I AM writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed extension of operating hours for Attards Transport, located at 117 Rakow Street, Broken Hill, currently under consideration with Broken Hill City Council.
As a resident directly affected by this proposal, I believe it is crucial for the community to be informed about the potential implications of the council’s decisions on our local environment and quality of life.
Currently, Attards Transport is bound by its 2000 Development Approval (DA) conditions, which restrict operations to 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 12pm Saturday, with no operations on Sundays or public holidays.
However, there is a proposal before the Broken Hill City Council to extend these operating hours to 6am to 9pm, seven days a week.
This is a scale back on the original DA application, which requested permission to move immediately to 6am to 12am, seven days a week.
This proposed extension raises several concerns:
1 — Non-compliance with existing regulations
There have been documented instances where Attards Transport has operated beyond their currently approved hours, causing disturbances to the surrounding community. Extending their operating hours without addressing these compliance issues sets a concerning precedent. This evidence has been submitted to Broken Hill City Council on numerous occasions before and during this DA process.
2 — Environmental and health impacts
Increased operating hours may lead to heightened levels of noise, dust, and light pollution. Given Broken Hill’s existing challenges with lead contamination, any additional environmental stressors could exacerbate public health risks. Furthermore, the current lack of effective noise, light, and dust mitigation measures is in direct violation of the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Noise Policy for Industry (2017).
3 — Council’s regulatory consistency
If the council approves this extension, it may be perceived as disregarding its own regulations, which currently limit industrial operations to 6am to 6pm. This could lead to calls for all industrial businesses in Broken Hill to be granted similar extensions, potentially increasing nuisances across the community.
Furthermore, the current mitigation measures employed by Attards Transport to control dust and noise during their daytime activities are deplorably inadequate and fail to comply with the Noise Policy for Industry (2017).
This raises serious concerns about their ability to manage additional disturbances that would arise from extended operating hours.
I have documented observations and evidence supporting these concerns, including logs of disturbances, photographs, and video recordings.
I urge fellow residents to engage with this issue and consider its broader implications.
Public participation is essential in ensuring that any decisions made reflect the best interests of our community.
I encourage those concerned to attend the upcoming Broken Hill City Council ordinary meeting on January 31 at 6.30pm, where this matter is scheduled for discussion.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Ayla Wright
Broken Hill
