Components of Key Resource Areas

A Key Resource Area (KRA) is made up of 4 components:

• the resource/processing area – the extent of the extractive resource and any operational areas associated with the extraction and processing of the resource
• a separation area – to maintain separation from people who might be affected by impacts such as noise, dust and ground vibrations from existing or future operations
• a transport route – from the boundary of the resource area to a major road or railway
• a separation area around the transport route – to minimise impacts on people who might be affected by noise, dust and ground vibration along the route.

Minimum distances for the separation area around the resource/processing area are given in the SPP guideline for mining and extractive resources (PDF, 7.6MB).

The separation around the transport route is a distance of 100m from the centre line of the indicated transport route.

Transport routes

The transport route is a road or rail link from the boundary of the resource/processing area to a major road, usually a state-controlled road or railway.

For KRAs with an existing extractive operation, the haul route used for the operation is generally the designated KRA transport route. In general, the transport route approved by the local government as part of an extractive industry application will be adopted as the KRA transport route.

If a local government approves the use of a road that is not identified as the KRA transport route, the local government may seek to amend the KRA transport route through discussions with the Department of Resources.

For example, if a quarry does not operate on the site at the time of KRA designation, it is possible that the haul route approved by the local government through a later development assessment process may be different to the designated transport route. A quarry company can also apply to the local government to use any local government road as a haul route.

Also consider...

• Access a list of all KRAs in the SPP guideline for mining and extractive resources (PDF, 7.6MB).
• Download maps and reports for each KRA (under the heading 'SPP mapping')
• Access the interactive maps through the SPP Interactive Mapping System (under the heading 'SPP mapping')
• Read about state planning laws.