Tejal Somvanshi
Residents of Sellicks Beach, a coastal suburb 45 minutes south of Adelaide, are raising serious concerns about dust emissions from the nearby Sellicks Hill Quarry, which they claim is affecting both their health and quality of life.
“They’ve increased the volume of business exponentially, and the volume of dust now is totally unbearable,” resident Mike von Berg told A Current Affair. “With everything shut the dust gets in through the vents of the bathrooms…It still gets in. In the morning on the benchtop you run your hand [and] you can feel the grit.”
The quarry, operated by Adbri since 1973, supplies approximately 10-15% of South Australia’s annual requirements for construction materials including limestone, shale, marble, and dolomite. Recent expansion has led to 24/7 operations, which residents claim has dramatically increased dust emissions affecting the community.
John Zingini described the situation as “a literal nightmare mentally and physically,” adding that despite Sellicks Beach being “one of the best beaches in South Australia,” the quarry operations have transformed their coastal paradise into a constant struggle against particulate pollution.
Health Risks of Respirable Particulate Matter
Beyond the inconvenience of constant cleaning, residents are increasingly concerned about potential health impacts. “The actual inconvenience factor is annoying but the health factor is extremely worrying,” von Berg stated.
Residents have reported symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, and “foggy head.” Some have commissioned independent testing of the dust, which reportedly revealed toxic components including silica, raising alarm about long-term health consequences.
Australian Lung Foundation Chief Executive Mark Brooke emphasized the gravity of continuous exposure: “Exposure to any particulate in your lungs for a prolonged period of time can lead to respiratory ill health,” adding that “there’s no safe level of exposure.”
The health concerns carry particular weight following nationwide bans on manufactured stone benchtops due to severe silica-related health risks last year. Additionally, the NSW Government has established a taskforce to investigate silica dust effects on workers involved in tunneling projects across the state.
Regulatory Response and Monitoring
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) are jointly responsible for monitoring dust emissions and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
In January 2025, the EPA approved a revised interim Dust Management Plan aimed at strengthening dust management controls. According to an EPA statement, this plan includes “updated and tightened Trigger Action Response Plan dust levels; improved dust mitigations at the crusher and associated processing plant; additional screening mound construction works; and revised dust controls around drilling and blasting activities.”
The EPA requires Adbri to submit quarterly air quality monitoring reports and notify authorities within 48 hours if particulate (PM10) limits are exceeded. On February 10, 2025, DEM observed excessive dust production at the quarry, resulting in the EPA issuing Adbri a notice for a potential breach of the Environment Protection Act.
Despite these regulatory measures, residents remain unsatisfied with the response to their concerns. “We’re looking for help… All we want is some help and to date we’ve had no help from government whatsoever,” von Berg stated.
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Adbri’s Dust Mitigation Efforts
Adbri maintains that its operations comply with environmental requirements. “Environmental monitoring confirms that Sellicks Hill Quarry operates below the maximum dust levels stipulated by the EPA,” according to a company statement.
The company has implemented various dust control measures, including:
- A Trigger Action Response Plan restricting certain operations during adverse weather conditions
- Extensive screening and barriers
- Sprinklers on conveyors
- Daily water cart operations
Additional measures include the installation of two new water tanks connected to the SA Water pipeline, construction of a second wheel wash station to reduce material tracking onto public roads, and continuous 24/7 dust monitoring with alerts for excessive levels.
Adbri has also committed to installing new BAM (Beta Attenuation Mass) dust monitors by mid-2025, with plans to publish collected data on their website to improve transparency.
Community Impact and Real Estate Concerns
The ongoing dust issue has prompted some residents to consider relocating. Zingini stated, “In 12 months if this doesn’t improve I won’t stay here,” adding that had he known about the quarry’s operations, he “would have sold the block and bought a house or built a house somewhere else.”
Real estate agent Rocco Perre highlighted the challenges this presents: “One – can they sell it? and two – what are they going to sell it for? The buyer going into that place needs to know what he’s getting involved with and would he want to live there?”
Future Housing Development Concerns
Compounding these issues, the South Australian Government has earmarked Sellicks Beach for 1,700 new homes to address the housing crisis. This plan has raised additional concerns among current residents who fear future neighbors may not be fully informed about potential health risks.
The Department for Housing and Urban Development has requested an air quality assessment and monitoring over a six-month period commencing in late 2024, including independent monitoring for respirable silica crystal. This study aims to inform future urban development plans and is scheduled to occur before, during, and after the summer of 2024-25.
Government tender documents specifically state the need to “identify the level of public health impact and amenity to assist in planning to protect future residents,” with the area anticipated to be construction-ready by December 2029.
“Look, I’m all for homes. You know, it’s a major national problem, but I wouldn’t want them to get into homes up here at risk and I think the government would be negligent in approving that,” von Berg commented.
