Mt Shamrock Quarry

Holcim’s Mt Shamrock Quarry produces high quality construction materials such as rail ballast, aggregates (for concrete and asphalt) and road bases that are essential for the construction of homes, roads, railways, bridges, marinas, hospitals, schools, shopping centres, and other infrastructure within our communities.

Community & Environment Enquiries
About the quarry

Mt Shamrock Quarry at Mount Shamrock Road in Pakenham, Victoria has been in operation since 1974 and currently operates under Work Authority WA 174, and approved Work Plans and planning permit (T050156 PC2.). The quarry was approved for extension in 2008 following an assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978.

Mt Shamrock Quarry employs approximately 22 full time employees and 10 contractors, and indirectly 40 contractors, mostly from the local area.

Supporting major projects

Mt Shamrock Quarry has supplied major projects throughout its operational history including in recent years: Pakenham Bypass, Cardinia Road Overpass, High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) Depot at Nar Nar Goon, removal of 15 level railway crossings, Eastlink resheet, Monash Freeway widening, and Upper Yarra Reservoir.

Victoria has a growing demand for construction materials due to major infrastructure projects as part of the Victoria’s Big Build and civil construction for housing and industrial developments in the south east growth corridor. In Victoria, there is a current shortage of suitable approved quarry materials that are in close transport proximity to meet the needs of these projects. Mt Shamrock Quarry is ideally located for ongoing affordable supply to residential and commercial developments.

Future resource investigation

In December 2024, The Department of Transport Impact Assessment Unit (DTP IAU) formally accepted Holcim's referral application to seek a determination under the Environment Effects Act 1978 if an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) is required for this extension project.

The referral documents and associated technical reports will be publicly available on the following website for viewing:

Department of Planning: Pakenham Quarry Extension Project (Referral Number 2024-R10)

What is an EES?

An EES is the state’s most rigorous and transparent environmental assessment process and is typically reserved for complex projects that require assessment of a range of potential impacts. For projects with fewer potential adverse effects a tailored environment report might be required by the Minister. Where the potential significant effects of a project are well known, or limited, the Minister might require conditions to be met for the project to proceed or not require any assessment under the Act.

In order to prepare the application, Holcim produced the following key technical assessments:

  • Air Quality
  • Ground Water
  • Landscape and Visual amenity
  • Resource investigation
  • Flora and Fauna
  • Cultural heritage

The application details the outcomes of each assessment, how the site's current monitoring and mitigation measures apply, and details of any additional measures required in order to minimise any potential impact to the environment. 

The application also provides information on the site history, community engagement and the reasons why this extension project is being undertaken.

Please note that this referral application does not constitute an application for a Work Plan Variation or Planning Permit, these have not yet been applied for.

Next steps

While the assessment is being undertaken by the DTP IAU, Holcim will continue to undertake technical studies which include but are not limited to the following environmental aspects:

  • Surface water
  • Erosion and sediment control
  • Geotechnical
  • Quarry staging and rehabilitation
  • Noise & Vibration
  • Blasting

The results of these technical assessments combined with the assessment outcomes from DTP IAU may change the final proposed pit shape and size (within the confines of the Work Authority).

Please note

Holcim is not considering any changes to its approved current operating hours which are:

  • 7am-6pm Monday to Friday
  • 7am to noon Saturday
  • Blasting Monday to Friday 11am-12 Noon, and 2pm-3pm
  • Critical maintenance can occur outside these hours

Holcim is not considering any changes to site access roads or truck routes in and out of the Quarry.

Keeping you informed

Holcim is committed to open dialogue with the community. Holcim will provide updates as soon as possible via the following pathways:

Holcim Drives Down Carbon Emissions with Advanced Loader Technology

In a first for the Australian quarrying and construction materials sector for heavy machinery, Holcim quarries in Pakenham will begin operating a Cat® 988K XE loader in June 2024 – the first by Caterpillar with a high-efficiency electric 
drive system.