Scar on the landscape

THE local surfing community has become concerned by the apparent destruction of the hilltop overlooking popular surf spot "The Farm" in Killalea State Park.

The area is also popular with families and tourists.

Local resident Peter Taylor described the work being carried out by Hanson Quarries as "the destruction of an Illawarra icon" and said something needs to be done now to prevent further work impinging on the beach. While the quarry has existed in Shellharbour for a number of years it is only in the past few weeks that their work has come so far over the hill, so close to an area recognised as a local landmark. Standing at The Farm you can clearly see that the hill has been cut into much further than in the past.

Hanson Quarries have moved to dispel concerns saying the work is about as far toward to beach as it will go. While it will not go any further over the hill the extraction license of the quarry allows them to work right down to sea level.

"As it is, it is close to the limit of what is practical," a Hanson Quarries spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the work should be complete within the next 24 months at which time Hanson will undertake a regeneration process.

The area will be revegetated with native species and the idea is that it will be returned to its previous state.

"We are doing what is in line with what we have done for the past 35 years," the spokesperson said.