Quarry Future Needs Assessment

⁠⁠⁠Overview

Glenelg Shire Council is seeking quotes from suitably qualified consultants to undertake a Quarry Resource and Future Needs Assessment to support the long-term strategic asset management of Council's quarry operations and road infrastructure network.

Purpose

Council maintains an extensive rural road network comprising sealed and unsealed roads that require ongoing capital resheeting, pavement rehabilitation, and maintenance activities. Historically, Council has sourced quarry materials from a combination of Council owned and privately operated quarry sites. Several existing sources are either approaching end-of-life, constrained by material quality or haulage distance, or present long-term operational and financial risks. Council requires a strategic assessment of future quarry material needs and potential quarry resource opportunities.

Objectives

The assessment is intended to ensure:

• Long-term security of supply
• Cost effective delivery of road programs
• Appropriate geographic distribution of material sources
• Reduced haulage and operational costs
• Improved resilience during emergency response and recovery activities
• Sustainable long-term asset management outcomes

Scope

The assessment should consider both current and future demand associated with:

• Capital resheeting programs
• Road rehabilitation and reconstruction works
• Maintenance gravel requirements
• Emergency response and recovery works
• Other municipal infrastructure activities where relevant

The consultant shall undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment including, but not limited to, the following components.

1. Existing Quarry and Material Supply Review

Undertake a review of:

• Existing Council owned quarry sites
• Existing private material suppliers utilised by Council
• Current material types and specifications
• Historical material usage and extraction volumes
• Existing haulage distances and transport considerations
• Remaining known resource availability (where possible)
• Current operational limitations and risks
• Existing approvals and operational constraints

The review should identify key risks and limitations associated with current supply arrangements.

2. Future Material Demand Assessment

Assess and estimate Council's future material demand requirements, including consideration of:

• Capital resheeting programs
• Pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction programs
• Maintenance grading and gravel resheeting activities
• Emergency response and disaster recovery requirements
• Population and freight trends where relevant
• Asset management and lifecycle renewal requirements
• Anticipated long-term infrastructure investment needs

The assessment should provide indicative short, medium, and long-term material demand forecasts where practicable.

3. Strategic Quarry Resource Assessment

Undertake a high-level strategic assessment of potential future quarry resource opportunities across the municipality, including:

• Identification of potential quarry resource areas
• Preliminary assessment of material suitability
• Geographic suitability relative to Council operations
• Haulage efficiencies and transport implications
• Potential operational yields or resource longevity (where practicable)
• Access and servicing considerations
• Environmental and planning constraints
• Land ownership considerations
• Potential approval or licensing requirements
• Strategic benefits and limitations of each option

The assessment may include both potential Council owned quarry opportunities and strategic partnership or supply opportunities with private operators.

4. Strategic Asset Management Considerations

The consultant shall provide advice regarding:

• Long-term quarry resource sustainability
• Risks associated with future supply shortages
• Financial and operational implications of haulage distances
• Opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce lifecycle costs
• Network resilience and emergency response capability
• Alignment with Council's asset management objectives
• Strategic recommendations for future quarry resource planning

The assessment should consider the challenges associated with servicing a large rural municipality, including transport distances and operational efficiency.

5. Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Identify key considerations relating to:

• Planning and extractive industry approvals
• Native vegetation and biodiversity constraints
• Cultural heritage considerations
• Water and drainage impacts
• Land use compatibility
• Environmental approval risks
• Community interface considerations
• Rehabilitation and closure obligations

This assessment is intended to be strategic in nature and not a detailed approval or environmental assessment.

6. Recommendations and Prioritisation

Provide:

• A prioritised list of potential future quarry resource opportunities
• Strategic recommendations regarding future quarry planning and investment
• Identification of further investigations required
• Recommended next steps for Council
• High-level implementation considerations and indicative priorities

Recommendations should consider operational efficiency.

Enquiries

• Contact: Will Kerr, Acting Manager Roads and Infrastructure Maintenance, Glenelg Shire Council
• Phone: 5522 23 02
• Email: wkerr@glenelg.vic.gov.au