to put up any alternative to their chosen location for the new quarry that threatens Chiltern’s economic future which is becoming increasingly reliant on nature-based tourism and its historic ambience. Their proposal, if it eventuates, could clearly threaten the town’s future as a destination within a historical and natural amenity landscape.
On the other hand, the community is currently working to enhance these aspects of the town and its landscape through the Greening Chiltern’s Watercourses project thereby strengthening the town’s environmental and recreational credentials.
If you like to join the fight to save Skeleton Hill or make a donation please visit our contact us page.
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