CEMENT maker Holcim Australia is prepared to fork out $200,000 for a study of endangered birds as part of its project to build a quarry at Chiltern’s Skeleton Hill.
The manufacturer yesterday responded to federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett, who has approved the quarry on environmental grounds with conditions including a study into the quarry’s impact on the regent honeyeater and swift parrot.
Holcim’s vice-president of aggregates Mark Campbell said studies and conservation groups had already declared the Chiltern quarry would not harm the bird species, however, “Holcim is committed to biodiversity conservation, especially for endangered species, and will help support the protection of these birds and their habitat”.
He said Holcim welcomed Mr Garrett’s department, the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, approving the quarry under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
“We have been speaking to the department about these species for a while and are pleased to assist through both research programs and habitat recreation,” Mr Campbell said.
He added that there were plans to set aside the privately owned surrounds of the Skeleton Hill quarry for use as a flora conservation area.
Read more at The Border Mail.
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