Mark Brooke from the Australian Lung Foundation urged caution: “In this case we’re urging caution and we’re asking the South Australian Government to really consider extending that quarry or placing additional residents near that quarry without understanding the health implications that development should not go ahead.”
Infrastructure Challenges
Beyond dust concerns, Sellicks Beach faces infrastructure challenges that must be addressed before significant residential expansion. Community feedback has highlighted outdated septic systems as a serious environmental problem, underscoring the need for sewerage and wastewater infrastructure upgrades to protect water quality and public health.
The Onkaparinga Council has acknowledged being aware of dust concerns for several years, noting a surge in complaints during extended dry summer and autumn periods. The Mayor has cautioned that the planned increase in housing will likely exacerbate dust-related complaints if the underlying issue is not adequately addressed.
Community Engagement Efforts
In response to community concerns, Adbri has re-established the Sellicks Hill Community Consultative Group (CCG), which includes representatives from local residents, the Onkaparinga Council, and local businesses. Representatives from DEM and the EPA also attend these meetings.
Adbri held its most recent CCG meeting on December 11, 2024, providing an opportunity for the community to learn about proposals for improved dust controls. The company has also committed to enhancing transparency by revising its website and reinstating notifications for blasting activities.
What Next
The situation at Sellicks Beach illustrates the complex balance between economic activity, residential development, and environmental health. While the quarry provides essential construction materials and employment, its proximity to residential areas creates ongoing tensions that regulatory frameworks must address.
Potential solutions include establishing adequate buffer zones between industrial operations and residential areas, implementing more stringent dust control technologies, and ensuring transparent communication between all stakeholders.
As Sellicks Beach prepares for potential expansion with 1,700 new homes, the lessons learned from current residents’ experiences with industrial dust will be crucial in shaping sustainable development that protects both public health and the economic benefits of the quarry’s continued operation.
FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions About Sellicks Beach Quarry Dust
Quarry dust can contain fine particles that may cause breathing problems when inhaled regularly. The dust at Sellicks Beach reportedly contains silica, which has been linked to respiratory issues like coughing and chest tightness. The Australian Lung Foundation warns there is “no safe level of exposure” to such particles over long periods. Some residents have reported symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, and feeling foggy-headed.
Adbri has implemented several dust control measures including water trucks that spray roads and work areas, sprinklers on conveyor belts, and screens to block dust spread. They also use a Trigger Action Response Plan that restricts certain operations during bad weather when dust might spread more easily. Additionally, they’ve installed continuous dust monitors that alert them when levels get too high, and they’re planning to install new monitoring equipment by mid-2025.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) are jointly responsible for monitoring dust from the quarry. They conduct regular inspections (both scheduled and surprise visits) and use drone photography to check dust levels. The EPA requires Adbri to submit quarterly air quality reports and notify them within 48 hours if dust limits are exceeded. In January 2025, the EPA approved a revised Dust Management Plan with stricter controls. Despite these measures, on February 10, 2025, DEM observed excessive dust at the quarry, resulting in the EPA issuing Adbri a notice for potentially breaching environmental regulations.
There are significant concerns about how the quarry dust might affect future residents. The South Australian Government has planned 1,700 new homes for Sellicks Beach, but current residents and health experts are worried about building so close to the quarry. The Department for Housing has requested a six-month air quality study that will include testing for silica to help inform development decisions. The Australian Lung Foundation has urged caution about placing new homes near the quarry “without understanding the health implications.” The area is expected to be construction-ready by December 2029, but these plans may need to be reconsidered based on air quality findings.
According to local real estate agent Rocco Perre, the dust issue could make it difficult for current residents to sell their homes. He raised two key concerns: “One – can they sell it? and two – what are they going to sell it for?” The ongoing dust problems could lower property values in the area, as potential buyers may be reluctant to purchase homes affected by industrial dust. Sellers would also need to disclose the dust issue to potential buyers, which could further impact sales and prices.
The Sellicks Hill Quarry has been operating since 1973 and is designated as a South Australian Strategic Mineral Resource. It produces limestone, shale, marble, and dolomite for construction purposes. The quarry supplies approximately 10-15% of South Australia’s annual requirements for building materials used in homes, schools, roads, and other infrastructure projects. According to estimates, the quarry has about 150 years of resources still available and spans around 261 hectares in size.
Yes, Sellicks Beach faces additional infrastructure challenges, particularly with outdated septic systems that pose environmental concerns. Community feedback has highlighted that these aging systems are creating serious environmental problems. Before any major residential expansion can occur, upgrades to sewerage and wastewater infrastructure will be necessary to protect water quality and public health in the area.
Residents can join the Sellicks Hill Community Consultative Group (CCG), which Adbri has re-established to address community concerns. This group includes representatives from the local community, Onkaparinga Council, and local businesses, with EPA and DEM officials also attending meetings. The most recent meeting was held on December 11, 2024. Additionally, residents can file complaints directly with Adbri using contact information provided to the community, or report concerns to the EPA and the Department for Energy and Mining.
