At the Heart of Geelong’s Newest Growth Area

Published 29 June 2022

Adbri have been involved in the operation of the Batesford limestone quarry, to the west of Geelong for decades. Adbri recognise that so many years of quarrying has created a very large pit with substantial earthworks. The quarry covers an area of 258 hectares and is over 35 metres deep. While operations for cement manufacture ceased in 2001, the quarry is still jointly operated by Adelaide Brighton Ltd and the McCann family to produce lime for agricultural and industrial purposes along with significant fine sands and some block limestone for building.

With the usable life of the quarry identified as coming to its end between 2025-2030, plans for the eventual closure and rehabilitation of the quarry were first made in the 1990s and have been continuously updated since. The rehabilitation works have been underway for over a decade and will continue throughout the remaining active life of the quarry. A monitoring and maintenance agreement and plan have been put in place until 2049 to ensure the integrity of the rehabilitation works, creating much needed green open space and an attractive new freshwater lake for the newest growth area of Geelong.