Holding Redlich acts for Heidelberg Materials Australia in significant quarry case

National law firm Holding Redlich has acted for Heidelberg Materials Australia in successful Planning and Environment Court proceedings allowing deeper extraction and higher tonnage outputs at its Glass House hard rock quarry on the Sunshine Coast. The judgment now stands without an application for leave to appeal.

The proceedings, Hanson Construction Materials Pty Ltd v Sunshine Coast Regional Council & Ors, concerned the deemed refusal by Sunshine Coast Council of an application to increase production at the quarry through deeper extraction limits (within a reduced footprint) and higher tonnage outputs.

The thorough judgment by Her Honour Judge Kefford represents the first contested major hard rock quarry case to have been successful in Queensland in a decade, making it a significant decision for the extractive industry and the broader Queensland development and infrastructure sectors.

Holding Redlich Partner Wendy Evans, who led the legal team, said the matter involved some of the most complex and heavily contested issues that can arise in planning and environment litigation.

“This was not an easy case. The proceedings involved multiple parties, extensive expert evidence and strongly contested issues, but the outcome demonstrates that even the most complex planning and environment litigation can be run efficiently and with integrity,” Wendy said.

“We are tremendously grateful to Heidelberg Materials Australia for the trust placed in us to lead this matter, and to our counsel and experts who contributed their expertise throughout the proceedings.”

“We also acknowledge the participation of long-time Glass House resident Ken Fullerton OAM, who joined the proceedings as a submitter in support of the development, a rare form of participation in Planning and Environment Court proceedings.”

The legal team, which included Holding Redlich Special Counsel Nicole Besgrove and counsel Mitchel Batty KC and Madeline Rodgers, had the matter ready for hearing 8.5 months after it was filed.

A total of 13 experts were retained on behalf of the proponent, to address the issues raised against it. Sunshine Coast Council retained three barristers and eight experts. Save Our Glass House Mountains, which joined the proceedings in support of the Council’s refusal, had pro bono legal representation and called one witness.

The Planning and Environment Court delivered 220 pages of reasons, confirming approval of the development, in July 2026. A short hearing on the intended conditions of approval took place on 21 August 2026, with judgment being issued the same day. 

Learn more about our Planning, Environment & Sustainability team here.

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