The “yes” vote is in on the Freemond Quarry in the Bancroft area, but the fight against it is just beginning.
Hastings County council voted 11-to-3 on a recorded vote to approve rezoning for the quarry.
A residents group called No Place for a Quarry is getting ready to fight that ruling.
Spokesperson Madeleine Marentette tells Quinte News the quarry is in an area with a high concentration of homes and businesses.
Marentette says there was no environmental review and it’s “significantly close” to residences.
Mayor of Hastings Highlands Vic Bodnar at Hastings County Council, June 27, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Mayor Vic Bodnar of Hastings Highlands told council the need for rock in the area “is already met.”
“The only economic benefit is to Freemond,” he said, adding the economic impact is not justified.
Bodnar warned that during the tourist season the possibility of an accident could not be overlooked.
Wollaston Reeve Barbara Shaw at Hastings County Council, June 27, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Reeve Barbara Shaw of Wollaston Township pointed to the beauty of the region and the fact tourism is recognized as a viable industry that helps fund the “great work of the county.”
Shaw questioned, “Why take the risk?”
Speaking in favour of the proposed Freemond Quarry, Reeve Bonnie Adams of Carlow/Mayo township said the forestry industry provides 2,000 jobs and supports 300 firms.
“We cannot put the forestry at risk and it needs the quarry to build roads,” she said.
Marentette, of Grail Springs Spa, told Quinte News the group No Place for a Quarry will be out on the streets of Bancroft Friday to meet the incoming cottagers, looking for their support.
She said the group plans to hire a lawyer right away and fight the rezoning.
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