Lang Lang Quarry
Holcim owns and operates two adjoining sand quarries on McDonalds Track in Lang Lang and Nyora, South Gippsland. Both are long-standing operations in the region, with sand extraction commencing in the 1950s at Work Authority 2 (WA2) and in the 1980s at Work Authority 423 (WA423).
The quarries supply high-quality sand—an essential ingredient in concrete used to build schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, airports, and other critical infrastructure, as well as residential and commercial developments. The sites also produce sands for industrial manufacturing and glass production.
Community & Environment Enquiries
About the quarry
The two sites operate in conjunction, with all sales and sand processing taking place at WA2. Material extracted from WA423 is transported via an internal haul road to WA2, where processing, storage, and distribution infrastructure are located.
The operation employs around 34 full-time staff and 20 ongoing contractors, most from the local area. Holcim acquired the operation from Sibelco in April 2020.
Each site operates under separate Extractive Industry Work Authority (WA) approvals and operating hours, as shown in the table.
Lang Lang Quarry | Work Authority 2 | Work Authority 423 |
| Address | 870 McDonalds Track Nyora VIC 3987 | 792 McDonalds Track Lang Lang VIC 3984 |
| Operating hours | 24 hrs a day, 7 days per week | 6am – 6pm Monday – Saturday |
| Approved hours for transport of quarry products | 24 hrs a day, 7 days per week | 6am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No direct sales from this site) |
Work Plan Area: Lang Lang WA423 - click on map to enlarge.
Proposed Changes to WA423
Holcim is proposing a variation to the current approval for WA423 to access additional sand resources within the existing approved footprint, extending the operational life of the quarry by approximately six years.
The proposal includes several key changes to WA423, detailed below. The only change proposed for WA2 is the installation of a new conveyor system to transfer extracted sand from WA423 to WA2 for processing.
General Information on WA423
Initial approval for sand extraction at WA423 was granted in the early 1980s, with an updated Work Plan approved in 1996.
- Current approved activities include:
- Dry extraction to 15.2 metres below surface level in the area identified as EIL1606.
- Dry extraction to above the water table in the area identified as EIL854-2.
- Direct sales via the existing access road to McDonalds Track.
- Construction and operation of a processing plant and associated infrastructure adjacent to McDonalds Track.
- Extraction, processing, and sales between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday to Saturday.
Work Plan Area: Lang Lang WA423 - Figure F3.2 - click on map to enlarge
Although approval exists to construct a processing plant and access McDonalds Track directly, Holcim has not established any processing or sales infrastructure at WA423. Instead, all extracted material is transported via an internal haul road to WA2 for processing and sales.
This approach benefits the community by keeping a majority of the processing activities at WA2 using the existing established infrastructure—further from residential areas and with safer, more suitable truck access via McDonalds Track.
Proposed Changes to WA423
- Increased Extraction Depth: Extraction depth to increase by approximately 15 metres within the existing approved boundary, reaching about 30 metres below natural surface level.
- Revised Operating Hours: Adjust operating hours for load and haul activities to 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. The overland conveyor transferring material to WA2 will operate continuously (24/7).
- Relocated Processing Plant: Move the approved processing plant from its current approved location near McDonalds Track to the south-eastern corner of the property, set below ground level to reduce visual and noise impacts.
- Wet Extraction Approval: Seek approval to transition to wet extraction (dredging) when the water table is reached.
- Removal of Direct Sales: Eliminate approval for direct sales from WA423; all sales and distribution will continue from WA2.
- Enhanced Visual Amenity: Construct a vegetated bund on the northern and western boundaries to improve visual amenity and provide additional noise and view screening.
- Improved Rehabilitation Plan: Deliver an enhanced rehabilitation and revegetation program including a pit lake, progressive rehabilitation commitments, and expanded revegetation areas. The revised plan supports a long-term, sustainable end use for agricultural purposes, consistent with the area’s rural character.
Lang Lang WA423 - Figure F4 - Site Layout Plan - click on map to enlarge
Lang Lang WA423 - Figure FX - End Use Plan - click on map to enlarge
Benefits of Holcim’s Proposed Work Plan Variation to WA423
Holcim currently holds approval to construct a processing plant and access McDonalds Track directly. However, the proposed Work Plan variation offers significant safety, amenity, and environmental benefits for the community while maintaining the same approved footprint.
Key benefits include:
- No boundary changes: The current Work Authority or extraction boundary of WA423 remains unchanged and will not be any closer than it currently is to residents surrounding the property.
- Minimal vegetation clearance: Only 0.31 hectares of additional vegetation will be cleared to allow construction of the conveyor and bunds. This will be fully offset and reinstated under Holcim’s rehabilitation commitments.
- No increase in heavy vehicle traffic: The proposed changes will not increase extraction rates, and therefore will not result in more truck movements.
- Removal of site access to McDonalds Track: The proposal will remove the approved heavy vehicle access point from WA423 to McDonalds Track, with all truck movements continuing through the existing WA2 entry, minimising disruption to local traffic patterns.
Proposed minor change to Work Authority 2
The only modification proposed for WA2 is the installation of an electric conveyor system along the site’s western boundary, using an existing cleared section of haul road. The conveyor will transport semi-processed sand from the WA423 plant to WA2 and operate continuously (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
Benefits of the proposed conveyor system:
- No additional vegetation removal outside the current approved area.
- Reduced operating noise and dust emissions compared to transporting sand via heavy earthmoving equipment over a long haul distance.
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions through use of an electric-powered conveyor system instead of trucks.
Lang Lang WA2 - Figure 8 - Site Layout - click on map to enlarge
