Thursday, February 27, 2014

AUSTRALIA: Cement storage factory approved for Osborne

The $18 million expansion of a cement storage and loading station at Osborne has been approved.

Cement Australia’s proposal would allow five times more cement to be transferred through the Mersey Rd North site, increasing its yearly capacity to 500,000 tonnes.

The nine new 38m tall silos, approved by Port Adelaide Enfield’s Development Assessment Panel last night, would be of similar height to the nearby Torrens Island power station and Penrice Soda plant.

Cement Australia is based in Brisbane and has leased the site near ASC since 1991.

The only objection received by the panel was from Cr Bruce Johansen, who lives about 1km from the site, in North Haven.

Cr Johansen told the panel his main concerns were noise from trucks and ships loading and unloading cement, the height of the silos and cement dust escaping the silos.

He said he was concerned the dust problem around Adelaide Brighton Cement’s factory at Birkenhead could be replicated in Osborne.

Cement Australia project manager Peter Klose told the panel the depot was a completely sealed, pressurised system and there would be no dust problems.

“This facility is purely a receival and storage facility and Cement Australia has a number of these around the country,” Mr Klose said.

Mr Klose said the noise from trucks and the depot would be similar to the sound of an air-conditioning unit for residents closest to the site.

He said the plant would increase truck movements on Mersey Rd North from 100 per day to 180. Two people will be employed there once it is complete.

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