Residents of Sellicks Beach, a picturesque seaside suburb 45 minutes south of Adelaide, are increasingly anxious about the impact of a nearby quarry, the area’s main employer, which has recently expanded its operations to run 24/7. Mike von Berg, a local resident, reported that the quarry’s dust is now a constant presence, infiltrating homes and making outdoor living uncomfortable. He described the situation, stating, “The volume of dust now is totally unbearable,” with many homes experiencing grit accumulation on surfaces.
John Zingini echoed these concerns, describing daily life in Sellicks Beach as a “literal nightmare” due to the dust. While residents are troubled by the need for constant cleaning, they are even more concerned about the health implications. Symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, and fatigue are reportedly on the rise, prompting residents to conduct their own tests, which revealed the presence of toxic silica in the dust.
The health risks associated with silica, particularly in relation to lung disease, have led to nationwide concerns and regulations, particularly in industries like stone processing that handle manufactured stone containing silica. Mark Brooke, the CEO of the Australian Lung Foundation, emphasised that there is no safe level of dust exposure, reinforcing community fears over potential respiratory illnesses.
Adding to the tension, the South Australian Government plans to develop 1,700 new homes in Sellicks Beach to address a housing crisis, which has residents worried that future residents may not be adequately informed about the quarry’s impact. Community leaders are urging caution in this development, advocating for thorough assessments of health risks before proceeding.
Adbri, the company operating the quarry, contends that their dust levels are within the limits allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and assert that their dust has a low silica content. They maintain that various dust mitigation strategies are in place, including a Trigger Action Response Plan, intensive screening, and water spraying operations to manage dust.
The EPA has acknowledged community concerns and indicates it is actively monitoring the situation, confirming that recent air quality data show dust from the quarry remains below national health impact guidelines. However, the ongoing friction between the residents and the quarry operations highlights the complexities of balancing local employment needs with public health and quality of life.
As residents continue to seek assistance and clarification on their health and property value concerns, Zingini reflected on his regret at purchasing a property in the area, stating he would have chosen differently if he had known about the quarry’s operations. With uncertainty looming, the community’s future remains contingent on impending discussions and decisions regarding both their health safety and housing developments.