Facing up to 40 trucks carrying 40 tonnes of ammonium nitrate passing the school gate each day, St Joseph’s Primary School, Denman, has made a submission to Muswellbrook Shire Council about the plans.

“As a school we are concerned about the traffic arrangements at the intersection of the Golden Highway,” St Joseph’s principal Aaron Moon said.

“An upgrade has been long needed and with the extra trucks it needs to be looked at more urgently.”

The submission includes suggestions to fix the traffic problems.

Council has flagged the intersection as one that needs attention from the Roads and Maritime Service, according to Councillor Stephen Ward.

“Traffic will be one of the most significant issues,” Cr Ward said.

“The interaction with the school bus route in the morning and afternoon, getting access onto and off Rosemount Road to the Golden Highway and the de-acceleration of the B double trucks at intersections.”

The school’s submission is one of six council has received.

Today is the last day submissions can be made.

More than 70 people attended Orica’s drop-in information session over four hours on February 2 and 25 people took the opportunity to tour the site with company representatives, including Cr Ward.

“That type of consultation gives you the basic preliminary information but the best form of consultation is a public forum, which is what council is proposing to occur in March where everyone’s questions can be asked and answered,” Cr Ward said.

“Council can consider everyone’s views as well as their written submissions.”