The works which are being undertaken by Boral include reshaping the quarry walls, as well as rock removal. 

Boral issued a flyer to residents of Miners Rest which advised that, due to the rehabilitation works which have displaced a significant amount of rock, the area is now dangerous, especially the water areas.

The flyer stated members of the public had used the lakes for water activities in the past, and wife of the site owner Sharon Clark said that mainly young people had broken into the site on hot days to swim. 

The flyer from Boral also said that the safety of staff and members of the community is their top priority, police have recently begun patrolling the area and they will continue to secure the site appropriately in the interest of public safety. 

Boral confirmed the beginning of rehabilitation works in September last year.  

At that time, the council had indicated they were yet to receive a planning application for the site. 

Director of Development and Planning Angelique Lush said the situation has not changed. 

“The land is not zoned for residential development and the City of Ballarat has not received a planning application for the site.”

Sharon Clark said her husband Kevin bought the quarry six years ago and he has been in negotiation with Boral and the Department of Primary Industries to Economic Development ever since. 

She said all the major earthworks will be finished in March when re-vegetation of the site will begin. 

“Kevin always wanted to turn it into a high quality residential area with lakes as a major feature and a walking track, park lands and fishing,” Mrs Clark said. 

She said they are still waiting on the flood report results for the Miners Rest area and the finished product of rehabilitation works. 

“There may be plans of a drain alongside the quarry.” Mrs Clark said.

“There are quite a few councillors excited at the prospect of it becoming public and if it did, it would be a little gem for the Ballarat community,” Mrs Clark said.