THE NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has suspended the environment protection licence of Wyanga Holdings Pty Ltd, the operator of the Corindi Quarry, north of Coffs Harbour.

As a result, operations at the quarry must cease until January 31,

EPA Director North, Gary Davey, said the suspension was made after the company continued to exceed the extraction limit specified in its licence.

"Suspension is not an action the EPA takes lightly," he said.

"We gave Wyanga Holdings numerous warnings about exceeding the limits on its licence, including a notice of intention to suspend, before taking the decision.

"Under the company's current licence, it is allowed to extract up to 50,000 tonnes of material per annum.

"However the company has significantly exceeded the extraction limit.

"Further, it appears that the company does not have development approval to extract the amount of material that it is currently quarrying.

"In this circumstance, the EPA is not able to modify the environment protection licence to increase the extraction limit."

Mr Davey said inquiries to Coffs Harbour City Council confirmed no valid development application has been submitted by Wyanga Holdings.

"The licence suspension requires the quarry operators to maintain existing environment controls during the period of suspension to protect the local environment.

"Despite repeated warnings Corindi Quarry has continually failed to take any action to operate within its licence and consent conditions.

"As a result the EPA is considering further legal action.

He said other quarry operators who comply with their legal requirements should not be disadvantaged by persons who breach their licence and development consent conditions.

"As such, it is important the EPA ensures operators comply with their legislative obligations to provide a level playing field."